Pivoted Patents (Class 116/303)
  • Patent number: 11939962
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pitch assemblies and methods for determining one or more pitch references for a pitch control system of a wind turbine. The assembly comprises a wind turbine hub; a pitch bearing including a hub bearing ring configured to be attached to a hub flange and a blade bearing ring configured to be attached to a wind turbine blade; a target configured to be attached to one of the blade bearing ring and the hub; and a sensor configured to be connected to the other of the wind turbine hub and the blade bearing ring, and configured to sense the target such that a position of the target with respect to the sensor can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Joel Maignan, Javier Bescos Grillo, Alio Medina Diaz
  • Patent number: 11361662
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to a parking indicator comprising a vehicle contact body, a pivoting contact body support, an elongated visibility indicator, an indicator actuating mechanism, and an indicator retracting mechanism. The pivoting contact body support is attached to the vehicle contact body and is configured to permit the vehicle contact body to pivot to a horizontally-oriented position when the vehicle contact body is grounded via the pivoting contact body support and is contacted by a vehicle entering a parking space occupied by the parking indicator. The elongated visibility indicator is mechanically coupled to the vehicle contact body via the indicator actuating mechanism such that the indicator actuating mechanism upholds the elongated visibility indicator in an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmad D. Hammad, Faisal S. Aljar, Issam T. Amr, Bandar Fadhel
  • Patent number: 10986700
    Abstract: A sensor assembly configured for use in a motor vehicle is presented. The sensor assembly includes a sensor device such as a camera, LIDAR, RADAR, or ultrasonic transceiver, and a housing that is at least partially formed of an electrically conductive polymeric material. The housing has a pair of electrically conductive terminals connected to the electrically conductive polymeric material. The pair of electrically conductive terminals are configured to be interconnected with an electrical power supply. When the terminals are connected to the power supply, the housing heats to remove snow, ice, frost and/or condensation from the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is suitable for use with a back-up camera, blind spot warning system, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control system and/or autonomous driving control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary J. Richmond, Evangelia Rubino
  • Patent number: 10952282
    Abstract: A cold vehicle sensor condition can be determined, and the sensor associated with one or more heat source subsystems that provide a heat byproduct during normal operation of the subsystem. At least some of the heat byproduct can be diverted to heat the sensor. The heat source subsystem selected can be based on a proximity to the associated sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10408659
    Abstract: A material storage bin has an upright wall supporting a plurality of vertically spaced indicators providing a person with visual information regarding the level of the material in the bin. The indicators have contrasting visual colors as bright yellow and dark black surfaces that are selectively displayed to provide a person with information of the level of material in the bin. An actuator located in the bin cooperates with a motion transmission apparatus to move visual members to an ON position displaying the bright color when the material engages the actuator and to an OFF position when the actuator is free of material in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: LTJ ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10358322
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for weighing the hook load of a crane, wherein different measurement accuracies can be set at the apparatus, comprising at least one measurement device, at least one retaining pin, and at least one coupling section. The invention is additionally directed to a hook block and to a crane having a corresponding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Windbacher, Julian Wehrstedt
  • Patent number: 10269256
    Abstract: A landing aid is removably attachable to an aircraft to provide precise measurements of distance and descent rate to ground which are conveyed to the pilot in real time via sound such that the pilot does not have to look away from the flight path ahead during the landing process. The landing aid may generate energy waves that pass from an interior portion of the aircraft to an area exterior of the aircraft through a window of the aircraft. A reflector may be positioned on an exterior portion of the aircraft to direct the energy waves toward the ground. The energy waves reflected back towards the aircraft by the ground permit a distance from the aircraft to the ground and a descent rate to be determined and concurrently output to a pilot via audible signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: John S. Youngquist
  • Patent number: 10219637
    Abstract: A feeder device configured for mounting on a shelf for feeding successive products (p) to a front of the shelf. The device comprises an elongated guide member (10) which is configured for extending longitudinally backwards from the front of the shelf when the device is mounted. A sled (30) is slidably arranged at the guide member (10) such that the sled can slide along the length of the elongated guide member, and configured for engaging a backmost product of the successive products (P) for pushing the products towards the front of the shelf. The feeder device also comprises means (35) for urging the sled (30) along the guide member (10) towards a front end of said guide member. Indication means are arranged to indicate that the sled (30) has reached a certain position along the guide member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HL DISPLAY AB
