Patents by Inventor Tadashi Uchino

Tadashi Uchino 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: 9970579
    Abstract: In a joint mechanism as a pipe joint, an indicator ring is disposed between an end of a tightening cap and an outer wall portion of a body. The indicator ring is made up from a flat section that abuts against the body, an inclined section on an outer circumferential side of the flat section, and a protrusion formed on an outer edge portion of the inclined section. The protrusion is formed in parallel along an outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap. When the tube is connected, the inclined section is pressed by the end of the tightening cap, whereby the inclined section becomes substantially coplanar with the flat section. Concurrently, the protrusion projects toward an outer circumferential side of the inclined section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 9784389
    Abstract: A pipe joint contains a body having a fluid passage in the interior thereof, a tightening cap screw-engaged with an end of the body for connecting a tube thereto, and an indicator ring interposed between a stopper of the body and an end of the tightening cap. The indicator ring is equipped with a flat section and an inclined section, which is inclined with respect to the flat section, and is formed with a smaller diameter than an outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap. When the tightening cap is screw-rotated to thereby connect the tube, as a result of the inclined section being pressed and deformed by movement of the tightening cap, the inclined section projects radially outward with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap, whereby a tightened condition is visually confirmed by the outer edge of the indicator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20160265696
    Abstract: In a joint mechanism as a pipe joint, an indicator ring is disposed between an end of a tightening cap and an outer wall portion of a body. The indicator ring is made up from a flat section that abuts against the body, an inclined section on an outer circumferential side of the flat section, and a protrusion formed on an outer edge portion of the inclined section. The protrusion is formed in parallel along an outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap. When the tube is connected, the inclined section is pressed by the end of the tightening cap, whereby the inclined section becomes substantially coplanar with the flat section. Concurrently, the protrusion projects toward an outer circumferential side of the inclined section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi UCHINO
  • Patent number: 9360354
    Abstract: An installation hole, in which a detector is accommodated, is formed in a substantially central portion of a body of a vortex flowmeter. A first ring is formed on an annular wall that forms a boundary between a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion of the installation hole. In the detector, a detecting element made up from a piezoelectric element is accommodated in a holder. A pair of second rings is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder. By inserting the detector in the installation hole, the second rings are placed in sliding contact with the inner circumferential surface of the installation hole, and the first ring comes into abutment with a boundary region of the holder. Consequently, a seal is formed between the detector and the body by the first and second rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 9328829
    Abstract: A two-way valve includes a valve body made of a resilient member and connected to a lower end of a shaft. The valve body is made up from a main body portion having an axial member connected to the shaft, and a thin film skirt portion formed on an outer circumferential side of the main body portion. An outer edge of the skirt portion is sandwiched and gripped between a small diameter part of a housing and a connector of a body. Further, lips that project in a downward direction are formed in a central portion of the main body portion. The lips are seated on a top portion of a partition wall in the body, so that the two-way valve is placed in a valve-closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino, Yasunori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9164008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure detector. In a body that constitutes part of the pressure detector, a through hole is formed, which is directed upwardly from a substantially central portion of a flow passage through which a pressure fluid flows. The through hole communicates with a sensor chamber in which a pressure sensor is disposed, and a rod-shaped member is disposed displaceably in the through hole. In addition, an end of the rod-shaped member, which is exposed to the flow passage, is pressed by the pressure fluid and displaced upwardly thereby, and pressure is detected as a result of the pressure sensor being pressed by a head of the rod-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 9091352
    Abstract: A flow path opening/closing valve is equipped with a main body having a valve chamber housing therein a rotatable valve body, and a sleeve that abuts without gaps against an inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber, such that the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve slide without gaps against an outer circumferential surface of the valve body, for thereby shielding the valve chamber by the valve body and the sleeve. First and second seat members, and first and second o-rings that urge the first and second seat members toward the side of the valve body are arranged inside first and second annular grooves, which are provided on the inner circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino, Taiyou Hatta
  • Patent number: 9046182
    Abstract: A check valve includes connected first and second bodies respectively disposed on upstream and downstream sides. A valve plug is disposed displaceably in a communication chamber formed in the interior of the first body. A skirt urges a main body portion of the valve plug in a direction for seating the main body portion on a valve seat surface, and is provided on the valve plug such that the main body portion is seated on the valve seat surface by an elastic force of the skirt. By supplying a pressure fluid to the first body, the valve plug is displaced in opposition to the elastic force of the skirt, whereby the interior of the first body and the interior of the second body are placed in communication and the pressure fluid is allowed to flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20150068323
