Patents Examined by Robert J. Oberleitner
  • Patent number: 6345705
    Abstract: A shock absorber which is responsive to changes in inertia from turning, accelerating or stopping, the change in inertia blocking flow of damping fluid in the normal reactive direction and allowing flow in the opposite direction, the flow in the opposite or corrective direction being propelled by road surface features, such that the shock absorber will level the vehicle and over-correct against the effects of the inertia. Piston travel in the corrective direction is limited as the piston approaches either end of the cylinder by providing a flow path around the piston to prevent the piston contacting the end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Philip W. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6343782
    Abstract: A vibration canceller having an inertial mass that is nonpositively joined to at least one spring element. The spring element is made exclusively of elastomeric material, is configured in substantially rod-shaped fashion, and is equipped on at least one of its end faces with a plug-shaped enlargement, the enlargement being arranged, under elastic preload, in a congruently configured opening of the inertial mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Herwig Hönlinger, Günter Zeis
  • Patent number: 6343781
    Abstract: A gas spring for a steerable vehicle wheel includes bellows that are supported at one end on a roll-off surface on a wheel carrier, a suspension element, or a part connected therewith, and are fastened at another end on a spring can. The spring can has an inlet opening to which a pressure hose or a pipe is connected. The pressure hose or pipe is arranged in a loop at least in an area above the bottom of the spring can and, during rotating movements of the spring can, is elastically deformed at least in that area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Adrian Joseph
  • Patent number: 6343799
    Abstract: A work machine having a tilt mechanism for tilting the working body of the machine relative to the base frame is disclosed. An embodiment includes a support tilt frame, a center tilt frame, an upper tilt frame, and a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a variable-length pitch support member, a pitch pivot link, and a roll support member. When tilting is desired, the pitch support member is actuated to move the pitch pivot link and, by extension or retraction, the roll support member. The roll support member is pivotally connected to the upper tilt frame and movement of the roll support member causes the upper tilt frame to move in a pitch or roll direction due to pitch and roll pivoting joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Moyer
  • Patent number: 6343676
    Abstract: A shock absorber mounted electromagnetically operated real time damper valve which is mounted upon a piston rod and provides a flow path for fluid which bypasses the piston which separates a cylinder of the shock absorber into a pair of fluid containing chambers. The damper valve includes a spool reciprocally mounted within the hollow interior of a housing. A treatably secured cap is used to retain all of the component parts of the valve assembled without the need for other securing devices such as adhesives or brazing of parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Muchlis Achmad
  • Patent number: 6341675
    Abstract: A tube-pressed brake has a tube, which is inflatable by injection of a pressure fluid thereinto such that a torque can be transmitted to a counterpart. The tube-pressed brake comprises a pressure fluid circuit for circulating the pressure fluid through an interior of the tube. The tube may be provided with a pressure fluid supply hole and a pressure fluid discharge hole, and the pressure fluid circuit may be provided with a first pressure control device arranged upstream the pressure fluid supply hole and also with a second pressure control valve arranged downstream the pressure fluid discharge hole. The pressure fluid circuit may comprise a main circuit and a pressure control circuit. Through the main circuit, the pressure fluid is allowed to successively flow through a reservoir, a pump, the first pressure control device, the tube, the second pressure control device and the reservoir in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Yasuhito Koike
  • Patent number: 6341676
    Abstract: An eletromagnetic brake provided with a braking force receiving bracket for receiving tangent force of a pair of brake shoes reciprocating in approaching and parting directions mutually. The braking force receiving bracket is fixed to a fixation member, slide faces, which receive side faces of the pair of brake shoes as the brake shoes can slide, are provided on inner sides of the above bracket, and the above pair of brake shoes are surrounded by the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hikari
  • Patent number: 6341767
    Abstract: A spring system includes an axially moving center attachment located between two static attachments. Bi-directional axial center deflections cause push-pull restoration forces. There is little mechanical fixturing preload stress acting on material also subjected to high cyclic stresses. The spring material includes an unbroken path between the two static attachments, going through the center attachment. In one embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into substantially parallel side-by-side helices clamped statically at the bottom of each helix. A moving attachment grips the center of the wire bridging diagonally between the tops of the helices. In a second embodiment, the unbroken path is a length of wire bent into end-to-end helices sharing a common axis and clamped statically at the axially opposite ends of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph B. Seale, Gary E. Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 6341806
