Patents Examined by Michael Mansen
  • Patent number: 8956254
    Abstract: A bicycle sprocket assembly has a first sprocket with a plurality of first radially protruding portions, a second sprocket with a plurality of second radially protruding portions and a sprocket support member. The second sprocket has more teeth than the first sprocket. The sprocket support member includes a plurality of sprocket mounting portions extending radially outwardly from a freewheel engaging portion. Each of the sprocket mounting portions has first and second sprocket mounting openings for fixing the first and second sprockets, respectively. The first sprocket mounting opening is circumferentially offset from the second sprocket mounting opening with respect to a center rotational axis of the sprocket assembly. The radially innermost edge of the second radially protruding portion is spaced by a radial distance that is smaller than a radial distance of the radially outermost edge of the first sprocket mounting openings with respect to the center rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Tokuyama, Keisuke Hyogo
  • Patent number: 8939264
    Abstract: Connection system, with self-alignment, for elevator guides, in which the front surfaces thereof maintain a perfect 90° angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (e) of each guide (1) and there is a connection plate (2) that forms through-holes (241) that are offset and in correspondence with holes (141) in the wings (14), such that, when connection means (3) are mounted therein, a front self-alignment pressure is created between the two guides (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: S.A. de Vera (Savera)
    Inventor: Jesus Sanz Gamboa
  • Patent number: 8939856
    Abstract: Deaeration of the high pressure oil chamber of a hydraulic tensioner takes place though a helical orifice formed by opposed flanks of the threads of a threaded hole in the tensioner housing and the threads of a screw inserted into the hole. The opposed flanks are maintained in spaced relationship by a force exerted by a spring washer disposed between the head of the screw and a surface of the tensioner housing surrounding the opening of the threaded hole. The flank of the thread of the hole that forms part of the boundary of the helical orifice can have a concave curvature in order to increase the aperture of the air flow path. A groove in the surface surrounding the opening of the threaded hole prevents the washer from sealing off the flow of air. This groove is disposed with its exit end at a level above its entry end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Yuji Kurematsu, Osamu Yoshida, Munehiro Maeda, Akira Ishii
  • Patent number: 8936529
    Abstract: A transmission ratio step of a stepped transmission which can couple at least two parallel transmission shafts. Multiple transmission ratios can be implemented with the ratio steps. A planetary gear set, comprising three components, is located coaxial with a first shaft. A first component is connected to and driven by an input supplied along the first axis, and a second component meshes with at least one spur gear, each of which is placed on a further axis that is parallel to the first axis. A first transmission ratio can be engaged by fixing a third component of the planetary gear set, and a second transmission ratio can be implemented by connecting either the third or the second transmission component to the drive supplied along the first axis. At least one the transmission ratio steps is utilized in a stepped transmission of a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckhardt Luebke
  • Patent number: 8932166
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to achieve improvements in the rotational accuracy of the input shaft and the durability of the bearings, and suppression of rotational noise, by improving the support structure of the input shaft of the speed reduction unit. Provided is a drive device for an electric vehicle, including: an electric motor; a speed reduction unit including an input shaft driven by output of the electric motor; and a hub unit rotationally driven by an output member of the speed reduction unit, wherein the input shaft of the speed reduction unit is supported by bearings provided at two locations in an axial direction, the drive device for an electric vehicle being configured such that the bearings at the two locations are attached together to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Tomoaki Makino
  • Patent number: 8932175
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Clinton E. Carey, James M. Hart, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 8925689
    Abstract: An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Smart Lifts, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8915463
    Abstract: A paper dispenser has a dispensing opening for paper and also a first roll, which is located in a dispensing position, and a guide path, which leads into the dispensing position and contains a storage position for a reserve roll. The dispensing opening is of a size which, once the first roll has been used up, allows manual access to the paper of the reserve roll, while the reserve roll is still in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Hans Georg Hagleitner
  • Patent number: 8915330
