Patents by Inventor Kenichiro Itoh

Kenichiro Itoh 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).

  • Publication number: 20040037395
    Abstract: A telephone apparatus is capable of keeping previously received data as past incoming records, and making a callback telephone and/or returning a text message with a simple button-operation using a telephone number data contained in the past incoming records. The telephone apparatus stores received text messages in connection to their respective telephone numbers as incoming record data, and makes a call using a telephone number corresponding to a selected incoming record data as a calling address by pressing a call button while the selected incoming record data is displayed in a text message incoming record perusal mode. It also sets a forwarding address of a selected caller's identification data, and transmits a text message to the set address by pressing an incoming record search button after completion of inputting the text message in a text message transmission mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Kenichiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 6409000
    Abstract: A two-way clutch is provided which comprises an inner member formed with a plurality of pockets opening toward its outer peripheral surface, an outer member mounted on the inner member and formed with a plurality of pockets opening toward its inner peripheral surface, a cam ring formed with a cam surface on its inner peripheral surface, a plurality of block members received in the pockets of the inner member so as to protrude in a diametric direction, a plurality of resilient members received in the pockets of the inner member for biasing the block members radially outwardly, and a switch spring mounted to the inner member for maintaining a predetermined phase of the cam ring relative to the inner ring. With this construction, the inner and outer members can be engaged through the block members to transmit power by aligning the pockets of the inner and outer members with each other and by controlling the phase of the cam ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Isao Hori
  • Patent number: 6082480
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is mounted in a drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle to selectively distribute driving force to selected vehicle wheels according to the travel condition of the vehicle. This device includes an outer ring and an input shaft. A cylindrical face is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the input shaft, while cam faces are formed on the other opposed surface to define a wedge-shaped space between the cylindrical face and each cam face. Rollers are mounted in pockets formed in a retainer mounted between the input shaft and the outer ring. An electromagnetic clutch is coupled to the retainer. A switch spring is mounted between the retainer and the input shaft. A two-way clutch is provided between the outer ring and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6041879
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is mounted in a drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle to selectively distribute driving force to selected vehicle wheels according to the travel condition of the vehicle. This device includes an outer ring and an input shaft. A cylindrical face is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the input shaft, while cam faces are formed on the other opposed surface to define a wedge-shaped space between the cylindrical face and each cam face. Rollers are mounted in pockets formed in a retainer mounted between the input shaft and the outer ring. An electromagnetic clutch is coupled to the retainer. A switch spring is mounted between the retainer and the input shaft. A two-way clutch is provided between the outer ring and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6019185
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is mounted in a drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle to selectively distribute driving force to selected vehicle wheels according to the travel condition of the vehicle. This device includes an outer ring and an input shaft. A cylindrical face is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the input shaft, while cam faces are formed on the other opposed surface to define a wedge-shaped space between the cylindrical face and each cam face. Rollers are mounted in pockets formed in a retainer mounted between the input shaft and the outer ring. An electromagnetic clutch is coupled to the retainer. A switch spring is mounted between the retainer and the input shaft. A two-way clutch is provided between the outer ring and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Goto
  • Patent number: 5967279
    Abstract: A hub clutch assembly is designed so that fluid pressure is used only while the driving mode is being changed over between a four-wheel drive position and a two-wheel drive position, while eliminating the necessity of holding a coupling member in position once the driving mode has been changed over. A driven member and a driving member are coupled together and uncoupled from each other by a slider which is moved under a negative or positive air pressure. A spring is used to maintain the slider in the two-wheel drive position, while a magnet is used to maintain the slider in the four-wheel drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Takayuki Norimatsu, Isao Hori, Katsuhisa Suzuki, Kenro Adachi, Koji Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 5951428
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device mounted on a 4WD car can stop the front drive train during 2WD mode, and also permits smooth changeover from 2WD to 4WD even while the vehicle is moving. The rotation transmission device is mounted in a transfer which transmits the output of the engine transmission to the rear propeller shaft through an input shaft and to the front propeller shaft through a silent chain. The rotation transmission device includes a two-way clutch through which the rotation of the input shaft is selectively transmitted to a chain sprocket, an electromagnetic clutch for selectively locking and unlocking the two-way clutch, and a multiple disk clutch provided between the two-way clutch and the electromagnetic clutch to function as a synchronizer that permits smooth mode change from 2WD to 4WD even while the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Goto