    Abstract: An ornament cap for covering a groove formed in a first casing which is fastened to a second casing by means of a fastening device accommodated in the groove, the cap includes a seat formed in the groove and an insert for engaging with the seat. At the engaging interface of the insert and the seat, a vertical limiting means is provided to form a vertical limiting position for preventing the insert from vertically separating from the groove after engagement, and a horizontal limiting means is provided to form a horizontal limiting position for preventing the insert from separating from the groove horizontally along the groove. There are a first stable state defining a separated state between the insert and the seat and a second stable state for engaged state between the insert and the seat. The horizontal limiting means may jump from the first stable state to the second stable state under an external force is applied to the horizontal limiting means to complete the engagement of the insert and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Lon Chung
  • Patent number: 6341827
    Abstract: In an automotive vehicle brake system with an arrangement (rear-axle ABS) which controls or regulates the braking pressure or the brake force on the rear wheels and prevents locking of the rear wheels, the front wheels and the rear wheels are individually equipped with rotational speed sensors. Further, the distribution of the brake force to the front and rear axle (EBD function) is controlled or regulated on the basis of the rotational speed sensor signals and by means of the arrangement (rear-axle ABS) which prevents locking of the rear wheels. In addition, there is provision of an indicator and/or alarm device which signals the imminent locking of a front wheel or the second front wheel to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: Helmut Fennel
  • Patent number: 6340182
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener for packaging which has a relatively simple structure and yet can carry out a binding operation easily thus exhibiting a favorable usability. The fastener for packaging binds or connects a first plate body and a second plate body in the state that they are overlapped with their through holes aligned with each other. The fastener comprises a base body which is insertable into respective through holes, a first flange portion and a second flange portion which extend in the approximately horizontal direction from the base body, a moveable hook member having an approximately L shape, the moveable member is rotatably connected to a portion of the base body, and a lock means capable of locking and holding a state that the moveable hook member takes when the moveable hook member is rotated to a through hole mounting position by way of a hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kaneda, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6339981
    Abstract: A tool is described for adjusting a slack adjuster. A slack adjuster includes an adjustment bolt and a sealing plate disposed about the adjustment bolt. The tool includes an end including a hex-shaped aperture for engaging the hex-shaped head of the adjustment bolt. The tool also includes an annular face including a pair of spaced apart pins for engaging the sealing plate. A hex is formed on the outer surface of the tool for engagement by a wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Koochin Trucking Ltd.
    Inventor: Carey Andrew Koochin
  • Patent number: 6340152
    Abstract: A vibration damper module is described with a first member adapted for coupling to one of the vehicle and seat, and a shock absorber adapted to be coupled to the other of the vehicle and seat. The first member may take the form of a housing within which the shock absorber is substantially disposed. A latch selectively couples and decouples the housing to the shock absorber to respectively apply and relieve the application of the dampening force from the shock absorber to the seat which dampens vibrations in the seat. The shock absorber may include an external housing carrying a latch gripping surface, such as a plurality of teeth. The latch may comprise at least one latch arm having a latch surface. The latch arm may be shifted to a first position in which the latch surface and latch gripping surface are engaged to couple the first member to the shock absorber and to a second position wherein these components are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Ritchie, Christopher J. Sameck, Marc Milobinski
  • Patent number: 6340077
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical wheel brake device, having a screw link actuator, which is supported in a floating caliper. The screw link actuator can be driven by an electric motor, and can press a frictional brake lining against one side of a brake disc and can press a second frictional brake lining against another side of the brake disc by means of a reaction force by way of the floating caliper. In order to permit a release of the wheel brake device in the event of a malfunction, brake device embodies the screw link actuator as selflocking-free, supporting a spindle nut and a threaded spindle in rotary fashion, and securing the threaded spindle against rotation by means of a releasable rotation prevention device. The threaded spindle is connected in a rotationally secured and axially mobile fashion by means of a positive engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6340075
