Patents Examined by Matthew C. Graham
  • Patent number: 7128312
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring assembly for a railcar apparatus is disclosed. The elastomeric spring assembly includes an elongated body of elastomeric material having a series of axially spaced members coaxially arranged and wholly embedded within the body of elastomeric material. The majority of the embedded members are configured to resist radial outward movement of said elastomeric material while causing the elastomeric material to react in an axial direction between confronting surfaces defined by the members upon axial deflection of the elastomeric spring whereby enhancing performance characteristics of the spring assembly. A method of making an elastomeric spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Salis
  • Patent number: 7121538
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in a pressing tool for braking the return movement of pistons/piston rods (D1) of gas-filled springs (D) and thereby also of a sheet metal holder (B) supported thereon after pressing has been performed. The invention is characterised in that each gas-filled spring device (D) is designed with a separate brake cylinder part (E) and brake piston part (F), in which the brake cylinder part (E) is situated adjoining the outer end of the gas-filled spring (D) and in which the brake piston part (F) is situated adjoining the inner end of the piston rod (D1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Stromsholmen AB
    Inventors: Johan Runesson, Tim Loose
  • Patent number: 7086507
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolation device comprising a magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE), and methods of using such a device, are provided. By manipulating a magnetic field within the MRE the device's stiffness is controlled. The vibration isolator can be constructed to provide shock absorption in one, two and three dimensions. Coupling the tunable device to a sensor feedback and a control system provides fast and accurate vibration isolation and energy dissipation for shock events in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Gregory H. Hitchcock, Faramarz Gordaninejad, Alan Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7086504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake, in particular for utility vehicles, comprising a brake caliper, which extends over a brake disk, an application device located in the brake caliper for applying brake pads on both sides of the brake disk in the direction of the latter, in addition to at least one adjusting system located in the brake caliper for compensating wear and tear on the brake pad and/or disk. Said disk brake is characterized in that the adjusting system is configured on one or both sides of the brake disk as a preassembled adjuster module, which has at least the following components: an electromotor, which acts as the drive, or a drive connection to an electromotor and a reduction gear connected downstream of the electromotor, the rotative drive being fitted onto the mounting plate(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Dieter Bieker, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 7063192
    Abstract: An active vibration suppression apparatus includes an actuator fixed to a vibration suppression target, an inertial load driven relative to the target by the actuator, and a driving system which drives the actuator based on a first signal corresponding to the vibration, generated or to be generated, of the target. The driving system includes a compensation unit which performs a compensation for the first signal. The compensation, separately or as a composite compensation includes (i) a linear compensation for the first signal to obtain a first compensated signal, and (ii) a nonlinear compensation for the first compensated signal to obtain a second compensated signal. A rate of a change in the second compensated signal to a change in an absolute value of the first compensated signal becoming less with an increase of the absolute value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiko Mayama
  • Patent number: 7051850
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a compact and lightweight hybrid pneumatic-magnetic isolator-actuator capable of large force, substantial stroke and bandwidth actuation with near frictionless operation and vibration isolation with very low break frequency. Pneumatic and magnetic forces are applied to a single carriage comprised primarily of a coaxially arranged air piston and coil. The carriage is driven relative to a frame or housing including an internally mounted cylindrical piston sleeve and magnetic actuator body. A combination of air bearings and air bearing piston construction provide for frictionless motion of the carriage relative to the frame. The pneumatic piston provides the actuation force for both static loads and low frequency dynamic loads. An integrally mounted sensor and control unit determine the pressure error resulting at the pneumatic piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: CSA Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Kienholz
  • Patent number: 7052004
    Abstract: A hydraulically damping rubber mount is provided with a variable channel length. The mount channel length can be adapted to the later intended use with a simple design during the manufacture without changing the design. The hydraulic mount has an elastomeric damping member, at least two chambers to accommodate a fluid damping agent and a channel carrier with a channel connecting the chambers in a flow-conducting manner. The channel has passage openings to the chambers. An incompletely closed ring, one end of which forms a channel deflection, is displaceably guided in the channel in the manner according to the present invention. The channel is divided as a result into two channel parts, which unite between the ends of the ring and through which the damping agent flows in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren
    Inventors: Hubert Siemer, Claudia Willert, Frank Duisen, Andreas Vossel
  • Patent number: 7028998
    Abstract: A composite support comprising, a composite tube that is provided with an outer diameter and includes a first fiber layer including a resin and glass fibers that have been wound around a mandrel, a second fiber layer including glass fibers that have been wound around the first fiber layer, and an outermost fiber layer including glass fibers that is located around the second fiber layer, a housing that is at least in part spirally shaped and located around at least a portion of the composite tube, a plurality of fittings, wherein at least one of the fittings includes an aluminum and an anchoring surface, and the anchoring surface is provided with a diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the composite tube and secures, at least in part, the fitting to the composite tube, so that, after assembly, the fitting and the composite tube are generally coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daily, Jiri Pazdirek, Robert G. Budzyn
  • Patent number: 7025182
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wear resistant shoe (26) includes upsetting (46) one end portion (38) of cylindrical member to work harden that portion to a substantial depth, machining (48) the cylindrical member portion to finished dimensions and surface hardening (56) a face (28 or 34) of the machined cylindrical member portion. The cylindrical member may comprise rod stock of a diameter less than the greatest diameter of the finished shoe and be upset or swaged to axially reduce and radially increase the dimensions of the one end portion. A hollow region (30) is formed in an opposite rod stock end portion and the periphery (50) of the hollow region is crimped about a rounded end (18) of the piston (20). The cold work done during the swaging or forming process provides a foundation for hardened faces comprising balance (28) and auxiliary balance (34) lands, forms a crude shape of the shoe, and imparts work hardening and wear property improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Rateick, Jr., Larry A. Portolese
  • Patent number: 7017715
    Abstract: A braking system includes a central sprag, connected and perpendicular to the handlebar, projecting towards the front side of the cycle. At the end of the sprag, a terminal is inserted, free in rotation and equipped with two side holes in the lower part through which the flexible metal cable is inserted, which will be connected outside to the common levers activating the front and rear brakes of the vehicle. At the opposite end, on the contrary, the two lugs of the cable will be directly connected to the ends of the knobs of the handlebar. With the adjustment in length of the flexible cable connected to it, relating both to the front and rear braking device, activating one of the two cables placed in the front of the knobs of the handlebar will also pull the complementary cable by the rotation and consequent draw of the mobile central body, so getting a braking action also on the opposite wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Enrico Lapi
  • Patent number: 7017892
    Abstract: A suspension strut including a piston rod extending from a cylinder, a connection bearing for connecting the piston rod to a vehicle body, a spring loading the cylinder away from the connection bearing, and a spring plate supporting the spring axially with respect to the connection bearing. A first bearing enables relative rotational movement between the spring plate and the connection bearing, and a second bearing enables relative rotational movement between the connection bearing and a stop buffer arranged between the connection bearing and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Gabriela Hurrlein, Manfred Schuler, Alexander Miller, Klaus Stretz, Michael Hurrlein
  • Patent number: 7014277
    Abstract: In an electronic control brake system capable of controlling the braking force by adjusting the hydraulic pressure applied to each wheel cylinder through the use of a pressurization source and a hydraulic pressure adjusting portion, the hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder is increased by a pressurization source while the brake is not operated during a stop of the vehicle. After that, a master cutoff valve is opened so as to release the hydraulic pressure to a master cylinder. Changes in the master pressure are investigated via a master pressure sensor so as to determine whether there is an abnormality in a stroke simulator or a simulator cutoff valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Soga
  • Patent number: 7000739
    Abstract: A cam assisted wheel brake for a bicycle comprising two arms mounted on a bolt, which provides a pivot point for the arms and a means for attachment of the brake to the fork of the bicycle. The brake incorporates a cam lever pivotably associated with the first arm and which engages a finger portion of the second arm and which comprising a first portion having a screw passing through a bore, a middle portion having a top edge having a curved edge portion, and a second portion pivotably connected to the first arm by a pin extending therethrough. The invention preferably has a quick release mechanism comprising a lever having a first pin extending therefrom, the pin pivotably engaging a bore in the first arm, and a second pin extending off axis from the first pin and pivotably engaging the second portion of the cam lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Theodore J. Ciamillo
  • Patent number: 6997293
