Patents Examined by Richard W. Ridley
  • Patent number: 11042179
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a frame, a plate-shaped base below the frame, a load detector provided on the frame or the base, and circuitry. The frame stores part of a tiltable operation stick and a tilt detector. The circuitry is configured to output an output signal representing the direction and the magnitude of an operation on the operation stick, based on the angle detection value of the tilt of the operation stick detected by the tilt detector and the load detection value of a load applied to the frame detected by the load detector. The circuitry is configured not to output the output signal or to output the output signal that sets the magnitude of the operation to zero, when the load detection value detected by the load detector is less than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muranaka, Kunio Hosono, Sadayuki Yaginuma, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 11035435
    Abstract: An anti-rotational locking apparatus for locking an elongate rotatable element in a particular rotational position with respect to a housing include: a sleeve having an internal profile for slidably receiving therethrough a rotatable elongate element having a portion with an external profile configured to positively engage with the internal profile of the sleeve; a housing; and a locking pin. The sleeve has a flange with a first opening therein and the housing has a second opening therein, the locking pin being insertable in the openings. The flange is arranged for slidable alignment with the second opening in the housing such that when the openings are aligned, the locking pin may be inserted in the openings to lock the flange to the housing and thereby prevent rotation of the flange and of an elongate element extending therethrough and engaged therewith with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jack Timms, Kevin Handley
  • Patent number: 11028780
    Abstract: A gear shroud arrangement includes a plate defining an aperture therethrough. A riser tube has a first end and an opposed second end. The first end of the riser tube is connected to the plate and is aligned with the aperture. A mounting flange extends from the second end of the riser tube. A shroud member extends from the plate in a direction opposite the riser tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr., Derek R. Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 11029137
    Abstract: A fixture pin assembly for presenting a pin in a specified location and orientation to provide positioning or dimensional verification for a target part. The fixture pin assembly comprises a block, a pin, and an actuator set. The block includes a plurality of holes on a plurality of surfaces to attach directly or indirectly to mating bushings, pins, and actuation component sets. Pin and bushing act in combination to present a pin which is fixed or may allow motion in specified directions. Actuation component set provides motion control of the pin to either fix the location in longitudinal direction or allow longitudinal motion with or without springs to impart force either rearward or forward. A cable actuation system provides for remote release functionality of pin. Entire system design is configurable and interchangeable to provide cost-effective and space-effective implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Boerman
  • Patent number: 11021058
    Abstract: A foldable accelerator pedal apparatus is equipped with a hysteresis module for a vehicle. In a manual driving mode where a driver drives a vehicle with human input, a pedal pad protrudes from a pedal housing to be exposed toward the driver. In an autonomous traveling mode where the vehicle travels without any human input, the pedal pad retracts into the pedal housing so as not to be exposed toward the driver. When operating the pedal pad, hysteresis may be realized through the hysteresis module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Hyeon Uk Kim, Sung Il Byun
  • Patent number: 11011326
    Abstract: A button is disclosed. The button includes: a lower button shell, which is a hollow structure with an upper opening, and is provided with a first sliding pin hole through a side wall of the lower button shell; an upper button shell, which is a hollow structure with a lower opening, wherein a side wall of the upper button shell is provided with a second sliding pin hole, the upper button shell is sleeved on the lower button shell, and the second sliding pin hole is directly opposite to the first sliding pin hole; a moveable tray, which is located at a central position in the lower button shell; a sliding arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to the moveable tray; a sliding pin, which is located in the lower button shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: GOERTEK TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 11002304
    Abstract: The present application relates to the field of bicycle manufacturing technology, and in particular to a bicycle and a crank assembly thereof, comprising a first handle and a second handle, wherein one of the handles is connected to a transmission shaft and the other of the handles is connected to a pedal, the first handle and the second handle are rotatably connected, and the axis of rotation coincides with the extending direction of the crank; and further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the first handle is rotatable with respect to the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the first state, and the locking mechanism limits the relative rotation of the first handle and the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ningbo Tekmax Bicycle Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Peng Liu, Xiaofei Zhao, Xinfa Wu
