Patents Examined by R. R. Diefendorf
  • Patent number: 4421210
    Abstract: A wheel stop apparatus comprising a stopper plate, one end of which is pivotally attached to a bottom plate. The present improvement includes a prolonged shaft-like portion formed in a supporting plate having rises positioned on either side of said prolonged shaft-like portion so as to maintain and stabilize the stopper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Sugino Press Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosiharu Sugino
  • Patent number: 4420066
    Abstract: A brake cylinder comprises a brake actuator device having a fluid operable piston and a coaxial adjoining hand brake operable device for axial actuation of a coaxial tubular push rod, there being a slack adjuster for selectively adjusting the retraction of the push rod. An actuating rod is connected to the piston and the actuating rod is selectively connected and disconnected from the internal periphery of the push rod by locking rollers selectively cooperating with a wedge shaped annulus disposed between the actuator rod and the inner periphery of the push rod. Slack adjustment is permitted by axial travel of the push rod beyond free travel limits as permitted by a friction sleeve connection between the outer periphery of the push rod and the brake cylinder housing. In a modification, the locking device is provided for a fluid spread brake cylinder that is adapted by levers to be connected to a conventional freight brake rigging to be used, for example, for hand brake applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Bogenschutz
  • Patent number: 4420067
    Abstract: A friction member of the resin mold type comprising brass fiber of 1-10 mm length having a trapezoid in cross figure thereof as a base material of the friction member, and a phenolic resin of cement composition, to obtain excellent qualities such as good durability at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Kako Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Yamamoto, Ryoichi Tomikawa, Masami Ishii
  • Patent number: 4418897
    Abstract: Two-chamber motor mount with hydraulic damping, especially for vehicles, including an upper and lower chamber having rubber-elastic walls and being filled with liquid, the upper chamber being of hollow conical construction, a holding flange disposed between the walls of the upper and lower chambers, an intermediate plate formed with a throttle orifice located in vicinity of the holding flange, the upper and the lower chambers being connected to one another through the intermediate plate with the throttle orifice for preventing an hydraulic response for high frequency vibrations of small amplitude, the intermediate plate being responsive to high frequency vibrations of small amplitude and the throttle orifice being automatically closeable at high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Metzeler Kautschuk GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hartel, Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4416445
    Abstract: A viscous spring damper including inner and outer members connected by an elastomeric shear spring and having a main fluid chamber defined therebetween for communication with a second fluid chamber in the inner member through a restricted orifice. The members are relatively movable for stressing the shear spring and varying the volumes of the chambers while fluid is transferred therebetween through the restricted orifice. An elastomeric bladder within the second fluid chamber is selectively chargeable with gas pressure for calibrating the damping characteristics, varying the initial spring rate or leveling a vehicle on which the damper is installed. Axially-spaced circumferential wear rings on the bladder minimize bladder abrasion against the inner wall of the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Imperial Clevite Inc.
    Inventor: L. Dale Coad
  • Patent number: 4415068
    Abstract: A disc brake (10) includes a support member (22) movably interlocking with a pair of friction elements (42, 44) to dispose the friction elements adjacent a rotatable brake disc (12). The friction elements define abutment surfaces (88, 90) movably engaging a caliper (60) straddling the brake disc (12) and friction elements (42, 44) so that the friction elements support the caliper. An axially-extending pin (110) is carried by the support member (22) and received in an axially-extending bore (112) defined by the caliper so that the caliper (60) is also supported by the axially-extending pin. The caliper (60) includes pairs of axially-spaced projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) and the friction elements (42, 44) define slots (92, 94) aligning with the projections. A pair of resilient members (104, 106) extend axially through the slots (92, 94) of the friction members (42, 44) and engage the projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) of the caliper to interlock the caliper (60) and friction elements (42, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Bert A. Gumkowski, John F. Limberg
  • Patent number: 4415147
    Abstract: The seating spring assembly includes a series of elongate sinuous spring wires with each of the wires touching each of the adjacent spring wires at frequent intervals along their length. Frangible welds, in the form of spot welding, are provided at spaced apart touching locations along the lengths of the wires to temporarily secure the adjacent spring wires together. A sleevelike plastic coating surrounds the wires and the frangible welds are broken when the seat is occupied by a person so that the plastic coating then constitutes the sole element holding the spring wires together and the full flexibility and comfort of the seating spring assembly is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Simmons Universal Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Biscoe, Rodney S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4411342
