Patents Examined by Jack Lavinder
  • Device for fixing a ventilated brake disk axially on the hub of a motor vehicle wheel
    Patent number: 6446765
    Abstract: An axial fixing device for axially fixing an annular brake disk on a wheel hub of a motor vehicle, the annular brake disk having the same axis of rotation as the hub and including radial ventilation ducts regularly distributed about its periphery. According to the invention, the hub has axial guide pieces in relief, or “lugs”, for co-operating with fluting in an inner peripheral edge of the disk to center the disk, to lock it angularly, and to guide it axially relative to the hub, each lug of the hub having a radial through channel for co-operating with a corresponding ventilation duct of the disk, and the disk is held axially in the hub with play by axial holding means disposed between the disk and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventors: Pierre Dabertrand, Didier Clement
  • Disk brake for motor vehicles and the like
    Patent number: 6446766
    Abstract: A functionally excellent and structurally simple disk brake with a caliper body formed as a single part constituted by a hub-side elongate element, by a wheel-side elongate element, and by connecting bridges extending astride a disk, hydraulic pressure pistons housed in the elongate elements and acting on respective pads by way of radiator elements, as well as a duct for the passage of cooling air, formed inside the caliper body and extending between the inlet opening and outlet openings facing these radiator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Raffaello Cornolti, Alberto Previtali
  • Photo display unit
    Patent number: 6446376
    Abstract: A photo display unit (100) comprising a casing (10) having an open side (12), a lid (20) pivotably connected to the casing (10) for closing and revealing the open side (12), and a stack of frames (30) contained within the casing (10) for holding respective photographs, pictures or the like. Each frame (30) is individually pivotable along its plane into and out of the casing (10) through the open side (12) between a storage position and a display position. A movable selector (70) is provided at the lid (20) for selectively engaging any one of the frames (30) and enabling the lid (20) to pivot the selected frame (30) out of the casing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: C. C. & L Company Limited
    Inventor: Sik-Leung Chan
  • Braking system for a wheelchair
    Patent number: 6443268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking system for a wheelchair through which a wheel chair occupant can apply the brakes to both wheels with one handle member, yet the braking system does not interfere with the foldability of the wheelchair. The present invention also relates to methods of modifying existing wheelchairs to provide such a braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: William Dearth, Jerry Phillips
  • Fluid-sealed anti-vibration device
    Patent number: 6443438
    Abstract: A cone-shaped mounting (1) is provided in which a main fluid chamber (10) is formed by a first connecting member (3) a second connecting member (5), an elastic body member (7), a partition member (8) and a first orifice passage (15). A part of an elastic wall of the main fluid chamber (10) is an inner wall of the elastic body member (7). The first orifice (15) communicates with a sub-fluid chamber (11). An input direction of a main vibration is arranged to be the Z-axis direction (the vertical direction of a car body). Side fluid chambers (20) and recessed chambers (25) are alternately provided at intervals of 90° in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the elastic body member (7). An outer wall of the elastic body member (7) forms a part of an elastic wall of the side fluid chambers (20). A pair of side fluid chambers (20) is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the car body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Satori, Toru Sakamoto
  • Vehicle control device for agricultural vehicles
    Patent number: 6443029
    Abstract: A vehicle control device, in particular a clutch mechanism for a tractor, includes a control lever and guide mechanism in which the lever is selectively movable from a first rest position to a second engaged position. The control lever is subjected to the action of an elastic apparatus operable to move the lever into the first rest position if the lever is released before reaching a given point along the guide mechanism. The elastic apparatus also being operable to move the control lever into the second engaged position if the control lever is released past the given point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Magrini, Ivano Resca, Giancarlo Sola
  • Locking device with safety arrangement for collapsable stroller
    Patent number: 6443479
    Abstract: A locking device for collapsable stroller is located at the gripping portion of handle. The locking device comprises a housing, a pair of meshed driving members in the housing pivotal in opposite directions a push button engaged with driving members, and a pair of steel cables coupled to the driving members. Whereby press push button to pull steel cables toward the center of gripping portion, thereby unlocking the latches so as to unfold the stroller. The stroller further comprises a safety mechanism at the upper side of one driving member. Safety mechanism comprises a pawl-like member blocks the push button in the locked state of the stroller, thus preventing latches from accidentally being unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lerado (Zhong Shan) Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Yuan Huang