    Abstract: An installation hole, in which a detector is accommodated, is formed in a substantially central portion of a body of a vortex flowmeter. A first ring is formed on an annular wall that forms a boundary between a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion of the installation hole. In the detector, a detecting element made up from a piezoelectric element is accommodated in a holder. A pair of second rings is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holder. By inserting the detector in the installation hole, the second rings are placed in sliding contact with the inner circumferential surface of the installation hole, and the first ring comes into abutment with a boundary region of the holder. Consequently, a seal is formed between the detector and the body by the first and second rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Tadashi UCHINO
  • Patent number: 8833132
    Abstract: A pipe expanding tool includes levers rotatably connected to each other through a rotary shaft, grips disposed on ends of the levers, jaws disposed on other ends of the levers, and mandrels disposed on the jaws. An adjustment screw for adjusting an angle of rotation of the levers, a lock nut for fixing the adjustment screw, and a stopper that restricts rotation of the levers are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20140110615
    Abstract: A flow path opening/closing valve is equipped with a main body having a valve chamber housing therein a rotatable valve body, and a sleeve that abuts without gaps against an inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber, such that the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve slide without gaps against an outer circumferential surface of the valve body, for thereby shielding the valve chamber by the valve body and the sleeve. First and second seat members, and first and second o-rings that urge the first and second seat members toward the side of the valve body are arranged inside first and second annular grooves, which are provided on the inner circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Tadashi UCHINO, Taiyou HATTA
  • Publication number: 20140041434
    Abstract: A pipe expanding tool includes levers rotatably connected to each other through a rotary shaft, grips disposed on ends of the levers, jaws disposed on other ends of the levers, and mandrels disposed on the jaws. An adjustment screw for adjusting an angle of rotation of the levers, a lock nut for fixing the adjustment screw, and a stopper that restricts rotation of the levers are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Tadashi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20130341550
    Abstract: A two-way valve includes a valve body made of a resilient member and connected to a lower end of a shaft. The valve body is made up from a main body portion having an axial member connected to the shaft, and a thin film skirt portion formed on an outer circumferential side of the main body portion. An outer edge of the skirt portion is sandwiched and gripped between a small diameter part of a housing and a connector of a body. Further, lips that project in a downward direction are formed in a central portion of the main body portion. The lips are seated on a top portion of a partition wall in the body, so that the two-way valve is placed in a valve-closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Tadashi Uchino, Yasunori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130147183
    Abstract: A pipe joint contains a body having a fluid passage in the interior thereof, a tightening cap screw-engaged with an end of the body for connecting a tube thereto, and an indicator ring interposed between a stopper of the body and an end of the tightening cap. The indicator ring is equipped with a flat section and an inclined section, which is inclined with respect to the flat section, and is formed with a smaller diameter than an outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap. When the tightening cap is screw-rotated to thereby connect the tube, as a result of the inclined section being pressed and deformed by movement of the tightening cap, the inclined section projects radially outward with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap, whereby a tightened condition is visually confirmed by the outer edge of the indicator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 8353498
    Abstract: In a manual switching valve, which enables a valve plug to be opened and closed manually, a piston is threadedly engaged with a shaft that is inserted through a housing, wherein a handle having a switching mechanism therein is installed on an upper end of the shaft. After a valve plug is seated on a valve seat, any further turning force applied to the handle is interrupted without being transmitted to the shaft owing to the fact that balls disengage from tooth portions of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 8141582
    Abstract: A flow amount adjusting valve includes a handle that enables an opening/closing amount of a valve plug to be adjusted. A piston connected to the valve plug is screw-engaged with a first axial portion of the handle. Additionally, along with displacement of the valve plug in the axial direction via the piston under a rotating action of the handle, an indicator element is accommodated in an interior portion of the handle. A first indicator undergoes screw-engagement with respect to the handle, and the indicator element is displaced together with displacement of the valve plug, such that displacement of the valve plug can be confirmed visually from outside the flow amount adjusting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 7637440
    Abstract: A suck back valve comprises a suction amount-adjusting mechanism including a screw member which regulates a displacement amount of a second piston integrally displaceable with a second diaphragm in accordance with abutment of a disk-shaped member, a rotary driving section which allows the screw member to move toward or away from the disk-shaped member, and a detecting section which detects a displacement amount of the screw member. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately adjust the flow rate of the pressure fluid to be sucked under the negative pressure action of the second diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 7445163
    Abstract: A suck back valve comprises an ON/OFF valve, a suck back mechanism which includes a second piston connected to a second diaphragm to make displacement integrally and a second spring member fastened to the second piston, a load sensor which detects a load applied by a resilient force of the second spring member corresponding to a pressure of a pilot pressure to be supplied, and a second control unit which detects loads before and after displacement of the second diaphragm by using the load sensor to calculate a displacement amount of the second diaphragm based on a difference between the detected loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: D685661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: D687730
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino