Patents by Inventor Mineo Hirano

Mineo Hirano 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: 5927150
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a transmission of a vehicle, wherein speeds of transmission for the vehicle can be switched-over both automatically and manually, is provided which makes it possible to use the same switching unit for detecting whether a shift lever is positioned on a first path side at which an automatic transmission mode is executed, or on a second path side at which a manual transmission mode is executed, even if the design of the shift lever or other parts of the apparatus are changed. The apparatus includes a switching unit 5 for detecting on which side the shift lever 1 is positioned, the first path 2 side or the second path 3 side. The switching unit 5 has a first manipulating member 52 connected with a connecting portion 11 of the shift lever 1. The first manipulating member 52 is constructed so as to be a sliding bearing so that it can pivot freely around an axis O thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mineo Hirano, Yasuo Torii
  • Patent number: 5898142
    Abstract: In order to prevent resin around fixed contacts from being carbonized by an arc produced when a movable contact plate is brought into contact with the fixed contacts and separated therefrom, a sliding switch comprises a terminal plate provided with two fixed contact plates and a movable plate provided with a movable contact plate, which is brought into contact with the fixed contact plates. Each of the fixed contact plates has a fixed contact protruding from the terminal plate. The movable contact plate includes at least a pair of protrusions on both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazue Ohtaki, Mineo Hirano
  • Patent number: 5845535
    Abstract: A gearshift apparatus having a shift lever is constructed so that the transmission stage can be set or changed by manual operation when the shift lever is moved from a main gate for an automatic transmission mode to a manual gate for a manual transmission mode through a transit gate. The apparatus comprises a detent unit attached to the body of a vehicle. The unit contains a moving member for selection therein. The moving member moves integrally with the shift lever when the lever moves in the transit gate. When the lever moves in the main gate or the manual gate, the moving member never follows the motion of the lever. The detent unit is provided with a retaining mechanism for producing a retaining force for retaining the shift lever and a click feeling at either end of the transit gate as the lever moves along the transit gate. The shift lever has a simple construction, although it is provided with all necessary functions for the change between the automatic and manual transmission modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Niles Parts Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Wakabayashi, Mineo Hirano, Yasuo Torii, Yasuhiro Sato
  • Patent number: 5844182
    Abstract: A power seat switch for use in a power seat system of a vehicle for electrically regulating a position and reclining posture of a vehicle seat. The power seat switch comprises a terminal block 1, a printed circuit board 2, module switches 3, an inner case 4, a first moving plate 5, a second moving plate 6, a case 7, a seat knob 8, and a reclining knob 9. The seat knob 8 and the reclining knob 9 are engaged with a plurality of protrusions 52, 62 extending from the first moving plate 5 and the second moving plate 6 and are mounted by superposing the knobs 8, 9 on the case 7. The terminal block 1 includes a connector housing 11 integral therewith. The plurality of module switches each have the same shape and are mounted on the printed circuit board 2 with different orientations. The power seat switch having this structure is small and inexpensive and can be easily mounted in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mineo Hirano, Hidetoshi Ohta, Yasuo Torii
  • Patent number: 5836442
    Abstract: A door switch for vehicles which is small in depth, capable of being connected by a coupler, and easy to assemble. The door switch has a male connector recessed portion 3 for being fitted with a female connector. The male connector recessed portion 3 is provided at a location adjacent laterally to a cylindrically formed switch slide chamber 2 of a switch case 1. A switch slider 10 having a push rod 12 projecting from the switch slide chamber 2 is slidably mounted in the switch slide chamber 2 with elastic urging by a coiled spring. A switch is provided wherein a movable electrode 22 provided on the switch slider 10 is movable in a direction of sliding so as to be connected to and disconnected from a fixed electrode 21 provided along an inner wall of the switch slide chamber 2. The fixed electrode 21 is an electrically conductive plate having a first end exposed to an inner wall surface of the switch slide chamber 2 and a second end projected into the male connector recessed portion 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mineo Hirano