Patents Examined by Luis Gonzalez
  • Sheet feeding device and image forming device
    Patent number: 11247862
    Abstract: A detector includes a first member that makes contact with an upper surface of a paper sheet stored in a sheet feeding cassette, and a second member that supports the first member such that it is capable changing postures, while also movably supporting the first member in an up-and-down direction to coincide with the upper surface of a paper sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassette. The first member has a guide portion that makes contact with the sheet feeding cassette and/or a paper sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassette. The first member changes postures with respect to the second member as a result of the guide portion making contact with the sheet feeding cassette and/or a paper sheet stored in the sheet feeding cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Shibayama
  • Sheet feeding device
    Patent number: 11247867
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a feeding guide of resin material constituting a sheet feeding path along which a sheet is fed; a feeding roller for feeding the sheet along the feeding path, the feeding roller being provided with a metal shaft; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet fed along the sheet feeding path; and a grounding member electrically grounding the shaft. The feeding guide has a guiding surface for guiding the sheet, and the guiding surface is provided with a hole portion for exposing the shaft to the sheet feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahito Ikeda
  • Sheet storage apparatus, image forming apparatus, and method for sheet storage apparatus
    Patent number: 11242212
    Abstract: A sheet storage apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store sheets, a biasing unit configured to apply a biasing force to the storage unit so that the storage unit is biased toward a mounting position, and a regulating unit configured to be located at a first position at which movement of the storage unit in a drawing out direction is regulated and a second position at which movement of the storage unit from the mounting position in the drawing out direction is permitted. The regulating unit is moved from the first position to the second position in response to an operation by an operator who operates a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shogo Nakanosono
  • Crankshaft assembly comprising a torsional vibration damper
    Patent number: 11236801
    Abstract: A crankshaft assembly which is designed for a reciprocating-piston machine of an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a torsional vibration damper for damping resonance torsional vibrations of the elastic torsion modes of the crankshaft, and an output. The torsional vibration damper has a primary mass inertia and a secondary mass inertia, the primary mass inertia being rigidly connected to a crankshaft and the secondary mass inertia being coupled as a seismic mass with a viscous liquid to the primary mass inertia. The torsional vibration damper is configured to assume the function of a flywheel for reducing rotational non-uniformity in addition to the function of reducing the resonance torsional vibrations of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hasse & Wrede GmbH, CENTA Antriebe Kirschey GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Steidl, Florian Knopf
  • Foldable flywheel mechanism to facilitate energy generation
    Patent number: 11231084
    Abstract: A utility power generator includes a flywheel that includes an outer perimeter that is operable between a planar position and a plurality of sinusoidal positions. A hub is concentrically positioned within the flywheel, wherein the hub defines a rotational axis of the flywheel. An axial fitting traverses relative to the hub and along the rotational axis in an axial direction as the flywheel operates between the planar position and the plurality of sinusoidal positions. The flywheel, the hub and the axial fitting are rotationally linked to synchronously rotate about the rotational axis. Rotation of the flywheel biases the axial fitting toward the planar position. A transfer fitting is coupled to at least one of the flywheel, the hub and the transfer fitting. Rotation of the flywheel about the rotational axis operates the transfer fitting to operate a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Martin W. Stryker
  • Paper sheet handling apparatus having paper sheet transport direction switching unit
    Patent number: 11214458
    Abstract: A paper sheet handling apparatus including a paper sheet transport direction switching unit adapted to switch transport directions of paper sheets and to then feed the paper sheets, the paper sheet transport direction switching unit includes: a first direction switching and feeding member adapted to pressurize one side of a paper sheet transported, switch the transport direction of the paper sheet, and feed the paper sheet switched in direction; and a second direction switching and feeding member facing the first direction switching and feeding member in such a manner as to operate together with the first direction switching and feeding member to pressurize the other side of the paper sheet transported, switch the transport direction of the paper sheet, and feed the paper sheet switched in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI TERMINAL SOLUTIONS KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seon-Ho Kim
  • Transmission with a heating element for indirectly heating an operating medium, and motor vehicle
    Patent number: 11215273
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle, including a housing, which at least partly encloses at least one movable transmission part and is filled with an operating medium during a normal operation of the transmission, and including a heating element which dispenses a heat output in order to heat the operating medium. One object is to increase a coupling surface for dispensing a heat output to the operating medium in a simple manner. The heating element is designed to dispense the heat output to the housing via a first coupling surface, and the housing is designed to dispense the heat output to the operating medium via a second coupling surface. The heat output can be transmitted from the heating element to the operating medium in a significantly indirect manner via the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Andreas Kopp