    Inventors: Isak Åberg, Mårten Sjöberg
  • Patent number: 10224161
    Abstract: A rotary switch operating apparatus has a drive shaft and a first and a second drive element, the first drive element having a rotationally fixed coupling to the drive shaft, and the second drive element being rotatably mounted on the first drive element. The apparatus includes a spring coupling the first and the second drive element together with a spring action, a lock limiting rotational movements of the second drive element in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, opposite the first, and a releaser for canceling rotational movement limitation of the second drive element in pre-specified rotation positions of the first drive element. Latches bearing against the drive elements' guide sections are provided, the first drive element guide section having release sections as releasers and the second drive element guide section having two latch stops as locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Louis A. G. M. Hemmer, Hans-Juergen Sduntzig
  • Patent number: 10060547
    Abstract: A remote actuator device for a valve control knob on a tank (e.g., storage tank) and related method of use are disclosed. The remote actuator devices disclosed may be used to turn the valve control knob on a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Telmore Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Herbert Teel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10005389
    Abstract: A plurality of indicator field elements and a mechanical device are included in an indicating apparatus disposed in an interior of a motor vehicle. Each indicator field element is bounded by an edge, wherein the mechanical device is configured to position the indicator field elements in at least two positions relative to one another and to arrange at least two indicator field elements directly next to one another in at least one position. The edges of the at least two indicator field elements arranged directly next to one another contact at a common boundary in the at least one position and form a common indicator field which comprises the at least two indicator field elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Markus Klug
  • Patent number: 9953772
    Abstract: A visual status indicator for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The status indicator can be mounted within a lower cover of the electrical apparatus such that various display faces of the indicator are visible through one or more viewing windows of the lower cover. The status indicator can comprise a mounting base with protrusions and at least one wing, wherein the wing comprises at least one display face. At least one swing arm can be attached to the mounting base via the protrusions and the at least one swing arm can comprise at least one display face. The swing arm can be actuated such that either the display face on the wing or the display face on the swing arm is visible through the viewing window to indicate the status of the electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Andrew Korves, William Robert Luoma
  • Patent number: 9878775
    Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed that are configured to passively rotate a propeller blade from a first pitch angle to a second pitch angle. An example apparatus involves: (a) a rotor hub, (b) at least one dual-pitch support coupled to the rotor hub, wherein the dual-pitch support has a first surface, a second surface and a cavity defined there between, and (c) at least one propeller blade rotatably coupled to the rotor hub such that a blade root is disposed within the dual-pitch support's cavity, where the blade root's front face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's first surface in a first position and the blade root's back face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's second surface in a second position, and the propeller blade is oriented at a first pitch angle in the first position and is oriented at a second pitch angle in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Geoff Dolan
  • Patent number: 9821423
    Abstract: A clamping unit, in particular for use in a machining center, or a turning or milling center, wherein the clamping unit comprises an external housing (12), preferably having a cylindrical basic design, an internal housing (15) accommodated in the external housing (12), and an internal cylinder (11) that is retained in the internal housing (15) such that it can be displaced in a vertical adjustment direction A when in the operating state, which is designed for transferring a pressure or tensile force for clamping purposes, wherein the internal housing (15) is supported in the external housing (12) by means of springs (13, 14), and is supported with respect to the external housing (12) such that it can be displaced in the adjustment direction A, and thus forms a spring force storage unit (21), and wherein an electric motor (16) is disposed inside the clamping unit, integrated therein, preferably encompassed by the external housing (12), furthermore, preferably accommodated inside the internal housing (15), in o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SMW-AUTOBLOK SPANNSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Deininger, Eckhard Maurer
  • Patent number: 9448123
    Abstract: Provided is a temperature sensor that includes a pair of lead frames, a sensor portion connected to the pair of lead frames, and an insulating holding portion which is fixed to the pair of lead frames and holds the lead frames. The sensor portion includes an insulating film having a strip shape, a thin film thermistor portion pattern-formed at the center portion of the surface of the insulating film, a pair of comb electrodes which have a plurality of comb portions and are pattern-formed on at least one of the top or the bottom of the thin film thermistor portion with facing each other and a pair of pattern electrodes, of which one end is connected to the pair of comb electrodes and the other end is connected to the pair of lead frames at both ends of the insulating film, pattern-formed on the surface of the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Nagatomo, Hitoshi Inaba, Kazuta Takeshima, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9404774