    Abstract: In the invention there is provided a disk brake stack having disks with predetermined available wear portions of a first thickness, a second thickness and a third thickness. In the initial configuration a first group of disks is interleaved with a second group of disks. The first group of disks comprises thick disks and the second group of disks comprises thin disks which have an available wear portion approximately one third of the thickness of the thick disks. At the first overhaul, the thin disks are substantially fully worn and are removed. The second group of disks is replaced with mid-thickness disks which have an available wear portion of about two thirds of the initial thickness of the wear portion of thick disks. At the second overhaul, the remaining wear portion of the first group of disks is approximately the thickness of the wear portion of the thin disks. The second group of disks are removed and replaced with thick disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Lowell D. Bok, Eric J. Reed, Mark W. Prenger
  • Patent number: 6338506
    Abstract: A pipe-fastening structure for an evaporation valve having a housing and a gas extraction path formed within the housing comprises a cylindrical connecting member, fixed to the housing, with first engaging portion and an inner space, a stopper member having a cylindrical inner member and second engaging portion engaging with the first engaging portion in two stages, a variable member, formed at part of the inner member in a cylindrical shape with a diameter capable of enlargement, channels formed at the inner wall of the variable member, a pipe for connecting evaporation valves and a large diameter bulge section formed in the vicinity of an end of the pipe. Locations of the inner member other than the variable member fit closely with the cylindrical inner wall of the connecting member and the first and second engaging portions undergo first stage engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mikuni Adec Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kubota, Jun Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6338508
    Abstract: A door latch for a motor-vehicle central-latch system has a housing, a locking element displaceable on the housing between a door-bolt-holding position and a door-bolt-releasing position, and a pawl displaceable on the housing between a retaining position holding the locking element in its bolt-holding position and a freeing position allowing the locking element to assume its bolt-releasing position. A release lever pivotal on the housing into an actuated position can put the paws into the freeing position. A outside operating lever is pivotal on the housing between actuated and unactuated positions and a main locking lever is pivotal on the housing by an electric motor between locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Frank Kleefeldt
  • Patent number: 6338399
    Abstract: An energy absorption device is disclosed for use both as in-line and horizontal life line shock or energy absorbers for fall arrest systems. The device includes a sleeve through which a bolt head is drawn. The bolt head compresses from the interior surface of the sleeve and thus absorbs energy as the device is stretched during a fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6336528
    Abstract: A brake device for a linear guide comprising a carrier body (1) which is movable on a guide rail (2) and incorporates brake shoes (10) which act on the guide rail (2), and a brake piston (8) which is arranged for displacement by a pressure medium in a brake cylinder (9) of the carrier body (1), the brake device further comprising an energy reservoir in form of a compression spring (11) which acts on the pressure medium that is limited by the brake piston (8), a piston/cylinder assembly is arranged between the compression spring (11) and the brake piston (8), which assembly comprises a unitary control element comprising a displaceable, larger diameter control piston (5) arranged in a control pressure chamber (4) to act on the compression spring (11) and a displaceable, smaller diameter high pressure piston (6) arranged in a high pressure chamber (3) to act on the brake piston (8), a pressure connection (13) for supply of pressure medium into the control pressure chamber (4) being disposed on the carrier body (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventor: Dietmar Rudy
  • Patent number: 6336627
    Abstract: A suspension unit includes a lower frame, an upper frame vertically movably mounted on the lower frame, and two link mechanisms disposed on respective sides of the upper and lower frames for connecting them to each other. Each of the two link mechanisms includes a parallel link mechanism having two arms extending generally parallel to each other and a pantograph-shaped link mechanism having a plurality of arms. The suspension unit further includes two permanent magnets each fixedly mounted on one of the upper and lower frames with like magnetic poles opposed to each other, a metallic spring engaged with one of the pantograph-shaped link mechanisms, and a shock absorber engaged with the other of the pantograph-shaped link mechanisms that has spring properties. With such construction, vibration below a predetermined amplitude is absorbed by the spring properties of the other of the pantograph-shaped link mechanisms with the shock absorber not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yasuhide Takata, Kazuyoshi Chizuka, Hiroki Ohshimo