Patents by Inventor Masanobu Kawamoto
Masanobu Kawamoto 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).
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Publication number: 20070114847Abstract: A moving device moves a plate shape movable member, between a usable position and a non-usable position. The moving device includes a driving device attached to the movable member for moving the same, a sensor for detecting a movement of an occupant, and a control device electrically connected to the driving device and the sensor for operating the driving device to move the movable member between the usable position and the non-usable position based on a signal from the sensor. The movable member can be easily actuated by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Takahide Ichimaru, Ryuhei Nishida, Masanobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20070102250Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing, a viscous fluid filled in the housing, and a rotor disposed inside the housing and having a shaft part partially protruding from the housing. The rotor has a plurality of rotating resistance parts provided on the shaft part for moving in the viscous fluid inside the housing. A first sloping part is provided on an upstream side of the rotating resistance part to form a distance relative to an inner surface of the housing gradually decreasing toward a downstream side, and a second sloping part is provided on a downstream side of the rotating resistance part to form a distance relative to the inner surface of the housing gradually increasing toward a downstream side.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7207425Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing; a viscous fluid filled in the housing; a rotor disposed inside the housing and having a shaft part partially protruding from the housing and a resistance part provided on the shaft part for moving in the viscous fluid inside the housing; and a seal member for sealing between the shaft part and the housing to prevent leakage of the viscous fluid. The rotary damper further includes a first sloping part provided on an upstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to an inner surface of the housing gradually decreasing toward a downstream side; and a second sloping part provided on a downstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to the inner surface of the housing gradually increasing toward a downstream side.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7188718Abstract: A clutch device for transmitting drive power to a transmission-receiving member includes a main shaft; an input side rotating body; an output side rotating body; an inner sleeve body; an outer sleeve body; a braking device; a first coil spring; a first main connection part; a second main connection part; a first sub connection part; a second sub connection part; a first cam surface; a second cam surface; a first catching surface; a second catching surface; an outermost cylinder body; and a second coil spring. Non-transmitting condition can be surely set even if an input side rotational force is small.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Shigemitsu Tomita, Masanobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 7125063Abstract: A lid mechanism includes a divided lid for closing an opening extending in a longitudinal direction in a closed position, and a lid operating mechanism disposed below the opening closed by the divided lid. The divided lid has at least a front lid for closing a front part of the opening in the closed position and a rear lid for closing a rear part of the opening in the closed position. With the lid operating mechanism, the front lid in the closed position slides from a front part side to a rear part side and enters below the rear lid in the closed position in an overlapped state. Then, the front lid moves downwardly together with the rear lid in the overlapped state while a front end of the front lid faces upwardly.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Masanobu Kawamoto, Ryuhei Nishida
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Publication number: 20060050867Abstract: A cellular phone includes a monitor portion 20 that is swingably mounted to a body. During a state from a point that the monitor portion 20 is fully closed to a point that the monitor portion 20 is opened through 45°, a shaft portion 106 of a damper member 110 prevents a shaft portion 112 from being interlocked therewith, and thus no damping force is exerted with respect to swinging of the monitor portion 20 during the above state. Thus, the monitor portion 20 can be opened speedily. When the monitor portion is opened through an angle in excess of 45°, the shaft portion 106 permits the shaft portion 112 of the damper member 110 to be interlocked therewith, and a damping force by the damper member 110 works on the shaft portion 112. Thus, the monitor portion 20 is opened slowly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2003Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventor: Masanobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 6986535Abstract: A latch device includes a movable member and a housing. The movable member is urged with an urging member to a position where a part of the movable member projects from the housing. When the movable member is pushed into the housing against a force of the urging member, a push-push type lock mechanism turns to a lock state and the movable member is locked at a push-in position. When the movable member in the push-in position is pushed into the housing again against the force of the urging member, the lock mechanism turns to an unlock state, so that the movable member is returned to the projecting position. The lock mechanism is provided on front and back surfaces of the movable member as well as on portions of the housing facing the front and back surfaces of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Masanobu Kawamoto, Shigemitsu Tomita
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Publication number: 20050248170Abstract: A lid mechanism includes a divided lid for closing an opening extending in a longitudinal direction in a closed position, and a lid operating mechanism disposed below the opening closed by the divided lid. The divided lid has at least a front lid for closing a front part of the opening in the closed position and a rear lid for closing a rear part of the opening in the closed position. With the lid operating mechanism, the front lid in the closed position slides from a front part side to a rear part side and enters below the rear lid in the closed position in an overlapped state. Then, the front lid moves downwardly together with the rear lid in the overlapped state while a front end of the front lid faces upwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Masanobu Kawamoto, Ryuhei Nishida