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for displaying vehicle information includes a pointer and a magnetic device. The pointer is operable to move about an axis to point at indicia defined by the assembly. The pointer is also operable to vary a length of the pointer in response to a magnetic field proximate to the pointer. The magnetic is device configured to cooperate with the pointer to vary the length of the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Blackmer, Steven A. Liburdi
  • Patent number: 9278823
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet container that contains a sheet therein, an outer end part connectable to the sheet container, a sheet feeding member, a swing shaft, a sheet loading member supported by the swing shaft to swing according to an amount of sheets loaded on the loading surface, a rotary shaft, and a sheet amount indicator being rotatably supported by the rotary shaft and having a contact end contacting the sheet loading member swinging according to a remaining amount of sheets and a sheet amount display end moving in a given display range visible from the outside of the sheet feeding device. The sheet loading member has a sloped surface sloped to a loading surface of the loading member and disposed at a portion where the contact end of the sheet amount indicator contacts the loading surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Fujii, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Hirofumi Horita
  • Patent number: 9248477
    Abstract: A pipeline pig signal includes sealing means located within a lower end of the trigger cavity of the signal which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity. The sealing means moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Klemm, Matt Logan, Michael Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8988974
    Abstract: A display apparatus characterized by having a scale mark display section which is provided in a predetermined display area; a pointer which moves on the scale mark display section and indicates a scale mark in the scale mark display section; a stepping motor which drives the pointer; a stopper section which is positioned in an end section of the scale mark display section and which restricts movement range of the pointer; and a movable supporting section which movably supports the stopper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takenawa
  • Publication number: 20140373773
    Abstract: A pointer assembly includes a guide, a helical drive member supported in the guide, a motor for axially rotating the helical drive member, a follower carried by the helical drive member, and a pointer coupled to the follower and movable relative to the guide for indicating a measured value, wherein axial rotation of the helical drive member in a clockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a first direction relative to the guide and axial rotation of the helical drive member in a counterclockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a second direction relative to the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mark James Baker
  • Patent number: 8734201
    Abstract: A toy vehicle racetrack is provided with one or more obstacle pairs. The obstacle pairs may be arranged in a geometrical progression and each obstacle pair may determine the relative positions of two toy vehicles and impede the travel of the trailing vehicle. Impeding the travel of the trailing vehicle may be accomplished by ejecting the trailing toy vehicle from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
  • Publication number: 20140069319
    Abstract: An elongated rod having a means of signal attached to one end thereof. The opposite end is circular shaped to create a tension spring with its end tip hooked to rest against the bottom of mailbox door, that being the mailbox has a vertically swinging hinged door. The elongated rod is equipped with an attachment housing centered to pivot and swing as it is affixed to the side bottom of the mailbox by one screw only, to work as a cam. The hook is set or placed to the outside bottom of the door so it will disengage when the door is opened allowing the spring end to drop vertically to bring the signal end to an upstanding second position. After the door is re-closed the rod is manually re-engaged to first position by placing hook end against the mailbox door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry Dale Lentzner, Sharon Lee Lentzner
  • Patent number: 8550026
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pointer instrument comprising a graduated disk, a contour element which is arranged in the edge region of the disk and has a visible surface, and a pointer. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pointer instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventor: Martin Mayer
  • Publication number: 20130255564
    Abstract: An indicator gauge has a housing with a front face and a sensor mounted in the housing. The front dial face has a first sensor indicator thereon for displaying an amount detected by the sensor. The housing has a side wall with a second sensor indicator shown thereon for displaying the amount detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald Morse Swanson
  • Patent number: 8534219
    Abstract: A device indicates a ready and/or upset condition of a ground supported goal such as a soccer goal that has at least one bar that lies in contact with the ground. An indicator arm is movable relative to the contact arm between a ready position and an upset position. A contact arm cooperates with. A biasing element biases the indicator arm to the upset position. When the bar of the goal is no longer in contact with the ground the indicator arm moves from the ready position to the upset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Goal Alert LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Dempsey
