Patents Issued in March 4, 2014
  • Patent number: 8662231
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a body frame, a seat, a seat side cover, and a storage box. The seat is supported on a rear portion of the body frame. The storage box is placed below the seat. The storage box is covered with the seat side cover from an outside of the motorcycle in a vehicle width direction of the motorcycle. The lock mechanism is provided to lock and unlock the storage box. The lock mechanism includes an operation device to be operated by a user to at least unlock the lock mechanism. The operation device is mounted in an outer wall of the storage box. The seat side cover includes a cutout or an opening to enable the user to operate the operation device from the outside of the motorcycle in the vehicle width direction with avoiding the seat side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Hagimoto, Satoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8662232
    Abstract: In an electric two-wheeled motor vehicle including: an electric motor for generating power to drive a rear wheel; a battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor; a rider seat on which a rider seats; a housing box disposed below the rider seat; and a side cover covering the housing box below the rider seat, the electric two-wheeled motor vehicle configured to allow charging of the battery, an opening (118) covered with an openable and closeable lid member (120) is provided in the side cover (48), and a power-receiving-side connector (67) to which a power-supplying-side connector leading to an external power source can be inserted and connected is fixed and disposed between an outer surface of the side cover (48) and the housing box to face the opening (118). Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the requirement for a rider seat to be opened in charging of a battery and thereby facilitate the charging work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Ryo Sato, Takasumi Yamanaka, Hideaki Nakagawa, Tatsuya Minagawa, Tetsuro Hosoda
  • Patent number: 8662233
    Abstract: In an engine unit, a drive unit case includes a crank shaft disposed in a left-right direction of a vehicle, a drive shaft and a second main shaft. A transmission shaft is parallel or substantially parallel to the drive shaft and transmits rotational power, which has been transmitted via a middle gear, to a propeller shaft. A second clutch, which transmits rotational power from the crank shaft to the second main shaft, is freely detachably connected to an end of one side of the second main shaft which protrudes from a drive unit case more than the end of one side of the drive shaft, at a position that overlaps with at least one section of the middle gear on the side of the shaft direction of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Saitoh, Yumiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8662234
    Abstract: A drive and steering apparatus for an industrial truck with a drive wheel, which is rotatably suspended in a drive wheel suspension, which is swivel-mounted around a mainly vertical axis, a steering device, which has a handlebar and a bearing component, which is swivel-mounted coaxially or axially parallel to the drive wheel suspension, and a steering wheel control device, which has at least one sensor, which is permanently arranged with respect to the drive wheel suspension or the bearing component and captures a differential angle between the drive wheel suspension and the bearing component, and a steering drive, with which the drive wheel suspension is pivotable as required by the measured differential angle, characterized by a sensor arm, which is connected in a torque-proof manner with a sensor shaft of the at least one sensor, and a counter piece, which is permanently arranged with respect to the bearing component or respectively of the drive wheel suspension and works together with the sensor arm such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Akteingesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Roeder
  • Patent number: 8662235
    Abstract: A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel McNicholas
  • Patent number: 8662236
    Abstract: Spring-and-damper assembly articulated at a front hood and body of a motor vehicle and has, in a cylinder, a gas pressure damper with a damping piston, a piston rod outwardly loaded by the gaseous medium through an axial opening in the cylinder and assists opening of the front hood. An actuator activated by a sensor device to adjust the front hood into a raised pedestrian protection position. The piston rod or the cylinder or a structural component part is axially adjustable relative to a supporting part supporting the assembly to be limited between stops. The structural component part or supporting part is a ball head supported in a joint socket or a joint head having a joint socket for a ball head connected at least indirectly to the piston rod or to the cylinder. The joint socket is formed so as to be groove-shaped in axial direction so that the ball head is axially adjustable in the joint socket in a limited manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Koestler, Arne Koehler, Nadja Kaiser, Gerhard Stein
  • Patent number: 8662237
    Abstract: An external airbag structure for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion disposed to develop toward a front side of a bumper from a folded state, a vent hole formed at the airbag cushion, and a variable vent cover attached to the airbag cushion to block the vent hole, wherein the variable vent cover includes a material having a heat-resisting property which is melted and torn by a temperature and/or a pressure of an internal expansion gas of the airbag cushion on expansion of the airbag cushion. The vent hole is opened to perform an effective cushion action as the airbag cushion is developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Wook Chung, Yong Sun Kim, Seoung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8662238
