Patents Examined by Kenneth H. Betts
  • Tapered-roller bearing with massive cage
    Patent number: 3989326
    Abstract: The tapered-roller bearing has an inner race formed with a groove having a frustoconical base on which is provided an array of rollers that also engage a frustoconical surface on an outer race. A cage comprising a ring lies on one of the ledges defining grooves in the inner race and has a plurality of spacer elements engaged between the rollers and formed with ledges overreaching the groove-forming ridge of the inner race and preventing axial displacement in one direction by engagement of the bases of the pockets formed between the spacer elements with the wide ends of the tapered rollers. The spacer elements are formed at their ends distant from the ring body with enlarged heads fitted to the tapered rollers and holding them in place on the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Kugelfischer Georg Schafer & Co.
    Inventors: Karl Hormann, Hans Kober
  • Motorcycle front-wheel suspension with means for restraint of compression of a telescopic front upon braking
    Patent number: 3989261
    Abstract: A brake on the front wheel of a motorcycle is associated with a member which is arranged for angular displacement relative to a front fork upon application of the brake. Torque exerted on this member upon braking is utilized, as through a leverage mechanism, to lock the pair of telescopic shock absorbers of the front fork against compression which may be caused by inertia at that instant. In another embodiment of the invention the angular displacement of the member results in the closure of a shutoff valve arranged between hydraulic fluid chambers within one of the shock absorbers. The front wheel brake can be either an internal-expanding shoe brake or a caliper-type disc brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Kawaguchi
  • Vehicle driver protecting steering arrangement
    Patent number: 3988027
    Abstract: A steering column is split into two column sections, the rear upper section of which is tiltable in a direction away from the head of a vehicle driver during a collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Serizawa, Yasuhiko Fujiwara
  • Tilt cab power stream and valve control therefor
    Patent number: 3985194
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and latching mechanism for a cab tiltably mounted to the chassis of a vehicle. The cab is normally disposed over the engine of the vehicle and is pivotally attached to the chassis at its forward end for movement through 90.degree.. The cab is powered by an air-motor-actuated hydraulic pump which energizes lifting cylinders disposed between the chassis and cab. When the system is energized, a hydraulically actuated latch is released prior to commencement of the tilting movement of the cab. A direction-control valve is employed which, when in the neutral or closed position, utilizes the pressures generated in the hydraulic system by the weight of the tilted cab in certain positions to assist the valve in sealing the reservoir port in the valve against leakage thereby preventing the cab from creeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Knutson
  • Inflation apparatus
    Patent number: 3985375
    Abstract: Apparatus for variably controlling the burn time of a fixed amount of gas generating material used for inflating purposes. Gas developed by combustion of the gas generating material passes through a conduit. A blocking means is provided which, when selectively disposed in the conduit, decreases the cross-sectional area thereof and partially blocks the flow of the generated gas therethrough. The burn time of the gas generating material then decreases and the mass flow rate of the generated gas through the conduit is increased. The apparatus is especially adapted for use with motor vehicle passive restraint systems wherein, upon impact of the vehicle, a bag is rapidly inflated by the gas to protect passengers or other mobile objects of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1972
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Brian K. Hamilton
  • Automobile passenger's individual table
    Patent number: 3985374
    Abstract: A retractable table located in front of each passenger of an automotive vehicle, so that a person can write a letter or place a meal thereupon; the table being made of soft rubber material so to cushion a person while holding him from being thrown forwardly in case of a car collision, the table being pivotably supported at its forward end so to be swinged upwardly into a stored, out-of-the-way position when not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Inventor: Tadeusz Powaska
