Patents by Inventor Kozo Odoi

Kozo Odoi 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: 8348240
    Abstract: An output shaft to which the rotational force of a motor is transferred is housed in a case. One end side of the output shaft protrudes from a side surface of the case. A pinion gear is fixed to one end side of the output shaft. Teeth that mesh with the pinion gear are formed on the outer circumferential surface of cables. Cable guide surfaces for guiding the cables to mesh with the pinion gear are provided on the side surface of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Tsukasa Butsuen, Kozo Odoi, Bernhard Alois Meier
  • Patent number: 8172303
    Abstract: A link mechanism capable of setting any desirable speed of opening/closing a lid during a series of the opening/closing operation and capable of exerting a strong driving force is provided. A lid (6) is attached to a lid bracket (31). The lid bracket (31) is pivotally connected to a driving lever (14) and a coupled-driving lever (15) with which the lid (6) is opened or closed. The driving lever (14) is provided with a cam having an elongated hole (34), into which a driving pin (36) provided to a sector gear (13) is fitted. The sector gear (12) is driven by a motor through a pinion (22). According to rotation of the sector gear (13), the driving pin (36) moves in the elongated hole (34) and drives the driving lever (14). Since the distance between the center of the sector gear (13) and the driving pin (36) is larger than the radius of the pinion (22), such mechanism exerts a strong driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Minoru Okamura, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Patent number: 8042858
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The back roof panel 22 is pivotally connected to the front roof panel 21 and a car body side member 42 to function as a first link of a four-bar link constituted by the first link and a second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Shigeki Hiyama, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Patent number: 7963584
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The retractable roof further includes an adjusting mechanism 51, 52 for adjusting the geometry in the in-use state of the linkage mechanism 4 by changing the angle of the turning direction of one of links 44 included in the linkage mechanism 4 in the in-use state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Kozo Odoi
  • Patent number: 7837250
    Abstract: To reliably prevent lifting of a roof panel when the roof panel is fully closed. To provide a roof panel (12) to a vehicle body (1) capable of opening/closing a vehicle cabin space (11), a link mechanism (3) for supporting the roof panel (12) at the vehicle body (1) having a front connecting link (33) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12), and a rear connecting link (34) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12) at rear side of a vehicle relative to front connecting link (33), and link restricting mechanism (500) for restricting the rear connecting link (34) to the vehicle body (1) when the roof panel (12) is in fully closed state over the vehicle cabin space (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Shinya Matsui, Koji Sawahata, Kozo Odoi
  • Publication number: 20100283286
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The back roof panel 22 is pivotally connected to the front roof panel 21 and a car body side member 42 to function as a first link of a four-bar link constituted by the first link and a second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Shigeki Hiyama, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Publication number: 20100223851
    Abstract: A link mechanism capable of setting any desirable speed of opening/closing a lid during a series of the opening/closing operation and capable of exerting a strong driving force is provided. A lid 6 is attached to a lid bracket 31. The lid bracket 31 is pivotally connected to a driving lever 14 and a coupled-driving lever 15 with which the lid 6 is opened or closed. The driving lever 14 is provided with a cam having an elongated hole 34, into which a driving pin 36 provided to a sector gear 13 is fitted. The sector gear 12 is driven by a motor through a pinion 22. According to rotation of the sector gear 13, the driving pin 36 moves in the elongated hole 34 and drives the driving lever 14. Since the distance between the center of the sector gear 13 and the driving pin 36 is larger than the radius of the pinion 22, such mechanism exerts a strong driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: WEBASTO AB
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Minoru Okamura, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Publication number: 20100176625
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The retractable roof further includes an adjusting mechanism 51, 52 for adjusting the geometry in the in-use state of the linkage mechanism 4 by changing the angle of the turning direction of one of links 44 included in the linkage mechanism 4 in the in-use state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Kozo Odoi
  • Publication number: 20100006809
    Abstract: An output shaft to which the rotational force of a motor is transferred is housed in a case. One end side of the output shaft protrudes from a side surface of the case. A pinion gear is fixed to one end side of the output shaft. Teeth that mesh with the pinion gear are formed on the outer circumferential surface of cables. Cable guide surfaces for guiding the cables to mesh with the pinion gear are provided on the side surface of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Tsukasa Butsuen, Kozo Odoi, Bernhard Alois Meier
  • Publication number: 20090160225
    Abstract: To reliably prevent lifting of a roof panel when the roof panel is fully closed. To provide a roof panel (12) to a vehicle body (1) capable of opening/closing a vehicle cabin space (11), a link mechanism (3) for supporting the roof panel (12) at the vehicle body (1) having a front connecting link (33) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12), and a rear connecting link (34) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12) at rear side of a vehicle relative to front connecting link (33), and link restricting mechanism (500) for restricting the rear connecting link (34) to the vehicle body (1) when the roof panel (12) is in fully closed state over the vehicle cabin space (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventors: Shinya Matsui, Koji Sawahata, Kozo Odoi
  • Patent number: 7401839
