Rotary Patents (Class 188/130)
  • Patent number: 11192415
    Abstract: A joint fork (1) for connection to a joint. The joint fork having two side plates (2a, 3) that are arranged approximately parallel with one another, and each having a side plate surface (F1, F2). A web (2b) connects the side plates (2a, 3) with one another. A fixing bore (6) is arranged in the web (2b) and has a longitudinal axis (a). The joint forks (1) are coupled to an actuator. The side plate surfaces (F1, F2) form, with the longitudinal axis (a), an angle of inclination (?) and the angle of inclination (?) is in the range from 20° to 70°, in particular around 30°. The actuator is fitted with the joint forks (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Torsten Kuhnt
  • Patent number: 10953916
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for motor vehicles having a steering actuator that acts on the steered wheels. The steering actuator is electronically closed-loop controlled as a function of a driver's steering request and acts on the steered wheels by means of a toothed-rack steering gear. A feedback actuator transmits feedback effects from the road to a steering wheel. The steer-by-wire steering system has an evaluation unit which analyzes whether a cornering driving state is present, and has a damping device, wherein the damping device is configured so as to receive the signal of the evaluation unit and to generate, as a function of whether a bend is being entered or exited, a damping signal which damps a torque which is present at the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Kristof Polmans
  • Patent number: 10730061
    Abstract: A coupling for fluid pathways, such as for use in connecting showerheads to a fluid source. The coupling includes a fixed member, a movable member rotatably connected to the fixed member, and a locking assembly connected to the fixed member and received within the movable member. In response to a rotational force exceeding a predetermined threshold the locking assembly permits rotation of the movable member relative to the fixed member and when the rotational force drops below the predetermined threshold, the locking assembly prevents rotation of the movable member to the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Preston Peterson, Ryan A. Saunders, Kenneth A. Hair
  • Patent number: 10558109
    Abstract: A tripod head, in particular to hold a film or television camera, includes a first body and a second body, wherein the first body can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis relative to the second body, and a damping device to damp the pivoting movement of the first body relative to the second body, with a first damping element fixed to the first body and a second damping element, wherein the damping elements each have a plurality of concentrically arranged annular ribs which engage in cavities formed between the ribs of the respective other damping element and a damping medium is provided between the ribs of the damping element, wherein the second damping element is formed of at least two separate parts which are fixable independently of each other to the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: VITEC VIDEOCOM GMBH
    Inventors: Leonhard Jaumann, Thomas Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 10442530
    Abstract: A reciprocating shock absorber combined with a coil spring are interposed between the fuselage of an aircraft and the tail wheel. When the tail wheel engages the runway, its attachment pivots, thereby compressing the shock absorber and the coil spring. This results in smooth transfer of forces from the tail wheel to the fuselage and to the pilot and passengers. If desired, one or more tension springs may counteract the forces imposed by the coil spring to restore the extended configuration of the coil spring and shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Roger Dufault
  • Patent number: 9726218
    Abstract: A cross-link assembly for a dangling worktool may include a frame configured to connect to a grapple, the frame having spaced apart arms; a pin movably engaged with the spaced apart arms, the pin having an abutment portion; and a lock member movably engaged with the frame. The lock member may be configured to engage with the abutment portion and have a lock portion configured to engage with a lock element provided on the grapple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Work Tools B.V.
