Patents Examined by Karin L. Ferriter
  • Patent number: 4844506
    Abstract: A vehicle has a body, a right-hand wheel, and a left-hand wheel. A first device rotatably connects the right-hand wheel to the body. A second device rotatably connects the left-hand wheel to the body. An elastically deformable stabilizer is connected between the first and second devices. A mechanism serves to positively deform the stabilizer. A sensor may detect an operating condition of the vehicle, such as a steering condition or speed of the vehicle. The stabilizer may be positively deformed in accordance with the detected operating condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Moriguchi, Yuichi Imani, Tetsuji Kozaki
  • Patent number: 4826203
    Abstract: An automobile sub-frame structure for supporting two double wishbone type rear suspensions on its respective sides includes a pair of juxtaposed first members extending in a direction widthwise of a vehicle body, a pair of opposed second members extending substantially vertically and each rigidly secured at an upper portion thereof to one end of each first member, and a pair of third members rigidly secured to lower portions of the second members and to a lower surface of a central portion of each first member. In the sub-frame structure, a plurality of truss structures are formed by the first, second and third members so that the sub-frame structure will be sufficiently rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Kijima, Fumitaka Ando, Toshihide Koyama
  • Patent number: 4815751
    Abstract: A level and inclination regulating arrangement for a vehicle includes a compressor having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. At least two pneumatic or hydropneumatic resilient elements are each associated with one wheel of an axle of the vehicle and include a movable separating piston which is acted upon at one side by the wheel load, and a housing confining a gas cushion which exerts pneumatic pressure on and supports the separating piston at the other side. Supply and discharge conduits connect each of the gas cushions with the outlet chamber and with the inlet chamber of the compressor, respectively. An accumulator is incorporated into at least one of the supply and discharge conduits which communicates with the respective one of the outlet and inlet chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Franz Tuczek
  • Patent number: 4813513
    Abstract: A first chamber (18) of variable volume is interposed between the body (20) and the adjacent part of the damper (14) and hydraulically connected to a second chamber (40) of variable volume provided in an elastically yieldable support (24) interposed between the power unit (22) and the body (20) so as to constitute a work chamber. The second chamber (40) is connected to a third chamber (41) of variable volume constituting a simple expansion chamber which is not subjected to exterior forces, through a passageway of great length and small section. The hydraulic connection between the first chamber (18) and at least one of the other two chambers (40), (41) is achieved, at least partly, through the passageway of great length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignees: Automobiles Peugeot, Automobiles Citroen
    Inventors: Robert Le Salver, Dominique Poupard
  • Patent number: 4813507
    Abstract: An axle beam for the rear wheel suspension of a front-engine front-wheel drive vehicle is disclosed. An axle beam body extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle with both ends thereof attached to wheel hubs, and trailing arms and springs connect the axle beam body to the vehicle body in the vicinity of the wheel hubs. An axle body protecting member having an inclined outer peripheral surface which inclines below the front side wall and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is attached to the front side wall of the axle beam body. The protecting member may be attached to the axle beam body through spacers, an elastic member or a universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tanaka, Yutaka Inuzuka, Hideki Takeo
  • Patent number: 4810005
    Abstract: The bottom wall (12) of a rectangular housing (10) comprises a trough-like depression (14) which is sealed on the inside of the housing (10) by a cover (22) provided with a securing flange (22A). A propellant charge (42) is introduced into the trough-like depression (14). The housing (10) is sealed at its front side by a covering formed by two pivotal foamed material plates (30, 32). In the interior of the housing (10) a folded gas bag (26) is accommodated which is inflated by the gases forming on combustion of the propellant charge (42) and flowing through gas passage openings of the cover (22) into the interior of the gas bag (26). Since the propellant charge (42) can be introduced directly or using a simple capsule housing of plastic into the interior of the trough (14) a separate and involved gas generator housing can be dispensed with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4810003
    Abstract: The strut mount is secured to the piston rod of the damper of the strut and provides the upper seat for the suspension spring. A support plate with a coned opening cams a snap ring held in the isolator or rubber body of the mount radially inwardly. At the top of the coned opening, the snap ring deflects radially outwardly over the top of the coned opening to engage the upper surface thereof to lock the isolator and the strut in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Pinch, Douglas A. Dolengowski
