Patents by Inventor Yoichi Kumano

Yoichi Kumano 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: 6800236
    Abstract: A molding method for a seamless crawler is provided in which the number of production steps is few, embedding of spiral reinforcement cords and a circumferentially uniform strength property are made possible, high-speed traveling can be accommodated, and a uniform, reliable pressure for an outer mold is enabled. The crawler molding method is structured such that a crawler 10 is integrally molded and vulcanized between an endless ring-shaped outer mold 12 and an inner mold 22. After structural components of the crawler 10 are molded at an outer periphery of the inner mold 22 which is dividable in an axial direction, the outer mold 12 which is divided in a circumferential direction and is slidable in a radial direction is disposed at an outer side an the structural components of the crawler 10. The outer mold 12 is contracted in the radial direction by pressure applied thereto. Accordingly, the structural components of the crawler 10 are vulcanized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kurata, Yoichi Kumano
  • Patent number: 5913579
    Abstract: A crawler block rubber pad for a crawler which has an endless path of movement and which is used for a vehicle. Links are axially supported and connected by pins in an endless shape, and crawler blocks are attached to outer surfaces of the links. In the crawler block rubber pad, a rubber pad is formed integrally, by vulcanization and adhesion, to an outer side surface of a crawler block and to end portions of the crawler block as seen from a longitudinal direction of the links. Preferably, the rubber pad is vulcanized and adhered to both end portions of the crawler block in the longitudinal direction of the links.Even if a small stone or the like becomes caught in a space between crawler blocks which space widens when the crawler is trained around an idler or the like, because a thickness of rubber material is provided so as to be larger than a radius of a small stone, no unwanted force is applied to the pins and the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Kumano, Takeo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5630657
    Abstract: A crawler block rubber pad for a crawler which has an endless path of movement and which is used for a vehicle. Links are axially supported and connected by pins in an endless shape, and crawler blocks are attached to outer surfaces of the links. In the crawler block rubber pad, a rubber pad is formed integrally, by vulcanization and adhesion, to an outer side surface of a crawler block and to end portions of the crawler block as seen from a longitudinal direction of the links. Preferably, the rubber pad is vulcanized and adhered to both end portions of the crawler block in the longitudinal direction of the links. Even if a small stone or the like becomes caught in a space between crawler blocks which space widens when the crawler is trained around an idler or the like, because a thickness of rubber material is provided so as to be larger than a radius of a small stone, no unwanted force is applied to the pins and the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Kumano, Takeo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: D588170
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Kumano