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a front roof panel, a back roof panel formed by joining outer and inner panel layers to each other, a lower link pivotally connected to a vehicle body member, an upper link pivotally connected to the front roof panel, and an intermediate link rigidly connected to each of the lower link and the upper link. The intermediate link is placed in between the outer and inner panel layers of the back roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Webasto AG, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Hiyama, Kozo Odoi, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Publication number: 20070228767
    Abstract: A retractable roof includes a front roof panel, a back roof panel formed by joining outer and inner panel layers to each other, a lower link pivotally connected to a vehicle body member, an upper link pivotally connected to the front roof panel, and an intermediate link rigidly connected to each of the lower link and the upper link. The intermediate link is placed in between the outer and inner panel layers of the back roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeki Hiyama, Kozo Odoi, Tomoaki Matsunobu
  • Patent number: 6620365
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a foldable convertible top assembly in which a window plate is connected to a sheet material by a resin connecting element. The frame member has a predetermined transverse cross-sectional shape formed by hardening a liquid-form synthetic resin at the outer peripheral edge of the window plate. The outer peripheral edge of the window plate is attached to the resin connecting element and the foldable sheet material is also attached to the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Tatsuya Tamura, Akira Akatsu, Shoji Sekimoto, Hirotoshi Mimura, Tsutomu Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 5372401
    Abstract: A sliding roof includes a light transmitting sliding sunroof and a light isolating sliding sunshade disposed beneath the sunroof. The light transmitting sliding sunroof opens a roof opening only while the light isolating sliding sunshade is in its open position. Also, the light isolating sliding sunshade closes the roof opening only while the light transmission sliding sunroof is in its closed position. Damage to the light isolating sliding sunshade, therefore, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Seiichi Omoto, Ryuji Nonaka, Motoki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5250882
    Abstract: A vehicular sun roofing apparatus including a roofing panel (3) for tilting up and sliding and a sunshade member (4) for sliding is provided to open/close an opening (2) formed on a vehicular roof (1). The panel (3) is operated by an electrical means in response to input acts on a panel open/close switch (19, 20), and the sunshade (4) is operated by an electrical means in response to input acts on a sunshade switch (21, 22), wherein control devices (23, 40) for actions of the panel (3) and sunshade (4) are provided, and an ON act on the panel opening switch (19) causes not only opening action of the panel (3), but also selective opening action of the sunshade (4) to arrive at a predetermined point, depending on a location of the sunshade (3) at the switched moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kozo Odoi, Akefumi Takeda
  • Patent number: 5018784
    Abstract: In a roof panel connected to a vehicle body through at least a pair of left-hand and right-hand front pillars and a pair of left-hand and right-hand rear pillars, there is formed a roof opening large in size in such a manner as leaving a front header, a pair of left-hand and right-hand roof side rails, and a rear header and being surrounded by said four members. A foldable flexible top having a size as substantially large as the roof opening is provided. The flexible top is disposed to selectively take a first posture in which the roof opening is closed and a second posture in which it is contracted in a longitudinal direction of the body and placed in a contracted state, i.e., in a folded state, at a position nearby said rear header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takahito Yokouchi, Kenji Matsumoto, Kozo Odoi
  • Patent number: 4991903
    Abstract: A drive device for opening and closing a vehicle top includes a pair of control devices each fixed in the side of the vehicle body, a falling pillar swingably supporting the vehicle top on the vehicle body and a pair of extendable link mechanisms that include link rods which are inclinable and which couple a swinging arm of the respective control device with the falling pillar. Each of the control devices includes a housing in which is rotatably positioned at least a portion of an output shaft for rotating the swinging arm, a driving device attached to the housing and generating a rotary driving force, a first reduction gear stage formed as a worm drive which is coupled with the driving device and which is housed in the housing, and a second reduction gear stage formed as a spur gear drive which is coupled with the worm drive for driving the output shaft and which is housed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignees: Asmo Co., Ltd., Mazda Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeki Okabe, Masaya Horikawa, Tatsuo Maeda, Seiichi Omoto, Kozo Odoi
  • Patent number: 4918360
    Abstract: An electric driving device for openable members in which an openable member is opened and closed by rotation of driving shafts provided on right and left sides. The device includes a motor which rotates the driving shafts via a reduction mechanism, and switching relays which switch the rotational direction of the motor. Open and close command switches command the opening and closing of the openable member and a rotation synchronization sensor associated with the motor generates pulses synchronized with the rotation of the motor. A mechanical stopper limits the rotation of the driving shaft which is rotated via the reduction mechanism of the motor and a motor lock detecting means detects locking of the motor by detecting the pulse width generated by the rotation synchronization sensor. Also, an actuation stopping arrangement stops the actuation of an actuation device which supplies current to the motor if a signal is generated by the detection apparatus that detects locking of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignees: ASMO Co., Ltd., Mazda Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Tanaka, Kazukiyo Okada, Akira Tsunoda, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Tatsuo Maeda, Seiichi Omoto, Kozo Odoi
  • Patent number: 4729593
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle body including a first door weatherstrip for sealing engagement with a front pillar and a second weatherstrip mounted on the front pillar within the vehicle body and formed with a water pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Sadamu Nisiguchi, Kozo Odoi, Shigeki Akamatsu, Takahiko Akamatsu