  • Publication number: 20130133566
    Abstract: The suggested technical solution relates to a field of measurement technology and may be used for producing the means for visual representation of information about readings of pointer indicators. The suggested method for visual representation of information about readings of pointer indicators lies in putting a hand into motion over an outer face of a display panel; performing additional rotation of the hand around a longitudinal axis of the hand; and visually reading a value of a reading of the hand based on a location of an end of the hand over the outer face of a scale of the display panel. The technical effect achieved by the suggested technical solution lies in providing a sufficiently high degree of visual representation of information about readings of pointer indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Alexander Vladimirovich Asmandijarov
  • Publication number: 20130118398
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an indicator device that can be used on an instrument panel comprising two electric motors, two concentric shafts, a visual information member moved in translation by one of the shafts in a transverse direction relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft, and a guide member that is rotatably linked to the other shaft, rotates the visual information member with itself, and guides the visual information member in translation in the transverse direction. According to the disclosure, the two shafts are concentric, the visual information member is self-supporting, and the visual information member is longer than the guide member in the transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: MOVING MAGNET TECHNOLOGIES (MMT)
    Inventor: Daniel Prudham
  • Patent number: 8365681
    Abstract: An indicating instrument is provided in which a pointer is secured to pointer drive means by attraction force of magnets and the magnetic influence of the magnets can be reduced to improve the indication accuracy of the pointer. The indicating instrument has a display plate 21, a pointer 22 provided on the front-face side of the display plate 21, and pointer drive means provided on the back-face side of the display plate 21 for rotating the pointer 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8297217
    Abstract: A control box includes a shell, a display hole, an active member, an indicating member and an interlinking member. The display hole is formed in the shell. The active member has a turn-on end and a turn-off end and is pivotally connected with the shell so as to seesaw. The indicating member is movably disposed in the shell and has a first identifiable portion and a second identifiable portion. The interlinking member is connected between the active member and the indicating member to drive the indicating member to move. Accordingly, when the active member seesaws under the effect of an external force, the indicating member is driven by the interlinking member to show the first identifiable portion or the second identifiable portion in the display hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hui Hsu, Cheng-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 8234995
    Abstract: A goal to ground indicator device indicates a ready and/or upset condition of a ground supported goal such as a soccer goal that has at least one bar that lies in contact with the ground. An indicator arm is movable relative to the contact arm between a ready position and an upset position. A contact arm cooperates with the indicator arm. A biasing element biases the indicator arm to the upset position. When the bar of the goal is no longer in contact with the ground the indicator arm moves from the ready position to the upset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Goal Alert LLC
    Inventor: Gregory S. Dempsey
  • Patent number: 8156887
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a flap malfunction indicator assembly for notifying an observer making a walk-around inspection of an aircraft of a malfunction of one or more connection points coupling a flap assembly to an aircraft wing includes a support mounted to the flap assembly having a perimeter defining an area, an indicator arm pivoted to the support and movable between a first stowed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially entirely within the area and a second deployed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially outside the area, a frangible pin or fastener securing the indicator arm to the support in the first stowed position, a trigger element mounted for rotation about a first pivot, an elongated pull linkage coupling the trigger element with a flap assembly, the pull linkage being supported for movement relative to the first pivot to cause rotation of the trigger element when malfunction of a flap assembly occurs, and a spring assembly at th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kee How Tan, Seiya Sakurai, Gary D. Oakes, Philip Belanger, Jack S. Noble
  • Patent number: 8151726
    Abstract: The traphouse safety flag is an electromechanical safety device mounted at the roofline of a traphouse intended to replace the traditional safety cone or cloth flag that is commonly used to indicate to the shooters that the traphouse is occupied and shooting cannot commence. A “no flag” detent position energizes the normal trap shooting control mechanism while indicating to the shooters that the traphouse and personnel are secure. The safety flag obscures the entrance to the traphouse in a shooting position and if the flag is moved out of the no flag detent position for any reason, the trap shooting control mechanism is deactivated and will not accept a launch command from the shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Jere L. Cossaboom
  • Publication number: 20110140925
    Abstract: There is provided an automated warning system which includes a receiver/controller, an actuator, one or more relays electrically connected to both the receiver and the linear actuator, a flag holder and a mechanical linkage connecting the linear actuator to the flag holder such that movement of the linear actuator causes the flag holder to move between raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Walter Dea McDonald
