Patents Examined by Thomas Diaz
  • Air cooled gear housing
    Patent number: 8555747
    Abstract: A spur-gear mechanism, especially a bevel spur-gear mechanism, having one or more transmission stages is provided. The transmission stages are accommodated in a gear mechanism housing having two side surfaces and two base surfaces. Guided out of the gear mechanism housing is a drive shaft on which is fixedly secured, beyond a housing, an axial fan wheel. A spacer flange for connection to a motor spacer is formed on the gear mechanism housing. The spacer flange is provided with central openings in an extension of the base surfaces and with lateral openings in an extension of the side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aarnout Kant, Hubert Pessel, Jürgen Thuilot
  • Bicycle control device
    Patent number: 8549956
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit, a brake lever, a shift operating lever and a lever adjustment mechanism. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The brake lever is movably mounted relative to the base member. The shift operating lever is operatively coupled to the shift control unit to operate the shift control unit when the shift operating lever is moved from a rest position along a shift operating path. The shift operating lever is movable from the rest position along a non-shift movement path independently of the brake lever. The lever adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to the shift operating lever to change a location of the rest position of the shift operating lever along the non-shift movement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Hisayuki Sato, Etsuyoshi Watarai, Akira Tsumiyama
  • System and method for isolating a rolling-element bearing
    Patent number: 8545106
    Abstract: Lubrication fluid is discharged through an axial gap between a outer bearing race and a bearing housing from a cavity bounded in part by a forward surface of the outer bearing race that is axially slideable within the bearing housing so as to provide for changing the axial gap. The pressure in the cavity is automatically controlled responsive to an axial force on outer bearing race by an axial position of the outer bearing race that determines a size of the axial gap, so as to provide for increasing the pressure responsive to increasing axial force over at least a portion of an operating range. The lubrication fluid in the axial gap provides for isolating axial vibrations of the outer bearing race relative to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Williams International Co., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Craig R. Miller, Robert S. Thompson, Jr.
  • Operation mechanism for controlling front suspension system
    Patent number: 8539857
    Abstract: An operation mechanism for locking or unlocking the front suspension system of bicycles includes a base with a lever frame pivotably connected thereto. The control cable is connected to the lever frame which has a pin. A movable member is located in the base and includes two hooks and two slots are defined through the hooks. The base includes an axle which extends through the center of the lever frame and the two slots. The pin on the movable member is removably hooked by the hooks. A cover is mounted to the base to hide the movable member. The movable member is movable along a push rod and biased by a resilient member. A operation rod inserted into the base and pushes the movable member to remove the pin from the hooks so as to release the control cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Hui-Hsiung Chen
  • Bicycle shift control device
    Patent number: 8539856
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member, a shift control unit movable in a first direction and in a second direction, and an operating member operatively coupled to the shift control unit. The operating member is coupled relative to the base member to move along a shift operating path from a rest position to a first shift position for causing movement of the shift control unit in the first direction, and the operating member is coupled relative to the base member to move along the shift operating path from the rest position to a second shift position for causing movement of the shift control unit in the second direction, wherein the first shift position is located between the rest position and the second shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Parking lever cover for vehicle
    Patent number: 8528446
    Abstract: A parking lever cover for a vehicle can be easily and firmly attached to a parking lever frame having a large bend angle, easily manufactured, and provide the parking lever with an aesthetically elegant external appearance, thereby increasing commercial appeal of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jaewan Jin, Hayun Jung
  • Mounting assembly and insert for a pedal or the like
    Patent number: 8522642
    Abstract: A mounting assembly which, in one embodiment, is for a pedal assembly including a plate with at least a first mounting bracket including an interior wall which, in one embodiment, defines an aperture and a pair of slots. A sleeve is fitted in the opening and, in one embodiment, is generally U-shaped and includes both an arcuate base and a pair of arms. The base is fitted in the aperture and at least the distal end of the pair of arms is fitted in the pair of slots respectively. The interior wall is configured so that, in one embodiment, a generally circular aperture is defined in the bracket when the sleeve is fitted therein; and, in another embodiment, a generally oval-shaped aperture is defined in the bracket when the sleeve is fitted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Murray Kaijala
