Patents by Inventor Masami Higaki

Masami Higaki 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: 8554423
    Abstract: An automatic transmission device for a wheel loader includes: a shift mechanism; a work detection device that detects that the wheel loader is performing an excavation work; and a shift control device that executes control so as to downshift a speed stage at the shift mechanism if the work detection device detects that the wheel loader is performing the excavation work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tanaka, Masami Higaki, Hirofumi Ouchi, Eiichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8290670
    Abstract: A clutch control device includes: a plurality of hydraulic clutches built into a transmission; a clutch switching pattern storage device in which a plurality of clutch switching patterns, each defining engage/release changeover timing with which the plurality of hydraulic clutches are engaged/released are stored in correspondence to individual speed change patterns adopted by the transmission; a clutch switching pattern selection device that selects a clutch switching pattern stored in the clutch switching pattern storage device in correspondence to a speed change pattern for the transmission at a time of speed change; and a hydraulic control device that executes hydraulic control for the plurality of hydraulic clutches in correspondence to the clutch switching pattern selected by the clutch switching pattern selection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tanaka, Masami Higaki, Hideo Nakayama, Eiichi Sakai, Hidenobu Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8262540
    Abstract: A shift control device for a work vehicle that has a stepped automatic transmission includes: a control device that controls an engine rotation rate at the work vehicle and the stepped automatic transmission; a forward/reverse switchover member that outputs a forward/reverse switchover command for the work vehicle; and an operation quantity detection device that detects an accelerator pedal operation quantity in the work vehicle is operated. As the forward/reverse switchover command is output via the forward/reverse switchover member, the control device executes forward/reverse switchover control for the stepped automatic transmission and also controls the engine rotation rate so as to decrease the engine rotation rate gradually to a target lower limit value selected to ensure that a reverse rotation of a turbine runner at a torque converter in the work vehicle does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Higaki, Tetsuji Tanaka, Hideo Nakayama, Eiichi Sakai, Hidenobu Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20100017076
    Abstract: An automatic transmission device for a wheel loader includes: a shift mechanism; a work detection device that detects that the wheel loader is performing an excavation work; and a shift control device that executes control so as to downshift a speed stage at the shift mechanism if the work detection device detects that the wheel loader is performing the excavation work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicants: TCM Corporation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tanaka, Masami Higaki, Hirofumi Ouchi, Eiichi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20090312922
    Abstract: A clutch control device includes: a plurality of hydraulic clutches built into a transmission; a clutch switching pattern storage device in which a plurality of clutch switching patterns, each defining engage/release changeover timing with which the plurality of hydraulic clutches are engaged/released are stored in correspondence to individual speed change patterns adopted by the transmission; a clutch switching pattern selection device that selects a clutch switching pattern stored in the clutch switching pattern storage device in correspondence to a speed change pattern for the transmission at a time of speed change; and a hydraulic control device that executes hydraulic control for the plurality of hydraulic clutches in correspondence to the clutch switching pattern selected by the clutch switching pattern selection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicants: TCM Corporation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuji Tanaka, Masami Higaki, Hideo Nakayama, Eiichi Sakai, Hidenobu Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20090093340
    Abstract: A shift control device for a work vehicle that has a stepped automatic transmission includes: a control device that controls an engine rotation rate at the work vehicle and the stepped automatic transmission; a forward/reverse switchover member that outputs a forward/reverse switchover command for the work vehicle; and an operation quantity detection device that detects an accelerator pedal operation quantity in the work vehicle is operated. As the forward/reverse switchover command is output via the forward/reverse switchover member, the control device executes forward/reverse switchover control for the stepped automatic transmission and also controls the engine rotation rate so as to decrease the engine rotation rate gradually to a target lower limit value selected to ensure that a reverse rotation of a turbine runner at a torque converter in the work vehicle does not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicants: TCM Corporation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Higaki, Tetsuji Tanaka, Hideo Nakayama, Eiichi Sakai, Hidenobu Tsukada
  • Patent number: 6688416
    Abstract: Front wheels (3) are attached to transmission devices (30) which are mounted to the vehicle body (2) to be rotatable around vertical axes (27), and rotating means (55) are provided between the side of the vehicle body (2) and the transmission devices (30), whereby the front wheels are steered to turn laterally at substantially right angles. An electric motor (40) is attached to the transmission device (30) to be located under the vertical axis (27). A case body (41) of the electric motor (40) is constructed by an outer case part (41A) and a non-loaded side bracket (41B), and a loaded side end portion of the outer case-part (41A) is connected to the transmission device case body (31). The drive shaft (44) is rotatably supported by the non-loaded side bracket (41B) at one end and by the transmission device case body (31) at the other end. A driving portion (34) provided at the other end side of the drive shaft (44) is operatively connected to an axle (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: TCM Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Higaki, Hiromi Ishida, Nobuo Masano, Seishi Morishita
  • Publication number: 20030029660
    Abstract: Front wheels (3) are attached to transmission devices (30) which are mounted to the vehicle body (2) to be rotatable around vertical axes (27), and rotating means (55) are provided between the side of the vehicle body (2) and the transmission devices (30), whereby the front wheels are steered to turn laterally at substantially right angles. An electric motor (40) is attached to the transmission device (30) to be located under the vertical axis (27). A case body (41) of the electric motor (40) is constructed by an outer case part (41A) and a non-loaded side bracket (41B), and a loaded side end portion of the outer case-part (41A) is connected to the transmission device case body (31). The drive shaft (44) is rotatably supported by the non-loaded side bracket (41B) at one end and by the transmission device case body (31) at the other end. A driving portion (34) provided at the other end side of the drive shaft (44) is operatively connected to an axle (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Masami Higaki, Hiromi Ishida, Nobuo Masano, Seishi Morishita
  • Patent number: PP21668
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) named ‘Merritt White’ was found in a field of the patented cultivar ‘Ravel’—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,152. The cultivar ‘Merritt White’ has white sepals at maturity and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by the unique manner in which the inflorescence ages. As the mature sepals age and turn green they are highly resistant to burning and turning brown. The new variety ‘Merritt White’ further possesses the favorable characteristics of a compact growth habit and long lasting large inflorescences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Bay City Flower Company
    Inventor: Harrison Masami Higaki