Patents by Inventor Victor S. Lerman

Victor S. Lerman 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: 6431573
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism for a bicycle or other wheeled cycle has at least two gear wheels, of which at least one is segmented. The segments are movable into and out of a driving position. Motion of the segments occurs at a circumferential location out of the driving zone, at a location where the driving band, typically a chain, is not contacting the segment. The shifting mechanism can be provided at the front chain ring, or at the rear, gear sprocket. For a front chain wheel, the free zone is generally the rearward half of the chain ring, while for the rear gear sprocket, the free zone is generally the forward half. The moving segments can be toothed gates which flip perpendicularly to the plane in which the chain resides. The gates may be actuated by a moving mechanism powered by an actuator, such as a D.C. motor, under control of a signal processor, such as a microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Victor S. Lerman, Harry H. Lerman, David M. Otten
  • Publication number: 20020084618
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism for a bicycle or other wheeled cycle has at least two gear wheels, of which at least one is segmented. The segments are movable into and out of a driving position. Motion of the segments occurs at a circumferential location out of the driving zone, at a location where the driving band, typically a chain, is not contacting the segment. The shifting mechanism can be provided at the front chain ring, or at the rear, gear sprocket. For a front chain wheel, the free zone is generally the rearward half of the chain ring, while for the rear gear sprocket, the free zone is generally the forward half. The moving segments can be toothed gates which flip perpendicularly to the plane in which the chain resides. The gates may be actuated by a moving mechanism powered by an actuator, such as a D.C. motor, under control of a signal processor, such as a microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Victor S. Lerman, Harry H. Lerman, David M. Otten
  • Patent number: 4148555
    Abstract: A target type scoring device which includes a target formed of a resilient material such as a net supported by elastic members and a frame, there being a trigger positioned behind the target and reciprocally movable toward and away therefrom. A cam and cam follower arrangement interconnect the trigger and an indicia or score indicating display causing the display to rotate upon actuation of the trigger by an object thrown against the target in a scoring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Martin Yale Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor S. Lerman
  • Patent number: 4062143
    Abstract: An improved bubble generator. A bubble ring supported centrally in an air tube is wet by a bubble forming liquid flowing from the hollow interior of the ring through holes of approximately 0.031 inches in diameter. Mounting means attach the bubble generator to a bicycle, motion of which provides an air flow through an air tube which generates the bubbles. The generation of bubbles is controlled by movement of a priming pad into and out of engagement with the bubble ring. The movement of the pad is effected by an arm, on one end of which the pad is mounted and the other end of which is attached to a pivot. A rigid lever means actuates the movement of the arm about the pivot. The pivot comprises a plate attached to the under side of the air tube and having an arcuate identation, a yoke which fits over the pivot plate and an axle which is fixed across the yoke and rotates in the arcuate indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Amalgamated Enterprises
    Inventor: Victor S. Lerman