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a safety device for protecting pedestrians or bicyclists that collide with the motor vehicle includes an airbag which, in the non-activated basic state, is arranged folded together on an automotive body and, in the activated deployed state, at least partially covers a frame around the windshield. In the activated state, the airbag stretches out a windshield cover in front of the windshield. The cover has a region in which a plurality of energy dissipators are distributed on the side of the cover facing the windshield. During an impact with a person's head, the region is pressed against the windshield. The energy dissipators cause prior damage to the windshield, such that the rigidity of the windshield in this region is reduced. The windshield thus yields upon impact of the head in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Udo Ivenz, Ulrich Koestler, Walter Meierhofer, Nadine Krebs
  • Patent number: 8662239
    Abstract: A series-hybrid vehicle is provided, comprising a vehicle body frame; a pair of right and left front wheels; a pair of right and left rear wheels; a drive motor mounted to the vehicle body frame to drive the front wheels or the rear wheels; a battery mounted to a center portion of the vehicle body frame in a forward and rearward direction to supply electric power to the drive motor; an engine electric generator including an electric generator for generating electric power charged into the battery and an engine for actuating the electric generator; and a driver seat; wherein the driver seat is positioned rightward or leftward relative to a center portion of the vehicle body frame in a vehicle width direction; and the engine is positioned at an opposite side of the driver seat relative to the center portion of the vehicle body frame in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8662240
    Abstract: A steering system includes: an operation mechanism that includes an operation member used to perform a steering operation; and a steered mechanism that is not mechanically coupled to the operation mechanism, and that steers a wheel based on the steering operation of the operation member. The operation mechanism includes a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the operation member, and steering direction detection unit that detects only a steering direction of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masayasu Higashi, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8662241
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes a hydraulic power steering motor (12). A pump (26) is connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic power steering motor (12) by a supply conduit (30). A continuously variable transmission (50) is connected with the engine (52) of the vehicle and with the pump (26). The continuously variable transmission (50) is operable under the influence of force transmitted from the engine (52) to drive the pump at a first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump (26) is at a first level. The continuously variable transmission (50) drives the pump (26) at a second speed different than the first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump is at a second level different than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Bruce C. Noah
  • Patent number: 8662242
    Abstract: A variable transmission ratio mechanism is provided on an intermediate portion of a steering shaft, and is able to change a transmission ratio between a shaft on the steering wheel side and a shaft on the steered wheel side by transmitting the sum of rotation of the first shaft and rotation of a rotary shaft of a motor to the second shaft. The variable transmission ratio mechanism is provided with a lock mechanism that restricts the operation of the variable transmission ratio mechanism. When the fact that a rate of change in torque that acts on the steering shaft exceeds a predetermined rate is detected, a period of time until the torque that acts on the steering shaft reaches a torque determination value is estimated. On the condition that the estimated time is shorter than or equal to a predetermined period of time, the lock mechanism is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonari Yamakawa, Satoshi Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8662243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sweep-type vibratory seismic source where a baseplate is put to the ground and a series of impulses are applied through the baseplate into the ground and where the baseplate may periodically de-couple from the ground during the delivery of the impulses. A de-coupling baseplate tends to undertake a very high frequency flexing while high frequency energy is being delivered to the ground. The high frequency flexing may be picked up by the vibrator control system and interpreted as an unintended signal being delivered into the ground. While there are already issues getting high frequency data in the return wave field, allowing the vibrator electronics to alter the actual signal in a manner intended to squelch the high pitched ringing of the baseplate is apt to reduce the high frequency data in the data record. One solution for reducing the de-coupling and the ringing of the baseplate is a dampening pad positioned between the baseplate and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer, Shan Shan
  • Patent number: 8662244
    Abstract: A cover for a stethoscope having a head and a diaphragm is provided. The cover includes a first region having first and second sides, and a second region configured to be continuous with the first region and including a crimpable material to form-fit around at least the head of the stethoscope so as to cover the head of the stethoscope from contamination. The first side includes adherent material for removably adhering the first region to the diaphragm of the stethoscope and the second side includes an antimicrobial layer including an antimicrobial substance that can neutralize or destroy microbes disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth I. Fishberger, David M. Schwartzberg
