Patents Examined by Mary Ann Battista
  • Patent number: 5890399
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle. The pedal assembly includes an upper hub structure and a pedal arm extending downwardly from the hub structure and mounting the pedal pad. The hub structure is slidably mounted on a single hollow guide rod extending rearwardly from a transmission housing which in turn is rigidly secured to a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally mounted to a bracket secured to the firewall of the vehicle. A nut is positioned slidably within the hollow guide rod and a screw shaft extends rearwardly from the transmission housing for threaded engagement with the nut. The upper end of the pedal arm extends upwardly through a slot in the bottom of the hub structure and through a slot in the bottom of the guide rod and the nut is positioned on the upper end of the pedal arm within the hub so that linear movement of the nut within the hollow rod as generated by rotation of the screw shaft results in forward and rearward movement of the pedal assembly along the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Technology Holding Company II
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
  • Patent number: 5887489
    Abstract: A locking device for a drive shaft of a rotating tool member of a working tool includes a securing element fixedly connected to the drive shaft of the rotating tool member. A locking bolt has a longitudinal axis and is axially moveable between a locking position and a release position. The securing element has at least one catch opening for receiving the locking bolt in the locking position. An actuating element is positioned adjacent to the locking bolt. A spring element has a first end and a second end whereby the first end is connected to the actuating element. The second end projects into the travel path of the locking bolt and engages the locking bolt for moving it into the locking position or into the release position when the actuating element is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Gerhard Zerrer
  • Patent number: 5887490
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the position of a handlebar on a bicycle or the like having a base member, an upper link, a lower link, and a intermediate member forming a parallelogram type link. A protrusion formed on the lower link extends into and slidably contacts a tracking slot formed in the upper link. A locking means for fixing the upper and lower links has a locking pin disposed in a bore formed in the upper link and extending through one of a plurality of holes formed in the protrusion of the lower link. The locking pin defines a locked position when extending into one of the plurality of holes and an unlocked position when released. The pin is biased in the locked position. A release lever is disposed on the upper link having a operating portion for grasping by a rider and a locking pin portion for engaging the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventor: Edbert E. L. Dittmar
  • Patent number: 5887487
    Abstract: A fastening device secures an actuating cable in a U-shaped opening in a holder into which the fastening device can be inserted radially, wherein the arms of the opening and the attachment part comprise catch members for fixing the attachment part radially, the catch members engaging one behind the other in the inserted state. In order to be able to detach the fastening device again, the catch members are formed in such a way that they project beyond the holder in the axial direction. The projections formed in this way can then be gripped and the locking can be released by pressing the projections together. In order to improve the manipulation both during assembly and during dismantling, it is proposed to design the handle on the catch member in such a way that one respective lug is formed integrally on each of the catch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Ing.h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Ernesto Bravo
  • Patent number: 5887488
    Abstract: A vehicular accelerator pedal apparatus for electronic control of vehicle engine speed. The apparatus has a pedal position sensor with a rotatable stem, an accelerator pedal and an actuator bar extending from the pedal toward the sensor mounting bracket. In the improvement, the actuator bar is connected to a drive shaft which is pivot-mounted on the bracket. An actuator linkage is coupled to and pivoted by the drive shaft and extends between such the drive shaft and the sensor stem. The linkage includes first and second links imparting rotary motion to the stem when the linkage is pivoted by movement of the pedal. The second link is available in several different lengths and the apparatus thereby accommodates each of several different sensors by using a second link having the length appropriate for a particular sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: IMO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell K. Riggle
  • Patent number: 5884532
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes an extensible module positioned on the lower end of the pedal arm of the pedal assembly and carrying the pedal pad. The module includes two screw jacks which may be selectively extended or contracted to vary the distance to the pedal pad from the lower end of the pedal arm and thereby accommodate drivers of various statures. The lower screw jack includes a coarser thread than the upper screw jack so that as the pedal pad is moved away from the lower end of the pedal arm in response to extension of the screw jacks the pedal pad is also pivoted upwardly to further accommodate drivers of small stature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tecnology Holding Company II
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rixon, Christopher Bortolon
  • Patent number: 5884534