  • Adjustable spring loaded mud flap hanger apparatus
    Patent number: 6443492
    Abstract: A mud flap hanger incorporates a tension spring within a mud flap support member of the hanger which can be tensioned from a location external of the support member. The apparatus includes a connector projecting from the support member threadedly connected to a tensioner nut which is rotated to tension the spring. A stop on the connector engages an end of the support member to limit the tension that can be applied to the tension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Betts Spring Company
    Inventors: Graylin Patrick Barr, Jay Ford
  • Hydraulic actuator for an anti-lock braking system
    Patent number: 6443537
    Abstract: A cup-shaped diaphragm is inserted into a bore formed in a housing. An inlet opening of the bore is closed by a plug-like wall member. A conduit line extends obliquely with respect to an axis of the bore from an annular space formed between a cylindrical wall of the bore and a protruding portion of the plug-like wall member. The annular space is connected to a pressurizing control valve via the conduit line. A chamber, partitioned from the annular space by the cup-shaped diaphragm, serves as a damper chamber which has a diameter substantially equivalent to a diameter of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Koyama
  • Shock absorber with cup-shaped stop cap
    Patent number: 6443271
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a housing, a piston slidable in the housing, a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston, a cup-shaped stop cap secured to the free end of the piston rod, and an adjusting ring which protrudes from the end of the housing and can be rotated to adjust the damping coefficient by adjusting the open cross-section of throttle openings through which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the piston. When a load pushes against the stop cap, the maximum travel is limited by the stop cap bearing directly against a rigid end ring of the housing. The load forces are introduced directly from the stop cap into the housing, without applying any loads onto the adjusting ring or other components. The adjusting ring and a return spring coaxially on the piston rod are accommodated within the stop cap in the fully retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weforma GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Color coded concept for articles of jewelry and clothing
    Patent number: 6442972
    Abstract: An article of jewelry or clothing which includes, or has attached thereto, a plurality of colored components which have specific colors. Each specific color represents a numerical value. The colored components are arranged in a selected sequence to depict a desired number. A kit is disclosed to provide the colored components and to be used to attach the colored components to an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: James G. Watson
  • Suspension strut with damping
    Patent number: 6443437
    Abstract: A suspension strut includes a housing assembly including first and second opposed housing members. The first and second housing members are relatively movable along an axis. At least the first housing member includes an engagement surface. At least one compressible spring member is interposed between the first and second housing members. The spring member includes a peripheral portion. The strut is configured such that, when the first and second housing members are relatively displaced along the axis in a prescribed direction, the spring member is axially compressed to provide a spring force opposing further relative displacement between the first and second housing members in the prescribed direction, and the peripheral portion frictionally engages the engagement surface over an area of engagement to provide dynamic damping between the first and second housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Samson Beyene, Charles J. Leingang, Peter Masterson
  • Slack adjuster
    Patent number: 6443270
    Abstract: A rotary slack adjuster (11) for use in a brake system of a vehicle (10) for compensating for wear in brake friction lining. The adjuster (11) includes an input arm (26) for connection to an actuating piston (25) of a brake actuator, an output arm (31) for connection to an output rod (24), and a rotatable member (49). Coupling device are provided for coupling the input arm (26), the output arm (31) and the rotatable member (49) together for mutual rotation during brake actuation in each of a first direction and a second opposite direction, while the rotatable member is confined to rotate between end limits in each of the first and second directions. The coupling device permits the input arm and the output arm to further mutually rotate in the first direction relative to rotatable member upon the rotatable member rotating to the end limit in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brakes Australia Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Michael Hodge