  • Patent number: 8662245
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying the frequency response of a wood panel within an acoustical structure such as a studio or concert hall. The modification is imparted by exciting the wood paneling with acoustic energy. Frequency response is the measure of a system's spectrum response at the output to a signal of varying frequency (but constant amplitude) at its input. The acoustic energy includes at least one excitation frequency, which is preferably in the audible spectrum (20 to 20,000 Hz). The use of acoustic energy from the remote source provides non-contact excitation of the wood paneling. In one embodiment, the acoustic energy is at least one sound wave which comprises at least one resonant frequency of the wood paneling, at least one acoustic mode of the wood paneling, at least one discrete broadband frequency, a composite frequency (including multiple broadband frequencies, white noise and pink noise) or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: James L. Hall, Daniel P. Hess
  • Patent number: 8662246
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, includes at least one component, and at least one noise-deadening and/or sound-insulating coating applied on the component. The noise-deadening and/or sound-insulating coating includes or is made entirely of a reactively cured bituminous mixture. The component can be a wall section for delimiting a rinsing chamber of the dishwasher, or can be a base tray of a rinsing container of the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Classen, Heiko Fritz, Bernd Schwenk
  • Patent number: 8662247
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for an audio system that includes a mounting bracket slidably connected to a sub-assembly for attaching first and second loudspeaker enclosures of an audio loudspeaker system. The sub-assembly includes a plurality of vibration isolators disposed between a lower mounting bracket and an upper mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is attached to a first loudspeaker enclosure and the upper mounting bracket is attached to a second enclosure. First and second arms on the mounting bracket are inserted into first and second tracks on the lower mounting bracket to slidably attach the sub-assembly to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Guzauski-Swist Audio Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Swist
  • Patent number: 8662248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound attenuation stud. The stud includes two engagement portions for engaging within a building element. The stud also includes two sound attenuation formations located between the engagement portions. Each sound attenuation formation includes a first portion relative to which second and third portions extend. Preferably, each portion is either parallel or orthogonal with all the other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Peer Intellectual Properties Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Charles Bean
  • Patent number: 8662249
    Abstract: A sound attenuation mechanism made up of multiple substrate layers, including corrugated layers. The use of corrugation provides an inexpensive and manner of forming a plurality of highly effective acoustic attenuation channels throughout the mechanism. The multi-layered mechanism may be provided in a variety of modular forms and sizes which may be combined to form a low-cost, highly effective attenuation housing. For example, such a housing may be utilized to contain otherwise noisy large scale oilfield equipment such as coiled tubing engines. Additionally, where drainage from the housing is sought, a spiraled attenuation channel may be employed such that the effectiveness of the attenuation provided by the housing is not sacrificed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Prashant Unnikrishnan Nair, Nitin Vaidya
  • Patent number: 8662250
    Abstract: A mobile oilfield storage tank includes a front wall and a removable stair system coupled thereto. The stair system includes a platform suitable for use as a walkway and a platform extension operably associated therewith. The platform extension creates a continuous walkway between the platform and a platform of an adjacent mobile oilfield storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wichita Tank Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Theron Jim Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8662251
    Abstract: Fall protection for personnel servicing an elevated work area from a man lift. A bridge is pivotally mounted to a working edge of the man lift. The bridge pivots between a stored position and a substantially horizontal operative position. The bridge has a pivotally mounted edge, a remote edge opposite to the pivotally mounted edge and opposed sides. An expandable enclosure is anchored to the man lift. The enclosure is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. In the collapsed position, the enclosure is collapsed parallel to and provides fall protection along the working edge of the man lift. In the expanded position, the enclosure provides fall protection for the opposed sides of the bridge in the operative position and provides fall protection in the work area by enclosing a portion of the work area beyond the remote edge of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: 1651661 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Randy J. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8662252
