Patents Examined by Mary Ann Battista
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Patent number: 5586472Abstract: A detachable bicycle pedal mounting structure including connector connected to a crank, a pedal having a spindle inserted into a hexagonal axial coupling hole on the connector, and a spring-supported locating hole mounted in a radial stepped hole on the connector and forced by a spring into a locating hole on the spindle of the pedal to lock the spindle of the pedal in place, the locating bolt having a finger rod disposed outside the radial stepped hole for pulling by hand to disconnect the locating bolt from the locating hole of the spindle for permitting the pedal to be quickly removed from the connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
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Patent number: 5584213Abstract: A rotatable gripping surface for a derailleur-type bicycle gear shifting system is formed of a resilient material with axially extending alternating ribs and grooves. The ribs and grooves are spaced such that they fit naturally into the crooks of the rider's thumb and finger or fingers and the portion of the palm therebetween. The ribs provide an increased diameter to aid in the transmission of torque and to protrude above any mud which may have collected thereon. To further enhance the torque transmitting capabilities of the grip and the ability to remain effective in the presence of mud and other debris, the surfaces of the ribs are provided with a pattern of nubs. The hubs are engaged and deflected slightly by an operator's thumb and finger and the portion of the palm therebetween to transmit torque to the rotational grip.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Michael W. Larson, Andrew J. Caron, John D. Cheever, Tymme A. Laun
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Patent number: 5584212Abstract: An end fitting for a cable assembly of the type including a conduit and a core wire slidably mounted within the conduit. The end fitting includes a housing defining a slot for snapping receipt of a mounting pin on a member to be controlled, an elongated tubular guide member receiving the free end of the core wire and slidably mounted on the housing, a spring interposed between the housing and the guide member, and a locking clip mounted on the housing for movement between a disengaged position in which serrations on the clip are spaced from serrations on the guide member and an engaged position in which the clip serrations are engaged with the guide member serrations to preclude axial movement of the guide member relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1994Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Hi-Lex CorporationInventor: Brian J. Wild
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Patent number: 5582074Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly for park brake applications includes a conduit slidably supporting a core element and having an end fitting disposed on each end of the conduit. The end fitting includes a seal body formed of a relatively resilient organic polymeric material and a frame disposed about the seal body and formed of a different and relatively more rigid organic polymeric material and having a plurality of snap-in locking fingers to engage behind a surface of a support structure upon advancing the locking fingers through an aperture of the support structure. A connector member is molded from an organic polymeric material in place simultaneously about each of the seal body and frame and about the end of the conduit to provide an interconnection therebetween and to provide a transverse abutment surface spaced longitudinally from bearing surfaces of the snap-in locking fingers for engaging an opposite surface of the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Larry W. Kelley, Grant A. Webb, Joseph M. Laperriere, III
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Patent number: 5579665Abstract: A vibration damper assembly to absorb vibrations in a camshaft and sprocket system has a sprocket positioned around a camshaft, an inertia ring positioned around the camshaft and adjacent the sprocket, yet capable of moving independently of the sprocket, and a hub member positioned around the camshaft adjacent the inertia ring. Frictional material is interposed between said hub member and a rim portion of the inertia ring whereby the inertia ring and hub member slide with respect to one another along said frictional material to absorb vibrations from the camshaft through heat dissipation.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Mott, Roger T. Simpson, Kevin Todd
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Patent number: 5577415Abstract: A connection for locking first (18) and second (20) core element sections together in a locked position mechanically prevented from moving relative to one another axially in either direction solely in response to axial forces transmitted along the core element sections (18,20) without buckling either of the core element sections (18,20). A male member (26) presents a male groove (30) and a female member (24) presents a female groove (32) and a lock ring (28) disposed in one of the grooves (30,32) with the lock ring (28) radially overlapping the male (30) and female (32) grooves in the locked position. A mechanical advantage comprising a female taper (34) of gentle slope forces the radial movement of the lock ring (28) as core element sections (18 and 20) are moved together without buckling the wire elements (22) of the core element sections (18, 20).Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Michael Reasoner
