Patents Examined by Jack Lavinder
  • Patent number: 6520600
    Abstract: A hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a housing. A bore is formed in the housing. A valve seat is received in the bore. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. The sleeve includes an annular groove for receiving material from the housing to retain the sleeve on the housing. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Wendell D. Tackett, Gary R. Knight
  • Patent number: 6520302
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a device which can function either as a brake or as a clutch and which relies upon the application of fluid which, under sufficient pressure, becomes essentially solid thereby providing substantial friction between a moving disk and a stationery housing. The device includes a stationery housing having therein a rotating disk within a chamber in the housing. A fluid is applied to the chamber, and when the pressure on the fluid is sufficiently increased it becomes substantially a solid thereby essentially locking together the disk and the housing to provide a braking or clutching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Amara Ross
  • Patent number: 6520601
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for brake pressure adjustment of a wheel brake comprising the following steps: determining a preliminary nominal pressure gradient in a brake control, determining actuating signals for a hydraulic pump and/or at least one hydraulic valve for the adjustment of the nominal pressure gradient, determining the actual pressure by way of a pressure model, determining the slip of a driven wheel, comparing the actual pressure with a first threshold value that is lower than the maximum possible brake pressure, and comparing the wheel slip, if the wheel slip is a traction slip, with a second threshold value, wherein, if the actual pressure and the wheel slip exceed the respective threshold values, the preliminary nominal pressure gradient is raised. The present invention also relates to a corresponding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Continential Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Harald Kahl, Bernd-Uwe Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6520040
    Abstract: A control method/system for controlling range section (14) shifting in a range-type transmission (10) having a “repeat-H” shift mechanism. Under certain conditions, a shift from the highest ratio position in low range (4/8) toward the lowest ratio position (1/5) will cause an automatic shift to the high range, even if the range selector (96) is in the low range selection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas Cox
  • Patent number: 6520492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring arrangement consisting of at least the following components: pneumatic spring bellows, a pneumatic spring cover, a pneumatic spring piston and a vibration damper having a container pipe and a piston rod. The inventive pneumatic spring arrangement is characterized in that the pneumatic spring piston is provided with an integrated clamping lock which consists of an outer ring body and an inner ring body. The bodies can be plugged into one another. The outer ring body comprises a collar and at least one spring arm which is provided with a barb. The inner ring body comprises an outer ring and an inner ring which are connected to each other in such a way that at least one plug aperture is provided for receiving the barb of the spring arm in a catching manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Phoenix AG
    Inventors: Antonio Branco, Michael Weber
  • Patent number: 6516941
    Abstract: Chain conveyors in an agricultural harvesting machine can be tensioned by means of a tension adjusting device including an adjusting unit which is coupled to a displaceable shaft via a linkage means or connector members. The adjusting units are advantageously hydraulic cylinders controlled in synchronism. The hydraulic cylinders can be mutually independently pressurized via bypass lines incorporating control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Buhne
  • Patent number: 6517457
    Abstract: The present invention is a dynamically steerable mono belt apparatus and includes a first pivotable body element in communication with a second pivotable body element. A first pivot mechanism is attached to and positioned between the first pivotable body element and the second pivotable body element to allow the first pivotable body element to pivot in a first pivot plane of movement with respect to the second pivotable body element. The present invention also includes a continuous belt element formed as a loop and continuously rotatable in a first plane of rotation around the first pivotable body element, the first pivot mechanism and the second pivotable body element. The continuous belt element is flexible in the pivot plane of movement, such that when the first pivotable body element is pivoted, via the first pivot mechanism, in the pivot plane of movement, the continuous belt element is flexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Automatika, Inc.
