Patents Examined by Troy Grabow
  • Patent number: 5966990
    Abstract: A shifting arrangement for a manual transmission having several forward gears and at least one reverse gear has a shift rotor that is rotated to shift the transmission gears. For this purpose, the shift rotor is connected by way of a cable pull with a shift lever. By moving the shift lever forward or backward from a neutral position, the shift rotor is rotated by way of a step-by-step system. In order to ensure a secure shifting of the reverse gear with a clear assignment for the driver and a protection against an unintended shifting, the reverse gear is operated by moving the shift lever in a second channel which is separate from the forward-gear shifting channel. For this purpose, the shift lever is connected by way of a second cable pull with a preselection shaft. By rotating the preselection shaft, coupling elements can be adjusted between the shift forks and the shift rotor irrespective of their shifting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Robert Fuchs, Edmund Sander
  • Patent number: 5966984
    Abstract: A starting assembly for an automotive vehicle is connected to the clutch pedal thereof. The pivoting of the clutch pedal (in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1) pulls a clutch connector. The clutch connector pivots a clutch lever (in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) which, in turn, actuates a translator. The translator transforms and translates the pivoting movement of the clutch lever into a linear movement of a starter pinion gear to engage the starter ring gear. The hyper-pivoting of the clutch pedal forces the closure of a contact switch which provides power for an electric motor (not shown) to rotate the starter pinion gear and, therefore, start the internal combustion engine of the automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Moore, William W. Doolittle, III
  • Patent number: 5907973
    Abstract: Transmission device for vehicles with a front cab, with front-wheel drive, and with a chassis to which bodywork may be added. This device relates more particularly to vehicles intended, from the outset or after conversion, to take a lowered platform, especially showman's vehicles, mobile laboratories, or travelling sales vehicles. The device, designed for a front-wheel drive motor vehicle with a front cab and a lowered chassis, comprises a front axle assembly and a gearbox, the output shaft of which is arranged longitudinally with respect to the axis of the vehicle, behind the gearbox. It includes a casing, a first gear which can be mounted on the output shaft of the gearbox, a second gear mounted on a transfer shaft towards the front axle assembly and an intermediate gear permanently in mesh with the first gear and the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Antoine Van Wonterghem
  • Patent number: 5901607
    Abstract: A driving mechanism has a base member, a moving member, a rotatable first idler, a rotatable second idler, and a rotating member disposed between the first and second idlers. A power-transmission belt is disposed such that it contacts with the first idler, passes between the first idler and the rotating member, contacts with the rotating member, passes between the rotating member and the second idler and contacts with the second idler. A part of the belt contacts with the base member by the first idler and another part of the belt also contacts with the base member by the second idler. With this mechanism, rotational movement is converted to linear movement, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 5884528
    Abstract: A space and weight-saving drive gear selection arrangement for an automatic transmission is configured clearly for the driver, is simple to install and can be operated without a significant application of mechanical force. For this purpose, the drive gear selection has a knob which is positioned centrally in a circular or elliptical display panel. The display panel has a first section with the selection positions for the drive conditions P, R, N and D which can be selected by the knob. Arranged in a second portion of the display panel is an information panel in which operating instructions for the driver or information regarding the operating state of the transmission can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Harald Ludanek, Christian Bartsch, Friedrich Stock
  • Patent number: 5881603
    Abstract: A transfer unit for moving an object vertically, horizontally or rotationally has a drive mechanism installed on a horizontal bed, with a transfer portion mounted on the drive mechanism. The transfer portion includes a vertically disposed rotatable threaded shaft which cooperates with a nut mounted thereon to provide a vertical movement component for the transfer portion. A workpiece receiver mounted on top of the transfer portion is rotatable about a vertical axis. Motors are provided for rotating the nut and the workpiece receiver, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Nawaseikiseisakushi Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5868035
    Abstract: This electrohydraulic actuator comprises a pair of hydraulic rams (12, 13) and a rocker (14) integral in terms of rotation with an input shaft (7) of the barrel, the rams are arranged parallel with one another in such a way as to be able to control the rotation of the rocker to make it adopt predetermined angular positions corresponding to the gears (R, N, 1, 2, . . . ) selected and this actuator also comprises solenoid valves for controlling the rams. The rocker (14) extends transversely to the shaft (7) and its ends are designed to be able to interact with respective pistons (17, 18) of the rams (12, 13), each ram comprises three pistons (24, 25, 17; 26, 27, 18) which are coaxial and have different cross sections, arranged in chambers (28, 29) of corresponding cross sections formed in the body (11). This electrohydraulic actuator permits extremely quick and easy control of gear selection for a structure which is relatively simple and has a modest cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: S.A.M.M.-Societe D'Applications Des Machines Motrices