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a dual-tube type housing consisting of inner and outer tubes, a piston slidably disposed in the inner tube and dividing the interior thereof into two oil chambers, a piston rod secured to the piston and extending to the outside of the housing, a reservoir chamber defined between the inner and outer tubes and containing therein oil and gas, a passage connecting one of the oil chambers through which the piston rod extends with the gas containing portion of the reservoir chamber, and a valve member formed of a resilient material and having a lip portion acting as one-way valve for allowing fluid flow in the passage only in the direction from the one oil chamber to the reservoir chamber. A substantial portion of the radially inner surface of the lip portion is supported by a rigid annular retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiji Katsumori, Tetuo Kato, Miura Ieaki
  • Patent number: 4410068
    Abstract: A disc brake (10) includes a support member (22) movably interlocking with a pair of friction elements (42, 44) to dispose the friction elements adjacent a rotatable brake disc (12). The friction elements define abutment surfaces (88, 90) movably engaging a caliper (60) straddling the brake disc (12) and friction elements (42, 44) so that the friction elements support the caliper. An axially extending pin (110) is carried by the support member (22) and received in an axially-extending bore (112) defined by the caliper so that the caliper (60) is also supported by the axially-extending pin. The caliper (60) includes pairs of axially-spaced projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) and the friction elements (42, 44) define slots (92, 94) aligning with the projections. A pair of resilient members (104, 106) extend axially through the slots (92, 94) of the friction members (42, 44) and engage the projections (96, 98, and 100, 102) of the caliper to interlock the caliper (60) and friction elements (42., 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Schreiner, John F. Limberg, Mark J. Cybulski
  • Patent number: 4408751
    Abstract: A pneumatic, piston/cylinder counterbalance in which the counterbalance force is obtained by differential pressure across the piston and in which the force changes due to temperature are compensated by use of a variable volume cylinder having one or more auxiliary chambers separated by walls, each including a temperature responsive bi-metal disc valve normally acting as a check valve permitting flow into the auxiliary chambers but preventing flow out of the chambers except when the temperature drops to a predetermined value. In the multiple auxiliary chamber embodiment, flow into and out from each chamber is controlled by an associated bi-metal disc valve responsive to successively lower temperatures to enable a more linear stabilization of force output regardless of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Dodson, George C. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 4406354
    Abstract: Brake equipment for an underground mining machine, which in use traverses to and fro adjacent to a stationary rail extending along a longwall face and which includes a hydraulic haulage drive motor for hauling the machine along the longwall face, is activated to engage the stationary rail if other than a normal haulage condition of the drive motor is sensed, a control for the drive motor being moved into a neutral, machine non-traversing mode when the brake is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger Barsted
  • Patent number: 4401194
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a pin slider disc brake comprising a torque-taking member and a caliper member, the members being slidable relative to one another by at least one pin connection. Each pin connection comprises an elongate, preferably cylindrical, pin guide which can be made of a corrosion-resistant material, the pin guide being detachably secured to, for example, the torque-taking member. The pin guide has a blind bore extending therethrough, in which a pin secured to the caliper member can freely slide, and the pin guide is so mounted to present an external surface which acts as a friction pad support surface. Thus, the pin guide can be relatively cheaply manufactured of corrosion-resistant material and simply replaced in the event of damage or wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Horst W. Klassen
  • Patent number: 4399987
    Abstract: A resilient support device for mounting an oscillating body on a support structure comprises a tubular support body having an internal chamber which is filled with a damping liquid and defined at one end by a base of the tubular support body and at the other end by an annular elastomeric diaphragm. The outer surface of the diaphragm is fixed to the tubular support body and its inner surface is connected to a shank which is carried by an attachment member connected coaxially to the tubular support body by an annular elastomeric element. At its inner end, the shank has a transverse disk which is immersed in the damping liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: S.A.G.A. Societa' Applicazioni Gomma Antivibranti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Cucelli, Gustavo Brizzolesi, Emilio Bossi
  • Patent number: 4399894