    Abstract: A method and system for lubricating a positive displacement machine operating as an expander of a compressed gas, comprising introducing into an expansion chamber of the machine a lubricant whose pour point temperature is greater than the operating temperature of the machine in the expansion chamber as determined by the expanding gas, which thus causes the lubricant to freeze-adhere to the internal surfaces of the expansion chamber, to become fluid under increased pressure at a point of contact of the working surfaces of the expander and then to refreeze when the surfaces separate. Considerable reduction in the quantity of lubricant is realized with the attendant advantage that dis-entrainment of lubricant from the gas exhausted from the machine is largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Energetix PNU Power Limited
    Inventors: Iain Henshaw, James Derby, Ian Glease
  • Patent number: 8905882
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include a first shaft and a second shaft. A first planetary gear set includes a first rotation element connected to a first motor/generator, a second rotation element operated as an output element, and a third rotation element connected to the first shaft. A second planetary gear set includes a fourth rotation element connected to the third rotation element and a second motor/generator, a fifth rotation element connected to the second rotation element and an output gear, and a sixth rotation element connected to a transmission housing. A direct-coupling device connects two rotation elements among the fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements of the second planetary gear set. Transfer gears form the externally-meshing gears, and friction elements connect a selected rotation element to a selected transfer gear or to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang Wook Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 8894523
    Abstract: A chainwheel has a chainwheel body, a first combining hole set and a second combining hole set. The chainwheel body has a center point. The first combining hole set has multiple first combining holes that are formed through the chainwheel body. The first distances between the first combining holes and the center point are equal. The second combining hole set has multiple second combining holes that are formed through the chainwheel body. The second distances between the second combining holes and the center point are equal. The second distance is longer than the first distance. Therefore, the chainwheel can be combined with crank modules of different sizes by the first combining holes and the second combining holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Chien-Yu Su
  • Patent number: 8888634
    Abstract: A toothed plate-link chain having a plurality of link plates that form chain links in the transverse direction of the chain. The link plates of laterally adjacent chain links partially overlap, and the chain links are hingedly connected to each other by hinge pins that extend through receiving openings in overlap regions of the link plates. At least some of the link plates have plate teeth, and some of the link plates have a modified form to reduce the effect of impact impulses of the link plates on the tooth flanks of a toothed wheel about which the chain passes. As a result, the magnitude of the meshing impulses and the times during which they act on the toothed wheel are modified to thereby reduce structure-borne noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcus Junig, Anton Simonov, Olga Ispolatova, Michael Pichura
  • Patent number: 8888630
    Abstract: When an engaging pawl 23b is fitted into a recessed portion 34b of a first sprocket 34, which is linked by a chain 33 to a second sprocket 32 that drives an oil pump 3 disposed at a radial detached from a torque converter 2, frictional resistance between a side face 34a of the first sprocket 34 and an end face 23c of the engaging pawl 23b is reduced by tapering the side face 34a of the first sprocket 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: JATCO Ltd, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Makita
  • Patent number: 8881872
    Abstract: In a method in the use of a construction-time elevator, at least two lifts are performed. In each of the lifts, the supporting platform is lifted higher in the elevator hoistway with the hoisting device supported by the support structure so as to extend the operating range of the elevator car to reach higher in the elevator hoistway. A second support structure and a second hoisting device, which are above the support structure, are used between the lifts of the supporting platform, for moving the working platform in the elevator hoistway under construction between the second support structure and the support structure, and for lifting the support structure upwards in the elevator hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Jussi Perälä, Matti Eskelinen, Zhizhong Yan
  • Patent number: 8875845
    Abstract: A lift car securing arrangement includes a restraining arrangement having a restraint that is supported by the lift car arranged such that it can be placed into and removed from restraining interaction with an extended stationary interaction element arranged to extend along the vertical pathway of the lift car, and which restraint when placed into restraining interaction locks the lift car to the stationary interaction element, a power-interruption device that can be placed into and removed from a power-interrupting position whereby the power to a driving motor unit that is part of the lift is interrupted when the power-interruption device is placed arranged in its power-interrupting position, in which the power-interruption device is so arranged at the restraining arrangement that the said power-interruption device is located in its power-interrupting position when the restraint has been set into restraining interaction with the extended stationary interaction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alimak AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Nygren
