Patents by Inventor Minori Higuchi

Minori Higuchi 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: 6470698
    Abstract: A freezer/refrigerator car equipped with a freezer/refrigerator having a carry-in/out opening formed at a rear end thereof for carrying the goods in and out, and a door mechanism for opening and closing the carry-in/out opening, wherein the door mechanism includes a first door pivotably mounted on the one side wall of the freezer/refrigerator, a second door pivotably mounted on the other side wall of the freezer/refrigerator, and a third door pivotably mounted on the other side of the second door, and an air curtain unit is disposed on the inside surface of the first door and blows out the air toward the other side wall across the carry-in/out opening in a state where the first door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishi, Minori Higuchi, Masato Doi, Etsuo Kamijo, Masanobu Tomomura, Hiroshi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20020078701
    Abstract: A freezer/refrigerator car equipped with a freezer/refrigerator having a carry-in/out opening formed at a rear end thereof for carrying the goods in and out, and a door mechanism for opening and closing the carry-in/out opening, wherein the door mechanism includes a first door pivotably mounted on the one side wall of the freezer/refrigerator, a second door pivotably mounted on the other side wall of the freezer/refrigerator, and a third door pivotably mounted on the other side of the second door, and an air curtain unit is disposed on the inside surface of the first door and blows out the air toward the other side wall across the carry-in/out opening in a state where the first door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishi, Minori Higuchi, Masato Doi, Etsuo Kamijo, Masanobu Tomomura, Hiroshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6196009
    Abstract: A freezer/refrigerator vehicle equipped with a refrigerating apparatus driven by a drive source which is an engine, mounted on a vehicle, for running the vehicle, comprising an idle-up means for operating a fuel feeding device of the engine under a first idle-up condition or under a second idle-up condition between the first idle-up condition and the no-load condition, and a control means. After the defrosting cycle is conducted for a predetermined period of time while the idle-up means is in operation under the second idle-up condition, the control means operates the idle-up means under the first idle-up condition and thereafter, brings the refrigerating apparatus back to the refrigerating cycle after the passage of a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishi, Minori Higuchi, Masato Doi
  • Patent number: 5845723
    Abstract: A start-assist system for a vehicle using air actuators attached to one of rear axles, behaving as a drive axle, is provided to increase the load to the drive axle and the traction when the vehicle starts to run. A control device supplies air to the air actuators when the unladen vehicle is stopped, but discharges air from the air actuators, while keeping residual air in them, when the laden vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle runs at a speed over a predetermined speed. Thus the air actuators are protected from collapsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Hirahara, Masaaki Kano, Minori Higuchi, Haruyuki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5775448
    Abstract: A start-assist system provided in a vehicle having two rear shafts, one of which is a drive axle, includes a control device having an air actuator attached to the drive axle; a level sensor for detecting loads applied to the shaft axles; an air supply source for supplying compressed air to the air actuator; a first valve disposed in an air conduit for supplying air to the air actuator; a second valve for releasing air from the air actuator; and a controller for controlling the first valve and the second valve. The a controller opens the first valve to introduce air to the air actuator when a signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is unladen, and opens the second valve to release air from the air actuator when the signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and parking brake is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Hideto Hirahara, Masaaki Kano, Minori Higuchi, Haruyuki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5732787
    Abstract: A start-assist system provided in a vehicle having two rear axles, one of which is a drive axle. A control device includes an air actuator attached to the drive axle; a level sensor for detecting loads applied to the axles; an air supply source for supplying compressed air to the air actuator; a first valve disposed in an air conduit for supplying air to the air actuator; a second valve for releasing air from the air actuator; and a controller for controlling the first valve and the second valve. The controller opens the first valve to introduce air to the air actuator when a signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is unladen, opens the second valve to release air from the air actuator when the signal from the level sensor indicates that the vehicle is stopped and is laden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Hirahara, Masaaki Kano, Minori Higuchi, Haruyuki Hosoya
  • Patent number: 5522469
    Abstract: A vehicle traction enhancement device is formed of a suspension attached to a frame of a vehicle, a drive axle mounted on the frame through the suspension, a driven axle mounted on frame, a bracket mounted on the drive axle substantially parallel to the frame, and an air spring mounted between the bracket and the frame. The air spring receives compressed air therein for expansion thereof when the vehicle starts to move to thereby increase pressure of drive axle tires attached to the drive axle relative to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Haruyuki Hosoya, Minori Higuchi