Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8616980
    Abstract: A method and a device for simplifying the forming of game parties in wireless communication networks is provided. A game directory is generated comprising all available (multi-player) games on a mobile device and exchanging said information between different gaming devices. Said game directory is generated by querying a memory accessible by said electronic gaming device for electronic games available for execution on, and generating a game directory having entries for each electronic game which is determined. Said game directory is then exchanged to visualize all available games to all potential game partners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Theimer, Peter Decker, Axel Meyer, Karsten Lehn, Olaf Joeressen, Tomi Huttula
  • Patent number: 8616981
    Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive an indication of a physical location of a mobile computing device; determine if the physical location of the mobile computing device corresponds to or is within a predetermined proximity of a designated hotspot location; and, if so, determine a location-based gaming feature associated with the designated hotspot location and automatically triggering the location-based gaming feature without requiring an input from a user of the mobile computing device. Automatically triggering the location-based gaming feature includes, in some embodiments, initiating play of at least a portion of the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Guinn, Jamie W. Vann, Pamela S. Smith, Daniel P. Louie, Jeremie D. Moll
  • Patent number: 8616982
    Abstract: A gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game includes a main body having a cabinet door and a top box positioned above the main body. The cabinet door has a closed position and an open position. The top box includes a crown that is moveable from a first position that prohibits access to the top box to a second position that provides access to the top box. The gaming terminal further includes a latching assembly for securing and releasing the crown. The latching assembly is configured to release the crown in response to the cabinet door being in the open position so as to permit movement of the crown from the first position to the second position. The latching assembly is further configured to secure the crown in response to the crown being moved from the second position to the first position when the cabinet door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Bradley D. Cornell
  • Patent number: 8616983
    Abstract: A controller for a gaming machine, the controller adapted to receive data from a bill acceptor that may represent bill data or ticket data, the controller arranged to process the data and to output bill data to a game controller, and output ticket data to a ticket processing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Austrailia Pty, Ltd
    Inventor: John Leslie Boesen
  • Patent number: 8616984
    Abstract: Wireless communications among devices in a wager-based gaming environment are provided, including between an RFID-enabled player tracking card (or “smart card”) and an electronic wagering token. Wireless communications between the smart card and a plurality of electronic wagering tokens may be periodically initiated. Electronic wagering tokens which are detected as being within possession or control of a patron in possession of the smart card may be tracked during various events. Electronic wagering tokens which are within possession or control of the patron of the may be detected and identified. Token-owner association information which includes information relating to an ownership association between the patron and the electronic wagering token may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Harold E. Mattice, Roger William Harris, Timothy W. Moser, Richard J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8616985
    Abstract: A coupling that requires misalignment measures comprises a first hub and second hub, and a connection member that connects the first hub 10 and second hub 20 with each other, wherein the connection member has a plurality of columns, and beams that connect the respective columns with each other, wherein the beams that are next to each other among the respective beams are connected with the respective columns at the end of the first hub side on one side, and are connected with the respective columns at the end on the second hub side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Asa Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Asa
  • Patent number: 8616986
    Abstract: A shaft coupling mechanism 1 for an electric power steering apparatus includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2 on a side of an electric motor; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a steering shaft 4; rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 interposed between both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and adapted to transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 in an R direction to the steering shaft 4 through both coupling base bodies 3 and 5; an intermediate interposed member 8 interposed between the coupling base bodies 3 and 5; and a coupling means 9 for coupling the rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Nakagawa, Hiroshi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8616987
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Seung Tark Oh, Tae Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8616988
    Abstract: A green simulation apparatus may comprise a covering forming a configurable upper surface with a changeable contour and being flexible such that the covering is movable between a base condition in which the upper surface has a substantially planar configuration and a contoured condition in which the upper surface has a contoured configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a covering support assembly configured to support the covering in the base condition and the contoured condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Sean Coffman
  • Patent number: 8616989
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and improving the performance of a body motion of an animal or human subject requires instrumenting a subject with inertial sensors, monitoring a body motion of interest, converting sensor data into motion data and animation, comparing the motion data with existing data for motion related performance parameters, providing a real-time, information rich, animation and data display of the results in color coded displays; and based on the results prescribing a training regime with exercises selected from a library of standardized exercises using standardized tools and training aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: K-Motion Interactive, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D Bentley
  • Patent number: 8616990
    Abstract: A golf putter with an offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 8616991
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased moment of inertia (MOI) and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable center of percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Patent number: 8616992
    Abstract: A putter includes a handle (2), a putter head (1) with a striking surface, and two alignment indicia (6) symmetrically arranged relative to a vertical plane (20) which is perpendicular to the striking surface and passes through a striking line. Wherein the visible part of the alignment indicia (6) are symmetrical to the vertical plane (20) when being viewed in the vertical plane (20), while not symmetrical to the vertical plane (20) when being viewed in a plane offsetting from the vertical plane (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Dae Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 8616993
    Abstract: A putting stroke sensor assembly is cooperable with a putter head. The putting stroke sensor assembly includes a processor, a memory storing a preferred putting path, and an accelerometer configured to measure characteristics of a putting stroke. The processor is programmed to compare the characteristics of the putting stroke with the preferred putting path and to generate an output indicative of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Norman Douglas Bittner
  • Patent number: 8616994
    Abstract: A multi-purpose golf accessory that incorporates various golfing related functions is disclosed. The golf accessory may comprise a retractable divot fork, a ball marker, a level, a cleaning pad, a nylon brush, a stroke counter, or any combination thereof. The divot fork may be attached to a brush head that comprises one or more brushes, an abrasive brush, an abrasive surface for maintaining golf balls, or any combination thereof. The brush head may be attached within a brush head cover that comprises a counter, tee holders, therapeutic magnets, or any combination thereof. The multi-purpose golf accessory and the brush cover are configured to be attachable to a golfer's belt, other piece of clothing, or a golf bag for convenient carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Yeonwook Kwon, Woojoo Kwon
  • Patent number: 8616995
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 8616996
    Abstract: A golf club head with an adjustable hosel that sits within a cavity loaded with filler material. The cavity may generally extend from crown to sole or, in the alternative, extend only a partial amount of the distance from the crown to the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steve Murphy
  • Patent number: 8616997
    Abstract: A composite material golf club head is provided having a body made from a first metal and a face insert press fitted to a portion of the body and made from a second metal The metals are chosen so that the first metal is heavier than the second metal. The second metal is disposed towards the front and top of the body, and is preferably hard-anodized. In addition, an interlocking structure, for example rectangular or dove tail shaped channels, is provided in the body so that the face insert becomes embedded in the interlocking structure to anchor the face insert to the body. Portions of the golf club head, such as the face insert or sole plate, are anodized to protect against corrosion. The anodized coating is colored to improve aesthetic characteristics or infused with a polymer to increase or reduce friction. Disclosed herein is a golf club head having a body portion and a face insert. The front of the body portion further comprises a cutout sized and dimensioned to receive the face insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Thomas C. Morris
  • Patent number: 8616998
    Abstract: Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric V Cole, Randall B Noble, David L Petersen
  • Patent number: 8616999
    Abstract: A golf club head with an increased moment of inertia (MOI) about the X axis and the Z axis. Generally, the MOI about the Z axis is at least about 4400 g·cm2 and the MOI about the X axis is at least about 2500 g·cm2. The radius of the bulge of the club face is increased while the radius of the roll is reduced to compensate for the gear effect produced by the increased MOIs. The bulge curvature is generally between about 0.016 cm?1 and about 0.028 cm?1, and the roll curvature is between about 0.033 cm?1 and about 0.066 cm?1. The roll curvature is greater than the bulge curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Greaney, Brandon Woolley, Ian Wright, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 8617000
    Abstract: A metal wood golf club with externally protruding weights that improves the performance of a golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a metal wood type golf club head that is capable of pushing the boundaries of performance all while maintaining the size and shape of a classic pear shaped golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Gentry Ferguson, Keisuke Yamane, Ronald K. Hettinger