  • Patent number: 8870707
    Abstract: A transmission having basic and reversing transmissions. The basic transmission has planetary gearsets, shafts and shift elements. A sun of gearset (P1) couples the drive shaft, which can couple shaft (6) and the suns of gearsets (P2, P3), and shaft (5) and the carrier and ring of gearsets (P2, P3) respectively. Carrier of gearset (P1) couples shaft (4), which couples the ring of gearset (P2). The ring of gearset (P1) couples shaft (3). Shafts (3, 4, 5) can couple the housing. The output shaft couples the carrier of gearset (P3). The reversing transmission has a minus planetary gearset with a sun which couples and is driven by the basic transmission output, and a carrier that can couple the housing via a locking element, and a ring that couples the reversing transmission output which can couple, via another locking element, the basic transmission output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Torsten Buechner, Dominik Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 8869944
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a secondary rechargeable energy storage device on a vertically movable platform that is separate from a primary rechargeable energy storage device on the lift truck's main tractor unit. Wires or hoses for transfer of power or controls between the main tractor unit and the platform are reduced or eliminated. The quantity of energy stored in the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is sufficient to power platform electrical loads for a predetermined amount of time until the platform is lowered. When the platform is lowered, the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is recharged by the primary energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Daniel G. Radler
  • Patent number: 8869943
    Abstract: A vehicle lift comprises a lifting mechanism configured to lift a vehicle for servicing, and at least one horizontal platform attached to a top of the lifting mechanism to engage with an underside of the vehicle. Adjustable slide members are movably attached to opposite ends of the horizontal platform and each are configured to move linearly in a horizontal path to align with the lifting points on the vehicle. Each slide member is both pivotally and slidingly engaged with the horizontal platform, and each slide member has a normally horizontal position. When the slide member is horizontal, the slide member is automatically constrained or locked to prevent linear movement of the slide member. When one end of the slide member is lifted to an angular position, the constraint is automatically disengaged and a linear slide bearing is engaged. When the slide member is in the angular position, the slide member can be easily adjusted via the bearings to match with a pick up point on an underside of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rotary Lift/A Dover Industries Company
    Inventors: Jason E. Matthews, John G. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8870704
    Abstract: A transmission comprising a transmission (7) and a reduction stage. Sun of set (P1) is connected to the input (1), which can be releasably connected, via clutch (A), to shaft (6) connected to sun of set (P2) and sun of set (P3), and, via clutch (B), is connectable to shaft (5) connected to carrier of set (P2) and ring of set (P3). Shaft (5) is coupled to housing (G) via brake (F). Carrier of set (P1) is connected to shaft (4) connected with ring of set (P2) and is couplable, via brake (E), to housing (G). Ring of set (P1) is connected to shaft (3) which is couplable, via brake (D), to housing (G). Output (2) is connected to carrier of set (P3). Carrier of set (P4) is connected to output (2), ring of set (P4) is couplable, via brake (H), to housing (G), and sun of set (P4) is connected to the shaft (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Maurer, Torsten Buechner, Dominik Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 8863966
    Abstract: An improved knuckle boom crane apparatus provides a supportive base with an attached frame including a cabin with an interior. A prime mover is supported upon the frame. A main boom is pivotally attached to the frame at a first boom end portion, the main boom having a second end portion. A jib boom is provided having first and second end portions, the jib boom first end portion being pivotally attached to the main boom second end portion, the jib boom second end portion being free. A main block is attached to the main boom, depending from the main boom second end portion. An auxiliary block is attached to the jib boom, depending from the jib boom second end portion. A main block parking area is provided next to the connection of main boom and jib boom that enables the main block to be parked when using the auxiliary block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dynaking Crane, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Bobeck