Patents Examined by Timothy McAnulty
  • Patent number: 6503164
    Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length, a first side, a second side, and laterally spaced side surfaces. The body has cog crests and cog troughs in at least a first layer on the first side of the body and alternating the length of the body. The body further has at least one cushion rubber layer and at least one load carrying cord embedded in the at least one cushion rubber layer and extending lengthwise of the body between the cog crests and the second side of the body. The at least first layer has a first joint that is in a cog crest and does not extend into a cog trough. At least one cushion rubber layer is made from a first material, with the first material from the at least one cushion rubber layer not penetrating the first joint. The invention is also directed to a method of forming a belt of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiko Ito
  • Patent number: 6500086
    Abstract: A block type CVT belt having at least one endless load carrier. Each load carrier having tensile members. A plurality of blocks are transversely engaged with the load carrier in a lengthwise direction of the load carrier. The center of gravity of each block is asymmetrically located in each block. Each block having a thermoset or thermoplastic over-molding on a metallic reinforcing body. Each block having at least one slot for receiving the load carrier. Each slot having a complex radius between a central pillar and an upper arm and lower arm in order to avoid stress risers. Each load carrier is slightly compressed in each slot to reduce block skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Joseph A. Beaupied, Scott Ciemniecki
  • Patent number: 6494800
    Abstract: A wear-resistant silent chain includes a large number of link plates articulately connected together in an endless fashion by rocker joint pins each composed of a long pin and a short pin. The long and short pins have an outer peripheral surface formed by, at least, a convexly arcuate rocker surface which is adjacent to the convexly arcuate rocker surface of another pin, a load-bearing surface on the side opposite to the rocker surface and being seated on an inner peripheral surface of each of a pair of pin holes formed in each link plate, and a pair of lubricant guide surfaces each extending substantially linearly from one circumferential end of the load-bearing surface to an adjacent circumferential end of the rocker surface while extending divergently with respect to the inner peripheral surface of each of said pin holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Makoto Kanehira, Hitoshi Ohara, Kazumasa Matsuno, Masao Maruyama, Hiroshi Horie, Yoshihiro Kusunoki, Shigekazu Fukuda, Takayuki Funamoto
  • Patent number: 6494113
    Abstract: An extension lever to be attached to a control lever of a vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, or personal watercraft to extend the lever surface available to be contacted during control of the vehicle and particularly to provide a comfortable thumb and/or palm engagement surface on an extender connected to and pivotable with the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis H. Hancock, Jeffrey D. Hancock
  • Patent number: 6494294
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supplying device allows for the oil discharge amount to be more finely controlled by provision of many outlet ports, and by reducing the influence of vibration. Therefore, a spool valve unit and a pump are separately formed. The spool valve unit includes an open-close spool valve and a solenoid for controlling operation of this spool valve. Plural inlet passages and an outlet passage are formed in the spool valve. The spool valve opens or closes the inlet passages, and oil from the pump is introduced into these inlet passages. One side of the outlet passage communicates with the inlet passages, and the other side communicates with an engine. A passage for introducing the oil from an oil tank to a pump chamber is formed in the solenoid. When the solenoid is turned “OFF”, communication between the return passage and the inlet passages is interrupted by the spool valve, and the oil is discharged from the pump to the plural inlet passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mikuni Adec Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kubota, Norio Takehana, Takehiko Naiki
  • Patent number: 6494798
    Abstract: A frictional transmission comprising a pressurizing device for applying an elastic pressurizing force generated by compressing and pressing an elastic member in series by a compression device when a belt is pressed and controlled through the elastic member, a condition detector for obtaining a detected value of the friction force and the revolution number, an operating device for suitably creating the pressurizing force, and a control device for always calculating a deviation between a selected valve and a detected value of the predetermined pressurizing force, the control device achieves both or one of error compensation generated in the elastic member or the belt and strengthening adjustment of the additional function by a programmable control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Onogi
  • Patent number: 6490940
    Abstract: The motor vehicle starter (10) has a casing (18) in which there is arranged an electric motor (12) which rotates a coaxial starter head (22) with the interposing of an epicyclic gearbox (34) including a ring gear (44) made of rigid material (M1) which is housed at least partially in a cavity (58) in the casing and which has an internally toothed cylindrical annular skirt (46) closed at its front axial end by a radially oriented transverse wall (50) with a hole at its centre (52) for the output shaft (42) of the gearbox to pass; the ring gear (44) has pins (P) moulded from a flexible material (M2), notably elastomer material, which are interposed between the ring gear (44) and complementary portions (68) of the cavity (58) of the casing (16, 18) in order to immobilise the ring gear (44) rotationally with respect to the casing (18) and provide a function of torsion damping between these two components (44, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: José Izquierdo, Pascal Jacquin, Pierre Valot