  • Patent number: 4805939
    Abstract: A steering mechanism of a vehicle including a front wheel steering mechanism for steering front wheels of the vehicle, a steering wheel wheel for effecting a steering movement of the front wheel steering mechanism to a desired angle, a rear wheel steering mechanism for steering rear wheels of the vehicle, a control unit for effecting a steering movement of the rear wheel steering mechanism in relation with the steering movement of the front wheels. The arrangement is such that a ratio of the steering angle of the rear wheel to the steering angle of the front wheel is increased in the same direction of steering as the steered direction of the front wheels as the rate of the steering operation for the steering wheel is increased so as to obtain a desirable steering movement of the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Kanazawa, Shunsuke Kawasaki, Shigeki Furutani, Akihiko Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 4802689
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle suspension means for motor vehicles, wherein the guide means of a rigid axle is constructed so that the latter changes its position in the sense of a positive oblique springing during inward spring stroke movements, and executes no inherent steering movements during one-sided and alternate-side inward and outward spring strokes. For this purpose the rigid axle is guided on each side by a pair of guiding control arms which determine, for its wheel axis, a pivot axis about which the wheel axis is movable by means of a guide arm retained on the vehicle body in the sense of the positive oblique springing during inward spring stroke movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Hoffmann, Franz X. Scheller
  • Patent number: 4801156
    Abstract: The device for adjusting the position of a strap return element (1) of in particular a safety belt for a motor vehicle is characterized in that the strap return element is mounted to be movable between two end positions by driving means comprising an electric motor supplied with current through the medium of a control element controlling the position of the strap return element at any point of the travel of the latter defined by the two end positions. The strap return element (1) is disposed on an anchoring pin (4) mounted on the stator of the electric motor whose hollow rotor is provided with an internal screwthread cooperating with a screwthreaded rod mounted on the vehicle for shifting the electric motor and therefore the strap return element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: ECIA--Equipements et Composants Pour L'Industrie Automobile
    Inventor: Gerard Escaravage
  • Patent number: 4798400
    Abstract: A vehicle frame for a four wheeled buggy having a steering wheel operated by a driver seated, comprises a main frame having a narrower front portion, a support frame for supporting a steering apparatus, a flat floor support portion, a pair of step frames, a seat frame, an engine supporting frame, an oblique frame supporting the engine supporting frame, and an accommodating space for accommodating a driving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyoshi Kosuge
  • Patent number: 4798394
    Abstract: A steerable axle assembly having an axle with a generally vertically extending bore therein, a kingpin that is non-rotatably positioned in the bore in the axle in such a manner that the kingpin is longitudinally engaged by the bore so that the kingpin can not drift upwardly in the bore, the kingpin having upper and lower cylindrical portions that receive first and second tapered roller bearings, respectively, the first and second tapered roller bearings being retained, respectively, in apertures in upper and lower yoke arms of a steering knuckle. The first and second tapered roller bearings are adjustably preloaded by an externally threaded bearing adjuster that is threaded into an internally threaded portion of the aperture in the upper yoke arm of the steering knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Pollock, Larry P. Stoneburner
  • Patent number: 4798393
    Abstract: A rider-controlled working machine having a four-wheel steering system including a steering link mechanism operatively interconnecting a steering wheel and front and rear wheels for steering the front and rear wheels simultaneously. The steering link mechanism includes a device for steering the rear wheels such that when the steering wheel is turned through a relatively large angle, the center of turning movement of the working machine is positioned between extensions of the axles of the front and rear wheels at the time the front and rear wheels are in a neutral steering position, and when the steering wheel is turned through a relatively small angle, the center of turning movement of the working machine is positioned between an extension of the transverse axis of an earth working unit coupled to the rear end of the working machine and the extensions of the axles of the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Miura, Hiroshi Uno
  • Patent number: 4796913