  • Patent number: 10994609
    Abstract: An actuation system of a transfer case includes a face cam, a motor, a gear reduction assembly, and an intermediate rotating member. The face cam includes a first member and a second member, and rotation of the first member relative to the second annular causes the first member or the second annular member to displace axially relative to the other member for selective operation of a torque transfer mechanism of the torque transfer device. The gear reduction assembly includes a first planetary gear set that increases torque from the motor by a first ratio, and a second planetary gear set that increases torque from the first planetary gear set by a second ratio and is coaxial with the first planetary gear set and the motor. The intermediate rotating member is rotated by the gear reduction assembly and rotates the first annular member for selective operation of the torque transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mallikarjun Rudagi, Abhinav Jain, Sathya Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 10994611
    Abstract: A foldable pedal device for an autonomous vehicle is provided. In a manual driving mode, in which the driver directly operates the vehicle, a pedal pad rotates backwards and pops up in a passenger compartment space to allow the driver to manipulate the pedal pad. In an autonomous driving mode, in which the driver does not directly operate the vehicle, the pedal pad rotates forwards and is hidden in an engine compartment space to be prevented from being exposed to the passenger compartment space and from being manipulated by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 10995819
    Abstract: A mass damper system is provided with a damper mass carrier at which damper masses are relatively movably received and a stop is fastened. The damper masses are arranged radially outwardly of the stop and provided at their radial sides facing the stop with contact areas that cooperate with profile areas provided at the stop and which are provided at radial sides facing the damper masses. The stop has at least one stop carrier and at least one stop damper connected to the stop carrier via a radial securing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Kyrill Siemens, Zhaoyuan Dong, Reinhold Fischer
  • Patent number: 10994798
    Abstract: An operating device comprises a base member, an operating member, a user operating portion, and a restriction member. The base member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a grip portion. The first end portion is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The second end portion is opposite to the first end portion. The grip portion is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis. The user operating portion is configured to receive a user input and provided at the second end portion of the base member. The restriction member is at least partly provided, as viewed along the pivot axis, between the user operating portion and the first end portion of the base member to restrict unintentional access to the user operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hayata Mizutani, Yusuke Nishikawa, Natsuki Noma
  • Patent number: 10989534
    Abstract: A gyrostabiliser having a vacuum chamber assembly is disclosed. The gyrostabilizer can have a flywheel enclosed within a vacuum chamber formed by a housing. The flywheel shaft can be fixed to or integral with the flywheel and located relative to the housing by upper and lower spin bearings which permit rotation of the flywheel about the spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: VEEM Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Miocevich, Michael Andrewartha
  • Patent number: 10975906
    Abstract: A cable adjusting device for vehicle includes a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve includes a first opening and a second opening. The second sleeve is screwed to the second opening. The inner wall of the second sleeve includes a first stop portion. The first stop portion includes a first through hole. The first through hole is communicated with the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
  • Patent number: 10976133
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a reticle, comprising: —an adjustable reticle, —an adjusting means set up to adjust the reticle, wherein the adjusting means includes an adjustment actuation element, movably mounted in an adjustment movement degree of freedom, —a blocking means assigned to the adjusting means set up to block movements of the adjustment actuation element, wherein the blocking means includes a blocking element transferrable into a blocking position, in which this effects that movements of the adjustment actuation element are blocked in the adjustment movement degree of freedom, and into an unblocking position, in which this effects that movements of the adjustment actuation element are not blocked in the adjustment movement degree of freedom, wherein the blocking element, in the blocking position, cooperates frictionally with the adjustment actuation element or with a component of the adjusting means coupled with the adjustment actuation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: STEINER-OPTIK GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Hofmann, Peter Haag