  • Publication number: 20110123375
    Abstract: The inventive rotational direction indicator for an electric motor having a cooling fan has a baffle element which can be moved between two positions and which can be arranged on an electric motor with a cooling fan in such a way that the baffle element is positioned in an airstream of the cooling fan whose direction depends on the rotational direction of the electric motor, and said baffle element is respectively moved into one of its two positions by said electric motor as a function of the direction of the airstream. The rotational direction indicator has a display unit which is designed to visually indicate the position of the baffle element and can be arranged on an outer side of the electric motor. In addition, the rotational direction indicator has a display actuating unit which connects the display unit and baffle element to one another, and transmits the position of the baffle element to the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Lars Ostergaard, Carsten Norgard
  • Publication number: 20110041755
    Abstract: A control box includes a shell, a display hole, an active member, an indicating member and an interlinking member. The display hole is formed in the shell. The active member has a turn-on end and a turn-off end and is pivotally connected with the shell so as to seesaw. The indicating member is movably disposed in the shell and has a first identifiable portion and a second identifiable portion. The interlinking member is connected between the active member and the indicating member to drive the indicating member to move. Accordingly, when the active member seesaws under the effect of an external force, the indicating member is driven by the interlinking member to show the first identifiable portion or the second identifiable portion in the display hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jung-Hui Hsu, Cheng-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 7861665
    Abstract: An improved signal with adjustable mounting to allow the signal to be oriented to face any direction, without rotating the pressure-containing plug, and with integral seal to protect the outer threads of the mounting nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.
    Inventor: William Jack Rankin
  • Publication number: 20100288183
    Abstract: An indicating instrument is provided in which a pointer is secured to pointer drive means by attraction force of magnets and the magnetic influence of the magnets can be reduced to improve the indication accuracy of the pointer. The indicating instrument has a display plate 21, a pointer 22 provided on the front-face side of the display plate 21, and pointer drive means provided on the back-face side of the display plate 21 for rotating the pointer 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Hideki Masuda
  • Patent number: 7752994
    Abstract: To provide an indicating instrument capable of reducing the number of parts and improving the positioning precision. An indicating instrument 1 comprises: an indicator 3; said dial 4 disposed around said indicator 31 an indicating needle 6 for moving around said indicator 3; and a drive source 7 for driving said indicating needle 6. Said indicating needle 6 moves over said dial 4 while bypassing at least the back of said indicator 3, and said indicator 3 and said dial 4 are held by a holding member 2 constituted of a first holding portion 27 for holding said indicator 3 and a second holding portion 28 for holding said dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Ikarashi
  • Publication number: 20100101483
    Abstract: The traphouse safety flag is an electromechanical safety device mounted at the roofline of a traphouse intended to replace the traditional safety cone or cloth flag that is commonly used to indicate to the shooters that the traphouse is occupied and shooting cannot commence. A “no flag” detent position energizes the normal trap shooting control mechanism while indicating to the shooters that the traphouse and personnel are secure. The safety flag obscures the entrance to the traphouse in a shooting position and if the flag is moved out of the no flag detent position for any reason, the trap shooting control mechanism is deactivated and will not accept a launch command from the shooter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Jere L. Cossaboom
  • Publication number: 20100050927
    Abstract: A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michel F. Sultan, David K. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7665857
    Abstract: An illumination device for an indicating needle includes a plurality of light sources, an indicating needle, a guiding member, and a luminance control unit. The indicating needle includes a needle body and a needle base. The base has an entrance surface and a reflection surface. A luminance control unit controls luminance of the light sources in response to turning of the indicating needle such that the luminance is lowest when a light emitted perpendicularly from a center of an emitting surface of the light source is reflected off a reflection surface's region which a longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with, and that the luminance gradually increases as the light emitted by the light source from the center of the emitting surface thereof is reflected off a region that is more distant from the region which the longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Harada, Masayuki Ogawa, Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 7546815
    Abstract: A pneumatically activated signal flag is used in combination with a first watercraft to provide a visual warning to other watercraft operators of various events which may be occurring around the first watercraft. For example, the signal flag may indicate that a swimmer is in the water adjacent to the watercraft. The signal flag is raised or lowered by activation of a pneumatic activating ram by an operator within the water craft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Mazzei, Tamara Mazzei, Michael Mazzei