    Inventors: Hagen Schempf, William A. Crowley, Robert A. Fuchs, Joshua N. Guyot, Edward C. Mutschler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6516702
    Abstract: A servobrake having a rigid jacket defined by a first shell joined to a second shell by through tie-bars to create variable volume front and rear chambers. The front chamber is permanently connected to a first pressure source whereas the rear chamber is selectively connected to the first pressure source and a second pressure source. The servobrake including a pressure sensor for the measurement of the pressure inside of the front and rear chambers. The pressure sensor is characterized by being attached to a front end of the through-tie bar whereas the tie-bar is characterized by a hollowed-out body with a hollow inner needle sealingly retained therein. The hollow inner needle defines a first chamber while a second chamber is defined by a space between the inner hollow needle and the hollowed-out body. The hollowed-out body has first ports therein for connecting the rear chamber with the first chamber through which pressure present in the rear chamber is transmitted to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gendrin Stéphane, Jean Fourcade, Cédric Leboisne, Jean-Marc Piel
  • Patent number: 6516924
    Abstract: A brake (10) for a wheel of a vehicle includes a housing (11) having one end closed by an end plate (12) which is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. An axle assembly (26) is received in the housing (11) and is adapted to be attached to the wheel for rotation therewith. The axle assembly includes a drive surface (33) which carries a shaft sleeve (48) having a splined outer surface (52). A disc brake assembly (55) is immersed in a fluid in the housing (11) and includes a plurality of rotatable discs (54) carried by the splined surface (52) and a plurality of stationary discs (56) which alternate with the rotatable discs (54) to form the disc brake assembly (55). Each of the stationary discs (56) has ears (58A, 58B) which are received in brackets (59) carried by the housing (11). A piston ring (62) is moveable to cause the stationary discs (56) to engage the rotatable discs (54) to apply a braking torque to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ausco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Michael, Brian P. Dennis, Theodore E. Hornus, Brett A. Starr, Michael J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6517465
    Abstract: A method for controlling the drive mechanism of a utility vehicle having a power take-off shaft, where the drive mechanism including an engine, a transmission, a power take-off shaft clutch and a controller, operates the drive mechanism in a careful and economical manner. The method of controlling the engine includes the step of issuing an instruction for engaging the power take-off shaft clutch at a low rotational speed of the engine so that the power take-off shaft clutch is engaged in a controlled manner. If the rotational speed of the engine is above a threshold, the rotational speed is automatically reduced before the engaging the power take-off shaft clutch. After fully engaging the power take-off shaft clutch, the rotational speed of the engine is automatically increased until reaching of the rotational speed of the engine required for the nominal rotational speed of the power take-off shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Hrazdera
  • Patent number: 6517246
    Abstract: An improved flexible support for a steady bearing in rotational contact with the surface of a shaft allows the bearing and housing to substantially track the contact surface of an impeller shaft when the shaft is subject to elastic deflection during operation. The flexible support employs a flexible disc pack, which is comprised of a plurality of thin, flexible disc elements in a stacked arrangement. The disc pack is mounted to a support ring and is also mounted to the bearing housing such that the bearing housing and other bearing elements are capable of deflection to substantially align with the axis of the impeller shaft when the shaft deflects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Blakley
  • Patent number: 6517171
    Abstract: A method for braking force distribution control for a vehicle with a direct four wheel drive mode, which does not become an obstacle to an effective braking force and disconcert the driver's feeling. This method relates to a braking force distribution control for a vehicle during direct four wheel drive mode and under the condition that the anti-skid control is inhibited, which does not operate pressure reduction control or the amount of pressure reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshiro, Wataru Ozawa, Yutaka Tanaka, Norihiko Usui
  • Patent number: 6516911
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprises a frame having a steerable front wheel having an axle affixed to a front portion of said frame, and a hub rear wheel having an axle affixed to a rear portion of said frame. A unitary power module is used as a propulsion system, which includes a target sprocket and a mounting frame, with the target sprocket comprising a disk shaped assembly having an center opening to allow the unitary member to be placed about the wheel axle. The target sprocket mates to the hub (or axle) of either of the wheels to enable target sprocket to be concentrically attached to the wheel by engagement with the wheel by securing elements. The mounting frame may be aligned with and rotatably attached to the target sprocket to allow for aligned rotation of the target sprocket about the wheel axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Currie Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mayer, Bruce S. Widmann, Seth A. Terr, Devin S. Bank, Malcolm R. Currie
  • Patent number: 6516685