  • Image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 11203496
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding unit, a detection unit provided downstream of the feeding unit, a measurement unit that measures a measured time from the start of conveyance of a recording material to the detection of the recording material, and a determination unit that performs renewal determination for determining whether the feeding unit has been replaced with a new feeding unit. Thus, replacement of the feeding unit with a new feeding unit can automatically be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Tsuda, Yasuhiko Fuse, Takashi Kuwata, Yoshiteru Kaida, Shoichi Koyama
  • Vibration damping device
    Patent number: 11204078
    Abstract: A vibration damping device includes a support member that rotates, together with a rotary element to which torque from an engine is transmitted, about a center of rotation of the rotary element, a restoring force generation member that is coupled to the support member to transmit torque to and receive torque from the support member and that is swingable along with rotation of the support member, and an inertial mass body that is coupled to the support member via the restoring force generation member and that swings about the center of rotation in conjunction with the restoring force generation member along with rotation of the support member. The support member is disposed between at least a part of the restoring force generation member and at least a part of the inertial mass body in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Oi, Takao Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Itou, Masahiko Kobayashi
  • Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus including the same
    Patent number: 11198572
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet feed tray. The sheet feed tray includes a first guide and a second guide. The first guide has a first end portion. The first end portion has a first area located in a central portion in a width direction, and a second area located closer to one end in the width direction than the first area. The first end portion is inclined such that the first area is downstream of the second area in the sheet conveying direction. The second guide has an upper end portion located downstream of the first end portion of the first guide in the sheet conveying direction and above the first end portion. The upper end portion has a third area located in a central portion in the width direction and a fourth area located closer to an end in the width direction than the third area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Tokoro
  • Switching and ejection device and method for a plate-shaped element
    Patent number: 11198579
    Abstract: A switching device (130) for transferring and ejecting a plate element (20) in a sorting unit (100), comprises: transport means (132), capable of transporting (A) the plate element (20) from upstream to downstream; a pivot (134), positioned in an upstream portion of the transport means (132), and allowing the transport means (132) to tilt relative to a horizontal transverse axis (R2); and raising means (135), secured in a downstream portion of the transport means (132), for tilting the downstream portion of the transport means (132) between a high first position and a low second position, and vice versa, so as to switch the plate element (20), respectively upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventor: Pascal Marciano
  • Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 11192740
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a sheet conveying member; a guide portion configured to define a sheet conveying path; a pressing portion configured to press the sheet to curve the sheet as viewed in a sheet conveying direction in the sheet conveying path; and a moving portion movable by an edge of the sheet passing through the sheet conveying path and arranged so that at least a part of a movable range of the moving portion is overlapped with the pressing portion. The moving portion includes a first abutment portion configured to abut against the sheet passing through the sheet conveying path on one side in the width direction with respect to a conveyance center of the sheet conveying member and a second abutment portion configured to abut against the sheet passing through the sheet conveying path on the other side with respect to the conveyance center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Mizuguchi
  • Paper path structure, stacker, printer and method for operating a paper path structure
    Patent number: 11192739
    Abstract: The invention provides a paper path structure that is able to perform the following four functions: pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with is original orientation maintained; pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with its original orientation reversed; stack a sheet of paper in a stack repository with its original orientation maintained; and stack a sheet of paper in the stack repository with its original orientation reversed. The invention also provides a method to operate said paper path structure as well as a stacker and a printer comprising said paper path structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Henricus J. A. Van De Sande, Peter G. La Vos, Kevin H. J. R. Prinsen, Jacobus M. G. Eijssen
  • Work vehicle
    Patent number: 11186170