  • Patent number: 6485188
    Abstract: A mounting for the road wheel of a vehicle includes a hub, a suspension system component, which may be a steering knuckle, and an antifriction bearing located between the hub and the suspension system component to enable the hub to rotate within the component. The wheel is bolted to the hub, whereas the suspension system component is attached to the frame or unified body of the vehicle. The bearing has an outer race in the form of an insert that is embedded with the suspension system component. That insert is formed from a bearing grade steel, whereas suspension system component is formed by casting a different metal around the insert. The insert may also be within a hub that rotates on an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: John D. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6485386
    Abstract: The invention comprises a cog type belt having a plurality of transverse teeth on an inner surface. The belt comprises an outer extensible elastomeric layer, an inner compression layer and a tensile member. Each tooth further comprises a non-metallic or plastic transverse member, pillar or rod that extends across the width of each tooth. The opposing outer surfaces of each transverse member are inclined to each other and each end approximately equates to an outer surface of the belt body elastomeric. A compressive load between the sheaves is carried by the rod and the sidewall in proportion to the modulus of each component. The transverse members have pegs or legs that allow proper spatial orientation of each transverse member in each tooth during the fabrication process, thus assuring proper operating characteristics, including proper alignment within a pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Yuan, Leslee Brown, Alexander Serkh, Scott Ciemniecki
  • Patent number: 6485383
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a substantially constant belt tension under changing temperature conditions is provided by a geometric layout of a motor, belt and pulley system and a selection of manufacturing materials for component parts having a predetermined relationship of thermal expansion coefficients between themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Hendricks, Robert P. Callaway
  • Patent number: 6484596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crankshaft starter-generator for an internal combustion engine wherein the starter-generator is drive-coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and serves both as the starter and the generator. A stator of the starter-generator is coupled with torsional strength to a motor block of the internal combustion engine. A rotor of the starter-generator is drive-coupled with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. A carrier is arranged coaxially with respect to the crankshaft and drive-coupled thereto. The rotor is drive-coupled to the carrier. The rotor and the carrier are arranged coaxially with respect to each other and are coupled to one another with torsional strength. Furthermore, the stator is arranged on the inside, and the rotor is arranged on the outside of the starter-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kontec GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Puchas
  • Patent number: 6484846
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed motor compressor comprising a housing enclosing a motor stator and rotor. A vertically oriented crankshaft is connected at one end to the rotor and has an offset crankshaft journal at its other end. An oil passage is provided in the journal and an oil pick-up tube has a first straight end projecting into an oil sump. The second straight end portion is axially aligned with the rotation axis of the crankshaft. A helically twisted insert is provided in the second straight end portion and the first and second portions are connected by an S-shaped intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Parker
  • Patent number: 6482118
    Abstract: Both types of short aramid fibers and non-aramid synthetic fibers are extruded from a side face of each rib in a V-ribbed belt. The extruded section of the short aramid fiber is formed in curled shape. The extruded section of the synthetic fiber is formed in a sector gradually broadened toward its distal end with its non-melting condition maintained. The root portions of the extruded sections of both types of short fibers are raised from the side face of the rib. The extruded sections of the short aramid fibers are extruded in multiple directions, whereas the extruded sections of the synthetic fibers are extruded in a given direction. The extruded section of the short aramid fiber is formed longer than the extruded section of the synthetic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Kazuyoshi Tani, Yoshitaka Kurose
  • Patent number: 6478116
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supplying arrangement for an apparatus having a rotating apparatus shaft with an oil pump is arranged at one end of the apparatus shaft (23) and is driven by this apparatus shaft (23). A pump housing (2) has a pocket (3) in the form of a chamber open on one side, in which two co-operating displacement elements (4,5) are so arranged that the pump housing (2) covers the displacement elements (4,5) axially on both sides at least in an operative region and in the circumferential direction over a maximum of 180°. The displacement elements (4,5) are held in position by a pump shaft (13). This pump shaft (13) is connected via coupling elements to the apparatus shaft (23) so that they rotate together. This permits a construction having narrow tolerances that is easy to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jørn Holger Klausen, Peter Frøslev