  • Wheelbarrow disk brake assembly
    Patent number: 6443267
    Abstract: A disk brake system for original equipment or retrofit installation in a wheelbarrow or hand truck uses a disk rotor and a caliper bracket both mounted to the wheel or axle, so as to provide the disk brake pads of the caliper with a fixed position relative to the disk rotor. The caliper bracket is stabilized by a separate U-shaped mounting bracket, or by one or more mounting arms affixed to the caliper bracket, which are secured to one handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel P. Burbank, Randy Oliver
  • Elastomeric mounting (B)
    Patent number: 6443439
    Abstract: An elastomeric mounting suitable for use in the suspension of an off-road vehicle comprises two rigid end members (11, 12) maintained spaced apart by an intervening tubular body (13) of elastomeric material which defines a central chamber (26), a connecting member (36) arranged to extend through the central chamber to interconnect the end members (11, 12) and serve at least to resist more than a predetermined separation of the end members, and buff member (37) provided to act in series with the connecting member (36) at a position between said connecting member and one (12) of the rigid end members thereby to cushion the transmission of force between the end members when the connecting member is loaded in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Trelleborg AB
    Inventor: Donald James Newman
  • Vehicular brake control apparatus and vehicular brake control method
    Patent number: 6443540
    Abstract: A vehicular brake control apparatus performs braking force limiting control for limiting, if the vehicle is in a predetermined driving state, braking forces applied to rear wheels of the vehicle in comparison with the braking forces applied to the front wheels. If it is judged during the braking force limiting control that the amount of braking operation by the driver has increased, the apparatus increases the braking forces applied to the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Shimizu, Yoshiaki Tsuchiya
  • Vehicle braking apparatus and vehicle braking method
    Patent number: 6439674
    Abstract: In attaining a target vehicle braking force corresponding to a pedal depression force, an assigned braking force is obtained by subtracting a minimum braking force of a hydraulic braking device corresponding to the pedal depression force from the target vehicle braking force. Then, a distributive braking force of the hydraulic braking device is obtained by subtracting an actual regenerative braking force from the assigned braking force. And, a boost ratio of the hydraulic braking device is controlled based on a target hydraulic braking force which is a sum of the minimum braking force and the distributive braking force. Thus, the braking force of the hydraulic braking device is always utilized for attaining the target vehicle braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Niino
  • Business form having multi-layer moisture proof wristband
    Patent number: 6438881
    Abstract: A multi-layer, multi-web, laser printable, page-sized form with an identification band blank comprises a multi-layered web die cut with a first paper label portion for receiving a printed image and an adhesive backed transparent film layer approximately twice the width of the paper layer so that upon separation from a carrier, the transparent film may be folded over and completely encapsulate the paper layer to moisture proof it and protect it. The transparent film layer includes a pair of adhesive backed tabs at the ends to facilitate its attachment about a patient's wrist or ankle. The band blank web is joined to a second multi-layer web with an overlapping glued joint, the second multi-layer web having a plurality of adhesive backed labels die cut into it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: James M. Riley
  • Solenoid based park brake method
    Patent number: 6435320
    Abstract: The electric park brake of the present invention includes an electric caliper motor assembly. The electric caliper motor assembly includes a motor, which is operably coupled to a shaft. The motor and shaft are surrounded by a housing. A cogwheel is disposed axially and operably connected to the shaft within the housing. A solenoid mechanism is disposed on the housing and positioned axially in relation to the shaft. There is at least one guide pin that is associated with the solenoid mechanism for interacting with the cogwheel when the solenoid is activated. The interaction between the at least one guide pin and the cogwheel provides a park brake feature and prevents movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Patrick A. Mescher, Harald Klode, Gustavus P. Bock
  • Distributed aerodynamic and mechanical damping of cables with active smart control
    Patent number: 6435323
    Abstract: A system for the mitigation of cable stay vibrations, typically induced by wind and rain, utilizes a plurality of active damper bands positioned along the cable stay. Each damper band includes a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Tech University
    Inventors: R. Scott Phelan, Partha P. Sarkar, Kishor C. Mehta, Thomas B. Gardner, Zhongshan Zhao