Patents Examined by Kenneth Dorner
  • Patent number: 4343204
    Abstract: A power transmission operating pedal in a motorcycle, wherein a base end of a pedal arm is fixedly secured to a power transmission operating shaft projecting from a lateral surface of a power transmission casing, and the other end thereof is joined with a pedal through a vertical shaft in a manner to be collapsible only in the backward direction, and wherein an elastic member is provided along the pedal arm to maintain the pedal at its pedalling position by its restitutive action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Hoshi, Tomoyuki Tagami
  • Patent number: 4342236
    Abstract: A crankshaft with a laminated counterweight. The counterweight comprises a plurality of substantially flat plates, each of which has a first and a second shaft mounting hole therethrough, and at least one depression on one side and a boss on the other side. The plates are identical and are pressed together so that the bosses enter the depressions. Shafts are pressed into the aligned first and second holes, and an integral fully aligned torque resistant counterweight and crankshaft results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Robert G. Everts
  • Patent number: 4339965
    Abstract: A transaxle is provided especially for small riding vehicles, such as lawn mowers. The transaxle has multiple forward speeds in a compact housing by virtue of a unique gear train arrangement in which shafts serve multiple functions. A driven bevel gear in the transaxle housing is carried on an intermediate portion of a shaft and is backed up by a structurally-integral rib or flange in the housing. This support minimizes lateral deflection of the shaft on which the bevel gear is mounted, when the transmission is under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: The J. B. Foote Foundry Co.
    Inventors: Hans Hauser, William J. Clayborne
  • Patent number: 4339964
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with reduced lateral dimensions. It includes a single case which contains both a crankshaft and a transmission. One is at an elevation above the other, and they are linked by an intermediate shaft. Accordingly, both the length and width of the engine can be minimized, which is important in vehicles such as motorcycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Isaka
  • Patent number: 4335628
    Abstract: A pedal for a bicycle, which supports a pedal body rotatably around the axis of a pedal shaft, the pedal body having a front foot-bearing surface and a rear foot-bearing surface, wich extend in parallel to the pedal body, and an outer connection connecting the front and rear foot-bearing surfaces at the lengthwise outer ends thereof, the foot and rear bearing surfaces each extending in parallel to the axis of the pedal shaft and being curved to have the center of curvature above the surface, so that the center of curvature of the rear foot-bearing surface is positioned axially outwardly of the pedal shaft with respect to the front foot-bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Keizo Shimano
  • Patent number: 4335627
    Abstract: A pair of separable sections forming a hollow structure are coupled to a rotatable shaft. Controlled quantities of hydraulic fluid are introduced into the hollow structure through a passageway within the shaft. One of the sections is selectively slidable along the shaft, for release of fluid from within the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Inventor: Thomas J. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 4334438
    Abstract: A clearance adjusting mechanism comprises a first member having an external thread, a second member having an internal thread screwed with said external thread of said first member, and a locking coil for locking the relative movement between said first and second members only in case of a predetermined rotation direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4333361
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element including a motion transmitting core element and a guide assembly for movably supporting the core element. The guide assembly includes a rigid end fitting having a bore therethrough. The core element includes a rigid bar extending therefrom and supported for reciprocating movement in the bore of the end fitting. The assembly includes a support fitting for supporting the end fitting on a support structure. The assembly is characterized by a swivel joint interconnecting the support fitting and the end fitting at an intermediate position spaced from the ends of the end fitting for allowing pivotal movement of the end fitting about the swivel joint and movement of the bar into the end fitting and through the swivel joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: Arthur L. Spease
  • Patent number: 4333358
    Abstract: A multi-speed forward and reverse countershaft type power-shift transmission having speed clutches, forward and reverse clutches, housing compartments, a control valve attachment location and various related components arranged whereby the transmission is capable of being produced at relatively low cost and of conserving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Fiat-Allis Macchine Movimento Terra S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio P. Grattapaglia
  • Patent number: 4333363
    Abstract: An indexing table assembly adapted to be mounted on a machine tool or other industrial machine, comprising first and second screw elements coaxially engaged with each other and mounted for movement along their axes, mechanism for moving said first screw element along its axis, a turntable connected to said second screw element and movable therewith, mechanism preventing said second screw element from being moved beyond a predetermined range, said mechanism for moving said first screw element comprising a cylindrical piston directly connected to said first screw element, a circular fluid chamber in which said cylindrical piston is mounted for movement, said cylindrical piston separating said chamber into first and second chambers, a source of pressurized fluid, a control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid into either said first chamber or said second chamber with the result that when the pressurized fluid flows into said second chamber the first screw element is moved positively in one directi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: A. Aoki & Associates
    Inventors: Seiuemon Inaba, Tokiji Shimajiri, Kenichi Toyoda
  • Patent number: 4332572
    Abstract: A belt drive clutch having a hexagonal sleeve splined on a power output shaft and carrying an outer sheave disc. A drive belt supporting annulus is freely rotatable on the sleeve and located between the outer sheave disc and an inner sheave disc. The inner sheave disc has a stud shaft extending inwardly and having a hexagonal bore matching the hexagonal external conformation on the sleeve. Ball bearings are assembled on the stud shaft and a clutch control ring is assembled on a peripheral race of the ball bearing. A camming arrangement shifts the clutch control ring axially to engage or disengage the belt by optionally constricting or expanding the space between the outer and inner sheave discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventors: Paul R. Carlson, Richard L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4332176
