Patents Examined by Thomas W Irvin
  • Patent number: 11691848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety brake for an elevator, a centrifugal regulator and a way of using this in a safety brake. According to the invention, the safety brake comprises a centrifugal regulator (3), a shaft (4), which rotates due to a coupling (5) to the elevator, a first (6) and a second (8) brake part movable against each other with friction surfaces (10, 11), the first brake part being rotatable with the shaft, a spring assembly (30) with which the brake parts are spring-biased with a pressure force, on release the centrifugal regulator is provided to couple the shaft (4) to the first brake part (6) to force rotation on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Alimak Group Sweden AB
    Inventor: Henrik Lindström
  • Patent number: 11668386
    Abstract: A pulley structure may be equipped with an outer rotating body, an inner rotating body, and a coil spring provided between the outer rotating body and the inner rotating body. The coil spring is configured so as to undergo torsional deformation in a diameter-expanding or a diameter-contracting direction, thereby engaging the outer rotating body and the inner rotating body and transmitting torque, and to undergo torsional deformation in the direction opposite the direction in which torque is transmitted, thereby entering a disengaged state in which the coil spring slides with the outer rotating body or the inner rotating body, thus interrupting the transmission of torque. The number of windings of the coil spring is in a range between [M-0.125] and M (both inclusive), where M is a natural number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Shimamura, Katsuya Imai, Ryosuke Dan, Takashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11668368
    Abstract: A damper is disposed in at least one of a space between a supported member and a supporting element or a space between the supported member and a supporting member. The damper includes a cushioning member and a protecting member. The cushioning member is configured to relax stress applied to the supported member that is supported by the supporting member together with the supporting element. The cushioning member includes a facing portion that faces the supported member, an opposite portion that is opposite to the facing portion, and a side surface portion that is located between the facing portion and the opposite portion. The protecting member is disposed on the side surface portion to cover the cushioning member from an outside of the cushioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Tada, Ryoichi Shinoda
  • Patent number: 11655876
    Abstract: Provided is a gas strut, including: an outer working space arranged radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the outer working space being connected to the inner working space in a gas-conducting manner; an equalizing piston enclosing the working cylinder radially to the stroke axis, the equalizing piston) being mounted displaceably along the stroke axis, delimiting the outer working space on one side transversely to the stroke axis and being subjected to a pressure of the working medium and a pressure of the equalizing medium so as to increase the volume of the outer working space; and a restoring medium arranged in a restoring space radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the equalizing piston being subjected to a pressure of the restoring medium so as to decrease the volume of the outer working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STABILUS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Reiser, Ulrich Probst, Felix Beib
  • Patent number: 11649873
    Abstract: A shock absorber may include an elongated housing that contains damping medium, a piston rod with a first piston that divides the elongated housing into a rebound volume and a first compression volume, a second piston configured to move through a second compression volume, a third piston configured to move through a third compression volume, and a mount cap for the elongated housing. The mount cap may include a bleed circuit that leads from the third compression volume to the first compression volume. The second and third pistons may be configured so as only to be engaged when necessary to prevent the shock absorber from bottoming out in a compression stroke. A user-accessible adjuster mechanism on an outside of the shock absorber can be manipulated to close, open, or partially open the bleed circuit and thereby adjust the damping characteristics of the second and third pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN OF AMERICA, INC., THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Justin Smith, Blake Ramuno, Austin Dvorak
  • Patent number: 11649877
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end fitting connected to a first telescoping member, a second end fitting connected to a second telescoping member, the first and second telescoping members being telescopically mounted relative to each other. An elastomeric spring/damper is disposed between the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Rod Hadi
  • Patent number: 11644081