    Inventors: Paul Hoffmans, Kees Van Hooft
  • Patent number: 9399495
    Abstract: The present invention refers to the field of steering dampers for motorcycles in general and in particular it refers to a steering head integrating a magnetorheological type steering damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
    Inventors: Marco Pierini, Niccolo Baldanzini, Alessandro Giorgetti, Simone Piantini, Cosimo Monti
  • Patent number: 9221181
    Abstract: A Support arm with brake mechanism, characterized in that: a resilient component generates a resilient force acting in opposition to gravity, such that a supporting rod can move an object steadily; and, in the course of moving the object, a brake is started as needed to brake the supporting rod and fasten the supporting rod to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Ren-Jeng Wang
  • Patent number: 9182004
    Abstract: A rotary damper for remote-controlled vehicles is described. The rotary damper includes a housing containing a fluid, a rotary joint, a rotating member, a protrusion extending from the first end of the rotating member dividing a space within the housing into at least two portions, and a rocker arm. In operation, a linear motion applied to the rocker arm translates into rotary motion on the rotating member, causing the protrusion to move through the fluid within the housing. An elastic member may be coaxially mounted on the rotating member to resist the rotary motion translated from the rocker arm. The elastic member generates a spring force, and the protrusion moving through the liquid generates a damping force. In other examples, the damping force is generated using a fluid-shearing object moving through the liquid, such as a slotted disc or an impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Horizon Hobby, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Miller, Brent Redlin
  • Patent number: 8657086
    Abstract: An identical engagement hole 12b is formed in each of first and second brackets 1, 2. A first engagement portion 31c is formed in a damper body 31 of a rotary damper 3. A distal end portion of a rotor 32 of the rotary damper 3 is non-rotatably inserted in an adapter 4. A third engagement portion 46 is formed in an outer circumference of the adapter 4. The first engagement portion 31c is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the first bracket 1. The third engagement portion 46 is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the second bracket 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinpei Iwata
  • Patent number: 8118285
    Abstract: An improved gas spring has a drive motor for driving a piston. A piston head has a thread at an outer periphery that is guided along a mating thread in an inner periphery of a cylinder. The piston is caused to rotate relative to the cylinder, and is guided for reciprocating movement. In this manner, a drive motor is incorporated into the gas spring such that the gas spring has both a driven and a manual mode. The inventive gas spring has particular application in attaching a vehicle closure to a vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: AVM Industries
    Inventor: Walter Douglas Bauman
  • Patent number: 7726449
    Abstract: An airtight damper, an input axis, and a flywheel are mounted to the input axis with a bolt. A torque transmitter, a torque transmitter attachment unit of the flywheel, and a support plate are united with each other using a bolt. The torque transmitter includes a spline unit. A pressure plate engaged with the spline unit is pressed by a pressure spring so as to press a friction plate and a torque transmitter plate against the support plate. Since the torque transmitter plate is fixed to a drive plate by a rivet, the torque from the input axis can be transmitted to the drive plate. Although the torque from the engine is larger than an allowable value, a friction member can slip at a constant torque depending on the pressure of the pressure spring, thereby protecting the damper against an excess load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yabe, Dai Okamura
  • Patent number: 7673469
    Abstract: A refrigerator with an ice dispenser includes a spiral type time delay unit for controlling the opening and closing of an ice duct. A duct cap opens and closes an ice duct formed in the refrigerator. A rotating shaft of the time delay unit is operably connected to the duct cap. Foldaway catching members on a rotating shaft intersect with a threaded cylindrical body. The catching members fold back to allow a quick opening of the ice duct. The catching members then interact with the threaded cylindrical body as the ice duct closes to delay the closing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyong Bae Park, Nam Soo Cho, Dong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7562594
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric actuator capable of effectively absorbing shock exerted on its component part. The electric actuator has a housing, a rod cover, a piston, a feed screw, a sliding nut, two piston dampers for absorbing shock exerted on the piston, a first end damper attached to one of the opposite ends of the housing, a second end damper attached to the rod cover. The sliding nut is axially displaceable relative to the piston when the piston damper absorbs shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7296664