  • Patent number: 8617001
    Abstract: A golf club head has a main body including a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a striking face, a rear portion opposite the striking face. The striking face has a striking face plane and a striking face outer periphery that is coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face outer periphery has an outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery toe portion opposite the outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery top portion, and an outer periphery bottom portion opposite the outer periphery top portion. The striking face also has a recess extending rearward from the striking face plane, and the recess includes a recess periphery coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face further has an insert disposed within the recess. The striking face additionally has a minimum periphery width separating the striking face outer periphery and the recess periphery. The periphery width is no greater than 1.25 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Michael D. Sandoval, Adam K. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 8617002
    Abstract: A wedge type golf club head with improved performance characteristic is disclosed herein where at least a striking surface of the wedge type golf club head is coated with a polymer coating to decrease the coefficient of friction as well as create a hydrophobic surface to remove dirt and debris. More specifically, the present invention discloses a wedge type golf club head with a hydrophobic polymer coating that creates a contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees as well as decreases the coefficient of friction to be less than about 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Helene Rick
  • Patent number: 8617003
    Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of intertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Laurent Bissonnette
  • Patent number: 8617004
    Abstract: The present invention is directed a golf ball having at least a transparent or translucent cover and a core. The golf ball may also comprise an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover. The transparent or translucent cover may comprise a plurality of dimples on its surface as well as depressions other than dimples, such as stripes, text, or logos. Both the cover and the core may comprise an amount of dye or dyes. The cover may additionally comprise an amount of reflective particulates. The core may include a plurality of projections and/or depressions on its surface to provide more surface area for the adhesion of the cover to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: William E. Morgan, Kevin M. Harris, Edmund A. Hebert, Matthew F. Hogge, Shawn Ricci, Peter L. Serdahl
  • Patent number: 8617005
    Abstract: A system for golf data collection comprises an apparatus arranged to be worn about the body of a golfer during a game of golf. The apparatus includes a positioning system for determining various locations of a golfer during the game, a tag reader for reading a club held in close proximity to the apparatus around the time of striking a golf ball, and a processor for correlating the location of the golfer with the time at which a tag is read to enable the path of a golf ball throughout the game of golf to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Active Mind Technologies R&D Limited
    Inventors: Padraic Moran, John McGuire, William Hunt
  • Patent number: 8617006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart golf ball comprised of one or more mantle layers juxtaposed between an inner core and outer cover, where the core, the mantle layer(s), and/or the cover are further comprised of a ferrofluid, a magnetorheological fluid, an inverse magnetorheological fluid, and/or a magnetorheological elastomer, in any of its construction. These nano-engineered materials make possible a golf ball with heretofore-unprecedented levels of adaptive play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jay VanDelden
  • Patent number: 8617007
    Abstract: A training sled including a pair of nonlinear runners of tubular construction arranged in parallel relative to a center axis and a plane. A head crossbar of tubular construction may extend between first ends of the runners and may be joined thereto so as to form a continuous tubular U-shaped member with the runners. A weight bearing member may be affixed to and extend between the pair of nonlinear runners near mid-sections thereof. A rear crossbar of tubular construction may extend between and may be disposed above the plane of the runners proximate second ends thereof and may be joined thereto opposite the head crossbar, so as to present a rearward facing surface against which force may be applied. The training sled may include a removable handlebar in a variety of configurations. A ski accessory may be configured to removably attach to the training sled. The ski accessory may include a pair of nonlinear skis arranged in parallel relative to a center axis and a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Marty Gilman, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil F. Gilman
  • Patent number: 8617008
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to improving player performance for trajectory-based sports are described. In particular, sporting devices are described that can be utilized to improve player performance in basketball. The sporting devices can include a camera-based system configured to capture and analyze the trajectory of a shot taken by a player. The camera-based system can be configured to provide feedback that allows a player to optimize the trajectory mechanics associated with shooting a basketball. In one embodiment, the camera-based system can be used in conjunction with a training aid that is attached to a basketball rim. The training aid can be configured to improve the trajectory mechanics of individuals utilizing the modified basketball rim to practice their shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Pillar Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Marty, Thomas A. Edwards, John Carter
  • Patent number: 8617009
    Abstract: A baseball swing training device includes a rear foot pivot limiting mechanism, wherein the rear foot pivoting mechanism includes a rotating element and a rotation limiting element. The rear foot pivot limiting mechanism may be adapted to limit the rotation of a user's pivot foot to a prescribed degree of rotation and communicate to the user when the prescribed degree of rotation has been completed. The baseball swing device may further include a foldable base including two positions at which the adjustable rear foot pivot limiting mechanism may be implemented, wherein the first position is adapted for use by a right handed hitter and the second position is adapted for use by a left handed hitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael B. Golom
  • Patent number: 8617010
    Abstract: A fletching system and method that allows for quick and easy attachment of a fletching member to an arrow or cross bolt shaft provides a slotted fletch holder adapted to receive a fletching member projecting therethrough and an external end cap member to provide frictional fit engagement with a flanged base portion of the fletching member wherein the flanged base portion is secured between the end cap member and an internal surface of a sidewall of the fletch holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: John F. Marshall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8617011
    Abstract: A sport ball may incorporate a casing that includes a plurality of joined panels. At least one of the panels may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The casing defines at least one indentation in the exterior surface, and the first layer is bonded to the third layer adjacent to the indentation. In some configurations, the casing may also define at least one indentations in a surface of the third layer, which may correspond in location with the indentation in the exterior surface. Additionally, the sport ball may include an intermediate structure and a bladder located within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Ryan Berggren, Tal Cohen, Vincent F. White, Gary W. Glahn
  • Patent number: 8617012
    Abstract: A chain tensioner assembly includes a bracket with a main wall and a ramp surface. A blade assembly is connected to the bracket and includes a blade located adjacent the main wall of the bracket. The blade includes: (i) a first blade end with a pivot aperture; (ii) a second blade end contacting the ramp surface; and, (iii) a central blade portion that extends between the first and second blade ends. The central blade portion includes a chain engaging surface. A first spring-retaining slot is located in the first blade end and includes inner and outer open sides that open respectively through inner and outer faces of the blade. A second spring-retaining slot is located in the second blade end. A spring includes a first end located in the first spring-retaining slot, a second end located in the second spring-retaining slot; and, a central portion that abuts the central blade portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Young, Darren J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8617013
    Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed that may be part of a power system where the tensioner provides tension to an endless power transmitting element such as a belt, chain, or other continuous loop. The tensioner has an arm that is rotatable about a first axis and includes an arm arbor having a slot therethrough, a bushing having a protrusion and being positioned adjacent the arm arbor with the protrusion received in the arm arbor's slot, and a spring coupled to the arm urging the arm to rotate about the first axis into tensioning engagement with a power transmitting element. The spring is positioned where it can radially expand into contact with the protrusion of the bushing as the arm is rotated in a direction opposite the direction of tensioning engagement such that the bushing is urged radially outward relative to the arm arbor to provide frictional damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua J. B. Ferguson, Anthony E. Lannutti
  • Patent number: 8617014
    Abstract: Drive means for the polygonally-compensated drive of a sprocket, comprising two pulling means wheels (1, 2), a pulling means (3) running on them with an top span (31) and a bottom span (32), and a tensioning means acting on the pulling means (3), wherein the tensioning means comprises a first non-circular compensation wheel (4), which can come into contact with the top span (31), a second non-circular compensation wheel (5), which can come into contact with the bottom span (32), a rocker (6) adapted for rotatably receiving the first compensation wheel (4) and the second compensation wheel (5), wherein the rocker (6) is pivotably supported on a fixed bearing. The invention also relates to a chain drive, comprising at least a sprocket (7), a drive means, wherein the sprocket (7) is driven by the drive means, wherein the drive means is a drive means according to at least one of the claims 1 to 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ketten-Wulf Betriebs-GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Grobbel
  • Patent number: 8617015
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include bicycle chain rings for bicycles having specially shaped ramps, tapers and profiled teeth for improved shifting performance. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may be configured for large chain rings on double cranksets and large and middle chain rings on triple cranksets. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may also be retrofitted to existing bicycle cranksets by replacing original chain rings. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may further be configured for any standard crankset mounting bolt configuration and for any suitable number of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wick Werks, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wickliffe