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a mechanical motion control mechanism which in one form may comprise an input shaft drivingly connected to an output shaft in such a manner that continuous rotation of the input shaft produces varying rotational movement of the output shaft characterized by an initial dwell period, an acceleration period, a constant velocity period, a deceleration period and another dwell period. The input and output shafts may be drivingly connected by means of a gear secured to the input shaft which is in meshing engagement with a second gear supported at one end of a pivot arm, the other end of which is secured to the output shaft. Rotational and revolving movement of this second gear is controlled by the interaction of a plurality of cam followers engaging a cam surface so as to allow rotational, revolving, and various desired combinations of such movements in response to rotational movement of the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Expert Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Norbert Rust
  • Patent number: 4331043
    Abstract: A gear crank for a bicycle, comprising a crank shaft, a pair of crank arms, and a chain gear has crank arm mounting portions at both axial ends of the crank shaft provided with supports having round outer peripheral surfaces and, axes offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the crank shaft respectively. The crank arms are removably mounted to the supports to allow for a changing of the angular position of the crank arms relative to the supports, whereby the angular positions are changed to adjust the length between the axis of rotation of the crank shaft and the utmost end of each crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company, Limited
    Inventor: Keizo Shimano
  • Patent number: 4331041
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting forces along a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element movably supported in a flexible conduit. The assembly includes a support member adapted to be connected to a support structure (such as a bulkhead) and the conduit includes a slider member slidably disposed in a passageway extending longitudinally through the support member. The support member includes a transverse guideway in which is disposed a metal L-shaped latch member having an aperture in one leg through which the slider member extends. A coil spring reacts between the support member and the other leg of the latch member for biasing the bottom of the aperture into engagement with the slider member. The bottom of the aperture in the latch member has a tooth which coacts with ratcheting teeth on the slider member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: William G. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4328711
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reduction gear assembly for automatically accommodating varying load conditions on a driven member, comprising a rotatably mounted, axially displaceable first shaft; a drive engagement driving the first shaft by a frictional force engaging in the axial direction of the shaft; a driving element mounted for rotation with the first shaft; and a driven member rotatably driven by the driving element and being subjected to varying load conditions, wherein the driving element comprises means for controlling the axial movement of the first shaft in response to the varying load conditions on the driven member. Also disclosed is a camera embodying the reducing gear assembly as part of an automatic film advance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Machmerth, Georg Mann, Gerhard Salzmann
  • Patent number: 4328714
    Abstract: An actuation assembly for use in conjunction with an instrument, such as a parachute oxygen system, etc., is disclosed having a handle adapted to be manually gripped by the user of the actuation assembly and mounted relative to housing means that is fixedly secured to a strap or the like, with positionment of the handle in releasably confined position relative to the housing means until use of the actuation assembly is desired. Releasing means operatively associated with the housing means and the handle is provided to maintain the handle in the confined position relative to the housing means such that only upon the application of a predetermined force to the handle is it removable from the confined position. Coupling means for connecting the handle to the instrument to be actuated is provided such that upon removal of the handle from the confined position a force is applied through the coupling means to the instrument for actuation of the system associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4328879
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing sprocket or gear assembly or like torsionally elastic device is described having resilient cushioning means interposed between mating lugs of the hub and rim to smooth and dampen torsional shocks and vibrations produced by a power drive train. An improved radial bearing surface is provided which maintains symmetry of the bearing load with respect to the drive, and which ensures concentricity between the hub and rim and keeps the rim from wobbling axially or orbiting radially with respect to the hub during operation. The cushioning means are configured relative to the hub and rim to accommodate angular displacements of at least 9.degree.. A power transmission drive system employing the shock-absorbing sprocket of the invention is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Tone
  • Patent number: 4327926
    Abstract: A steering linkage for vehicles of the type having left and right side knucle arms, a tie rod, a Pitman arm, and a relay rod which pivotably connects the Pitman arm with an intermediate portion of the tie rod and is generally inclined downward from its one end connected with the Pitman arm toward its other end connected with the tie rod, wherein the relative position between the relay rod and the tie rod is so determined that the axis of the relay rod substantially intersects the axis of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Suganuma
  • Patent number: 4327600
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element including a flexible motion transmitting core element, a guide assembly for supporting the core element such that the ends of the core element extend from the guide assembly, a terminal disposed on one end of the core element and having first and second faces with an aperture extending therebetween for receiving a control member, and an incompressible fitting retained in the aperture having a passageway extending therethrough for surrounding the control member. The assembly is characterized by a resilient member disposed in the passageway for cushioning the control member from the terminal to inhibit the transmission of vibrations between the terminal and the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: William G. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4327601
    Abstract: A flexible steering wheel rim having an upper portion with a stack of arcuate leaf springs canted forwardly and toward the steering wheel. The leaf springs are mounted to a seat in the lower portion of the rim which has a flat surface inclined fowardly and toward the center of the steering wheel. A clamp circumscribes the wire and leaf springs and has a rearward wall which is pitched rearwardly and toward the center of the steering wheel. The leaf springs are deformable upon impact in a forward or rearward direction parallel to the axis of the steering wheel. The leaf springs flex when a rear axial force is present such that they become canted rearward and toward the center of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Lloyd R. Vivian, Jr.