Patents Examined by Justin Krause
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Patent number: 8322250Abstract: A humanoid robot to naturally imitate various motions and gestures of humans and a shoulder joint assembly thereof is disclosed. The humanoid robot includes a first shoulder joint device disposed between a body and an arm of the robot, to move the arm. The entire first shoulder joint device is movable relative to the body. For this, a second shoulder joint device may be installed between the body and the first shoulder joint device to move the first shoulder joint device.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong Hun Kim, Young Bo Shim, Yeon Taek Oh
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Patent number: 8322240Abstract: A hydraulic pump device for a work vehicle having a transmission case that houses a PTO shaft (12) comprises: a hydraulic pump (35), a pump input shaft (36) of the hydraulic pump (35) that has a projecting shaft portion projecting into the transmission case (1), a first bevel gear (41), and a second bevel gear (42). The first bevel gear (41) is fitted on the PTO shaft (12) and the second bevel gear (42) is connected to the projecting shaft portion. A holder (38) for supporting the PTO shaft (12) is removably attached to the transmission case (1). The first bevel gear and the second bevel gear are supported to the holder for rotation about respective axes.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventor: Kenichiro Tsuji
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Patent number: 8322242Abstract: A linear actuation system has two linear actuator channels acting in tandem and a gear housing connecting the two actuator channels and providing an output for the actuation system. The gear housing has multiples gears with at least one gear connected to each actuator and is movable.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Timothy D. Gronli
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Patent number: 8316734Abstract: An operating device for selecting gear ratios of a transmission. The operating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between at least three gear selection positions and a locking device for limiting the range of motion of the selector lever. The locking device has a cantilever assembly with a plurality of locking contours that are connected to the selector lever. Each locking contour is assigned to a selector lever position and can be engaged with locking element to form a motion stop for the selector lever. It is thus possible to implement even complex locking tasks in a structurally simple manner such that jams, that occur during actuation, or undefined operating states in the locking device can be prevented. The range of motion of the selector lever is largely freely controlled using an actuator control, and the device is relatively silent and has short shifting times.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter
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Patent number: 8316735Abstract: An industrial robot includes a hollow chamber rotatably supported by a base, an arm rotatably supported by the hollow chamber, and drive devices provided in the hollow chamber and configured to drive the arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventors: Kazuyoshi Nogami, Mitsuaki Nakanishi, Keita Ogoh, Tomohiro Matsuo
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Patent number: 8312787Abstract: A shift lever assembly with a button type shift knob may include a lower skirt slidably and rotatably coupled around a shift rod, an upper skirt disposed on the lower skirt and rotatably coupled to the lower skirt to allow relative rotation therebetween and to prevent relative straight motion therebetween, and a shift knob detachably attached to an upper portion of the shift rod, wherein the shift knob is slidably coupled to the upper skirt to permit an upper motion of the upper and lower skirts along a center axis of the shift rod and is eccentrically coupled to the upper skirt to prevent a relative rotation therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Myunglyul Na, Yunje Hwang, Jeonhwan Kang
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Patent number: 8307726Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is disclosed as having an electromagnetic switch, operative to open or close a main contact of a motor circuit, and a solenoid having a function to push a pinion gear to a position away from a motor. The electromagnetic switch and the solenoid are placed in series in a unitary structure such that the electromagnetic switch and the solenoid have a switch case and a solenoid case both of which are integrally formed with each other to be contiguous in an axial direction. Further, a stationary core for the electromagnet and a stationary core for the solenoid are integrally formed and an operational direction of a plunger for the electromagnet and an operational direction of a plunger for the solenoid are set to be opposite in direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Masami Niimi
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Patent number: 8302502Abstract: A worm-gear assembly including a worm screw having at least one groove and a wheel having a plurality of rotatable pins along its periphery for engaging the worm screw. The pins are able to rotate in a direction other than a direction of wheel rotation. At least one raceway is provided for contacting pins that are not engaged with the worm screw during operation of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: SpinControl Gearing LLCInventors: Eric D. Carrier, David O. Carrier