  • Noise reduction apparatus for shift cable
    Patent number: 8511201
    Abstract: A noise reduction apparatus for a shift cable, may include a mounting socket that is fixed to a shift lever mounting bracket, with an inner cable of the shift cable therethrough, a cable connection pipe that has one side connected to a shift lever-sided end of an outer cable of the shift cable, and a housing connection pipe that has one end elastically-coupled to a shift lever-sided end of the cable connection pipe with a predetermined distance therebetween by a first antivibration member in a damper housing and the other end thereof elastically-connected to the shift lever mounting bracket by a second antivibration member in the mounting socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daedong System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yangrae Cho, Jeehyuck Choi, Hochul Lee, Wonmin Lee
  • Active balancing system powered by light
    Patent number: 8505411
    Abstract: An active balancing system for rotating machinery is provided which is light weight, solid state and powered by radiant energy. One or more balance rings coupled to the rotating machinery each have balancing elements which are moved to a selected position by actuators whose operation is controlled according to measured vibration resulting from imbalance of the machinery. The actuators are powered by an electrical energy generating device, such as a photo cell or a photovoltaic element, which is coupled to the machinery and located across an air gap from a source of radiant energy such as an array of light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: John F. Justak, Frank M. Caimi, Donna M. Kocak
  • Brake pedal stop
    Patent number: 8499663
    Abstract: A braking assembly includes a depressible brake pedal. The brake pedal remains in a neutral position when not depressed. A link arm is mechanically linked with the brake pedal. The link arm moves as a function of a position of the brake pedal. A bell crank is mechanically linked with the link arm. The bell crank moves as a function of a position of the link arm. A stop member moves with the bell crank. The stop member abuts against the link arm to prevent the brake pedal from over-travelling beyond a predetermined distance past the neutral position after the depressed brake pedal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Duane R. Johnson, Jeffrey J. Krause, Mark H. Sciulli
  • Axle shaft cover plate with bearing assembly
    Patent number: 8499664
    Abstract: A cover plate for a drive assembly that includes a bearing housing having a bearing cavity, a thrust bearing axially disposed within the bearing cavity that includes a cup, cone and plurality of rollers disposed between cup and cone raceways, a thrust plate with an axle engaging surface disposed perpendicular to a central axis and coupled for rotation to the cone. The cover plate may be connected to a final drive housing of a final drive that includes a plurality of gears operatively connected to an axle shaft, the end of the axle shaft positioned to rotationally engage the thrust plate and cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David M. White, Christopher G. Oakley, Keith A. Kabrick
  • Control cable assembly with dampening
    Patent number: 8490512
    Abstract: In one implementation, a shifter assembly for a vehicle transmission, may include a shifter adapted to move between at least two positions corresponding to different modes of operation of the transmission, a cable connection feature associated with the shifter, and a cable connected to the cable connection feature and adapted to be connected to the transmission such that movement of the shifter is transmitted to the transmission by the cable. The cable may include a conduit, a core received within the conduit, and a dampener connected to the conduit. The dampener in the preferred embodiment bends the conduit and engages the core with the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dura Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Ruhlander, Donald G. Gordy
  • Double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
    Patent number: 8485062
    Abstract: A double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland formed of a shell, a collar, a packing ring, and a connection ring is disclosed. The shell has an axial through hole. The collar has an axial through hole. The packing ring has an axial through hole surrounded by a first packing ring segment and a second packing ring segment thereof. The collar is inserted into the axial through hole of the shell. The packing ring is mounted in the axial through hole of the collar. The connection ring and the shell are fastened together by a screw joint, causing the first packing ring segment and second packing ring segment of the packing ring to be wrapped about the inserted cable or the inserted cable and flexible conduit tightly, achieving a double-lock function and protecting against moisture and dust particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AVC Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Jiun Wei Chiou
  • Industrial robot
    Patent number: 8468908
    Abstract: A joint of an industrial robot that includes attaching part (23) having positioning member (22) embedded in one or both of two relatively rotating members, and guide (24) through which positioning member (22) projectably slides. Meanwhile, the side of the positioning member is provided thereon with a reservoir groove for a lubricant and a projection position marker for indicating a given projection length. This makeup provides an inexpensive, highly accurate, and extremely trouble-saving origin adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Iwai, Takayasu Ohara