  • Patent number: 10976134
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a reticle, comprising: an adjustable reticle, a reticle adjustment device comprising an adjustment actuation element movably mounted, a combined click and lock device which comprises a first click device element equipped at least in sections with a click surface formed by a three-dimensional surface or surface structuring, and a second click device element mounted to be movable relative to said first click device element and engages with the click surface of the first click device element, wherein the combined click and lock device is designed to, in a first operating mode, generate acoustic and/or haptic feedback perceptible to an operator, in the case of movement of the adjustment actuation element in at least one adjustment-movement degree of freedom, and is designed to, in a second operating mode, lock movements of the adjustment actuation element in the at least one adjustment-movement degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: STEINER-OPTIK GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Lottes, Werner Mayr-Went
  • Patent number: 10968793
    Abstract: An axle assembly including a disconnect assembly and an integrated fluid flow system. The disconnect assembly including an axially movable clutch member in selective engagement with at least one shaft to permit a rotation thereof. The fluid flow system includes a fluid flow member and a plurality of fluid passageways to permit a flow of a fluid (e.g. a lubricant) from a fluid source (e.g. a fluid sump of the axle assembly) to various components disposed within a carrier housing of the axle assembly and a return of the fluid back to the fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Sajeev C. Krishnan, Brian S. Longardner, Nicholas C. Billmaier, Thomas L. Nahrwold, Astha Barve, Robin Dominiak
  • Patent number: 10962047
    Abstract: Tie rod assemblies include a tie rod body, a coupling feature having a shaft, a ring positioned on the shaft, and a bushing rotatably coupled to the shaft. At least a portion of the shaft is positioned within the tie rod body, with an external threaded region of the bushing engaged with an internal threaded portion of the tie rod body to couple the coupling feature to the tie rod body. The ring is sized such that it is configured to prevent longitudinal translation of the coupling feature with respect to the bushing, via engagement with the shaft. The shaft is free to rotate within the bushing and within the tie rod body, to provide a tie rod assembly having a swivel end. The bushing may be rotated to adjust the length of the tie rod assembly. Related methods include assembling and adjusting the length of the tie rod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Aaron Connell, Mikhail V. Timchenko, Evgeny N. Golov
  • Patent number: 10960853
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper motor (10) with a shaft (30) for driving a wiper arm (1), wherein the shaft (30) projects through an opening (31) of a housing (15) and in the region of the opening (31) is mounted radially in a bore (55) of at least one substantially sleeve-shaped element (40), and wherein the sleeve-shaped element (40) is fixed at least axially in the region of the housing (15). According to the invention, it is provided that the sleeve-shaped element (40) has at least two different cross-sections (41, 42), a first cross-section (41) which is designed to protrude axially through the opening (31) and a second cross-section (42) which is designed to be accommodated in an axially fixed manner within said opening (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Harald Kapitza, Siegfried Stefani
  • Patent number: 10953952
    Abstract: A magnetic mountain bike pedal assembly provides for at least one pedal having a center member, the center member having at least one magnet in its center portion, a plate adapted to be removedly attached to a shoe wherein the plate contains at least one magnet, wherein when the plate and the center member are aligned a disconnectable magnetic connection is formed. In some embodiments, either the first magnetic element or the second magnetic element, or both may be Neodymium, and in some embodiments they may be axially-magnetized Neodymium. In some embodiments, a shoe is attached to the plate, and the shoe has at least ferrous metal cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Craig Payne
  • Patent number: 10948941
    Abstract: A pedal unit for a motor vehicle may include a multiplicity of cylinder elements which are guided one inside the other in a telescopic fashion along a movement axis, a pedal face for a user, one or more spring elements, and a sensor unit. The pedal face may be coupled to one of the cylinder elements. Each of the spring elements is configured to interact with two cylinder elements assigned thereto, as a result of which, when the pedal face is activated an opposing force can be generated at the pedal face, the opposing force depending progressively on movement travel of the pedal face. The sensor unit may be configured to generate an output signal that is dependent on activation of the pedal face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dohmen, Steffen Schoenfuss, Christina Kallas