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Patent number: 8302498Abstract: A linear actuator unit has a slide plate which is allowed to freely move along the outer rail while causing a cover to retreat. The linear actuator unit includes: an outer rail, which is formed into a cylindrical shape, and includes the slit-opening portion formed along an axial direction thereof; the slide plate (3), which is coupled to an inner block in the hollow portion through the slit-opening portion; a cover belt, which is tensioned between both ends in a longitudinal direction of the outer rail so as to cover the slit-opening portion; a belt-guiding member, which separates the cover belt from the outer rail correspondingly to movement of the slide plate; and a seal member, which seals between the belt-guiding member and the cover belt and between the belt-guiding member and the outer rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeki Shirai, Katsuya Iida, Soshi Miyahara, Ryuji Furusawa
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Patent number: 8302497Abstract: The present invention provides a starter, including a motor generating torque; a shaft rotating by the torque; a clutch fitting an outer periphery of the shaft; a pinion gear receiving the torque; a pinion control means configured to allow the pinion gear integrally with the clutch to be pushed out; a motor control means for controlling current supplied to the motor; and an inner tube that is arranged to be extended from the inner and in the direction opposite to the motor, supports the pinion gear so as to inhibit rotation thereof with respect to the periphery of the inner tube, and supports the pinion gear to be slidable; wherein a gear-side face and a tube-side face are formed in the pinion gear and the inner tube, respectively, in which the faces are facing each other, and a cushioning member is disposed between the gear-side face and the tube-side face.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masami Niimi, Mitsuhiro Murata, Kiyokazu Haruno
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Patent number: 8297145Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in at least one of a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A bracket is coupled to the column jacket with at least one pivot shaft coupled to the bracket along a pivot axis. A lever is mounted to the pivot shaft and rotates between a set position for preventing movement of the column jacket and an adjustable position for allowing movement of the column jacket. A locking device engages the lever and moves between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the lever between the set and adjustable positions, respectively. A restrictor encircles the bracket, the column jacket, the lever and the locking device for resisting against an outwardly radial force produced by the locking device when in the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventor: Leland N. Olgren
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Patent number: 8297144Abstract: An operating device for a manual transmission apparatus, comprising a plurality of operation shafts, a shift-and-select shaft having an engagement groove extending in a circumferential direction thereof, selecting one of a plurality of operation shafts by rotating and moving the selected operation shaft in an axial direction thereof by moving in an axial direction of the shift-and-select shaft, an operating portion for manually operating the shift-and-select shaft, an inertia unit including an engagement pin, positioned within the engagement groove and pivoting in response to a movement of the shift-and-select shaft in the axial direction thereof, and a swing-and-contact member provided at the engagement pin of the inertia unit so as to swing when being pressed by one of first and second inner surfaces of the engagement groove in accordance with the movement of the shift-and-select shaft and contacting the first and second inner surfaces of the engagement groove.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Aisin AI Co., LtdInventors: Ryuichi Matsushita, Kazuo Yoshida, Tetsuzou Yoneda
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Patent number: 8291783Abstract: A powerless helical locking mechanism for a door includes a screw with a variable lead angle connected with a power source, and a self-adaptive nut connected to the door. The helical slot of the screw is divided into a working segment with the helical lead angle greater than the friction angle, a closing segment with the helical lead angle smaller than the friction angle, and a transition segment between the closing and working segments. The power source actuates the screw to rotate bidirectionally.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Nanjing Kangni Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiang Shi, Yu Gu, Wenping Liu, Guannan Xu, Baogang Chen, Bangrong Ni
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Patent number: 8291781Abstract: An actuator is provided for reconfiguring a reversibly expandable structure, also referred to as a deployable structure. The deployable structure includes an enclosed mechanical linkage capable of transformation between expanded and collapsed configurations while maintaining its shape. An actuator coupled to the deployable structure provides a load, force, or torque for actuating a transformation. The actuated deployable structure transfers the actuation force to an external body substances, or element in contact with the deployable structure. The force can be directed inwardly or outwardly depending upon direction of the transformation (i.e., expanding or contracting). The force provided by the deployable structure can be used to perform work by its application over at least a portion of the distance traveled by a perimeter of the deployable structure during its transformation. In some embodiments, the actuatable deployable structure is lockable structure supporting a static load.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Julio C. Guerrero, Logan Munro