  • Patent number: 8617016
    Abstract: Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin G. Dutil, James Kevin Lindstrom, Zachary Fittro, Jeffrey A. Swane, Donald B. Brown, Robert James Crist
  • Patent number: 8617017
    Abstract: The invention provides a power transmission chain in which abnormal noise can be reduced. In a link, a front through hole 7 and a rear through hole 8 aligned in a chain traveling direction X are provided. A pillar portion 9 is provided between the front through hole 7 and the rear through hole 8. Projecting portions 26, 29 are provided at a central portion in a height direction V of the pillar portion 9, and concave curve portions 27, 28, 30, 31 are provided at both end portions. A pair of flat portions (33,34 and 38,39) are provided on each projection portion 26,29 for restricting an overshoot of the chain. A not-shown pin that is loosely fitted to each of the front through hole 7 and the rear through hole 8 is brought into abutment with corresponding flat portions 27,28,30,31 to restrict an overshoot of the chain 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tada, Shigeo Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 8617018
    Abstract: A transmission for operating an auxiliary assembly in a drivetrain of a hybrid vehicle, includes a first sun gear rotatable about a main axis on a drive input side of the transmission, a first planet gear in engagement with the first sun gear on the drive input side of the transmission, a second planet gear on a drive output side of the transmission and mounted with the first planet gear on a common shaft, and a second sun gear in engagement with the second planet gear on the drive output side of the transmission, for coupling to the auxiliary assembly. The first planet gear is connected to the shaft by a first freewheel, which generates a rotationally conjoint connection when the first planet gear overruns in a first direction of rotation, and generates a freewheeling connection when the first planet gear overruns in a second, opposite direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Wahl, Thorsten Krause, Stefan Jung
  • Patent number: 8617019
    Abstract: An electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may comprise drive motors mounted coaxially with wheels of the aircraft. A clutch assembly may be interposed between the drive motor the wheel. The clutch assembly may transmit torque from the motor to the wheel when the wheel and a rotor of the motor rotate at the same rotational speed. The clutch assembly may self-disengage a rotor of the motor from the wheel when the wheel rotates faster than the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Christensen, Todd Langston, David Lane Charles, Rudy Velasquez
  • Patent number: 8617020
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a transmission input (60) and a transmission output (114) is described. The transmission has a variator (56). This is a device which transmits drive at steplessly variable ratio. It further comprises an epicyclic gear arrangement (58) incorporating a clutch arrangement (152). The epicyclic gear arrangement has three rotary members. One of these is coupled to a planet carrier (86) having at least one planet gear (94). Another of the rotary members is coupled to a main gear (90) meshing with the planet gear. The clutching arrangement serves to couple the remaining rotary member to either of first and second alternative gears (96, 98), both of which mesh with the planet gear and which rotate at different speeds. One of the aforesaid rotary members is coupled to the transmission input at a fixed drive ratio. One of them is coupled to the variator output. The last of the rotary members is coupled to the transmission output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Philip Duncan Winter
  • Patent number: 8617021
    Abstract: A family of transmissions produces at least eight forward and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of various combinations of three clutches or brakes. Each transmission includes two fixed gearing arrangements that establish fixed speed relationships between an input shaft, and output shaft, and four other elements. Specifically, the input shaft is constrained to rotate at a speed between that of the first and second elements while the output shaft is constrained to rotate at a speed between that of the third and fourth elements. Additional gearing, clutches, and brakes establish specified selective speed relationships among these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Daniel Goleski, Steven Gerald Thomas
  • Patent number: 8617022
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first pinion, and a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. The transmission includes a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second pinion, and a common gear. The transmission includes a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, the second pinion, a third pinion, and the common gear. The transmission also includes a fourth planetary gear set including the common gear, a fourth pinion, and a ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set and the third planetary gear set form a Ravigneaux gear set. The fourth planetary gear set is concentrically arranged with the second planetary gear set or the third planetary gear set, and the second and third planetary gear sets are radially inward of the fourth planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Vernon, Brian C. Schneidewind, Sam D. Koch, Venkat R. Deshpande
  • Patent number: 8617023