    Inventor: Gerard Devaud
  • Patent number: 5865272
    Abstract: A linear actuator having an output shaft having a pair of driven wheels mounted thereon. One of the driven wheels is rotatably mounted in a fixed plane and has a drive nut for an associated thread on the output shaft. The other drive wheel is rotatably fixed to the output shaft. An input shaft is in side-by-side relationship with the output shaft and adapted to be rotated by a suitable power source. The input shaft provides a drive wheel for each of the driven wheels, with the ratio between each drive and driven wheel set being chosen to rotate the driven wheels at different speeds in the same rotational direction and thereby produce a controlled axial movement of the output shaft in a direction depending upon the relative rotation of the driven wheels. The other driven wheel and the drive wheel of its set are in the form of meshing helical gear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rotork Controls Limited
    Inventors: Christopher R. Wiggins, Peter G. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5860322
    Abstract: A drive mechanism of a suction or deflection adjustment roll having a spur wheel gear. For a suction roll, a stationary suction box may be guided outward through the drive mechanism to be coupled with a suction device. An external gear ring may be rigidly coupled to a driven or gear end of the roll to mesh with a driven pinion. The driven pinion may be driven via a drive shaft coupled to the driven pinion through a pair of enmeshed gears. The driven pinion and an end of the drive shaft coupled to the pinion may each include a self-adjusting bearing, each self-adjusting bearing being adjacently positioned and supported on a bearing journal. The self-adjusting bearing associated with the end of the drive shaft may exhibit radial play with respect to one of an inside diameter of the drive shaft or an outside diameter of the bearing journal, which may permit tilting of the pinion with respect to the bearing journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen
    Inventors: Joachim Grabscheid, Christian Schiel, Wilhelm Mausser, Adolf Gogg
  • Patent number: 5860321
    Abstract: A machine translates torque applied to the input shaft at an input speed (RPM), first into kinetic energy, and finally to torque on an output shaft. The input power is first converted to kinetic energy by accelerating a mass or masses, so that the reaction force to this acceleration is an oscillating bi-directional torque or force. This torque or force is then converted to a unidirectional torque applied to an output shaft. This arrangement provides a continually variable automatic transmission, or torque converter in which output shaft speed is proportional to the input shaft speed and inversely proportional to the load applied, and in which transmitted torque corresponds to the input shaft speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventors: Eugene A. Williams, John W. Williams
  • Patent number: 5852951
    Abstract: A composite gear includes one or more metal stamped plates, and two thermoplastic layers disposed on opposite sides of the plates. Apertures are provided in the stamped metal plates so that the molten thermoplastic material may flow through the apertures and anchor the two thermoplastic layers to each other as well as to the metal plates. The composite gear has composite gear teeth which consist of one or more metal gear teeth portions sandwiched between two thermoplastic gear teeth portions. The thermoplastic gear teeth portions extend outwardly from the metal gear teeth portions so that the thermoplastic teeth portions absorb loads under normal operating conditions. Under abnormal conditions such as when an abrupt stop occurs, the thermoplastic portions of the gear teeth are compressed and the higher torque forces resulting from the abnormal condition are absorbed by the metal gear teeth portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Santi
  • Patent number: 5848551
    Abstract: In a starter having a pinion gear on an output shaft driven by a starter motor, a magnet switch, and a shift lever pivotally connecting the pinion and the magnet switch, the shift lever is formed at one end thereof with an annular arm body for engagement with the pinion gear. The annular arm body is engaged with the pinion gear to receive the pinion returning force evenly thereby to prevent damage on the shift lever. Preferably the annular arm body is engaged with the pinion gear through a plate and a bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Ohmi, Takeshi Araki, Nobuyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5848555
    Abstract: An auxiliary shift lever assembly for use with a bicycle shift device includes a support for supporting the auxiliary shift lever on the bicycle, an auxiliary shift lever body pivotably coupled to the support, one or more lever engaging parts disposed on the auxiliary shift lever body for contacting corresponding shift levers of the shift device, and one or more operating parts disposed on the auxiliary shift lever body. The operating parts are typically disposed at one or more remote locations and are structured to be manipulated by a user for pivoting the auxiliary shift lever body. This, in turn, causes the lever engaging parts to rotate the corresponding shift levers of the shift device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 5845530
    Abstract: An overcenter mechanism (10) includes a housing (12) and a first shaft (14) mounted on the housing. The first shaft has a first axis (34). A second shaft (20) is mounted on the housing and the second shaft has a second axis (41) that parallels the first axis. A lever (16) is attached to the first shaft, and the lever pivots about the first axis in response to a force (F.sub.op) applied to the lever. A cam (18) is attached to the first shaft, and the cam pivots about the first axis. The cam has a cam surface including a first surface portion (58) and a second surface portion (60). The first and second surface portions form a cusp (62) therebetween. A cam follower (21) has a cam follower surface, and the cam follower pivots about the second axis. A biasing member (26) urges the cam follower surface against the cam surface in pressure contact. The cam follower and the pressure contact cooperate with the cam to generate torque (.tau..sub.roller) on the cam until the cam follower surface contacts the cusp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David J. Brockmeyer, Sun Gil Kim
