Patents Examined by Thomas Diaz
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Patent number: 9546725Abstract: This invention addresses the problem of providing a press-fit structure and a press-fit method capable of improving the durability of a gear which press-fits into a ring part. As such, the embodiment of this invention is that, while one end side in the central axis direction of the ring gear abuts against a protrusion formed protruding on the outer side of the radial direction of the ring part from the outer circumferential surface of the ring of the ring part, and wherein the press-fit structure press-fits the inner circumferential surface of the gear into the outer circumferential surface of the ring part, when the inner circumferential surface of the gear is press-fitted into the outer circumferential surface of the ring part, there is a tensile strength reduction mechanism reducing the tensile strength generated in the lower portion of the gear teeth in at least the position of the aforementioned end side of the gear.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Shioiri
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Patent number: 9541944Abstract: A device for mounting a pedal of a vehicle including a support on which the pedal is mounted by a principal rotary shaft and a shearing mechanism connected to a fixed bodywork element of the vehicle, the shearing mechanism configured to radially shear off the principal shaft in a case of a displacement of the support relative to the bodywork element, to detach the pedal from the support. A secondary shaft is fixed to the pedal and is configured to position the pedal, which has been sheared off, in a new operating position.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventor: Catalin Nicusor Calciu
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Patent number: 9526403Abstract: The invention provides an endoscopic video camera having a polymeric knob assembly, wherein the polymeric material used for manufacturing the knob assembly includes polyphenylsulfone resin, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, and colored metallic additives, is capable of withstanding sterilization, and has a metallic cosmetic appearance. The invention also provides methods of manufacturing the knob assembly by plastic injection molding processes, wherein undesirable molding characteristics are concentrated on portions of the knob assembly that are removed by secondary machining or post machining.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Kin Ming Kwan, Dejan Korkut, Thomas J. Anhalt, Paul McCarty, Diegas E. Zavala
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Patent number: 9527383Abstract: A pedal effort adjusting apparatus for vehicles may include a fixed part rotatably coupled with a pedal member, a moving part configured to linearly move with respect to the fixed part, an elastic member configured to support the fixed part and the moving part, and a lever protrusion coupled to a hinge shaft of a pedal and configured to rotate together with the pedal and have an end rotatably coupled to the moving part to linearly move the moving part at a time of the rotation of the pedal.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jong Hee Han
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Patent number: 9523409Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus comprises a first plate member, a second plate member disposed at a position axially offset from the first plate member, an intermediate plate member that is disposed between the first plate member and the second plate member and has a frictional sliding surface mating with the second plate member, rolling elements disposed so as to roll between the intermediate plate member and the first plate member, and resilient member that allows the intermediate plate member and the first plate member to rotate relative to each other. The intermediate plate member and the first plate member have acting sections on a surface whereon at least one of the rolling elements rolls, the acting sections press the intermediate plate member against the second plate member by a relative rotation between the intermediate plate member and the first plate member.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ATESTEO GMBHInventors: Masaru Ebata, Tomohiro Saeki, Tsutomu Sekine, Masakazu Kamiya, Ulrich Rohs
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Patent number: 9511790Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel provided with controls for the turn indicators; the steering wheel has: a central hub, which is mounted so as to rotate; an outer crown, which extends around the central hub, is suited to be held by the driver, and is rigidly coupled to the central hub by means of at least two spokes; two upper controls, each of which is mounted on an upper surface of a corresponding spoke and operates the right turn indicators or the left turn indicators; and two lower controls, each of which is mounted on a lower surface of a corresponding spoke on the opposite side of the relative upper control, and operates the turn indicators that are opposite to the turn indicators operated by the relative upper control.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.Inventor: Patrizio Spaggiari