    Abstract: A carriage assembly includes a carriage frame, a caster, and a first jack body coupled to the carriage frame and the caster. The first jack body has a longitudinal axis. The first jack body is configured to selectively move the caster with respect to the carriage frame along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Ogden
  • Patent number: 8662253
    Abstract: A lubricating oil feeding structure that permits an adequate amount of lubricating oil to be fed to those parts around the transmission while avoiding an excess supply of lubricating oil to the lubricating oil passage in the shaft of the transmission. The transmission has a space (as a recess to hold the shaft therein) in which is arranged the oil guide part. The oil guide part has the bottomed cylinder, with its one end opened, the flange that flares outward at the open end of the bottomed cylinder, and the oil holes that communicate between the inside and the outside of the bottomed cylinder. The oil guide part is arranged in the space in such a way that the flange comes into contact with the outer race of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Terada, Hiroshi Yokota, Kenichi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8662254
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a lubrication system for a machine comprising: a direct current (DC) motor; a battery system for powering the DC motor; a lubricating system in communication with the DC motor, the lubricating system including a supply of lubricating oil and a pump for delivering the lubricating oil to at least one component of the machine requiring lubrication; a hydraulic motor operably coupled to a shaft of the DC motor; a supply of a pressurized fluid in communication with the hydraulic motor; and a control device for discharging the supply of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic motor to power the hydraulic motor, whereby the hydraulic motor, when powered by the supply of pressurized fluid, is operable to turn the shaft of the DC motor, thereby reducing an operating current supplied to the DC motor by the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Kevin Jon O'Dell
  • Patent number: 8662255
    Abstract: An exemplary method for handling passenger requests during elevator system modernization includes modernizing elevator cars over time. The modernized elevator cars are capable of servicing destination requests placed outside of an elevator car and include an indication of a desired destination. The exemplary method includes assigning an elevator car to respond to a new pending destination request according to a selected criterion for selecting between a modernized elevator car and an elevator car that has not yet been modernized. The method includes automatically updating the selected criterion responsive to a change in a number of modernized elevator cars. A percentage of the elevator cars that are not yet modernized are reserved and new pending requests are assigned to a modernized elevator car if a percentage of modernized cars plus the reserved percentage is greater than a current percentage of pending requests assigned to modernized elevator cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Flynn, Allen Patenaude, Jannah A. Stanley, Daniel S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8662256
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a response time calculation unit calculates a response time of each of the cars required when the car stop call is assigned to the car. An assignment control unit assigns the car stop call to the optimum car, based on the response time of each of the cars. A car load calculation unit calculates a load value of each car at the time when each car starts from a registration floor of the car stop call after responding to the call. A boarding possibility determination unit determines, for each car, whether the user can get on the car or not, by comparing the load value with a preset capacity value. A registration control unit performs control to assign the car stop call, including a second and later responses to the registration floor of the car stop call, based on a determination result of the boarding possibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norimasa Asano
  • Patent number: 8662257
    Abstract: An elevator cab accessory device having a control panel having a first timer and a first contactor, whereby the first timer operates the first contactor, an elevator door position sensor communicating with the first timer, and an occupant sensor communicating with the first timer, wherein the first timer operation is controlled by the elevator door position sensor and the occupant sensor, and a first elevator cab accessory communicating with the first contactor, whereby the first elevator cab accessory operation is controlled by the first contactor. A method for controlling elevator accessories and a method for installing an elevator cab accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Calvin Michael Chasteen
  • Patent number: 8662258
    Abstract: A bicycle is provided with a frame, a drive member and a bicycle brake. The drive member is movably mounted to the frame for driving the bicycle. The bicycle brake is mounted to the frame. The bicycle brake includes a quick release mechanism that has an operating part and a contact part. The operating part is operatively arranged to be toggled between a closed position and a released position that is separated from the closed position. The contact part is provided on the operating part and configured such that the operating part contacts the drive member while the operating part is positioned at the released position. The contact part is configured such that after the contact part contacts the drive member due to operation of the drive member, the operating part is then moved from the released position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 8662259