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes: a damper body mounted on a rotary shaft; a cam mechanism provided in the damper body to set a rotation pattern of the rotary shaft; a restoring force-accumulating member that accumulates a restoring force in accordance with rotation of the rotary shaft; and a rotation control member for controlling the rotation of the rotary shaft. The damper body is formed by setting a bottomed, cylindrical outer case having an opening at one end thereof and a bottomed, cylindrical inner case having an opening at one end thereof, face-to-face with each other and fitting the two with each other rotatably. The rotation control member is interposed between an inner periphery surface of the outer case and an outer periphery surface of the inner case on an outer periphery side of the damper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Naotoshi Ohta, Ryusuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7258211
    Abstract: A rotary damper having an oil chamber within a housing which is divided into two by a vane, and generates a damping force by passing operating oil between the two oil chambers when the vane oscillates, has a shaft supporting the vane to allow oscillation in relation to the housing, fixed to a base part of the vane, and seal washers for dividing in a fluid-tight manner between a bearing rotatably supporting the shaft on the housing shaft, and the oil chamber, is provided on the base part of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7234569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for movable furniture parts, for example for doors or drawers, comprising a piston or plunger which is slidably guided in a hollow body, e.g. a cylinder, with said piston or plunger being impinged upon by spring force into its pushed-out position. According to the invention, the hollow body comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the internal screw thread, and/or the piston or plunger comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the external screw thread. The stays of the screw threads are glidingly supported one on top of the other, or cams or journals of the hollow body or of the piston or plunger are supported on a screw-thread section of the other component. The pitch of the stays of the screw threads is greater than the pitch at which self-locking occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7191876
    Abstract: The rotation-retarding device includes a first element and a second element having a rotary motion to be retarded relative to each other. The first element includes a block of flexible material (106), the second element (107) is able to locally deform the block of flexible material (106) throughout the rotary motion in order to retard this motion, and anti-adherence means are provided at the interface of the two elements. The block of flexible material (106) may also have a dimensional variation able to permit progressive retarding of the rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: ITW de France
    Inventor: Emile Droche
  • Patent number: 7097005
    Abstract: A rappelling or abseiling device with a rope guide pulley which is rotationally mounted in a housing and is connected by a toothed wheel to two toothed shafts of centrifugal power shoes provided with brake pads, the brake shoes of at least one of the brakes being provided with an additional pair of brake pads and the brake shoes being maintained in their idle position by an electromagnet and a cooperating counter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Gerold Angermann
  • Patent number: 6951266
    Abstract: A rotation-retarding device includes two members having rotational movement relative to each other to be retarded. The first member has an axle and the second member has a housing (25) adapted to receive the axle. A retarding arrangement includes at least a part of the wall (24) of the housing. The wall is made of elastically deformable flexible material, and has, facing the axle, at least one working surface (28) of cam form. The retarding arrangement also includes at least one projection on that axle, adapted to cooperate with the working surface (28) associated therewith to retard the movement with the resisting couple being adapted to the driving couple at each angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Fastex France Zac les Echavagnes
    Inventor: Ludovic Tournier
  • Patent number: 6871730
    Abstract: The rotation-retarding device includes a first element and a second element having a rotary motion to be retarded relative to each other. The first element includes a block of flexible material (106), the second element (107) is able to locally deform the block of flexible material (106) throughout the rotary motion in order to retard this motion, and anti-adherence means are provided at the interface of the two elements. The block of flexible material (106) may also have a dimensional variation able to permit progressive retarding of the rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: I.T.W. de France
    Inventor: Emile Droche
  • Patent number: 6840353
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a housing (1) that has a holding chamber (4), a rotor (2) integral with a gear (2a) disposed rotatably in the holding chamber (4) of the housing (1), and a braking member (3) for controlling the rotation of the rotor (2). The braking member (3) is interposed between the outer periphery of the rotor (2) and the inner periphery the holding chamber (4). A supporting shaft (5) is erected on the bottom part of the holding chamber (4) of the housing (1). A through-hole (7) is bored in the rotor for permitting insertion therein of the supporting shaft (5) in the axial direction of the rotor (2). The rotor (2) is supported through the supporting shaft (5) and the through-hole (7). With this configuration, a stabilized braking force is constantly provided because the rotor (2) does not incline it is being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 6834748
    Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly utilizes a damping mechanism to eliminate brake linings. The brake assembly includes a fixed base plate and an actuation plate rotatable relative to the base plate. The base plate includes a plurality of orientation slots and the actuation plate includes a plurality of actuation slots with each one of the actuation slots partially overlapping one of the orientation slots. A cam having a plurality of cam-lobes formed about the circumference is mounted for rotation with an axle shaft. A plurality of dampers interact with the cam to brake the vehicle. Each damper includes a mounting portion that extends through one of the orientation slots and the corresponding actuation slot, and which has a movable distal end that engages the cam. A motor and gear assembly control rotation of the actuation plate and cause the distal ends of the dampers to engage the cam to perform a brake actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20040201154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for movable furniture parts, for example for doors or drawers, comprising a piston or plunger which is slidably guided in a hollow body, e.g. a cylinder, with said piston or plunger being impinged upon by spring force into its pushed-out position. According to the invention, the hollow body comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the internal screw thread, and/or the piston or plunger comprises at least one section of a spiral-shaped stay of the external screw thread. The stays of the screw threads are glidingly supported one on top of the other, or cams or journals of the hollow body or of the piston or plunger are supported on a screw-thread section of the other component. The pitch of the stays of the screw threads is greater than the pitch at which self-locking occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Arturo Salice, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Publication number: 20040159507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for isolating torque fluctuations of a rotary drive shaft. The device comprises a first member (2) for connection to the drive shaft, a second member (3) for connection to a driven member and an intermediate member (21) interposed between the first and second members. The intermediate member comprises a radially outer ring (22) connected to the first member, a radially inner ring (24) connected to the second member and at least one resilient rolling element (32) in a cavity between the inner and outer rings. The cavity is defined by alignment of at least one pair of recesses (26, 29), one recess being on the radially inner surface of the outer ring and the other recess being on the outer surface of the inner ring, each recess having a ramped surface. Relative rotation of the first and second members causes relative rotation of the inner and outer rings so that the rolling element rotates and compresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: John Martin Allport
  • Patent number: 6681905
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper. At least a first and a second cylinder with the first cylinder positioned axially within the second cylinder are provided. A gap is formed between the cylinders. The second cylinder is mounted to a stationary mount of the vehicle chassis and a control arm is mounted at an end of the first cylinder. The first cylinder is mounted on bearings to allow it to rotate relative to the chassis. The gap between the cylinders contains a magnetorheological fluid having an adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field. A magnetic field is generated over the fluid in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Edmondson, Joshua D. Coombs, Carlos F. Osorio
  • Publication number: 20020092715
    Abstract: An airtight damper, an input axis, and a flywheel are mounted to the input axis with a bolt. A torque transmitter, a torque transmitter attachment unit of the flywheel, and a support plate are united with each other using a bolt. The torque transmitter includes a spline unit. A pressure plate engaged with the spline unit is pressed by a pressure spring so as to press a friction plate and a torque transmitter plate against the support plate. Since the torque transmitter plate is fixed to a drive plate by a rivet, the torque from the input axis can be transmitted to the drive plate. Although the torque from the engine is larger than an allowable value, a friction member can slip at a constant torque depending on the pressure of the pressure spring, thereby protecting the damper against an excess load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yabe, Dai Okamura
  • Patent number: 5915503
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of braking systems, particularly those braking systems that utilize linkages to transmit brake-generated loads from a wheel and brake assembly to a braked vehicle. According to an aspect of the invention, a damped brake rod is provided for attachment to a structure, the structure having at least one wheel and brake assembly. The damped brake rod comprises a rod-like member for attachment to the brake assembly and the structure to resist rotation of the brake assembly relative to the structure, and a bending mode coulomb damper attached to the brake rod that damps cyclic bending mode movement of the rod-like member during braking. The bending mode coulomb damper bears essentially only cyclic loads induced by cyclic bending mode movement of the rod-like member generated during braking. A method of damping a brake rod is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The B.F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: John J. Enright
