Patents Examined by Victor MacArthur
  • Patent number: 9939060
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, at a time when a shift lever is pivotally operated in a front-rear direction, a retainer and a link are pivoted integrally with the shift lever, and a pivot portion is pivoted in the front-rear direction. Further, at a time when the shift lever is pivotally operated in a left-right direction, the shift lever is pivoted with respect to the retainer, and the link is pivoted, and the pivot portion is thereby pivoted in the left-right direction. Moreover, a position of the pivot portion is detected by a detecting mechanism, and a shift position of the shift lever is detected. Therefore, the shift position of the shift lever can be detected via the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Daisuke Kato, Wataru Yumoto, Reiji Higuchi, Takehiro Niwa
  • Patent number: 9874249
    Abstract: A linear drive assembly having a linear drive motor having a shaft, the shaft defining a first bore therein extending from the first end of the shaft, the shaft defining a tapering within the first bore, and the shaft defining a second bore therein connected with the first bore and extending to the second end of the shaft; a screw including a tapered end at the first end of the screw, the tapered end configured to substantially mate with the tapering within the bore, and the screw defining a threaded bore extending from the tapered end at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the screw; and a retaining screw having a head portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion configured to extend through the second bore and mate with a threaded bore of the screw when the screw is mounted within the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Thomson Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9874266
    Abstract: A power transmission system for a vehicle is provided. The system comprises an engine, a plurality of input shafts, at least one of the input shafts being configured to selectively engage with the engine, each of the input shafts being provided with a shift driving gear thereon, a plurality of output shafts, each of the output shafts being provided with a shift driven gear configured to mesh with a corresponding shift driving gear, a motor power shaft configured to rotate together with one of the input shafts, and a first motor generator configured to rotate together with the motor power shaft. When the motor power shaft rotates together with the one of the input shafts, the first motor generator uses at least a part of power output by the engine to generate electric power when the vehicle is parking or running. A vehicle including the power transmission system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Dongsheng Yang, Yubo Lian, Jintao Zhang, Hongbin Luo
  • Patent number: 9869333
    Abstract: A connector for a piece of furniture comprises a connector body having a first end, and comprising a bearing element detachably connected with the connector body, the first end comprising a fastening section having a contact surface and the bearing element comprising a snap-lock element which extends with a free end thereof through the contact surface into the fastening section when the connector body engages the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Naber Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Naber, Kilian Schindler
  • Patent number: 9856681
    Abstract: A push lifter includes a body portion; a rod slidably disposed inside the body portion; an urging portion to urge the rod in a direction away from the body portion; and a rotator disposed rotatably about an axial of the rod at the one end of the body portion to lock or unlock the rod. The rod includes a first rib portion, and a second rib portion distanced from the first rib portion in an axial direction of the rod, to rotate the rotator. The rotator includes an inner cam portion so that when the rod is pressed to slide inwardly of the body portion, the first rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator, and when the rod is released to project outwardly from the body portion, the second rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: NIFCO AMERICA CORP.
    Inventors: Raghu Sridhar, Taku Hirama
  • Patent number: 9840011
    Abstract: An industrial robot having parallel kinematics, comprising a robot base, a carrier element for accommodating a gripper or a tool, several movable, elongated actuating units, which are connected at one end thereof to drive units arranged on the robot base, and the other end of which is movably connected to the carrier element; an elongated hollow body, which has a continuous cavity and which is flexibly connected to the robot base; a joint, which has a continuous cavity and several degrees of freedom, by means of which joint the elongated hollow body is movably connected to the carrier element; and at least one supply line for a gripper arranged on the carrier element or a tool arranged on the carrier element, the supply line being guided through the cavity of the elongated hollow body and the cavity of the hollow joint from the robot base to the carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Hartmut Ilch
  • Patent number: 9829103
    Abstract: A gear shifting device is provided, by which an axial shift movement of a shift element into a shift position through interaction of a shift pin with an associated groove-like shift gate that is changeable in an axial direction. The shift element features, on an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter, the associated shift gate, while the respective shift pin is arranged in a radially opposite and displaceable manner on a transmission component adjacent to the shift element. As an alternative, the shift element, on an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter, accommodates the respective shift pin in a radially displaceable manner, whereas the associated shift gate for the respective shift gate is arranged to be radially opposite on a transmission component located adjacent to the shift element. The shift pin is movable through an associated actuator in a radial manner between an initial position and a mesh position in which each shift pin is introduced into the associated shift gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bastian Volpert
  • Patent number: 9821648
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle drive device includes a power transmission mechanism including a transmission coupled to an engine output shaft, a clutch coupled to a transmission output shaft, a first gear coupled to a clutch output shaft, a final reduction gear that constantly meshes with the first gear, a drive shaft coupled to the final reduction gear, a first rotary element coupled to an electric motor, and a second rotary element that meshes with the final reduction gear and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotary element. The power transmission mechanism is disposed so that, when viewed from the rotational axis direction of each gear, a line that connects the rotational axis of the first rotary element and the rotational axis of the second rotary element is inclined to the first gear side in relation to the vertical direction of the vehicle when mounted to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinjiro Ooki, Takayuki Okuda
  • Patent number: 9821475
    Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OTHER LAB, LLC
    Inventors: Peter S. Lynn, Saul Griffith, Kevin Albert
  • Patent number: 9821454
    Abstract: This link actuation device includes: a proximal end side link hub; a distal end side link hub; and three or more link mechanisms which each couple the distal end side link hub to the proximal end side link hub. Each link mechanism includes: proximal side and distal side end link members, and an intermediate link member. The link mechanism is provided with an actuator which arbitrarily changes the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub. A workpiece is disposed on the proximal end side link hub, and an end effector is disposed in the distal end side link hub so as to face inside of arrangement of the link hubs and perform work onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Seigo Sakata, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9822547
    Abstract: A rail system that may be comprised of various components such as an upper rail, support rail, bottom rail, squash blocks, balusters, post covers, and ancillary components, such as post skirts and caps. In one exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be uniquely designed to accommodate perpendicular and angled installations (e.g., both in the horizontal and vertical planes). Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment, the rail system may be easily assembled such that the support hardware is substantially hidden from view after installation, thereby enhancing the appearance of the railing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Paul M. Bizzarri, Chip Herr, John M. Previte, Kevin T. Burt, William G. Taylor, Matthew T. Fenneman, Jeffrey R. Burr, Timothy C. Rothwell
  • Patent number: 9810314
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONGSBERG DRIVELINE SYSTEMS I, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Thomas Blicharz, Jeffrey Dulzo, Terrentha Hill, Jonathan Love, Kenneth Shepard, Harry Edward Koontz
  • Patent number: 9803885
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is configured to drive a movable member of an air conditioner. The drive mechanism includes a motor, a pinion secured to a rotating shaft of the motor, a rack meshing with the pinion, and a guide. The rack has a driven portion directly or indirectly linked to the movable member. The guide is arranged to guide the rack so that the driven portion can travel in a curved path. The guide has a tube part through which the rack passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousuke Komai, Tetsuji Inoue
  • Patent number: 9806457
    Abstract: An articulated robot comprises an arm which changes a direction at a joint, and a tube coupling to which a wire body is connected and which is attached to the arm. The arm includes a frame which has a hollow interior. The frame has a concave part which is depressed toward the interior. The tube coupling is arranged inside the concave part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Watanabe, Satoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9789757
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle includes a first propulsion unit for powering the vehicle, a second propulsion unit for powering the vehicle, a Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), and the second propulsion unit the ECU is programmed to control the gear shift such that when a gear shift of the first propulsion unit is made in order to change the overall gear ratio from the first input shaft to the output shaft by changing the double clutch engagement from the second clutch, engaging the second power path, to the first clutch, engaging the first power path, the power connection between the second propulsion unit and the second power path is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Hedman, Lisa Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 9782640
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterized in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Garry Moore
  • Patent number: 9784363
    Abstract: A ball screw device includes an elongated shaft having an outer groove, a ball nut having a screw hole for receiving the elongated shaft and having a passage communicating with the screw hole of the ball nut, and a lubricating device includes an oil distributing member engaged into the ball nut and having one end portion engaged into the ball nut for engaging with the groove of the elongated shaft, and a spacing element is attached onto an outer peripheral portion of the distributing member, and the spacing element includes an end portion engaged into the ball nut for engaging with the elongated shaft and for spacing the distributing member from being engaged with the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Yih Chyun Chen, Wei Ying Chu
  • Patent number: 9784349
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a back fixture formed of a first part, a second part, and a plastic bearing, the first part connecting with the second part, grooves are disposed inside the first part and the second part, and extra structures are disposed outside the plastic bearing. The plastic bearing is secured inside the first part and the second part with the grooves and extra structures. The back fixture can be directly fitted onto a bed frame by applying a certain force to make an elastic deformation of this back fixture, thereby accelerating the installation of the actuator. This not only significantly reduces the noise caused by the connecting portion during the operation of the actuator, but also reduces the wearing of connecting parts, thereby significantly extending maintenance-free life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Liyong Jiang, Zhongzheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9784025
    Abstract: A worm gear drive operator having immovable flat thrust bearing surfaces at each end of a worm gear drive for absorbing thrust forces and keeping direct mechanical rotational forces away from the cover plate and housing base during rotation of the worm gear drive. The worm gear drive operator assembly is capable of vertical adjustment of the actuator arm while providing thrust support. A threaded post about which rests a bearing for the actuator arm, and is secured in place by an adjustment screw received within a threaded post on the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Interlock USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Minter, Marc W. Fullenwider
  • Patent number: 9784250
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus includes a rocker arm having a first end and a second end and is mounted pivotally between the first end and the second end, wherein reciprocal movement of the first end between raised and lowered positions urges reciprocal movement of the second end between lowered and raised positions. A pulley apparatus couples the second end of the rocker arm to a drive member, wherein reciprocal movement of the second end of the rocker arm between its lowered and raised positions urges reciprocal rotation of the drive member between first and second positions. A transmission interacts between the drive member and the output shaft, wherein reciprocal rotation of the drive member between its first and second positions urges rotation of the output shaft in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Issa Saad Al Tamsheh