  • Publication number: 20080276859
    Abstract: An improved signal with adjustable mounting to allow the signal to be oriented to face any direction, without rotating the pressure-containing plug, and with integral seal to protect the outer threads of the mounting nipple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: William Jack Rankin
  • Patent number: 7428879
    Abstract: A safety device automatically raises and lowers a warning flag over a boat based on the tension applied to a line towed by the boat. For the device, the tow line is anchored to a tower mounted on the boat. Further, an arm is pivotably connected to the tower for movement between first and second orientations. Structurally, the arm is partially enclosed within a housing mounted to the tower. Also, the warning flag is pivotably mounted to the housing. Within the housing, the device includes a mechanism for translating movement of the arm to movement of the flag between raised and lowered orientations. When the tow line is slack, the arm is biased toward the first orientation by a spring. However, when the line becomes taut, the tension in the line overcomes the spring force and the arm is moved to its second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory A. White, Dean Rohan, Axel F. Mnich
  • Publication number: 20080000412
    Abstract: A pneumatically activated signal flag is used in combination with a first watercraft to provide a visual warning to other watercraft operators of various events which may be occurring around the first watercraft. For example, the signal flag may indicate that a swimmer is in the water adjacent to the watercraft. The signal flag is raised or lowered by activation of a pneumatic activating ram by an operator within the water craft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Mazzei, Tamara Mazzei, Michael Mazzei
  • Patent number: 7093694
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand brake mechanism having a gravity based release hold mechanism with a visual indicator to prevent unwanted application of the railcar brakes and indicate such release hold condition. The release hold mechanism comprises a gravity based member pivotally linked to a release shaft preventing reverse rotation of the release shaft causing an unintended take-up of the chain. A detent retaining device disposed within the railcar hand brake housing further provides improve reliability of the operation. The gravity based member incorporates an indicator portion having a reflective coating to indicate such release hold position of the railcar hand brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Staffan Brandt, Howard Sommerfeld, Scott Natschke, Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 7082890
    Abstract: An actuated gauge pointer that includes a shape memory alloy element configured to move the gauge pointer when activated is provided. The actuated gauge pointer includes a first shape memory alloy element disposed within the perimeter of the gauge pointer housing. Additionally, the actuated gauge pointer may include a second shape memory alloy element to provide temperature compensation, and a bias member to return the gauge pointer to an initial condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Roderick MacGregor, Andrei Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 6976449
    Abstract: A file marker device adapted for use with a folder. The folder to which the device can be affixed comprises a front flap having a first top edge, a rear flap connected to the front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge. Hanging folders often also comprise a plurality of equally spaced parallel slots near at least a first or second top edge. The file marker device can comprise a support portion having two opposed end tabs, each of the end tabs being capable of engaging one of the plurality of equally spaced parallel slots; and an indicator arm moveably attached to the support portion, the indicator arm being moveable about a pivot point from a first position to a second position. In some embodiments the file marker device also comprises a shield portion and/or a portion adapted for exhibiting identifying indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Neil Lawrence Weisenfeld
  • Patent number: 6962126
    Abstract: An automatic rising flag assembly includes a bracket connected to a water vessel and an elongated flagpole. The assembly further includes a mechanism connected to the water vessel and the bracket so that the flagpole can be pivoted and maintained between up and down positions. Such a mechanism includes a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at a ski handle and which send a signal to the mechanism while a skier has a grip around the electrical contacts. When a skier lets go of their grip, the signal is cancelled and causes the mechanism to release the flagpole upwardly for notifying others of the downed skier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Harland Perry Payson
  • Patent number: 6883460
    Abstract: A file marker device adapted for use with a folder. The folder to which the device can be affixed comprises a front flap having a first top edge, a rear flap connected to the front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge. Hanging folders often also comprise a plurality of equally spaced parallel slots near at least a first or second top edge. The file marker device can comprise a support portion having two opposed end tabs, each of the end tabs being capable of engaging one of the plurality of equally spaced parallel slots; and an indicator arm moveably attached to the support portion, the indicator arm being moveable about a pivot point from a first position to a second position. In some embodiments the file marker device also comprises a shield portion and/or a portion adapted for exhibiting identifying indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Neil Lawrence Weisenfeld