  • Patent number: 5924510
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is mounted in a drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle to selectively distribute driving force to selected vehicle wheels according to the travel condition of the vehicle. This device includes an outer ring and an input shaft. A cylindrical face is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the outer ring and the input shaft, while cam faces are formed on the other opposed surface to define a wedge-shaped space between the cylindrical face and each cam face. Rollers are mounted in pockets formed in a retainer mounted between the input shaft and the outer ring. An electromagnetic clutch is coupled to the retainer. A switch spring is mounted between the retainer and the input shaft. A two-way clutch is provided between the outer ring and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Goto
  • Patent number: 5871072
    Abstract: A hub clutch assembly is designed so that fluid pressure is used only while the driving mode is being changed over between a four-wheel position and a two-wheel drive positions, while eliminating the necessity of holding a coupling member in position once the driving mode has been changed over. A driven member and a driving member are coupled together and uncoupled from each other by a slider which is moved under a negative or positive air pressure. A spring is used to maintain the slider in the drive position, while a magnet is used to maintain the slider in the four-wheel drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Takayuki Norimatsu, Isao Hori, Katsuhisa Suzuki, Kenro Adachi, Koji Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 5799749
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device has a driving member and a driven member rotatably mounted one inside the other. A plurality of engaging elements are mounted between the driving member and the driven member so as to engage with the driving member and the driven member when the driving member and the driven member rotate relative to each other in either direction. A cage is mounted between the driving member and the driven member for keeping the engaging elements apart from one another by a predetermined distance. A turning force imparting mechanism is coupled to the cage for moving the engaging elements to an engageable position by turning the cage in one direction relative to the driving member, and a locking mechanism is provided between the cage and the driven member for detachably coupling the cage to the driven member and remote-controlled through a cable connected to the locking mechanism and extending out of the rotation transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Yamamoto, Kenichiro Itoh, Isao Hori, Kohji Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 5732807
    Abstract: An automotive power transmission device which can change over the driving mode between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive mode. The device when combined with a differential as an integral unit can be assembled easily. This device includes an axle made up of axially separated first and second portions, a differential coupled to one end of the first portion of the axle and having a differential cover, and a clutch device coupled to the other end of the first portion of the axle which is enclosed in the differential cover. The clutch includes an inner ring connected to the differential, an outer ring connected to a vehicle wheel and rotatably mounted around the inner ring, sprags and cages mounted between the inner and outer rings, a biasing member for biasing and rotating the cages relative to the inner ring, and a locking system for detachably coupling the cage and the outer ring together. While the transfer is set in the two-wheel drive mode, the outer ring is allowed to free-run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Ken Yamamoto, Isao Hori
  • Patent number: 5542514
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device which has a driving member, a driven member, engaging elements mounted between them, and a device for mechanically changing over the transmission and cut-off of turning effort and which restricts the operation of the changeover device as necessary. Between the outer ring as a driven member and the inner member as a driving member, a retainer holding the sprags spaced from one another is mounted. In the inner member are housed a solenoid and a coupling member engaging the outer ring. The solenoid is actuated by contact of a brush against a slip ring, so that the coupling member couples the outer ring with the inner member, thus causing the sprags to be inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Kenro Adachi
  • Patent number: 5529158
    Abstract: A hub clutch capable of automatically engaging and disengaging the front wheel axle to and from the wheel hubs according to the difference in rotational speeds therebetween. It has an inner ring coupled to the front wheel axle, an outer ring coupled to the wheel hub, a first retainer and a second retainer provided between the inner and outer rings, and sprags held by the first and second retainers. To one end of the first retainer is coupled a switch spring for producing a turning effort. A turning effort imparting device is coupled to its other end through a one-way clutch. While the vehicle is moving forward, the sprags are kept in a forward-travel ready-to-engage position, with the one-way clutch idling. When the vehicle begins to move backward, the one-way clutch locks, so that the sprags are inclined in the opposite direction to assume a backward-travel ready-to-engage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Isao Hori
  • Patent number: 5477951