    Abstract: A braking device including a housing mounted in relative rotation relative to a shaft, braking discs, a braking piston adapted to stress the braking discs, a spring washer mounted on the brake housing on a support zone located on one of the peripheries of its first face, and having on its second face a braking support zone, which cooperate with the braking piston so as to stress the braking discs according to a braking direction. An unbraking piston is adapted to stress the washer according to a direction opposite said braking direction. The spring washer has an unbraking support zone with the unbraking piston on the other of the peripheries of the second face of the spring washer. The braking support zone is located at an intermediate position of the at least one spring washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Stéphane Vidal, Nicolas Chaudot
  • Patent number: 8662260
    Abstract: A caliper brake including a housing and a rotating actuator received in a bore in the housing, the rotating actuator having a head positioned within the housing and an outer tapered surface located outside the housing. A lever includes a bore with an inner tapered surface that mates with the outer tapered surface of the rotating actuator. A threaded nut is received over a threaded end portion of the rotating actuate and applies pressure to the lever to rotationally secure it to the rotating actuator. An inner stator is positioned adjacent to the head of the rotating actuator and an outer stator is spaced from the inner stator, the stators being axially movable. A plurality of ramped depressions are provided in both the head and in a backing plate of the inner stator, and a ball is positioned between each of the ramped depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ausco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard H. Baldeosingh, LynRoy Palmer-Coleman
  • Patent number: 8662261
    Abstract: A brake pad holder of a disc brake, in particular for a commercial vehicle is provided, wherein brake pads assigned to both sides of a brake disc are held by a respective pad-holding spring in a spring-loaded manner in a pad shaft of a positionally fixed brake anchor plate or of a brake caliper. A pad-holding clip, which extends in the axial direction of the brake disc and is fastened to the brake caliper, is supported on the brake pads. The brake pad holder is designed such that the pad-holding clip has at least one limb which extends approximately radially with respect to the brake disc and enters into a recess of at least one brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Raffin, Markus Gruber, Wlodzimierz Macke, Thomas Lehner
  • Patent number: 8662262
    Abstract: A brake activation system and method are described. In one example, an arm drive system of a brake activation system is activated to apply pressure to an actuation arm. The actuation arm is attached to a brake pedal of a towed vehicle and has a movable connection to a grip of the brake activation system. The applied pressure drives the grip away from the brake pedal. The grip grips a surface of the towed vehicle. The arm drive system is also activated to apply pressure to the actuation arm to drive the actuation arm toward the brake pedal, moving the connection to the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Danko Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: Daniel L. Decker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8662263
    Abstract: A setting device, particularly a motor vehicle parking brake, has a telescopic device (2; 3), which can be axially displaced by a setting unit (10) in a housing (1) or the like and which contains a hollow shaft (2) and a spindle shaft (3). This spindle shaft is axially connected to the hollow shaft in a manner that enables it to rotate and advance and actuates a brake cable (4). The setting device also has an axial advancing support between the hollow shaft (2) and the housing (1) via at least one elastic element (5) serving as a force sensor when the brake is pulled or in the event of a blocked brake release. According to one embodiment, a second elastic element (6) is provided for recognizing blocking of the brake cable (4) during an attempt to release the brake and, accordingly, after the release in tension of the first elastic element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Deutloff, Ekkehard Kraft, Stephan Roos, Armin Sauer
  • Patent number: 8662264
    Abstract: A catch device, for example in a safety device of an elevator mechanism, includes at least one first force store element and one second force store element having different force storage rates, and a displacement limit for the first force store element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Benoit Legeret
  • Patent number: 8662265
    Abstract: An energy absorber for aircraft, which includes one or more energy absorber elements and a housing, whereby the energy absorber elements can absorb crash impulses by plastic deformation within the housing. Thus, the load on the primary structure and the respective inboard devices is limited, which can lead to an increased, passive safety of the passengers and a weight reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Humfeldt, Michael Harriehausen, Jan Schröder, Martin Sperber, Michael Demary
  • Patent number: 8662266
    Abstract: An electromotive active vibration absorber apparatus mounted to a vehicle to attenuate vibration of the vehicle may include elastic members mounted to an housing, an inner yoke having an upper yoke part and a lower yoke part which are fastened to the elastic members respectively, wherein an inner magnetic substance is disposed between the upper and lower yoke parts, and an outer yoke enclosing the inner yoke and having top and bottom portions dented to form inner and outer support members and a connector spoke and receive coil units therein, wherein the coil units include an upper coil unit and a lower coil unit, the upper coil unit being mounted above the connector spoke and the lower coil unit being mounted under the connector spoke respectively, between the inner and outer support members of the outer yoke, and wherein the coil units are controlled to vibrate the inner yoke when power is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8662267