  • Patent number: 5875874
    Abstract: A rotary damper for use with a toilet lid has a damper shaft rotatably supported by a damper housing, a collar of synthetic resin fitted over the damper shaft for rotation therewith, and a casing of synthetic resin fixed to the damper housing and disposed around the collar for rotation relative thereto. The collar has a pair of diametrically opposite axial ridges disposed on the outer circumferential surface thereof and projecting radially outwardly. The casing has a pair of diametrically opposite cantilevered resilient arms defined by respective slits in the circumferential wall thereof. The cantilevered resilient arms have respective axial teeth disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the casing and projecting radially inwardly for engagement with the axial ridges, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Tok Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harunori Okabe, Kenji Takahashi, Hirozumi Sasa, Takeaki Kobori
  • Patent number: 5865278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotation damper (1) including a plastic housing or storage part (2) carrying therein a rotor part (3). The rotor part (3) is joined to a rotatable shaft which extends through the housing. A damping device (4) is located between the storage part (2) and the rotor part (3). The damping device (4) surrounds the shaft and is made of damping plastic. The rotor part (3) and/or the damping device (4), respectively have at least one interengaging contact part which produces rotation resistance when the shaft is turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: TRW United-Carr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jorg Wagner
  • Patent number: 5692367
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for damping the vibrations of a package on spinning, twisting or winding machines. Damping elements act on the swivel-mounted package holders, which damping elements are arranged on the machine frame and which are effective on the swivel direction of the package holders. The package holders are supported with tube sections on a swivel axle which is secured to the machine, and support the packages, which are pressed onto a driving roller and are rotatably supported thereon. In the swivel direction in which the packages are lifted from the drive roller, the damping is greater than in the swivel direction in which the packages are pressed onto the drive roller. The cylindrical outer contour of each individual tube section is surrounded, at a predetermined angle of contact, by a close fitting brake belt which is actuated by friction. One end of the brake belt is secured in a non-movable way on a stationary mounting, while the other end is secured to a loading spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignees: Fritz Stahlecker, Hans Stahlecker
    Inventor: Fritz Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 5660252
    Abstract: A rotation retarder has a startor (1), a rotor (3) designed to receive the rotational movement to be retarded, and an elastic component (10) disposed between the rotor and the stator (2) the stator (2) having a seat (4) from which projects a shaft (6) with an overall cylindrical wall, and the rotor (3) having a housing (13) with an overall cylindrical wall for rotational mounting on the shaft (6). The retarder (1) is characterized in that the elastic component (10) is in direct contact with the wall of the shaft (6) and the wall of the housing (13) between which it is compressed, the area of contact between the first one of these walls and the elastic component (10) being larger than the area of contact between the second one of these walls and the elastic component (10), whereby the elastic component (10) is held on the first wall while the second wall is able to slide with respect to the elastic component (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: ITW de France
    Inventor: Thierry Lafon
  • Patent number: 5651536
    Abstract: A rotary friction damper in a device for connecting a door to an adjacent structure such that the door pivots about an axis during opening and closing of the same and including a torsion spring operatively connected to the door and to the structure for movement about the pivot axis to store energy during opening of the door and to release energy to provide closing during closing of the door. The rotary friction damper is operatively associated with the torsion spring and has an axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to the pivot axis for controlling the door closing speed. A damper housing rotates in response to application of input rotational force, and damper shoes within the housing are moved radially outwardly into frictional engagement with the housing. An arrangement of disc springs applies biasing force in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the damper, and the biasing force is directed to cause radial outward movement of the shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Enidine Incorporated
    Inventor: Terrance E. Daul
  • Patent number: 5634536