    Abstract: A device for mechanically changing over the direction of transmission of turning force in which engaging elements are mounted between its driving member and driven member. It prevents the generation of abnormal noise resulting from the repeated engagement and disengagement of engaging elements when turning force is applied from the driven member. Sprags and sprag-supporting retainers are provided between an outer ring as driven member and an inner member as driving member. Also an elastic member is mounted between the outer ring and the inner member. When turning force is transmitted from the outer ring to the inner member, the inner member and one of the retainers begin rotating first, biased by the elastic member. The retainers thus rotate relative to each other, inclining the sprags in the same direction as the inner member to a ready-to-engage position. The sprags are thus prevented from repeatedly engaging and disengaging, so that there will be no abnormal noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui, Shiro Gotoh
  • Patent number: 5456970
    Abstract: An image-receiving labeling material for toner transfer recording which comprises an adhesive-backed label and a separator releasably pre-fixed thereto is disclosed, in which a substrate of the label and that of the separator both comprise a synthetic resin film, and at least the substrate of the label has an antistatic layer on the surface side thereof, the antistatic layer comprising a thermoplastic binder resin having dispersed therein fine powder of a doped metal oxide, such as P-doped SnO.sub.2. The image-receiving label has a stable surface resistivity irrespective of humidity and exhibits excellent printing properties in toner transfer printing, such as toner adhesion, transferred image density, and running properties in a printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Tomio Ohe
  • Patent number: 5437917
    Abstract: An image-receiving paper comprising a label paper and a separate paper which is releasably adhered to the label paper, wherein the label paper has a surface resistivity of from 1.times.10.sup.6 to 1.times.10.sup.13 .OMEGA./cm.sup.2, and comprises a synthetic resin film having formed on the front surface thereof a matted layer and also having formed on the back surface thereof an adhesive layer, the separate paper comprises a synthetic resin film having formed on the front surface thereof a releasing layer and also having formed on the back surface thereof a matted layer and an antistatic agent layer, and the coefficients of thermal shrinkage of the label paper and/or the separate paper in the lengthwise direction and the width direction are all 1% or less in a specific test method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Ohe, Shigeru Katayama, Kenichiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 5429218
    Abstract: A mechanical device to be mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of transmitting driving force to the rear wheels while the vehicle is being accelerated and cutting off the transmission of driving force to the rear wheels while being braked. This device has an inner member to be coupled in series with a differential or a limited slip differential device, and an outer ring. On the opposite surfaces of the inner member and the outer ring are formed a cylindrical surface and a plurality of cam surfaces, between which are defined wedge-shaped spaces. A retainer is provided between the inner member and the outer ring. It is formed with pockets to receive rollers as engaging elements. A turning effort imparting device is coupled to the retainer through a one-way clutch. A torsion coil spring for producing turning effort is mounted between the retainer and the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui
  • Patent number: 5429219
    Abstract: A large-diameter retainer and a small-diameter retainer for retaining sprags are mounted between the inner member as the driving member and the outer ring as the driven member. The large-diameter retainer is coupled with the inner member with a play in the direction of rotation. A switch spring is attached to one end of both of the retainers. To the other end, a turning effort imparting mechanism is coupled through a one-way clutch. The outer ring is coupled with the output shaft with a play in the direction of rotation which is set to be larger than the abovesaid play. When the inner member rotates, the large-diameter retainer will rotate first to tilt the sprags. After the play in the direction of rotation has disappeared, the coupling member between the outer ring and the output shaft will rotate. Thus, the sprags are always brought to correct ready-to-engage positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Makoto Yasui
  • Patent number: 5355981
    Abstract: A torque transmission device has an outer ring and an input shaft rotatably mounted in the outer ring. The outer ring and the input shaft are formed with engaging surfaces so as to be opposite to each other. A cage is rotatably mounted between the engaging surfaces and provided with pockets. The engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to engage the engaging surfaces when the input shaft and the cage rotate either in a normal or reverse direction relative to each other. Elastic members are mounted in the pockets to hold the engaging elements in a position where they are not engaged. A control shaft is mounted coaxially and rotatably with respect to the input shaft. The cage and the input shaft are coupled together through the control shaft so that a turning torque can be transmitted therebtween. A gap is provided in the direction of rotation at a coupling portion between the input shaft and the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Hiromi Nojiri, Kenro Adachi
  • Patent number: 5149350
    Abstract: An apparatus for fusion splicing optical fibers has one rotatable clamp mechanism that is manually operated and a second rotatable clamp mechanism that is operated by a motor. A three position stopper functions in the first position as a stopper against the optical fibers when the optical fibers are moved toward each other and in the second position as a mirror for reflecting an image of respective end faces of the optical fibers. A rapid fine adjustment of the alignment of the polarization maintaining optical fibers can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Takeshi Yamada, Tsutomu Onodera, Mikio Yoshinuma, Yasuyuki Kato