    Abstract: An elastic covering cap for a foot-pedal of a motor vehicle which can be produced economically, while functioning well and having a pleasing aesthetic effect. For this purpose, the covering cap includes, on its foot-rest surface, a multiplicity of studs which have a mushroom-like shape and over the mushroom heads of which a perforated ornamental plate can be snapped on so as to be form-lockingly fitted underneath the mushroom heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Knoll, Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 5881605
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator for applying and releasing a cable-operated vehicle parking brake includes an operating lever pivotally mounted on a mounting bracket for movement between brake-released and a plurality of brake-applied positions. The operating lever is a unitary molding made of a glass-filled thermoplastic and has an integral footpad. A metal insert which mounts the cable end, includes a sector gear, that is secured to the operating lever by rivets and engages a pinion which is pivoted to the mounting bracket. The operating lever has a raised drive lug that is received in a mating drive aperture in the insert and transfers brake-apply forces from the operating lever to the sector. A one-way clutch normally permits the pinion to rotate freely when the operating lever is operated to apply the parking brake, but prevents reverse rotation of the pinion to maintain the parking brake applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Dura Automotive Systems
    Inventors: Miles George Doolittle, Anthony R. Gurney, Sean O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 5878633
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a turntable that has a table plate, pivotable about a rotation axis with respect to a machine frame, onto the upper side of which lead lines, coming from beneath the table plate, that are connected to stationary supply connections. The lines are attached to the table plate from below, by means of downward-pointing connector pieces that are joined nonrotatably to the table plate in its center region, in such a way that they hang freely downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Grund, Anton Schweizer
  • Patent number: 5878628
    Abstract: A marine control arm formed from an elongated arm member having a hollow shell with first, second, third and fourth internal guides. Each of the internal guides extends from an outer surface of the hollow shell to an inner surface of the hollow shell. The first and second internal guides are separated by a first distance, and the third and fourth internal guides are separated by a second distance. The control arm includes an insert having a plurality of knurls for mating with grooves in a throttle assembly. The insert has first and second wings for positioning the insert within the hollow shell. The first wing has a first width corresponding to the first distance, and the second wing has a second width corresponding to the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Frank Ongaro, Rosalyn Jean
  • Patent number: 5875687
    Abstract: A protective cap for a bicycle control cable of the type having an inner cable which moves within a cable housing includes a first section sized to fit over the cable housing, and a second section sized for sealingly fitting over the inner cable. The second section is formed from a flexible material so that the second section can sealingly follow any bend in the inner cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromi Oda, Masanori Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5868042
    Abstract: A hollow body and a method for producing a hollow body having at least two oval sleeves and an annular connecting journal between each of the sleeves. Each of the sleeves has uniform circumferential wall thickness and an outer peripheral region having a smaller radius and forming a crown. The annular connecting journals have a uniform circumferential wall thickness, a circular inner surface and are disposed between each of the oval sleeves. Each oval sleeve projects over the annular connecting journal in the region of the smaller radius with the projection being greatest at the crown. The wall thickness of the annular connecting journal is partly greater than the wall thickness of the oval sleeve. The annular connecting journal and the oval sleeve have equal cross-sectional areas. Material remaining between the annular connecting journal and the oval sleeves after forming is removed from the small radius region of the oval sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Helmut Swars
  • Patent number: 5868037
    Abstract: A cable tension regulator capable of receiving an input force and transmitting an output force for use in mechanical control. The cable tension regulator comprises a pivot rod including a connector for operatively connecting the pivot rod to a support for pivoting of the rod relative to the support and a pulley mounted on the pivot rod for receiving cable. A cross bar having an opening for receiving the rod is capable of sliding longitudinally of the rod, and is constructed to hold ends of the cables. The regulator further comprises a spring having a first end held in a longitudinal position relative to the pivot rod and a second end operatively engaging and bearing against the cross bar for urging the cross bar to move on the rod in a direction generally away from the pulley to maintain tension in the cables. The regulator pivots about the transmission axis upon application of the input force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Pohling
  • Patent number: 5868041