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to articles of luggage that are integrated with child seats so that children may sit on the luggage articles during transport. In one exemplary embodiment, an article of luggage, such as a suitcase, has a retractable seat and a plurality of wheels. The retractable seat resides within a cavity in the luggage article when positioned in a retracted position. A user can pull the retractable seat from the cavity to position a seat back in an extended position. While in the extended position, a child can sit on the article of luggage and lean back against a back of the seat. The back of the seat or other component of the article of luggage can be pulled or pushed such that at least one wheel of the article of luggage rolls on a surface in order to move the article from one location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Cristyn Danielle Hart, John Kraljic
  • Patent number: 8662268
    Abstract: An article of luggage comprises a suitcase with a substantially cuboid fabric structure supported by a frame. A set of wheels and an upward and rearward projecting handle are mounted on the frame. The suitcase is stable in an upright position. A user may incline the handle of the suitcase rearward from the upright position to wheel the suitcase. Thus, the suitcase need not be orientated far from the vertical when being wheeled by a user. The handle may be fixed but is preferably telescopic. The frame has a plurality of elongate members connected to form a frame base and a frame top spaced apart by diagonal length members connected between the front of the base and the rear of the top. The handle is mounted to the diagonal length members and the wheels are mounted to the frame base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: UP Global Sourcing UK Limited
    Inventor: Alex Keir
  • Patent number: 8662269
    Abstract: A carrying case for a portable electronic device includes an inner compartment having a front panel and a side panel extending peripherally around the front panel to define a hollow interior. A pivotal flap extending across width of the front panel is formed as an upper part of the front panel connected thereto through a living hinge. A plurality of spaced resilient dimples extends into the interior of the inner compartment from at least the front panel. The living hinge comprises an internal crease in a front panel material. The internal crease extends inwardly in to the material toward an exterior of the inner compartment from the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Avenues in Leather, Inc.
    Inventors: Otniel Shor, Todd Kramer
  • Patent number: 8662270
    Abstract: An actuator for operating a multi-mode overrunning multi-directional clutch includes an axially displaceable shaft portion, an engagement member connected to the shaft portion and having a resilient segment for displacing a piston to engage the clutch. A locking portion is connected to the shaft portion for displacing an actuator pin to lock the clutch. In an example embodiment, the clutch is a three-mode overrunning bi-directional clutch. In some example embodiments, the resilient segment is radially flexible. In some example embodiments, the engagement member includes a tubular section with a plurality of circumferentially-offset axial slots, and the resilient segment is circumferentially disposed between corresponding axial slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 8662271
    Abstract: A differentially controllable two-way clutch including an outer wheel with a cam portion on an inner circumference, an inner wheel arranged apart from the outer wheel and toward an inner diameter of the two-way clutch as well as rotatably and concentrically with respect to the outer wheel, a torque transmission member located between the outer wheel and the inner wheel to transmit torque, a cage configured to hold the torque transmission member and to be slidable in a circumferential direction and which is differentially controlled, and a spring supported by the cage and configured to be capable of biasing the torque transmission member so that the torque transmission member engages with a cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Iwano, Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8662272
    Abstract: A pressure medium supply device of a hydraulically actuated shifting element (K1, K2) comprises at least one pressure medium supply duct (1, 2) in communication with a pump (4) and a line (3) for pre-filling of the shifting element. An additional pressure-retaining valve (9, 9?) or a check diaphragm is integrated in the pressure medium supply duct (1, 2), between the shifting element and the shifting element valve (6, 7), and can be closed in the draining direction of the pressure medium supply duct (1, 2). The pressure-retaining valve (9, 9?) is designed such that the shifting element can be drained and the pressure medium supply device can be vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Martin, Anton Fritzer
  • Patent number: 8662273