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Patent number: 6952860Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventor: Masanobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20050189191Abstract: A clutch device for transmitting drive power to a transmission-receiving member includes a main shaft; an input side rotating body; an output side rotating body; an inner sleeve body; an outer sleeve body; a braking device; a first coil spring; a first main connection part; a second main connection part; a first sub connection part; a second sub connection part; a first cam surface; a second cam surface; a first catching surface; a second catching surface; an outermost cylinder body; and a second coil spring. Non-transmitting condition can be surely set even if an input side rotational force is small.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Shigemitsu Tomita, Masanobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20050077130Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing; a viscous fluid filled in the housing; a rotor disposed inside the housing and having a shaft part partially protruding from the housing and a resistance part provided on the shaft part for moving in the viscous fluid inside the housing; and a seal member for sealing between the shaft part and the housing to prevent leakage of the viscous fluid. The rotary damper further includes a first sloping part provided on an upstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to an inner surface of the housing gradually decreasing toward a downstream side; and a second sloping part provided on a downstream side of the rotating resistance part and having a distance relative to the inner surface of the housing gradually increasing toward a downstream side.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2004Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Ken Hayashi, Shunsuke Okabayashi, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20040251746Abstract: A moving device moves a movable member between a usable position and a non-usable position. The moving device includes a driving device attached to the movable member for moving the same, a sensor for detecting a movement of an occupant, and a control device electrically connected to the driving device and the sensor for operating the driving device to move the movable member between the usable position and the non-usable position based on a signal from the sensor. The movable member can be easily actuated by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Takahide Ichimaru, Ryuhei Nishida, Masanobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20040181909Abstract: Engaging grooves are provided in a stopper in addition to engaging grooves engaging with a key portion of an actuator, so that a receiver portion can be stopped on the way that the receiver portion is fully opened. Also, a twisting coil spring applies a twisting force to a sub-cam and the actuator, and urges a button in a direction where an engagement state between the key portions and the engaging grooves is released. As a result, when the button portion is pressed for a long time, the receiver portion is fully opened at once. Therefore, it is convenient that the receiver portion can be opened up to approximately 90° by pushing the button portion just once, and, at the same time, can be held at the position of approximately 90°.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventor: Masanobu Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20040169377Abstract: A latch device includes a movable member and a housing. The movable member is urged with an urging member to a position where a part of the movable member projects from the housing. When the movable member is pushed into the housing against a force of the urging member, a push-push type lock mechanism turns to a lock state and the movable member is locked at a push-in position. When the movable member in the push-in position is pushed into the housing again against the force of the urging member, the lock mechanism turns to an unlock state, so that the movable member is returned to the projecting position. The lock mechanism is provided on front and back surfaces of the movable member as well as on portions of the housing facing the front and back surfaces of the movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventors: Masanobu Kawamoto, Shigemitsu Tomita
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Publication number: 20040074049Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventor: Masanobu Kawamoto
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Patent number: 6604614Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing having an annular groove with an inlet portion, and a rotor having a main annular portion to be inserted into the annular groove and a cap portion attached at one side of the main annular portion. The main annular portion is inserted into the annular groove to form a space therein so that the cap portion closes the annular groove. A plurality of sealing members is situated on inner and outer sides of the main annular portion for sealing the space, and a viscous fluid is filled in the space. An engaging shoulder portion is provided on one of the housing and rotor, and an engaging portion is provided on the other of the housing and rotor for engaging said engaging shoulder portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20020101014Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing having an annular groove with an inlet portion, and a rotor having a main annular portion to be inserted into the annular groove and a cap portion attached at one side of the main annular portion. The main annular portion is inserted into the annular groove to form a space therein so that the cap portion closes the annular groove. A plurality of sealing members is situated on inner and outer sides of the main annular portion for sealing the space, and a viscous fluid is filled in the space. An engaging shoulder portion is provided on one of the housing and rotor, and an engaging portion is provided on the other of the housing and rotor for engaging said engaging shoulder portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Masanobu Kawamoto, Masayuki Nishiyama
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Patent number: 5269397Abstract: A rotary damper includes a dish-shaped housing having a depression surrounded by a cylindrical wall, a viscous fluid contained in the depression, a damping rotor accommodated in the viscous fluid, and a cap covering the dish-shaped housing with a shaft of the damping rotor projecting through a central hole thereof. The cylindrical wall is provided at the base of its external periphery with a sloped annular portion of downward increasing diameter. A lower edge portion of a circular wall of the cap is contacted with the slope of the sloped annular portion during welding of the cap to the dish-shaped housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Masanobu Kawamoto, Keiji Yamaguchi, Norio Tokahashi
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Patent number: 5010601Abstract: Apparatus for controlling pivotal movement of a pivotal member on a water closet includes a casing mounted on the water closet, a rotor rotatably mounted in the casing and viscous material interposed between the rotor and the casing providing relative rotational resistance between the rotor and the casing. A joint member coaxial with the rotor is provided and a spring clutch is operably disposed between the rotor and the joint member and operable to drive the rotor in one direction when the joint member is rotated in one direction while permitting the joint member to rotate in an opposite direction without driving the rotor member in such opposite direction. A shaft is connected to the pivotal member, the shaft being coaxial with the joint member.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1990Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignees: Toto Ltd., Nifco Inc.Inventors: Keiichi Kobayashi, Masazumi Moriwaki, Sigenari Kadomatsu, Yuji Fujie, Masanobu Kawamoto