  • Patent number: 5839322
    Abstract: An apparatus provides .theta.-rotational motion about a Z-axis. The apparatus is improved as follows. A stop structure is carried by the apparatus and rotates with it. The stop structure has a detent engagement structure. A detent structure comprises a rotatable member located adjacent to the stop structure. The rotatable member is mounted for free rotation about an axis parallel to the Z-axis. The rotatable member defines a plurality of detentes which are adapted for sequential engagement with the detent engaging structure as the stop structure rotates about the Z-axis. A biasing structure serves for biasing the stop member to deter it from rotating. The biasing structure is overcome by action of the detent engaging structure with any one of the detentes and otherwise prevents rotation of the stop member. A stationary detent is located adjacent the stop member. The stationary detent engages with and halts rotation of the stop member beyond a selected rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Genmark Automation
    Inventors: Genco Genov, Gou-Kin Cui
  • Patent number: 5839323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moving gantry machine having uprights that are movable relative to each other. The uprights are interconnected by a cross-member made up of two cross-member elements suitable for being moved relative to each other in the limit of a given maximum offset .DELTA. in the displacement direction of the uprights. The displacement of the uprights is controlled by respective independent drive systems X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 under numerical control within the limit of said offset. A third drive system X.sub.3 is provided for displacement between the cross-member elements and is under numerical control with the condition the displacement distance of drive system X.sub.1 +the displacement distance of drive system X.sub.3 =the displacement distance of drive system X.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Helis S.A.
    Inventor: Henri Line
  • Patent number: 5834662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the rotary actuation of an apparatus, for example of a crane, on a chassis or a foundation wherein a worm gear (1) and a housing (2) are secured on the foundation, a worm (3) is rotationally displaceable manually, or by a drive motor, and a worm wheel (4) is rotationally mounted to the housing (2). The worm wheel (4) is provided at both sides (6a, 6b) of its gearing (6) with a separate rolling bearing (10, 11, 12). Advantageously, housing (2) is formed with a base part (2a) and a cover part (2b) which can be flatly fixed on top of the base part (2a), and at least one end side of the worm wheel comprises a connection attachment which intersperses the base and/or the cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: IMO-Industrie-Momentenlager Stoll & Russ GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stoll, Erich Russ
  • Patent number: 5832783
    Abstract: A mechanical control structure is used with a machine, such as a machine tool. The control structure includes a base and a tool support member connected by a linkage assembly having three linkages arranged in a triangular pattern. The linkages cooperate to prevent rotational movement of the tool support member relative to the base along any of the three rotational axes. Three linear actuators are also connected between the base and the tool support member to move the tool support member relative to the base along a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sheldon/Van Someren Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 5833578
    Abstract: An auxiliary throttle control arrangement is partially housed in and forms an integral part of a handle assembly for a gear shift lever. The actuator component of the control arrangement is in the shape and general configuration of a trigger. Together, the trigger and handle assembly are ergonomically styled to form fit the hand. The trigger is spring loaded to provide initial resistance to movement and to return the trigger to its original position as applied pressure is released. The trigger is mechanically coupled to a potentiometer device housed in the handle assembly. As the trigger position is changed by the vehicle operator, the resulting movement of the potentiometer produces a control signal having a variable output voltage that is used by a control mechanism to change the engine throttle position. Thus, the subject invention provides a secondary method of accelerating an automotive vehicle from a stopped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Michael R. Potis
  • Patent number: RE36186
    Abstract: A control system for controlling automatic shifting of a manual/automatic transmission is disclosed including a cruise control system and an auto-shift mode for controlling automatic upshift and downshift operations between the top two gears of a heavy duty truck transmission. Certain failures of equipment or incorrect driving habits of operators are corrected for with algorithms which prevent undesirable operating conditions which compromise the acceptability of an electronically controlled heavy duty truck transmission equipped vehicle. The mechanism by which auto-shift operation of the transmission is requested is also compared with parameters such as vehicle speed and engine speed in order to determine whether gears should be engaged or disengaged, the gears being those subject to auto-shift control of the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. White, Larry R. Webber, Richard E. Kleine, Edwin A. Johnson