    Abstract: A dual clutch for coupling an engine-side input shaft with a first transmission-side and/or a second transmission-side output shaft. A first clutch has a first pressure plate, which is axially mobile relative to a first counter plate, for coupling with a first clutch disk connected to the first output shaft. A second clutch has a second pressure plate, which is axially mobile relative to a second counter plate, for coupling with a clutch disk connected to the second output shaft. A clutch cover is connected to the first and second counter plates. An actuator displaces the first and/or the second pressure plate. The actuator is radially supported on the input side on the input shaft by the clutch cover and a torsional vibration damper, which is connected to the clutch cover and is radially mounted on the output side on one of the output shafts and/or on a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Krebs, Oliver Noehl, Rene Daikeler, Bernhard Wolf, Luben Krahtov, Daniel Bosnjak, Ivo Agner
  • Patent number: 8662274
    Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided having an improved actuator for compressing friction discs coupled to an input ring and an output hub disposed about a rotational axis. The actuator includes a pole structure and a field shell housing a conductor, each with aligned, axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles. An armature is coupled for rotation with the input ring, but axially movable relative thereto and axially aligned with an end wall of the pole structure extending between the inner and outer actuator poles. First and second axially spaced actuator discs are disposed radially between the pole structure and the output hub with the first actuator disc rotatably coupled to the pole structure. The discs define cam surfaces along which a plurality of balls move to expand and contract the actuator discs upon relative rotation of the actuator discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Silvestrini, Richard Wayne Mayberry
  • Patent number: 8662275
    Abstract: A synchronizing ring for a synchronizing device of a motor vehicle gearing with a ring body. The ring body has a plurality of recesses, and frictional elements are arranged in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Karais, Josef Schwuger, Marcus Spoerl
  • Patent number: 8662276
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, includes a drive axle having a transmission gear, such as a differential, around which an amount of oil for lubrication is variable. The brake apparatus further includes at least one friction brake and at least one retarder that is capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and a determining feature to determine an oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the retarder when the oil level around the transmission gear is above a threshold level, and, if the oil level is below the threshold level, the brake operating device is arranged to initiate an increase in the oil level around the transmission gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Meritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Leiter, Roberto Gianone, Marco Fratelli, Marco Bassi, Chiara Cesari, Fabio Santinato, Clemente Magnago, Jon Honig, Karthik Kayyar, Juchirl Park, Cesare Bonfa
  • Patent number: 8662277
    Abstract: A brake mechanism includes a fixed housing in which the brake mechanism substantially resides. A plate closes the fixed housing and includes a cylindrical portion extending partially within the fixed housing. A parking piston and a service piston are employed to act against a brake stack which includes a plurality of stators and rotors interleaved together. A wear adjuster is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the plate and engages the service piston during actuation of the service piston and compensates for wear of friction material from the rotors or stators such that the distance between the service piston and the brake stack is substantially the same during the life of the brake mechanism. If neither the service piston nor the parking piston engage the brake stack prohibiting rotation of the input drive, the planetary gear set drives the rotating output drive with respect to the fixed housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Warren Schoon
  • Patent number: 8662278
    Abstract: A sensor for checking value documents, which has an illumination device for illuminating a value document, an imaging optic and a detection device. The illumination device of the sensor contains a multiplicity of light sources arranged side by side, which have emission spectra that differ from each other, and a microlens array with a multiplicity of microlenses. The microlens array and the light-source receiver are arranged so that when each of the light sources is arranged on the light-source receiver there is associated therewith exactly one of the microlenses. The measuring plane of the sensor is so close to a focal point of the imaging optic that the light of the different light sources emitted by the illumination device is largely imaged onto the same illuminated region of the measuring plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Frankenberger, Wolfgang Deckenbach
  • Patent number: 8662279
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a single space meter that includes an existing meter mechanism located within an outer meter housing is provided. The method includes providing a new meter mechanism that includes wireless communications hardware configured to wirelessly communicate with a parking management system and a credit card mag-strip reader. The method includes removing a preexisting meter from an outer meter housing and inserting the upgraded mechanism into a preexisting internal space of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Duncan Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Jones, Balu Subramanya, Mike Nickolaus
  • Patent number: 8662280
    Abstract: A handrail (2) for an escalator or a moving sidewalk is designed such that the same consists only of a handle rail (3a) and a fitted tractive means (9a, 9b) and has guiding surfaces (11h-11n) which are complementary to guiding surfaces (5f-5m) on a top side (7) of a balustrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael Matheisl, Thomas Illedits, Thomas Novacek, Martin Fritz