  • Patent number: 6478702
    Abstract: The drive assembly has: an input member and an intermediate shaft; an axial clutch device for connecting the input member and the intermediate shaft in rotary manner; and a pulley connected in rotary manner to the intermediate shaft and defined by two half-pulleys movable axially with respect to each other and engaging a drive belt, the distance between the half-pulleys determining the winding radius of the belt. A push member, movable axially, along the intermediate shaft, between two limit positions, exerts thrust on the two half-pulleys to determine, in direct relation with its own axial position, the axial distance between the two half-pulleys, and alternatively exerts thrust on the clutch device to release the clutch device when moved axially in the direction increasing the distance between the half-pulleys. A control device is also provided to vary, on command, the axial position of the push member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Lombardini S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gianni Borghi, Giorgio Bordini
  • Patent number: 6477914
    Abstract: A pilot valve control for the drive motors of an excavator utilizes four pilot valves, each of which has a linear actuable plunger. A control body having a cam type member is mounted on a universal swiveling connection so that in a centered position none of the plungers are moved to actuate the respective valves, but upon tilting of the control body the plungers are actuated. A motion alarm actuator is connected to the control body and is associated with a normally closed switch so that in a centered position of the control body the normally closed switch is held open, but when the control body moves to any one of its positions actuating a pilot valve, the switch, which forms an alarm switch, moves to its normally closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 6478701
    Abstract: In a belt type continuously variable speed system, when a hydraulic cylinder (110) operates, the hydraulic cylinder (110) and an elastic member (134) in a tensioner (104) draw a belt (102) against an elastic member contained in a variable radius pulley (107). Consequently, a power transmission ring contained in the variable radius pulley (107) is made eccentric from the axis of the variable radius pulley. The power transmission ring is displaced to the position where a force produced by the hydraulic cylinder (110) and the elastic member (134) in the tensioner (104) to make the power transmission ring eccentric and a force produced by an elastic member contained in the variable radius pulley (107) to urge the power transmission ring toward a position which is concentric with the axis of the variable radius pulley (107) are balanced with each other, thereby achieving speed variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sinji Yasuhara, Yasuhiko Hasuda
  • Patent number: 6475109
    Abstract: A transmission for a self-propelled engine includes an endless transmission (1) with a belt (2) between a driving pulley (3) and a driven pulley (4) carried by the input shaft (5) of a clutch engaging mechanism (7) whose output shaft (6) is coupled to the wheels (20) of the machine. The clutch engaging mechanism (7) is a toothed clutch engagement disposed within a housing (19) mounted oscillably about the output shaft (6) of the clutch engaging mechanism (7) in the direction of tensioning or respectively relaxing the belt (2) of the endless transmission, at least under the action of a control mechanism (13), whose operation is subject to the control member (10) of the clutch engaging mechanism so as to give rise to the passage to the clutch engaged condition of the clutch engaging mechanism (7) and then the tensioning of the belt (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: France Reducteurs S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6471008
    Abstract: There is provided a balance shaft housing (an upper housing 14U, a lower housing 14L) disposed in an oil pan (7) for accommodating balance shafts (13L, 13R) provided with counterweights (19) for canceling out a vibromotive force caused by pistons, characterized in that the housing comprises housings which are divided along a plane which is parallel with the balance shafts, and gaps (37) are formed between edge surfaces of respective side walls of the divided housings which are brought into contact with the plane for discharging lubricating oil from the housing, and that eaves-like projecting portions (38) are integrally formed on the upper housing (14U) of the divided housings for covering the surfaces confronting the gaps, whereby the eaves-like projecting portions help not only prevent lubricating oil from flowing into the housing but also enhance the rigidity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 6468172
    Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission element of a traction drive, includes a housing, a swivel arm having a free end for connection to a rotatable tension roller which rests on the power transmission element, and a swivel bearing, including an axle for connection to the swivel arm and a bushing forming part of the housing and supporting the axle, for rotatably supporting the swivel arm in the housing. A spring is positioned in a peripheral zone of the swivel bearing between the swivel arm and the housing. Mounted in fixed rotative engagement to the axle and supported by the housing via a friction lining is a friction disk, with a disk-shaped first dampening element positioned between the friction lining and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: INA Wälzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Andreas Lang, Holger Konanz