    Abstract: In a front fork of a motor cycle or the like, an outer peripheral portion of a seat member is clamped and fixed between a bottom portion of an axle bracket and a lower end portion of an axle side tube. A flange portion is provided in an outer periphery of a lower end portion of a holder provided with a compression side partition wall member and valve assembly. An outer periphery of a lower end portion of a damper cylinder is screwed with the seat member. The outer peripheral flange portion of the holder is clamped and fixed between the lower end portion of the damper cylinder and the bottom portion of the axle bracket or the seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Tomonaga, Munemitu Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6994406
    Abstract: A control valve includes a magnetic pole member. An armature is slidably supported relative to the magnetic pole member for movement between a fully open position and a closed position. A biasing spring is disposed between the magnetic pole member and the armature for forcing the armature away from the magnetic pole member. A coil is placed about the magnetic pole member and the armature for inducing a magnetic field for moving the armature toward the magnetic pole member. One of either of the magnetic pole member or the armature has a recess for non-contactingly receiving the other when the armature moves between the fully open and closed positions. The control valve can be embodied as a normally open valve or a normally closed valve. The use of dual lateral poles and triple lateral poles create a flat magnetic force versus travel curve thereby allowing for greater proportional control of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Greg J. Krawczyk, Herbert L. Linkner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6991304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system to control the deceleration of an aircraft during the taxiing phase on a landing strip, the system has a detector of the current position of the aircraft on the strip, and of the current speed of the aircraft on the strip, a calculator receiving position and speed values from the detector, to define, as a function of the desired final speed of the aircraft at the so-called final position on the strip, a deceleration set-point modification time, after the current time, and a new deceleration set-point to apply from the modification time, to reach the final position at the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Fabrice Villaume
  • Patent number: 6988595
    Abstract: A braking force is generated by using a rotation of an electric motor to move a piston, which presses friction members onto a rotor. The displacement of the piston is controlled such that a detection value of a resolver becomes a target value. In the case of brake noise due to vibration of the rotor, the displacement of the friction members with respect to the rotor fluctuates in connection with the rotation of the rotor, leading to fluctuations in a rotational amount of the electric motor. Therefore, in a simple method and apparatus, brake noise can be detected based upon the magnitude of the fluctuation amount in the detection value of the resolver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Kamiya, Hiroshi Kondo, Shin Sasaki, Daizo Oba
  • Patent number: 6986606
    Abstract: The churning type of grease of a viscosity of 15–20 mm2/s and a worked penetration of 200˜230 is disposed at the rolling surface of the race portions and the channeling type of grease of 25˜35 mm2/s and a worked penetration of 240˜270 is disposed at the retainer. By constituting as such, at rotation of the ball bearing, maintaining the lubricant oil film in the bearing the lubrication can be continued, and at non-rotation of the ball bearing the lubricant oil film is protected by the grease to prevent fretting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Hoya, Hideki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6979062
    Abstract: A brake system and a brake device for use with automobiles is provided in which braking energy stored in an auxiliary pressure source can be effectively used for braking, even if an electrical system fails. The vehicle brake system includes a proportional pressure control valve for generating braking liquid pressure by adjusting the braking energy stored in the auxiliary pressure source. A passage transmits the liquid pressure generated by a brake pedal stroke, a switching valve opens the passage in the powered condition and closes the passage in the off-powered condition, and an auxiliary control portion activates the proportional pressure control valve. Even in the off-powered condition, the high pressure accumulated in the auxiliary pressure source can be used to adjust the required braking liquid pressure at the proportional pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hideaki Higashimura, Makoto Nishikimi, Keita Nakano, Yoichi Miyawaki
  • Patent number: RE45903
    Abstract: A swaddling blanket and pouch combination (SBPC) (10) that allows an infant to be comfortably and easily swaddled. The blanket (12) is comprised of a right blanket flap (28) and a left blanket flap (46) and includes a designated area to which is removably attached the pouch (70). The pouch features a lower end (78) which includes an opening and closing means that allows an infant's soiled diaper to be easily removed and replaced or to take a rectal temperature. The SBPC (10) is used by first placing the left blanket flap (46) over the pouch (70), which is then followed by placing the right blanket flap (28) over the pouch. The right and left blanket flaps (28,46) as well as the pouch (70) are preferably held in place by hook and loop fasteners (88).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Hindi R. Zeidman