  • Mobile crushing plant
    Patent number: 3983950
    Abstract: A crushing implement on rubber tire equipped wheels in which the understructure of the implement can selectively be lifted off the ground hydraulically while resting on the wheels or can be rested on the ground, preferably at three points, while the wheels are lifted off the ground. The implement is equipped with hydraulic pump means for supplying the driving fluid for driving at least some of the wheels and also for supplying actuating fluid to hydraulic cylinder-piston systems for lifting and lowering the understructure, and if desired also to conveyor means for feeding material to be crushed to the crusher rollers of the crushing implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Horst Fabian
  • Inflator for vehicle occupant restraint system
    Patent number: 3984126
    Abstract: An inflator is provided for inflating the expandable confinement of a vehicle occupant restraint system, to restrain an occupant in response to a collision signal. The inflator contains a source of inflation fluid, such as a propellant which is ignited upon the receipt of the collision signal. The inflator has fluid-directing means including passage means for the flow of the inflating fluid therethrough. A deformable diffuser is provided having a first position in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the inflator to seal the passage means, and a second position, subsequent to the ignition of the propellant, in which a portion of the diffuser is deformed out of sealing engagement with the inflator to permit passage of the inflating fluid. The fluid is directed by the diffuser radially away from the housing to inflate the confinement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Goetz, Robert G. Gehrig
  • Bicycle suspension
    Patent number: 3982770
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension has a suspension frame unit and a shock absorber. The suspension frame unit comprises a pair of parallel triangular members each including a horizontal rear fork arm and a pair of inclined stays with their upper joined portion disposed in a space defined in the main frame of a bicycle. The shock absorber has its one end pivoted to the joined portion of the inclined stays and the other end pivoted to a portion of the main frame a little rearward of the steering head of the bicycle such that the shock absorber is disposed in the space defined within the main frame so as to be operated without being obstructed by the seat tube of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Yamaha, Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Satoh, Kazutaka Horino
  • Snowmobile ski dampener arrangement
    Patent number: 3982597
    Abstract: A snowmobile ski suspension of the type that utilizes a long leaf spring to support the snowmobile frame on each ski, wherein the shock dampener extends primarily vertically, with the piston of the dampener passing through a hole at the middle of the leaf spring. The cylinder of the shock dampener connects the steering linkage to the middle of the leaf spring, to transmit steering torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Yamaha International Corporation
    Inventor: Mel Callaway
  • Vehicle protection means
    Patent number: 3981376
    Abstract: A vehicle having a drive shaft and a "U" joint positioned adjacent a transmission housing has a protection element positioned between the "U" joint and the transmission housing to protect the transmission housing from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Albert E. Kluge, Jr.
  • Folding step for high ground clearance vehicles
    Patent number: 3980319
    Abstract: A supporting body member is arranged to be secured to a vehicle frame and has a downwardly angled flat wall portion on which one end of an arm carrying a step plate is pivotally attached. The axis of the pivot connection for the step arm extends at right angles to the downwardly angled wall portion so that when the arm is swung out to a use position the step plate is in a lowered position and when swung rearwardly to a non-use position the step plate is elevated. The body member has an upwardly directed front flange forming a stop for the step arm, and a detent is located on the flat wall portion behind the step arm to hold the latter in its use position, the arm being arranged, however, such that it can move rearward over the detent in the event that the arm or step plate is struck from the front or in the event that it is desired to retract the step manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: R and L Accessories, Inc.