    Abstract: A slack adjuster for axially moved push rods is provided. An axially extending rotating actuating shaft turns a helical, driving cam member that in turn axially displaces a non-rotating driven cam member. The driving and driven helical cam members are located in a housing with the actuating shaft extending out of one end thereof and a threaded push rod extending out of the other end of the housing. A helical return spring is positioned between the driven cam and the inner wall of the housing to bias the cam members together. The push rod is held against rotation internally of the housing by a flange whose periphery is frictionally engaged by the return spring. A nut is threaded onto the rod and engaged by the driven cam member to transmit axial force to the push rod; and relative extension of the push rod from the cam members is accomplished by a one way spring brake acting on the nut and a disc clutch drive between the driving cam and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Leonard T. Tribe
  • Patent number: 4393963
    Abstract: A floating-caliper disc brake (10) includes a non-rotating torque member (36) which carries the caliper (22) in fixed radial position relative to the disc (12) via a pair of resilient assemblies (50). The torque member and caliper each have matching grooves (44, 46) which, when placed in registry, define a pair of apertures (48) between the caliper and the arms (38, 40) of the torque member. The resilient assemblies are received in the apertures (48) so as to yieldably space apart the caliper and the torque member. Brake torque is transferred from the caliper to the torque member by abutment surfaces defined on the caliper and on the torque member. The resilient assemblies provide for ready axial movement of the caliper relative to the torque member in the brake release condition by providing a light spring force which centers the caliper between the arms of the torque member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Roger W. Oltmanns, Jr., Larry A. Portolese
  • Patent number: 4393960
    Abstract: A brake shoe structure includes a series of alternating long brake shoes and short brake shoes mountable on adjacent brake beams in a railroad car retarder. The length of the long brake shoe is such that the long brake shoe symmetrically straddles two adjacent brake beams. The length of the short brake shoe is such that the shoe occupies the spacing on the brake beams between two long brake shoes. The long brake shoes are affixable to each of the brake beams at at least two points. The brake shoes contain a plurality of slanting slots in their braking surfaces for interrupting harmonics producing screeching noises during retardation. The brake shoes may be formed of steel or heat treatable ductile iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: AAA Sales & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Mazur, Emil M. Punko
  • Patent number: 4392559
    Abstract: A disc brake comprising a caliper slidably mounted on a stationary member and adapted to be disassembled therefrom in the radially outward direction with respect to a rotatable disc. The caliper incorporates a brake actuator in one limb portion thereof for pressing one friction pad against one surface of the disc and has the other limb portion for transmitting brake applying force to the other friction pad. A pad supporting member is provided on the caliper for suspending at least one friction pad from the caliper when the caliper and the friction pad are disassembled from the caliper; and the pad supporting member is spaced from the friction pad such that any force is transmitted through the pad supporting member when the caliper and the friction pad are assembled with the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventor: Harumi Oshima
  • Patent number: 4392775
    Abstract: Apparatus for picking up a flat workpiece from a flat surface by an industrial robot where vacuum and magnetic devices are not practicable. A tined end-effector is plunged into a unique compliant surface formed of upstanding bristle-like elements with the workpiece being positioned thereon. The end-effector is moved under the workpiece which is then rigidly grasped and lifted off the surface without disturbing the original orientation and presented at the goal site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Gerald E. Ennis, Mario Colombo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4392560
    Abstract: A disc brake wherein a caliper having a fluid pressure cylinder portion and a reaction portion for urging a pair of pad assemblies onto a disc rotor is shiftably retained by four slide pins. The slide pins are erected from a torque receiving member, one pair on either side of the disc rotor. Respective two slide pins projecting perpendicularly away from the rotor on opposite sides thereof are positioned co-axially to each other. At least one of the four slide pins disposed on the side with the cylinder portion is made into a main slide pin for chiefly regulating the shifting direction of the caliper; and the remaining three slide pins are respectively made into auxiliary slide pins with less capability for regulating the shifting direction than the main slide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Nakasu, Shigeru Ichikawa, Toshihiko Tanaka, Mitsuo Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4391353
    Abstract: A hand operated hydraulic bicycle brake includes a brake pad holding unit located in back of the front fork of a bicycle. A flexible fluid line couples a master cylinder located on the handlebars of the bicycle to a slave cylinder located adjacent the rim of the front wheel of the bicycle. Actuation of the slave cylinder forces the brake pad into contact with the rim, and further actuation of the master cylinder causes the unit to pivot to bring a second brake pad into contact with the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: William R. Mathauser