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Patent number: 5575184Abstract: A bicycle pedal includes a foot rest (2), connected to a pedal axle (3), which is provided with an assembly (4) that functions to hold a shoe (47) on the bicycle pedal (1). The assembly (4) can be opened by a lateral movement of the shoe (47). The assembly (4) includes at least two clamps (5, 6) located respectively on opposite sides of the bicycle pedal. Each of the clamps (5, 6), upon exerting a force, can be pivoted laterally outward relative to the center of the bicycle pedal (1).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Eddy Merckx Equipments, naamloze vennootschapInventor: Hubert De Schrijver
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Patent number: 5575180Abstract: Each piece of a two-piece motion-transmitting remote-control assembly (10) has an outer end (122, 124) and an inner end (126, 128). The outer ends (122, 124) are attached to different vehicle components and the inner ends (126, 128) are spliced together after vehicle assembly. Each of the two assembly pieces (130, 132) includes a core element segment (16, 18) movably supported within a conduit segment (12, 14). Attached to the inner end (28, 30) of each core segment (16, 18) is a core splicers (48, 50) snap together to connect the core segments (16, 18) into an integral member. A movable tubular sleeve (90) locks the conduit inner ends (20, 22) in a spaced-apart, end-to-end disposition and connects the conduit segments (12, 14) together into an integral member. The sleeve (90) slidably supports the connected core splicers (48, 50) between the spaced-apart conduit inner ends (20, 22). The assembly is shipped with the sleeve (90) moved away to expose the core splicers (48, 50) for connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Edward C. Simon
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Patent number: 5572909Abstract: A structure of a bottom bracket includes a housing having first and second ends, each having a thread portion formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof, a tube having first and second ends, the first end thereof having a thread portion formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof for engagement to the thread portion of the first end of the housing, a tapered outer peripheral surface being formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second end of the tube, an axle rotatably extending through the tube with bearings being disposed therebetween and a cap having first and second ends, a thread portion being formed in an outer peripheral surface of the first end thereof for engagement to the second end of the housing, a tapered inner peripheral surface being formed on an inner peripheral surface of the first end of the cap for engagement to the tapered outer peripheral surface of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1994Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventor: Yi C. Chi
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Patent number: 5570612Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) includes a length adjustment device on its core element (14) which is composed of a slider (20) and a housing (24). A push button lock (34) joins the slider (20) and housing (24) in a length adjusted position. A ball socket receptacle (28) attaches the housing (24) to a control member (30). The slider (20) is biased into the housing (24) by a compression spring (40). A backstop (42) extends rearwardly from the housing (24) to provide a bearing surface for the spring (40). The backstop (42) is slidably connected to the housing (24) by interlocking ears (48) and finger hooks (50). The sliding connection of the backstop (42) to the housing (24) allows the assembly (10) to be quickly converted to a spring-biased type length adjustment device. Alternatively, if a particular application requires omission of the compression spring (40) altogether, the backstop (42) can be omitted as well, and thereby permit operation as an unbiased length adjustment device (10).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Teleflex, Inc.Inventor: Michael Reasoner
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Patent number: 5570611Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion along a curved path by a flexible motion-transmitting core element (12) movably supported in a conduit (14) with a slug (20) secured to a first end of the core element and a terminal for transferring forces between the core element and a control member (24), such as a brake actuator, and a method of fabricating the assembly. The terminal includes a connector (26) for connection to the control member (24), an abrasion-resistant sleeve (48) in sliding engagement with the core element (12) and for abutting engagement with the slug, and a vibration isolating member (30) supporting the sleeve (48) within the connector(26) to transmit forces from the slug (20) to the sleeve (48) and through the vibration member (30) and through the connector (26) to the control member while dampening vibrations between the core element and the control member.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Teleflex, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Pospisil, David Malone
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Patent number: 5568749Abstract: An automotive accelerator return spring assembly has a tension coil spring with a variable diameter internal damper therein. The damper clips to the spring on one end and has tangentially spaced, flexible fingers on the other end for absorbing vibrational energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Lawrence J. Liposky
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Patent number: 5566588Abstract: A flywheel rotor used in a flywheel energy storage system providing a high energy storage capacity while providing an ample volume for a high power motor-generator within its envelope includes an outer, primarily cylindrical body having conically tapered end sections, a conical hub section attached to the outer body, and a relatively short inner cylinder, which cylinder connects shaft to the inner portion of the conical hub section. In an exemplary case, the individual components are predominantly constructed of filament wound fiber composites while allowing material choices to be driven by both cost and performance. According to one aspect of the rotor, the inner portion of the inner cylinder can be a slotted aluminum cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Inventors: Daniel Bakholdin, Robert W. Bosley, Harold A. Rosen