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Patent number: 9506406Abstract: A throttle control device includes a throttle lever fixed to a throttle shaft which is arranged to open or close a valve of a carburetor, an elastically deformable tube having a first end connected to a connection point on the throttle lever, the connection point being spaced from a rotating center of the throttle lever, and an intermediary section fixed at a first fixing position spaced from the connection point by a predetermined distance, and a throttle wire slidably accommodated in the tube and having a first end fixed at a second fixing position, the second fixing position being disposed outside the tube and at a distance from the first end of the tube, and a second end arranged to be manipulated by means of a throttle control lever so that the throttle wire moves relative to the tube, wherein the tube has a curved portion between the connection point and the first fixing position, the curvature radius of which changes due to the movement of the throttle wire relative to the tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Takashi Ohniwa
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Patent number: 9500260Abstract: A harmonic balancer assembly is provided including a drive plate adapted to be attached to a crankshaft or other drive shaft. A first circumferentially extending elastomeric ring is connected to an axial face of the drive plate. An inertia ring is provided which also includes an axial face that is connected to the first elastomeric ring. A drive element can be connected to or engaged with the inertia ring in order to transmit torque from the drive plate to a further element in a drive train. The inertia ring can be connected to a pulley, a torque converter, or other transmission element in order to, for example, transfer torque from a crankshaft to a further transmission component or to transfer torque to a separate power take off.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Jeffrey Hemphill
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Patent number: 9488252Abstract: A hand brake assembly for a railway car is provided including a housing with a back plate, a cover plate, and a removable panel removably attached to the back plate, the cover plate, or both. The removable panel mounts at least a portion of a shaft of a quick-release handle in the housing when the removable panel is attached to the back plate, the cover plate, or both.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Amsted Rail-Faiveley LLCInventors: Mark Michel, Deon Glenn, Tammy Kirk
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Patent number: 9487220Abstract: A reverser handle comprising a key component integrally associated with a light component. In an exemplary embodiment, the light component comprises a cap which houses a light source, such as, e.g., a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light bulb, or a photoluminescent material which allows the cap to glow in the dark. The key component which comprises a body having extending therefrom a flange which is configured to actuate a control stand. In another exemplary embodiment, a reverser handle comprises a key component comprising a body having extending therefrom a flange which is configured to be received within the control stand, and which is further configured such that the key component cannot actuate the control stand. The light component preferably comprises a blue light emitting light source to comply with a blue flag safety procedure.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Inventor: Joseph Donnan
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Patent number: 9481428Abstract: A bicycle pedal including a tube, assembled to freely rotate around an axis, and a pedal body including at least one first surface on which a cyclist is capable of exerting an effort, the pedal body being connected to the central tube by at least one connecting member including a first portion interposed between the tube and the first surface and fitted with at least one deformation gauge.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Jean-Philippe Gros, Sébastien Brulais, Ghislain Despesse
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Patent number: 9469372Abstract: A bicycle pedal comprises a pedal axle, a pedal body, a first sub member, a first clamping member, a second clamping member, and a biasing structure. The first sub member is movable relative to the pedal body about a first pivot axis in a first pivot direction and a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction. The first clamping member is movable relative to the first sub member about a second pivot axis substantially parallel to the first pivot axis in a third pivot direction and a fourth pivot direction opposite to the third pivot direction. The first pivot axis is closer to a point on the pedal axle than the second pivot axis when viewed from an axial direction parallel to the first pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Akira Inoue, Takuro Yamane
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Patent number: 9452771Abstract: A steering wheel cover that includes an outer cover layer and an inner core layer coupled to the outer cover layer is disclosed herein. The inner core layer includes an inner surface shaped to form and self-maintain an annular channel sized to receiving an automobile steering wheel therein. The inner core layer has a composition that includes ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and one or more hardening agents. The composition of the inner core layer may also include a flexibility agent, a de-molding agent, a flowing agent, an emollient, an oxidizing agent, a cross-linking agent, a coloring agent, a curing agent, and a foaming agent. The inner core layer may also include one or more ribs extending from an inner surface of the inner core layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Inventors: Yu He, Jiangqiang You