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear, a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear receiving an inverse rotation speed from the first ring gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear selectively connected to the first planet carrier or the first ring gear, a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear selectively connected to the first planet carrier, the first ring gear, or the second ring gear, a third planet carrier, a third ring gear selectively connected to the first sun gear, three transfer gears engaging three rotation elements of the first planetary gear set with selected rotation elements, and five frictional elements selectively interconnecting the rotation elements or selectively connecting the rotation elements to a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Myonghoon Noh, Hyu Tae Shim, Kangsoo Seo, Jae Chang Kook, Chang Wook Lee, Jongsool Park
  • Patent number: 8617024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a final drive assembly. An axle final drive assembly includes an axle housing, and axially inner and outer axle bearings supported by the axle housing. An axle shaft has a flange and is supported for rotation by the outer axle bearing. A planetary transmission has a planet carrier fixed for rotation with the flange of the axle shaft. The planet carrier has a neck which is supported for rotation by the inner axle bearing. The planetary transmission also has a ring gear and a plurality of planet gears which are positioned axially between the inner and outer axle bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Douglas Rene Johnson, Jeremy J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8617025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planetary gearbox comprising a drive shaft (1) and a driven shaft (2), which are mounted in a gearbox housing, and at least one first (4) and second (5) planetary stage. Furthermore, a single-piece gearbox housing casing (3) is provided, which encloses the first (4) and second (5) planetary stage and is closed at the end face via a housing cover (7). At least one separating wall (6) is arranged in the interior of the gearbox housing, said separating wall dividing the interior into two subchambers. Each subchamber accommodates a planetary stage. The planetary stages (4, 5) are connected to each other by a shaft that is guided through an opening in the separating wall. Ring gears (14, 24) of the planetary stages are fixed at the end face to the separating wall (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marco Ambrosi
  • Patent number: 8617026
    Abstract: A mode shift assembly for a transmission comprises has a first side coupled to a rotational input, a second side coupled to a rotational output, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the first side to move the first side between a first position in which the first and second engagement surfaces are disengaged and a second position. In the first position, rotation between the first and second sides is independent. In the second position, the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged such that rotation is transferred from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Raszkowski
  • Patent number: 8617027
    Abstract: A method for controlling a propulsion system for a vehicle including a transmission coupling an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to a drive wheel of the vehicle, wherein said transmission includes a lash region, the method comprising of adjusting an operating parameter of the engine so that at least one cylinder of the engine is transitioned between a first combustion mode and a second combustion mode, and varying a timing of said transition responsive to whether the transmission is operating within the lash region of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harald Stoffels, Klemens Grieser
  • Patent number: 8617028
    Abstract: A system is provided for managing torque in a vehicle driveline coupled to an internal combustion engine and to a hybrid motor/generator. An engine control circuit provides to a transmission control circuit an engine torque value corresponding to torque applied by the engine to the driveline. A hybrid control circuit provides to the transmission control circuit a motor torque value corresponding to torque applied by the hybrid motor/generator to the driveline. The transmission control circuit controls operation of at least one friction device and controls shifting of the transmission, and also manages torque applied to the drive line by the engine and by the hybrid motor/generator based on the engine torque value and the motor torque value such that the friction device control and shift schedule instructions do not require modification to accommodate inclusion of the hybrid motor/generator in the system or exclusion of the hybrid motor/generator from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kresse, Jeffrey Runde
  • Patent number: 8617029
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for continuously variable transmission includes: a pseudo accelerator opening degree generating section configured to generate a pseudo accelerator opening degree larger than the actual accelerator opening degree when the actual accelerator opening degree is decreased when the judging section judges that the vehicle runs the uphill; the target transmission gear ratio setting section being configured to set the target transmission gear ratio by the pseudo accelerator opening degree when the pseudo accelerator opening degree is inputted, and the shift control section being configured to control the shift toward the target transmission gear ratio set based on the pseudo accelerator opening degree and the vehicle speed when the pseudo accelerator opening degree is generated, and to control the shift toward the target transmission gear ratio set based on the actual accelerator opening degree and the vehicle speed when the pseudo accelerator opening degree is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kabe, Nobuhiko Morifuji, Keisuke Ichikawa, Nobuhide Kato, Yuki Ono, Hiromu Ogino, Yukinobu Sakakibara, Hisao Nakanishi, Takahiro Nakata, Mitsuki Ishizuka