    Abstract: A steering which reduces vibration and is shock absorbing and deformable. The steering wheel comprises a rim and a boss with a plurality of spokes, the rim, boss and spokes having a core metal. A reinforced spoke-core metal has a spoke deformation region which is a part of the reinforced portion and is thinner than the remaining part of the reinforced portion. A raised portion is included on the driver-side of each spoke deformation region which increases the strength of core metals and restricts vibration of the core metals. The configuration creates a weak point for collapsing the steering wheel in a collision and impact with the steering wheel by the driver, that is, the raised portions receives tensile forces and break, thereby smoothly bending core metal bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5868043
    Abstract: A cleat clamping mechanism includes a base member, a first cleat clamping component movably coupled to the base member, and a second cleat clamping component coupled to the base member and spaced apart from the first cleat clamping component. The first cleat clamping component moves relative to the base member in response to a first force applied in a first direction, and the first cleat clamping component moves relative to the base member in response to a second force applied in a second direction that is different from the first direction. A resistance mechanism applies a particular resistive force to movement of the first cleat clamping component when the first cleat clamping component moves in response to the first force, but the resistance mechanism applies a different resistive force to movement of the first cleat clamping component when the first cleat clamping component moves in response to the second force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 5865065
    Abstract: The hand brake includes a main frame fixedly mounted on a handlebar of the walker, a control lever pivotally connected to the main frame, a brake member pivotally connected to the control lever to locate in a working space of the control lever, and a steel cable connected to the brake member. With changes in positions of the control lever, the brake member is caused to change its position in the working space of the control lever to pull the steel cable and thereby to either brake the wheeled walker, to brake and park the wheeled walker, or to return the walker to a non-brake state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Valentine International Limited
    Inventor: Johnny J.T. Chiu
  • Patent number: 5865066
    Abstract: A cable connector for a vehicle shifter includes an anchor configured to mateably receive a sheath of a cable assembly, and further includes a connector rod configured to receive a telescopable cable rod extending from the cable assembly. The vehicle shifter includes a base having a bracket supporting the anchor, and a shift mechanism pivotally attached to the base and operably connected to the connector rod. The shifter is installed in the vehicle by manipulating the shifter so that the sheath is inserted into the anchor with the cable rod extending through the anchor into the connector rod. The shifter is secured to the vehicle by clips that snap attach to a vehicle mounting bracket. The anchor is secured to the sheath by a first spring clip, and the cable rod is secured to the connector rod by a second spring clip, which clips snap attach to the respective parts of the cable assembly as the shifter is snap attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products
    Inventors: Charles Osborn, Andrew K. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 5865068
    Abstract: A foot throttle for boats wherein an eccentric is rotated by operation of a foot pedal and wherein the eccentric is biased directly against an adjustable limiter thus eliminating imprecise positioning of the throttle caused by loose tolerances in the pedal mechanism which actuates the eccentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: William F. Huntley
  • Patent number: 5862716
    Abstract: The improved clipless pedal comprises an assembly of a generally rounded body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and circumferential edge with a metal insert. A recessed area is formed extending diametrically across each of the top and bottom surfaces. The metal insert fits within the recessed area with its top surface generally flush with the surface in which it is placed. An inset is cut into the circumferential edge to form a chord across each end of the recessed areas. The diametric distance between the insets corresponds to the spacing between the spring-biased tongues of the locking mechanism of the cleat in their relaxed condition. The pedal body is formed from a lightweight plastic or polymer. In an alternate embodiment, means are provided for varying float range of the pedal with respect to the cleat by narrowing the angle within the recessed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Richard M. Bryne
  • Patent number: 5860332
    Abstract: An indexing device has a first crown gear arranged on a first annular body secured to an indexing table, a second crown gear arranged on a second annular body secured to a housing, and a third crown gear arranged on an axially movable third annular body. The third crown gear can be taken out of and into engagement with the other annular crown gears by a hydraulically operable lifting and lowering device. A radial bearing supports the indexing table rotatably on the housing. The lifting device has one lifting piston which is fitted to move axially inside the housing and operates with the third crown gear. The lowering device can be hydraulically operated and has at least one hollow chamber which can be filled with fluid and is bounded on the one hand by the third crown gear. A fourth annular body engaged in an annular groove in the third annular body forms a guide for moving the third crown gear. This indexing device is compact, economical to produce, easy to fit and maintain and reliable in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Felix Scholler