    Inventor: Elwood L. Kirkpatrick
  • Safety steering for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 3980314
    Abstract: A safety steering system for motor vehicles with a steering spindle which is concentrically surrounded over a part of its length by a plastically deformable deformation member and which is changeable in its length by an impact of the driver against the steering wheel caused by an accident; the end of the deformaton member remote from the steering wheel is thereby supported at a fixed vehicle part arranged at a distance to the end wall while an outer column which is arranged between the deformation member and the steering spindle within the area of the deformation member, is displaceable in case of an accident together with the steering wheel and with the adjoining part of the steering spindle; the deformation member is thereby constituted by one or several hollow bodies which have an inner diameter that is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kopf
  • Front wheel drive assembly for four-wheel drive tractor
    Patent number: 3980151
    Abstract: Front wheel drive assembly comprising a tubular front wheel axle housing and rotatably supporting a differential yoke shaft having a bevel pinion at its outer end, a gear case fixedly mounted on the outer end of the front wheel axle and having a pin portion projecting from a cap of the case, an upright bevel pinion shaft housed in and rotatably supported by the gear case and having a bevel pinion meshing with the bevel pinion, the bevel pinion shaft having another bevel gear below the bevel pinion thereon, a front wheel hub shaft fixed to the disk of the front wheel and having a terminal reduction bevel gear, and a case housing the bevel gear on the hub shaft and rotatably supporting the hub shaft substantially coaxially with the yoke shaft, the bevel gear on the hub shaft meshing at its lower portion with the bevel gear on the bevel pinion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: Kubota Tekko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Murayama, Kenzou Sada, Mitsuhiro Kutomi
  • Framework for a wheeled self-propelled truck
    Patent number: 3977489
    Abstract: A framework is provided for a relatively large off-highway truck which has front wheels supported by independent suspension struts positioned on opposite sides of the engine. The framework includes a pair of longitudinally disposed, laterally spaced main side rails and a superstructure which provides an upper, transverse bridgework interconnecting the side rails to add transverse rigidity in a manner which does not obstruct overhead accessibility to the engine. The superstructure also provides radial support for the upper ends of the struts to minimize twisting of the main side rails by moment loads created by the wheels. The superstructure further supports a roll-over protective structure for the operator cab of the truck in a manner which minimizes the transmission of severe impact loads in the event of rollover to the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Carroll R. Cole, Richard E. Guhl, Lloyd E. Terry
  • Shift locking device for vehicle manual transmission
    Patent number: 3977488
    Abstract: Unless a driver wears a seat belt a solenoid plunger engages a notch in the striking rod operated by a manual shift lever locking it in neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadayosi Kameyama
  • Nestable cart
    Patent number: 3977689
    Abstract: A nestable merchandise cart including a rear frame and hinged side frames which pivot outwardly until limit stops are engaged, and a movable shelf which, when in place to support a load, locks the side frames into positions generally perpendicular to the rear frame. The shelf can be raised and stored, which releases the side frames to pivot outwardly and form a tapered nest into which a like cart will fit nestingly. The side frames may be biased outwardly by springs and pivot outwardly automatically when the shelf is raised, and may also pivot inwardly against the rear frame to a collapsed position suitable for high density packing and shipment of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: The Cornelius Company
    Inventor: Ronald L. Rosa
  • Drive line differential apparatus for a vehicle
    Patent number: 3976154
    Abstract: A vehicle drive train includes a pair of drive shaft portions, and an intershaft differential connecting them. One drive shaft portion drives a pair of drive axles through a differential mechanism, each drive axle in turn driving a pair of wheels in tandem through a differential mechanism and chain and sprocket means. The other drive shaft portion drives another pair of vehicle wheels through a differential mechanism. The inter-shaft differential mechanism may be chosen to apply greater driving torque to one drive shaft portion, i.e., for example, the drive shaft portion which is utilized to drive the wheels in tandem, than is applied to the other drive shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Ralph B. Clark, Howard R. Anderson
  • Shock absorber arrangement for material handling vehicle
    Patent number: 3976156
    Abstract: A vehicle having a material handling unit suspended on the rear end thereof is disclosed herein. The vehicle has a pair of drive wheels adjacent the rear end and a pair of steering wheels supported on an axle that extends transversely of the body at the forward end and is pivotally connected to the body for pivotal movement about a vertical plane. A single shock absorber is interposed between the axle and the body to maintain one steering wheel in ground engaging contact during oscillatory movement of the body about the axis for the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Herman J. Maurer, Donald C. Baker
  • Automotive safety device
    Patent number: 3975037
    Abstract: A safety device for motor vehicle seats, particularly for the protection of a child in the event of rapid deceleration, has a retaining belt, a deformable air bag, and belt loops arranged on the belt which hold and guide the air bag, so that at rapid deceleration the body of the child will exert forward pressure on the air cushion towards the front portion of the belt, and thereby the air bag will be deformed and will be raised in front of the body of the child to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1973
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Inventors: Heinrich Hontschik, Ingobert Schmid, Peter Greiner