Patents by Inventor Kenichi Toba

Kenichi Toba has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6572726
    Abstract: A process for producing a friction plate having a flat friction surface includes a step of provisionally arranging a plurality of sector-shaped lining segments punched out of a friction lining tape material, in a generally annular form on an index table so as not to overlap with each other, a step of correcting the provisional arrangement of the lining segments into an annular form having no gaps between the lining segments by moving together the plurality of lining segments, provisionally arranged on the index table, towards the centre of the index table and a step of adhering the plurality of lining segments, correctly arranged in the annular form, to a surface of a core plate. A friction plate having a flat friction surface can thereby be obtained with low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Hiroji Shimoi, Kenichi Toba
  • Patent number: 6401898
    Abstract: In a clutch piston for a lock-up clutch, which has an annular friction lining bonded thereto and provided with an entire flat friction surface, the friction lining is formed of a plurality of fan-shaped lining segments which are made at a good yield by punching from a lining blank sheet and which are arranged annularly without gaps therebetween. Thus, it is possible to provide a clutch piston which is made at a low cost and operated reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Hiroji Shimoi, Kenichi Toba
  • Publication number: 20020023701
    Abstract: A process for producing a friction plate having a flat friction surface includes a step of provisionally arranging a plurality of sector-shaped lining segments punched out of a friction lining tape material, in a generally annular form on an index table so as not to overlap with each other, a step of correcting the provisional arrangement of the lining segments into an annular form having no gaps between the lining segments by moving together the plurality of lining segments, provisionally arranged on the index table, towards the centre of the index table and a step of adhering the plurality of lining segments, correctly arranged in the annular form, to a surface of a core plate. A friction plate having a flat friction surface can thereby be obtained with low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Hiroji Shimoi, Kenichi Toba