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Patent number: 9454175Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control lever comprises a lever body and a grip. The lever body comprises a base and an arm. The grip is attached to the arm so as to be extractable, and comprises a handle positioned on the opposite side of the base. A switch is provided at the end of the handle. The arm is configured to allow the grip to be attached from a right side or a left side of the arm so as to be selectively extractable. A cable of the switch has a length enough to extract the grip from the arm, and is guided from between the arm and the grip to the control box through the base. The base comprises a storage portion in which a middle portion of the cable is stored.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.Inventor: Taishi Ozaki
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Patent number: 9446813Abstract: A bicycle shifter for pulling and releasing a control cable connected to a gear change mechanism mountable at or near an end of the handlebar that returns to a neutral position after each shift operation to decrease aerodynamic drag encountered by the rider. The shifter includes a takeup member, a control mechanism, a holding mechanism and a return assembly. The takeup member is rotatable about a shift axis for winding and unwinding the control cable thereon in a cable-pull direction and a cable-release direction. The control mechanism is movable in a first direction to rotate the takeup member in the cable-pull direction and in a second direction to rotate the takeup member in the cable-release direction. The holding mechanism retains the takeup member in a selected position and the return assembly returns the control mechanism to the neutral position after each shift operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shipman, Kevin Wesling
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Patent number: 9441722Abstract: A mechanical system, forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, the mechanical system comprising: a support element; a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element; and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes an inner cavity in which the roller is at least partially arranged and which is adapted to contain an oil bath for lubricating the roller. Examples of applications for the mechanical system include a follower device, an injection pump or a valve actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Nicolas Berruet, Benoît Hauvespre, Samuel Viault
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Patent number: 9429976Abstract: In a vehicle operation pedal apparatus, an engagement hook is formed in one end portion of a return spring, an engagement hole or cutout into which the engagement hook is hooked is formed in a bracket plate member disposed on an operation pedal, and a surface direction of a portion of the bracket plate member, in which the engagement hole or cutout is formed, is set such that a contact point at which the engagement hook contacts one of a pair of edges that are ridgelines between an inner wall surface of the engagement hole or cutout and one surface and an other surface of the bracket plate member is a relative pivot point of the return spring that pivots relative to the operation pedal in accordance with a pivoting operation of the operation pedal in an entire operation angle range of the operation pedal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nozomu Taguchi
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Patent number: 9429977Abstract: A relief spring stop bolt assembly for shallow bowl coal pulverizing mills and a method of using the same to smooth operation of such a pulverizer during low load operation is described. The subject relief spring stop bolt assembly is sized to be used with or for “retrofit” within existing journal space and existing journal opening cover space of a shallow bowl mill to effectively smooth rough operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Lawrence Scott Farris, Todd G. Williams
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Patent number: 9429223Abstract: A power transmission device in which a motor and a reduction gear are connected through a fluid coupling, includes: a fan for reduction gear cooling provided at an input shaft of the reduction gear; and a protective cover configured to cover the fluid coupling, wherein the protective cover is provided with an air intake for the fan, and a guide unit that guides air drawn in from the air intake to the fan.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhisa Abe
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Patent number: 9409623Abstract: A bicycle pedal structure capable of triggering auxiliary power includes a base, sleeve unit, crank shaft, pedal cranks and treading force sensing unit. The sleeve unit has first and second sleeves disposed in two openings of the base. The crank shaft is fitted in the first and second sleeves and thus rotatably disposed in the base. The pedal cranks are coupled to two ends of the crank shaft, extend in opposite directions, are substantially perpendicular to the crank shaft, and each have a pedal for rotating the crank shaft under a treading force. The treading force sensing unit has piezoelectric plates disposed on at least the first and second sleeves and above the crank shaft. The bicycle pedal structure is mounted on a bicycle chassis and connected to a driving-controlling system to trigger the driving-controlling system to generate and supply digit modularized auxiliary power to the bicycle pedal structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: MOTIVE POWER INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hsin-Lin Cheng, Ching-Chung Teng