    Abstract: A vibration isolator, system, and method for minimizing propagation of vibrations between structures are configured to decouple axial and lateral structural modes. The vibration isolator includes an axial flexural support that provides axial compliance relative to a central axis and a lateral elastomeric support that provides lateral compliance relative to the central axis. The axial flexural support and the lateral elastomeric support provide stiffness about the central axis. The vibration isolator includes a first mount coupled to a first external structure and a second mount coupled to a second external structure. The axial flexural support is coupled to the first mount and the lateral elastomeric support is coupled to the second mount and the axial flexural support. Using an axial flexural support and a lateral elastomeric support enables tuning of the structural modes in one axis while minimizing the effects to the structural modes in the orthogonal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Emmanuel Fierro, Eric E-Lee Chang, Kirk A. Miller
  • Patent number: 11635118
    Abstract: A drum brake assembly for use with a wheel end electric drive motor arrangement can generate brake dust, which may accumulate on the electric motor and cause heat retention problems that are detrimental to motor performance and longevity. These issues are addressed by providing an assembly including a support attachable to a vehicle axle element, brake shoes pivotally mountable on the support, and a wheel spindle interconnected with one end of the axle element. A wheel hub is rotatable around the spindle, and an electric motor unit is disposed between an end of the axle element and the spindle to produce rotation of the hub relative to the axle element. A brake drum is securable to the hub for rotation with the hub relative to the spindle by way of the electric motor unit. The brake drum includes a circumferential perimeter wall overlying the brake shoes, and a fan rotor is interconnected with that wall for rotation together with the drum and the wheel hub relative to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Manouchehr Sabeti, Daniel E. Banks
  • Patent number: 11635116
    Abstract: A brake disk or drum has at least one working surface which opposes a braking member such as a brake pad or shoe. A plurality of spaced, raised island formations are provided across the working surface, with channels extending between the island formations. Each raised island formation has an outer surface which contacts a brake pad or brake shoe during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tech M3, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan K. Meckel
  • Patent number: 11629767
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for reducing oxidation of a friction disk may include a braking assembly comprising the friction disk and a coolant loop coupled to the braking assembly, with the coolant loop being configured to circulate liquid coolant from the braking assembly. That is, the coolant loop may be configured to reduce the temperature of the braking assembly, thus reducing the rate/extent of oxidation of the friction disks and potentially enabling the concentration of oxygen around the braking assembly to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. T. Cocks, Thomas P Filburn, Ying She, Haralambos Cordatos, Zissis A. Dardas, William P. May
  • Patent number: 11628905
    Abstract: A bushing bypass. The bushing bypass includes a bushing having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bushing also includes an inner diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing also includes an outer diameter surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bushing further includes a channel formed in the outer diameter surface. The channel extends from the top surface of the bushing to the bottom surface of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McCormick, Joshua Coaplen
  • Patent number: 11623712
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for externally adjusting the mid-valve stiffness is described and enables adjustment of a mid-valve functionality without disassembly of a suspension system incorporating the invention. The effect of this adjustment on the damping curve is far greater than either low-speed compression adjusters or conventional high-speed compression adjusters. The apparatus combines the valve-stiffening system of a high speed compression adjuster with the sensitivity of the mid-valve. Externally accessible adjustment members are operatively coupled to the mid-valve components located internally in a fork so that manipulation of the adjustment members causes adjustment of the mid-valve and the damping force created by the mid-valve. The apparatus may be utilized in closed cartridge suspension forks (CCSF) and open cartridge suspension forks (OCSF) and other shocks or suspension dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KREFT, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Krefting
  • Patent number: 11618399
    Abstract: A shock absorbing member is provided having a sequential destruction capability and protection against electrolytic corrosion on fastening-fixing portions thereof to be fastened to a bumper reinforcement or a vehicle body. Embodiments include a shock absorbing member between a bumper reinforcement and a vehicle body, including a distal end portion fastened to the bumper reinforcement; a base end flange portion fastened to the vehicle body; and an absorbing member body extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and connecting the distal end portion and the base end flange portion. The absorbing member body includes a carbon fiber-glass reinforced plastic layer. Fastening-fixing portions of the distal end portion and the base end flange portion are composed of glass fiber reinforced plastic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taiki Yotsuyanagi, Tsuyoshi Nishihara, Ryo Shimoda, Chikara Kawamura, Tsuneki Shimanaka, Kota Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11619280