    Abstract: A work vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to shift, in a transmission unit, a speed of a driving force from an engine mounted on a traveling body and to transfer the shifted driving force to a traveling unit and a work unit. The work vehicle includes: a mode shift switch that is configured to shift a maximum vehicle speed by the traveling unit or a maximum number of revolutions of the engine, the maximum vehicle speed and the maximum number of revolutions being set for each of a plurality of modes; and a work unit operation lever that is configured to be used for operating the work unit. The work unit operation lever is provided with the mode shift switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouhei Ogura, Toshiyuki Miwa, Kenta Ikenori
  • Sheet discharge apparatus and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 11180337
    Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a pivot member pivoting in an up-down direction by being pressed by a sheet discharged from a sheet discharging portion, with the pivot member retained by being in contact with an uppermost sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion. A control unit changes a sheet interval between a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet and executes a first discharge operation in which at least one sheet is discharged, and a second discharge operation in which sheets are discharged by the sheet discharging portion at a first sheet interval such that the pivot member does not contact with an uppermost sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion during the second discharge operation, and the control unit acquires a number of sheets to be discharged in the second discharge operation based on a detected position of the pivot member detected during the first discharge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Miho Kaiga, Yohei Suzuki, Junichi Ochi, Kazuhide Okuno
  • Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 11180331
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet conveyance roller, a retard roller to contact the conveyance roller and separate sheets one by one, a drive input shaft, a retard shaft, and a joint to connect the retard shaft with the drive input shaft and transmit rotary drive force of the drive input shaft to the retard shaft. A first angle formed between a line passing through a first engagement position and the drive input shaft and a line passing through a second engagement position and the retard shaft center is within a range of 80 degrees or greater and 100 degrees or smaller, and a second angle formed between a line passing through the drive input shaft and a first pin axis and a line passing through the retard shaft and a second pin axis is within a range of 50 degrees or greater and 70 degrees or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuma Inui
  • Working unit and working device
    Patent number: 11173596
    Abstract: A working unit includes a tool rotation mechanism, a first turning mechanism turning the tool rotation mechanism about a first axis, and a second turning mechanism turning the tool rotation mechanism and the first turning mechanism about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first turning mechanism includes a motor having a stator connected to the second turning mechanism and a hollow shaft-shaped rotor arranged inside the stator in such a manner that the rotor is capable of rotating about the first axis, and a second rotating body including one arm portion coupled to one end portion of the rotor, the other arm portion coupled to the other end portion of the rotor, and an arm coupling portion that couples the arm portions to each other. The tool rotation mechanism is provided on the second rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yutaro Maruno
  • Printing device and ejection control module
    Patent number: 11174120
    Abstract: A printing device includes a sheet placement plate, an ejection roller module and an ejection control module. The ejection roller module is located near the sheet placement plate to eject at least one paper sheet. The ejection control module is connected with the ejection roller module. The ejection roller module is selectively in a released state or an ejection state under control of the ejection control module. When the ejection roller module is in the released state, the at least one paper sheet is transferred to the sheet placement plate through the ejection roller module. The ejection roller module is in the ejection state, the at least one paper sheet is outputted by the ejection roller module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Lun Chang, Kun-Lin Wu
  • Recording apparatus
    Patent number: 11167944
    Abstract: A medium accommodation cassette includes a first medium accommodation portion that forms a portion of a medium accommodation region and a second medium accommodation portion that forms a portion of the medium accommodation region and is configured to be switchable between a first state and a second state in which the second medium accommodation portion is displaced from a position thereof in the first state in a cassette removing direction so as to stretch the medium accommodation region. A step portion on a side surface, which is formed between the first medium accommodation portion and the second medium accommodation portion, is positioned inside an insertion/removal mouth when the second medium accommodation portion assumes the second state in the state in which the medium accommodation cassette is installed in the insertion/removal mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Morisawa, Shingo Waki
  • Self-aligning cam follower roller device
    Patent number: 11156284
    Abstract: A cam follower roller device including a tappet body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a tappet bore, a pin centered on a transverse axis, through holes having mounting ends for supporting the pin on the tappet body, and a roller rotatably mounted on the pin around the transverse axis, the roller having a cylindrical outer surface, a central cylindrical bore and two frontal end faces. Transverse gaps are provided between frontal end faces of the roller and the tappet bore, and the central cylindrical bore of the roller is mounted around an annular rolling surface of transverse convex profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Michel Rabin, Charles Chambonneau, Mickael Chollet, Benoît Hauvespre, Thomas Perrotin, Mathieu Thibault, Nicolas Tronquoy