    Abstract: A restraining device for use with bench seats of the type used in school buses, wherein the restraining bar is attached to a forward seat to restrain passengers in the rearward seat directly behind the forward seat. The device includes a hinge plate mounted on the frame of the forward seat presenting a profiled cam with a generally arcuate rear face having an upper limit position, a lower limit position, and a locking lower position. The plate means has a pivot pin on the outside of said plate. A restraining bar is provided with a restraining support sized to be positioned across the waist of passengers seated in the rearward seat. The restraining bar has an arm at each end of said support and extends to the frame of the forward seat. The arm has a slot sized to receive the pivot pin of the hinge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Safety Research and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Amabile, Ronald Rogers
  • Patent number: 4789038
    Abstract: An axle weight distribution controller for maintaining the weight borne by the steering axle of a load-carrying vehicle. A load transducer attached to the steering axle produces an electrical signal that is compared with signals representing desired minimum and maximum loads to be borne by the steering axle. If the load borne by the steering axle falls outside of the predetermined load interval, the pressure in an air spring supporting a third axle is adjusted so as to redistribute the weight borne by each of the other axles in the vehicle and to bring the load borne by the steering axle within desired limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Structural Instrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Phong T. Nguyen, Charles L. Keith, Jerry L. McCauley
  • Patent number: 4787645
    Abstract: A steering system has a pair of rectangular frames for suspending rear wheels of a motor vehicle. Each frame is rotatably supported on eccentric portions formed on both sides of a shaft which is longitudinally disposed and rotatably mounted on a body of the vehicle. Accordingly, by rotating the shaft, the frame is deformed by deviation of axes of the eccentric portion to turn the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Ohbayashi, Fusami Oyama, Akira Takahashi, Takeo Inoue
  • Patent number: 4787646
    Abstract: The riding mower chassis of this invention has laterally spaced front traction wheels, attachment fittings for a mower that rides in front of those wheels, and laterally spaced rear wheels that can float up and down to accommodate terrain irregularities, For such floating a rear axle has at its midpoint a pivot connection with the frame whereby its ends can swing up and down, and the rear wheels are mounted on its ends for rotation and for swiveling relative to it. Swiveling of the rear wheels is controlled by an operator seated on the chassis from a steering wheel at its front. A pair of cable stretches that have their front ends connected with the steering wheel shaft extend rearwardly at the underside of the chassis frame to connections with a steering linkage on the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Kamlukin, John W. Schanz
  • Patent number: 4786081
    Abstract: An adjustable mount for anchoring a safety belt on a vertical surface of a motor vehicle has a vertically elongated guide rail fixed to the surface and having an front face turned away from the surface and a rear face turned toward the surface. This rail is formed with a longitudinally extending throughgoing slot and generally along the full length of the slot with a vertical row of stops at the rear face and having upwardly and downwardly directed stop edges. A slider displaceable along the rail has a rear portion engageable forward with the rear face of the rail and having abutments engageable between the stops with the edges thereof, a front portion engageable rearward with the front face of the rail, and an intermediate connecting portion extending between and unitarily interconnecting the front and rear portions. A guide fixed to the rear portion extends forward therefrom through the slot and is formed with a forwardly open threaded bore into which a bolt is threaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Gudrun Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4786074
    Abstract: A rear suspension includes a suspension arm for supporting an axle carrier. The suspension arm has a first arm portion disposed laterally of a car body and having an inner end pivotably connected to the car body through a first bushing and an outer end pivotably connected to the axle carrier and a second arm portion disposed longitudinally of the car body and having a front end pivotably connected to the car body through a second bushing and a rear end connected to the first arm portion. The second arm portion is formed to be undeformable vertically, deformable laterally of the car body and deformable by a torsional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadao Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 4779880
    Abstract: A four-wheel steering system in a wheeled vehicle the front wheel steering mechanism of which is drivingly interconnected to a rear wheel steering mechanism to steer the rear road wheels in either the same or the opposite direction as the front road wheels in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle. In the steering system, the rear wheel steering mechanism includes an operation rod operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof to the rear road wheels, and a connecting mechanism is assembled in combination with the rear wheel steering mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the operation rod in response to operation of the front wheel steering mechanism and for controlling the displacement direction of the operation rod in dependence upon the turn-angle of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Youichi Hyodo