    Abstract: A vibration control element includes a nanovoided polymer layer having a first damping coefficient and a first resonance frequency in a first state and a second damping coefficient and a second resonance frequency in a second state, where the first damping coefficient is different from the second damping coefficient and the first resonance frequency is different from the second resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 11608138
    Abstract: Sealing device including a first seal and a second seal each having an annular support formed in the manner of a sleeve and delimited by a first and second face which are situated opposite each other and a first and second annular sealing elements; wherein the first and second annular sealing elements are independent and separate from each other and are fixed integral with a first portion and a second portion of the annular support which are different from each other and are made of a first and second elastomer mix, the second elastomer mix being different from the first mix and having a greater hardness and higher elastic modulus; at least one annular sealing element being provided radially on the inside with at least one annular lip which extends radially and axially in cantilever fashion from a first end of the annular support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Marco Bresso, Massimo Forno, Paolo Giraudo, Adriano Valsania
  • Patent number: 11608869
    Abstract: Present embodiments provide various open coil spring assemblies which perform like an encased spring assembly. The embodiments have elastic lacings or connections which connect springs to springs or springs to lacings. Various spring embodiments are provided as well as various arrangements for the elastic lacings. All of these features improve compliance and stability while reducing motion transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Larry K. DeMoss, Brian M. Manuszak, Darin T. Thomas, Kevin M. Tar, Daniel W. Green, Morrison J. Just
  • Patent number: 11603901
    Abstract: Mounting assembly dimensioned for securement between a vehicle structure and a gas spring and damper assembly include a first end plate securable to the vehicle structure. A second end plate is attached in substantially fixed relation to the first end plate such that a mounting cavity is disposed therebetween. A connector housing is disposed within the mounting cavity and operatively connectable to the gas spring and damper assembly. A first bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the first end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the first end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. A second bearing assembly is disposed between the connector housing and the second end plate and permits rotation of the connector housing relative to the second end plate while transferring forces acting longitudinally therebetween. Gas spring and damper assemblies are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Rutger Zegveld, Jan van Aartsen
  • Patent number: 11603902
    Abstract: A liquid seal bushing includes an outer member, an inner member, and an elastic body which connects the outer member and the inner member to each other. The bushing includes two liquid chambers, a connection path which connects the two liquid chambers and extends in one direction, a first communication path which allows communication between one end portion of both end portions of the connection path, the one end portion being located on a side of one liquid chamber of the two liquid chambers, and the other liquid chamber, a second communication path which allows communication between the other end portion of the both end portions of the connection path, and a linear motor provided inside the outer member including a movable element in the connection path and movable in the one direction to closes both openings of the first communication path and the second communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Prospira Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutaka Otsu
  • Patent number: 11603896
    Abstract: A caliper guide assembly and a method of manufacture. The guide assembly may include a guide pin, a guide bore arranged to receive the guide pin and permit relative axial sliding thereof, a bush arranged to define at least part of the guide bore, and a sensor arrangement configured to provide an output indicative of a state of wear of the bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Sean Cleary, Alex Szafnauer
  • Patent number: 11603288
    Abstract: Magnet assemblies for electromechanical assemblies of elevator systems are described. The magnet assemblies include a magnet and first and second block assemblies arranged on opposite sides of the magnet. In some configurations, the block assemblies each include a respective friction engagement surface and are formed of layers of sheet metal, with a portion of the layers having blade teeth that form a friction engagement surface for engagement with a guide rail. In some configurations, each of the block assemblies are formed from powder metal sintering and include a monolithic tooth configuration configured to form a friction engagement surface for engagement with a guide rail. In some configurations each of the block assemblies includes an abrasive coating configured to form a friction engagement surface for engagement with a guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Justin Billard, Antonio Martins