  • Convertible, push-bicycle for a child
    Patent number: 8464609
    Abstract: An articulable crankset for converting a pedal-powered vehicle into a push-powered vehicle is provided. The articulable crankset can be in a retracted position to provide at least less of an obstruction to a user's legs during use of the push-powered vehicle than a non-retractable crankset. The vehicle can be a bicycle, and the articulable crankset can be a component of a production bicycle or a component of a conversion kit that will convert a bicycle from a pedal-powered bicycle to a convertible bicycle that can also function as a push-powered bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kroozn, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kinting Shiu, Vanessa Chen-Hwa Shiu
  • Rotary indexing table
    Patent number: 8443698
    Abstract: A rotary indexing table having a plate which has drivers engaging into a driving groove of a barrel cam is provided. The plate is drivable via a barrel cam to make a rotary movement about an axis of rotation which is in turn drivable by a motor to make a first rotary movement about its longitudinal axis. An additional drive element connected drive-wise to the barrel cam is provided which is coupled to the plate via at least one coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Weiss GmbH Sondermaschinentechnik Buchen
    Inventor: Stanislav Cafuta
  • Electronic organ type accelerator pedal
    Patent number: 8438945
    Abstract: An electronic organ type accelerator pedal apparatus, may include a pedal housing having a pedal arm receiving space therein and a carrier fitting hole, a pedal pivotally hinged to a hinged portion of the pedal housing, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to an inner surface of the pedal housing, wherein one end portion of the pedal arm is elastically biased by an elastic member and the other end portion of which is pivotally coupled to the pedal through the carrier fitting hole to transfer an activating force of the pedal to the other end portion of the pedal arm, and a damping stopper fixed to the inner surface of the pedal housing in the pedal arm receiving space and selectively engaged with the other end portion of the pedal arm to limit a rotation of the pedal arm when the pedal arm is rotated by the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Byungju Kim, Donghwan Kim
  • Coupling means, in particular for a furniture adjustment means
    Patent number: 8424413
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjustable pieces of furniture is provided with a coupling including a transmission and sub-coupling structure, where the transmission and sub-coupling structure is constructed in such a way that at least one secondary transmission is always adjusted whether one primary transmission is actuated or whether the another primary transmission is actuated. At least two catch decouplers are provided in such a way that when the at least one primary transmission is adjusted, and disengaged by an adjustment of an associated actuator, the transmission and sub-coupling structure is always also entrained and adjusted, while one of the catch decouplers cooperates with the transmission and sub-coupling structure in such a way that the adjusting or pivoting transmission and sub-coupling structure leaves a second secondary transmission and/or the second actuator unchanged in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Steelcase Werndl AG
    Inventor: Josef Rutz
  • Control device for a bicycle derailleur
    Patent number: 8424414
    Abstract: The integrated control device (1) for driving the control cable (20) of the derailleur and the brake cable (16) of a bicycle is provided. The device having a support body (4) connectable to the handlebar (2) and that can be gripped by the cyclist's hand, a cable-winding bush (19) about which the control cable (20) of the derailleur is wound/unwound and a first lever (9) rotatable with respect to the support body (4) about a first axis (X1) for actuating the brake cable (16) and rotatable about a second axis (X2) to drive the cable-winding bush (19) into rotation in a first direction of rotation (R2). An indexing mechanism (12) connected to the first lever (9) cooperates with the cable-winding bush (19) to define predetermined angular positions therefor. The support body (4) having a recess (25) for the passage of the control cable (20) of the derailleur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Dal Prà
  • Radial anti-friction bearing, in particular, single-row spherical roller bearing, and method for mounting thereof
    Patent number: 8419289
    Abstract: A radial bearing configured as a single-row spherical roller bearing is provided that includes an inner and outer bearing ring, and rollers arranged between the bearing rings. The rollers have two side faces which are flattened symmetrically from a spherical base shape, and roll in two groove-shaped raceways which are defined by two axial rims. The width of the rollers between their side faces is at least 70% of the diameter of the spherical base shape and is greater than the distance between the axial rims. The rollers are in full linear contact with their running faces in the bearing rings at an operational pressure angle of up to 25° on both sides of the bearing longitudinal axis. The distance between radially opposite axial rims when the bearing rings are arranged eccentrically to each other is less than the diameter of the spherical base shape of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Hofmann, Horst Doppling, Rainer Eidloth, Georg Goppelt