Patents Examined by Mark J. Beauchaine
  • Patent number: 10247298
    Abstract: A bearing pin assembly includes a bearing pin including a substantially rigid pin body. The bearing pin assembly also includes a resilient section disposed about the substantially rigid pin body. The resilient section is configured to facilitate bending of the bearing pin during operational loading of the bearing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Darren Lee Hallman
  • Patent number: 10245951
    Abstract: In a pump system for a hybrid electric transmission, the pump is alternately driven by the input shaft and the output shaft, whichever is rotating faster. The input shaft and output shaft are co-axial. Sprockets and a chain transmit power from axis of the input and output shafts to the axis of the pump. The driven sprocket is selectively coupled to the input shaft by a first one-way-clutch and selectively coupled to the output shaft by a second one-way-clutch. Two alternative one-way-clutch and bearing arrangement are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, David Allen Janson, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Matthew David Hammond
  • Patent number: 10246289
    Abstract: A banknote storage unit comprising: a first tape reel banknote storage device; a second tape reel banknote storage device; and a drive transmission means pivotable between engagement with said first tape reel banknote storage device and engagement with said second tape reel banknote storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Limited
    Inventor: Martin Sackfield
  • Patent number: 10247281
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Chang Kook, Seong Wook Hwang, Hyun Sik Kwon, Ki Tae Kim, Wonmin Cho, Wookjin Jang, Seongwook Ji
  • Patent number: 10247283
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a hybrid vehicle, includes: an input shaft (AE) driven by the heat engine; an output wheel, ring gear or pinion (RCPS); a stationary element (ES), such as a casing; an electric motor (ME) in which the stator (ST) is rigidly connected to the stationary element (ES); and at least first, second and third members for selective torque transmission (C13; C234; C12-E2), which can be engaged or activated selectively in order to establish different transmission ratios. The automatic transmission also includes a single Ravigneaux double planetary gear set (TPR) in which the functional elements that make up same are arranged in two stages of planetary gear sets (ET1 and ET2) connected by the aforementioned members to the input shaft (AE), to the rotor (RO) of the electric motor (ME) and to the stationary element (ES).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: PUNCH POWERGLIDE STRASBOURG (SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE)
    Inventors: Matthieu Rihn, Cyrille Bridier
  • Patent number: 10239401
    Abstract: An apparatus with an electric motor including a stator and a rotor; a shaft secured to the rotor; a gearing assembly coupled with the shaft; and a housing assembly defining a non-partitioned interior space housing both the electric motor and gearing assembly. The shaft may be unsupported by bearing assemblies and/or free of oil seals and similar sealing engagements between the electric machine and gearing assembly. The motor may be an axial flux motor having a single stator. The gearing assembly may be a planetary reduction gear assembly with a sun gear mounted on the shaft. The apparatus may include only a single electric motor or include a second electric motor and second gearing assembly. The embodiments having a single motor may be used to drive a fan or a vehicle wheel. The embodiments having two motors may be used as a differential drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUBURN GEAR, LLC
    Inventor: Isaac D. Branning
  • Patent number: 10241015
    Abstract: A method and a cryogenic sample positioning system are provided which include: a sample holder cassette that is vertically coupled to a carousel gear through a first shaft. Each sample holder cassette has a first degree of rotation about the first shaft. A first planet drive gear underlies and is vertically coupled to the carousel gear through a second shaft that extends from the carousel gear through the first planet drive gear. The carousel gear has a second degree of rotation about the second shaft that is different from the first degree of rotation. A planet gear that is laterally connected to a second planet drive gear is interposed between each of the carousel gear and the first planet drive gear. Each of the planet gear and the second planet drive gear selectively define the first degree of rotation, without affecting the second degree of rotation of the carousel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitegen, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Hollabaugh, Robert Newman, David Closs
  • Patent number: 10231559
    Abstract: Described is a checkout station that includes a hanger hook coupled to a platform. The hanger hook is used to hang empty clothes hangers on, so the hangers can be collected and held in one location until they are re-used or disposed of. The hanger hook can be a U-shaped elongate member with a curved bottom piece, a first side, and a second side. The first side and the second side are each coupled to the bottom piece to form the “U” shape. The first side couples to the register stand, and hangers are hung from the second side. Having the hanger hook at the checkout station makes it easy for employees and customers to hang empty hangers on the hanger hook so the hangers are collected and do not end up on the floor or cluttering the work spaces of the checkout station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Yurgis Mauro Bacallao, Michael D. Bookman
  • Patent number: 10222431
    Abstract: A measuring device according to the invention comprises a sensor line and a pre-magnetizing magnet. The sensor line has at least one sensor and extends in a line direction. The pre-magnetizing magnet has a non-homogeneous magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Sensors Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Bartos, Armin Meisenberg
  • Patent number: 10217309
    Abstract: A method and system for auditing money items within a secure housing, the monety items being collected from a multi-denomination money item storage unit and validated while being transported by a conveyor that deposits them back into the multi-denomination storage unit after they have been identified. The same process is done with the money items present in the at least one hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Robert James Blythin, Andrew Barson, Wesley Perry
  • Patent number: 10215259
    Abstract: A planetary reduction gear device has first and second planetary gears meshed with a sun gear and an internal at different locations in a direction of an axis line; and a carrier assembly for supporting the first and second planetary gears. The carrier assembly has a first planetary carrier for supporting the first planetary gears and a second planetary carrier for supporting the second planetary gears. The first and second planetary carriers are fixed coaxially with each other in the direction of the axis line so as to rotate integrally. A planetary reduction gear device having a large torque capacity can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HARMONIC DRIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Norio Shirokoshi
  • Patent number: 10206524