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Patent number: 8291789Abstract: A robot arm assembly includes a support member, a first rotating member rotatably connected to the support member, a second rotating member rotatably connected to the first rotating member, and a driving mechanism to drive the first rotating member. The driving mechanism includes a gear transmission mechanism directly coupled to the first rotating member, a driver mounted on the support member and provided with an output shaft coupled to the gear transmission mechanism, and a support mechanism supporting the gear transmission mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Bo Long
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Patent number: 8291782Abstract: An actuator assembly configured to control the movement of a stabilizer includes a ball screw having a longitudinal axis and configured to be rotated by a drive assembly, a primary nut assembly coupled to the stabilizer and received on the ball screw such that rotation of the ball screw causes movement of the primary nut assembly along the longitudinal axis of the ball screw, the ball screw and primary nut defining a primary load path between the between the drive means and the stabilizer, and a secondary nut assembly coupled to the primary nut assembly and configured to engage the ball screw upon failure of the primary load path.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Milad A. Shaheen, Teodoro J. Landas
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Patent number: 8291788Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly is provided for actuation of an upper arm assembly for a dexterous humanoid robot. The upper arm assembly for the humanoid robot includes a plurality of arm support frames each defining an axis. A plurality of rotary actuator assemblies are each mounted to one of the plurality of arm support frames about the respective axes. Each rotary actuator assembly includes a motor mounted about the respective axis, a gear drive rotatably connected to the motor, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a spring input that is rotatably connected to an output of the gear drive and a spring output that is connected to an output for the joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Chris A. Ihrke, Joshua S. Mehling, Adam H. Parsons, Bryan Kristian Griffith, Nicolaus A. Radford, Frank Noble Permenter, Donald R. Davis, Robert O. Ambrose, Lucien Q. Junkin
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Patent number: 8286521Abstract: An actuator assembly for remote actuation of control panel components in an environment that restricts human access is contemplated. The actuator assembly includes one or more remotely controllable linear drive mechanisms for imparting a rotation motion on one or more cams to remotely press a control panel component such as a button or switch. While disengaged, the cams are rotated to a position where they minimally obstruct an operator's view. The actuator assembly also allows the force and throw of actuation to be accurately controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Timothy C. McIlroy, David J. Carta
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Patent number: 8286528Abstract: A robot arm has a drive gear that has a shaft, a gear frame being capable of turning about the shaft of the drive gear, a first follower gear being capable of turning, in synchronization with the drive gear, about a shaft fixed to the gear frame, in a direction opposite to the turning direction of the drive gear, a transmission control mechanism that is capable of locking the first follower gear to the drive gear, an arm that moves in synchronization with the first follower gear, and a collision detection unit that is capable of detecting a collision between the arm and an obstacle. The transmission control mechanism unlocks the follower gear from the drive gear in response to detection, by the collision detection unit, of a collision between the arm and the obstacle. The robot arm enables quick cushioning of the impact force of the collision.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Soichiro Fujioka, Osamu Mizuno, Yoshihiko Matsukawa, Akinobu Okuda, Tsuyoshi Tojo, Rie Takahashi, Tohru Nakamura
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Patent number: 8286525Abstract: A gear including a gear shaft, and a gear wheel made of a resin material, the gear wheel being fixed to the gear shaft by molding. The gear having a plurality of concave portions and convex portions that repeat in a circumferential direction. The plurality of concave and convex portions are arranged such that they extend in the axial direction of the gear shaft, and arranged such that the convex portions of one concave and convex group are adjacent to the concave portions of the other concave and convex group. Due to the relative displacement of the concave portions and the convex portions, stepped portions are formed at a boundary between the concave and convex groups in the circumferential direction of the gear shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Mitsuba CorporationInventor: Hiroji Okabe