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Patent number: 5566589Abstract: A simple, finitely indexable bicycle crank arm extender that is readily, universally and securably installable on a bicycle crank arm including an elongated member having an inner end, an outer end and a plurality of transverse, threaded throughbores. The inner end of the elongated member mounts on the crank arm with a U-bolt that clamps the elongated member and crank arm together. The outer end of the elongated member mounts on the crank arm with a threaded fastener that is received in the distally-disposed threaded bore of the crank arm and threadingly engages one of the plurality of threaded throughbores in the elongated member. A pedal is rotatably mounted at the outer end of the elongated member.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Inventor: Vernon E. Buck
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Patent number: 5564316Abstract: Nubbed grips for hand-rotatable bicycle gear shifters have longitudinally elongated groups of nubs (50, 96, 142) that are angularly spaced apart by valley regions (44, 98, 156). Preferably, the elastomeric nubs are formed both on a cylindrical portion and an adjacent flanged portion of the grip. In an alternative embodiment, shark tooth nubs (142) offer leading faces (158) against which a hand of a rider may abut in either rotational direction for maximum torque transmission.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: SRAM CorporationInventors: Michael W. Larson, Andrew J. Caron, John D. Cheever, Tymme A. Laun, Tyler D. Duston
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Patent number: 5564317Abstract: A one-piece relief valve is incorporated into a transmission cooling system. The one-piece relief valve replaces the prior art systems which have used plural T-connections to achieve the relief valve function. The one-piece relief valve reduces the number of fluid connections on the transmission cooling system, thus reducing the possibility of leakage.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Form RiteInventors: Alan S. Gilroy, Dennis C. Gaida
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Patent number: 5560262Abstract: A locking system for adjustable car seats, in particular seats of motor vehicles. The system includes: a first row of notches (2), which extends in the direction of adjustment of the car seat and all of whose notches are designed the same and are spaced at equal intervals; a second row of notches (4), which extends parallel to the first row and all of whose notches are designed the same, have in the direction of adjustment of the car seat the dimension and the same distance from each other, like the notches (2) of the first row, and are offset in the direction of adjustment relative to the notches of the first row; and at least first and second locking bodies (6, 7), each of which in its locking position engages with a notch (2, 4) of the first or second row; all notches (2, 4) are designed as oblong holes extending in the direction of adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.Inventor: Udo Orzech
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Patent number: 5560265Abstract: A rocker arm mounting stud assembly having a rocker arm mounting stud with adjustable rocker arm fixture mounting for use with a matching trunnion. Further provided is a radius roller tip rocker arm providing a third dimension principle by making the contact point of the diameter of the roller tip, a radius, lean on its pivoting access to control misalignment away from a two dimensional plane. A teaching of rocker arm geometry is provided for establishing precision measuring rules to facilitate the correct and precise installation of the rocker arm. Further provided is a one piece stud lock providing a direct pressure method of holding each rocker arm mounting stud with precise force providing overlapping components for retainment of each rocker arm mounting stud in a precision set predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Inventor: James Miller
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Patent number: 5555772Abstract: A position control apparatus for an adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a clamp having a first jaw element and a second jaw element shiftable axially relative to each other, a control lever pivotable through an angular stroke between a clamping position and a releasing position, and means for converting pivotal movement of the control lever to a first axial stroke of the first jaw element and to an opposite second axial stroke of the second jaw element so that the total relative axial stroke between the first and the second jaw elements is the sum of the first and the second axial strokes.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Douglas M. Schneider
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Patent number: 5555774Abstract: A control pedal, supported rotatably on a shaft located in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, is biased by a spring toward a free state position against a stop and is biased in the opposite rotary direction by a spring to assist the vehicle operator's effort in depressing the pedal. The spring, having a U-shaped cross section, includes outwardly extending legs that seat within recesses formed at one lateral side on the clutch pedal and at the opposite lateral side near a dash panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Daniel H. Lauring, Ronald A. Smith, Ralph P. Gesell