    Abstract: A checkout terminal for customers in a retail store. The terminal provides a path for products from a loading conveyor section, via a scanning section and a common transfer conveyor section, to reach a respective one of a plurality of plurality of packing stations to be bagged or packed by or for the customer. Conveniently, three of these packing stations are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Each packing station may be associated with a corresponding payment interface. Customer throughput is increased by providing multiple packing areas associated with one loading and scanning area, and customer convenience is improved by the faster and more efficient configuration of the checkout terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ASDA Stores Limited
    Inventors: Samantha McPherson, Zoe Brough, Nazim Cheema, Paul Harrington, Sarah Lawson, Paul Dennis
  • Patent number: 10204469
    Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus (banknote depositing/dispensing apparatus 1) includes a transport unit (41), a storage unit (3), an upper housing (111) configured to house the transport unit, and a lower housing (protective housing 131) configured to house the storage unit. The upper housing has an opening (1111) which is formed through a surface thereof on one side in a horizontal direction, and the transport unit is configured to be drawn out of the upper housing toward the one side in the horizontal direction through the opening. The lower housing has an opening (1311) which is formed through a surface thereof on the other side in the horizontal direction, and is configured to be drawn out of the lower housing toward the other side in the horizontal direction through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yokawa
  • Patent number: 10195932
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle has an input shaft, output shaft, first and second minus planetary gear sets, and first electric machine with a rotationally fixed stator and a rotatable rotor connectable to the input shaft. The first planetary gear set is stepped and has planet gears of a larger and a smaller effective diameter. In the first planetary gear set, first sun gear engages the larger planet gears and is connected or connectable to the rotor; second sun gear engages the smaller planet gears and is connected to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set and connectable to the input shaft; a carrier is connected to a ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and a ring gear is rotationally fixable. In the second planetary gear set, the carrier is connectable to the input shaft and the ring gear is connected to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Julian King, Jens Moraw, Eckehard Münch, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Stephan Scharr, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier, Raffael Kuberczyk
  • Patent number: 10192388
    Abstract: A parking meter mechanism is described that may include a front housing, having a display opening for viewing a display through, connected to an internal structure. Additionally or alternatively the parking meter mechanism may include a contactless payment reader located behind the display. The parking meter mechanism may be secured to a lower housing. A back housing may be secured to the lower housing as well. The front or back housing may include a solar panel compartment and solar panel mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: J.J. MACKAY CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: George Allan MacKay, Gregory Emile Chauvin, Shamus John Angus McLarty, Ben Garvey
  • Patent number: 10184548
    Abstract: A power-split drive train for a working machine having a main drive element, drive output shafts (Ab1, Ab2, Ab3), and a continuous power-split transmission with three drive units (2a, 2b, 2c). The transmission enables all three output shafts to be operated at the same time with rotational speed variability. A first drive unit (2a) has two energy converters while second and third drive units (2b, 2c) each comprise one energy converter. All four energy converters are functionally connected to an electric line. The first unit (2a) is connected, via a first shaft, to the main drive element and, via a second shaft, to output shaft (Ab1). The first unit (2a) is connected to drive unit (2b) which is connected, via a third shaft, to output shaft (Ab2). The first drive unit (2a) is connected to drive unit (2c) which is connected, via a fourth shaft, to output shaft (Ab3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Benedikt Reick, Raphael Himmelsbach
  • Patent number: 10181234
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins, comprises a rotatable disc having a resilient pad coupled thereto for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, the resilient pad being generally circular and having an outer periphery edge. The system further comprises a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the resilient pad, the lower surface forming a coin path for directing the movement of each of the coins and a coin reject region for discharging coins. The reject region comprises a diverter pin. A coin to be rejected coin travels toward the diverter pin in a radial outward downward tilted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, John R. Blake, David J. Wendell
  • Patent number: 10174824
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission which utilizes a combination of a multiple planetary gear pump and a multiple planetary gear motor encased within one compact unit sealed so as to direct passage of hydraulic fluid between the combination thereof. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a power component provided with a plurality of planetary gears that can provide power to at least one load delivered by at least one of the plurality of planetary gears. The power component is configured with an integrated oil-switching mechanism that controls the rotational speed delivered to the load. The hydrostatic transmission is provided in one compact, sealed casing suitable for use in vehicles, having an output shaft optionally mechanically connected directly to the wheels of a vehicle drive. The inventive hydrostatic transmission operates without the need for lengthy pressure hoses and related connectors and fittings for cycling hydraulic fluid along needed flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Shalom Levin, Asaf Levin
  • Patent number: 10167940
    Abstract: An input member of a differential device includes a step portion in a side surface on a carrier side of an outer peripheral end portion of the input member, the step portion being recessed in a direction opposite to the carrier, extending to a radially-outer end surface of the outer peripheral end portion of the input member, and being capable of abutting against the carrier. Accordingly, when welding the input member and the carrier supporting a planetary gear, a degree of freedom of processing and welding workability are improved and the differential device is reduced in size. Moreover, grinding and finishing of a welding bead are unnecessary, and therefore manufacturing cost is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 10163291
    Abstract: A money handling system allows easy handling of money, which is processed in a first money handling apparatus installed in a shop and the like, in a second money handling apparatus installed in another place. The money is transported using a container in which the money is stored in mixed state. The second money handling apparatus receives, recognizes and counts the money of a plurality of transactions processed by the first money handling apparatus. Based on money information generated when processed by the first money handling apparatus and a recognition and counting result obtained by the second money handling apparatus, it is determined whether the money recognized and counted by the second money handling apparatus matches with the money from the plurality of transactions processed by the first money handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Numata, Tetsuya Tameike