    Abstract: A power-saving driving device for treading the pedals of a bicycle is disclosed. Thereby, the driver may use a smaller force to tread a bicycle so that a higher efficiency is provided. The power-saving device comprises two crank axles. The two crank axles are fixed to a gear box. Two spur gears are engaged to the gear box, and two free wheels are installed at an exterior of the gear box. The two spur gears and two free wheels are connected to the two crank axles. The two free wheels are connected through a chain; and a chain wheel and a bearing are connected to the crank axles. Thereby, the forces from the right and left legs can be outputted effectively. The driving of a bicycle and the power necessary are improved. Therefore, the driver treads the pedals with a smaller depth and thus the physical consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Kai-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 6517059
    Abstract: An insert disposed between two cooperating leaf springs. The insert includes a body including a stem having a plurality of radially extending ribs inserted into an aperture in a first leaf spring. The body includes a face which slidably engages a second leaf spring. The face includes a plurality of circular protrusions extending therefrom. A pin is inserted into a central bore formed by cooperating fingers that form the body, causing an outwardly extending radial retention force to be exerted onto the surface of the aperture in the first leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: TransNav, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy P. Vreeken, Philip W. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6513798
    Abstract: An integral one-piece end plate and bracket combination is formed of a high strength plastic and is mounted in an airtight sealing engagement with an open end of a flexible elastomeric sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of an air spring. The end plate includes a semi-circular wall which extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air spring and a semi-circular opening. The bracket includes an upstanding wall perpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate and a half dome-shaped wall, which together with the upstanding wall, forms an auxiliary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication through the semi-circular opening with the main fluid chamber of the flexible sleeve. The upstanding wall includes attachments for securing the bracket and end plate to a support structure which aligns with a longitudinal axis of the air spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Capek, Daniel Levy, Daniel J. Leonard, Mohamad Taghizadeh, Stan W. DeLizo, Michael David, Leo M. Schmidt, William D. Krusel
  • Patent number: 6513629
    Abstract: A brake cable-connecting apparatus for a drum brake, having a simplified structure and designed to permit a cable end to be steadily seated on a brake lever, thereby providing improved durability of an inner cable, and to further positively holds a brake cable in position, which otherwise would be disengaged from the brake lever. A drum brake comprises: slanted surfaces 27c, 28c for permitting an inner cable 29a to be deflected while a cable end 29b of a brake cable 29 is slid along an outer edge of a free end 26a of a brake lever 26, the cable end 29b being advanced from a direction in which the brake cable 29 is pulled, to a opposite direction in which the brake cable 29 is pulled; and, an opening formed in series with a cable-receiving groove 26b for receiving the inner cable 29a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Asai
  • Patent number: 6513799
    Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating a seat suspension system. The method comprises the steps of sensing a current seat position; updating the value of a first current endstop to equal the current seat position if the seat position value is greater than a current first endstop limit; updateing the value of a current second endstop limit to equal the current seat position if the sensed seat position is less than the current second endstop limit; determining if the current first endstop limit is greater than the stored first endstop limit; determining if the current second endstop limit is less than the stored second endstop limit; and if the current first endstop limit is greater than the stored first endstop limit, setting the stored first end stop limit equal to the current first endstop limit, and if the current second endstop limit is less than the stored second endstop limit setting the stored second endstop limit equal to the current second endstop limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth A. St.Clair
  • Patent number: 6513630
    Abstract: A double wound band which comprises an annular intermediate band, a pair of annular outer bands each with a free end secured to face the free end of the intermediate band, all three bands with a firctional surface formed on the inner peripheral surface, an anchor portion, an applied portion for receiving the force from an actuator to contract the bands to brake a rotary member. The braking device further comprises a deformation amount balancing device for balancing an amount of elastic deformation of the intermediate band and an amount of elastic deformation of the outer bands at a predetermined position, and a center misalignment correction device for correcting a center misalignment between the intermediate band and the outer bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Nakagomi
  • Patent number: 6511057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic suspension system (1) comprising at least the following parts: pneumatic suspension bellows (4) made of an elastomer material encompassing a volume-variable air chamber (5); a pneumatic suspension lid (7) to which one end of the pneumatic suspension bellows is fixed by means of a clamping ring (10) or the like; a pneumatic suspension piston (3) to which the other end of the pneumatic suspension bellows (4) is also fixed by means of a clamping ring (10) or the like and on whose outer wall the pneumatic suspension bellows can roll (6) by forming a rolling contour; a wheel guide element (9); a hinge (8) serving as steering means in relation to the wheel guide element (9) and a body (2), wherein the pneumatic suspension parts are disposed in such a way that only one hinge (8) is provided as a steering element in relation to the wheel guide element (9) inside the pneumatic suspension system (1) without requiring any centric restricted guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Berg