    Abstract: The present invention provides a brake that allows an object to rotate continually through its full range of movement, but allows the object to be reliably secured at any position within this range. The object is carried by a brake that includes a deformable cylindrical collar and a lever. Normally, a spring exerts force against the lever, which in turn exerts pressure on the collar, causing the interior diameter of the collar to become smaller. The collar then grasps the rod and prevents the rotation of the brake relative to the rod. A pneumatically controlled piston counters the force of the spring to allow the brake to rotate freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Sturges
  • Patent number: 5605208
    Abstract: A rotary damper comprises a housing, a disc-shaped rotor which is supported within the housing so as to be rotatably and axially displaced in the housing, the rotor including an axially aligned annular friction surface which coacts with a coaxial annular friction surface inside the housing, and a spring within the housing which axially presses the rotor against the friction surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: ITW Ateco GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Friedrichsen, Werner Janoschek
  • Patent number: 5460248
    Abstract: A brake device for damping a translatory motion having a bearing housing and a brake disk both made of a resilient, hard elastic plastic material. The brake disk is supported for rotation in the bearing housing and adapted for rotation in response to a translatory motion, the brake disk having an outer conically shaped friction surface and the bearing housing a correspondingly configured inner conically shaped friction. The surfaces are held together when the disk is supported in the housing to generate frictional resistance between them as the disk rotates in the housing in response to a translatory motion and thereby dampen the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: A. Raymond GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Korb, Johannes Kirchgaesser
  • Patent number: 5257681
    Abstract: An apparatus for damping movement includes a housing and a blade which are movable relative to each other. The blade is cantilevered to an axis and has segments formed of magnetizable material which are separated by segments formed of nonmagnetizable material. Electromagnetic coils are connected with the housing and apply a magnetic field to a magnetic field responsive fluid through which the blade is movable. The blade has recesses which are formed in the segments of magnetizable material and hold magnetic field responsive fluid. A plurality of ribs separate the recesses and are at least partially formed of the nonmagnetizable material. In one embodiment of the invention, ribs and recesses are provided on opposite sides of the blade. In another embodiment of the invention, the ribs and recesses are provided on one side of the blade and the opposite side of the blade is flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Emil M. Shtarkman, James L. Graves
  • Patent number: 5005859
    Abstract: A suspension for supporting a wheel on a vehicle body includes a hollow shaft fixed to the vehicle body, an arm having one end coupled to the wheel and an opposite end pivotally supported on an outer peripheral surface of the hollow shaft, a rotary damper interposed between the hollow shaft and the arm, for dampening swinging movement of the arm with respect to the hollow shaft, and a torsion bar extending through the hollow shaft and having one end fixed to the vehicle body and an opposite end coupled to the opposite end of the arm for angular movement in unison with the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Showa Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yutaka Satoh, Yoshinori Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 4961481
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle axle-to-wheel shock absorber includes a fluid pressure responsive actuator to variably compress friction elements; and a fluid pressure control unit having a body and plunger, and a rotary manual control, the plunger having a stem with threaded connection to the unit body to advance and retract the plunger as the manual control is rotated forwardly and reversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Herbert J. Bartz
  • Patent number: 4942947
    Abstract: A rotary shock absorber for damping relative movement between parts includes a housing connectable to one of the parts and a shaft having its axially opposite ends connectable with another one of the parts. The housing defines at least one chamber for a field-responsive fluid. The shaft is supported for rotation about its longitudinal central axis relative to the housing. A rotor blade is disposed in the chamber and is connected with the shaft and extends radially of the shaft. The rotor blade is angularly movable in the chamber. A number of energizable electromagnetic coils is provided for, when energized, applying an energy field to the fluid in the chamber. The shear resistance of the fluid varies as a function of the energy field acting on the fluid. When the parts move relative to each other, the shaft rotates about its longitudinal central axis relative to the housing and the rotor blade moves angularly in the chamber. The angular movement of the rotor blade in the chamber is resisted by the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Emil M. Shtarkman
  • Patent number: 4833938
    Abstract: A rotatable shaft carries a hard plastic disc located in a housing. A braking member in the form of a steel washer is sandwiched between the plastic disc and a washer-like elastomeric spring which is compressed against an axially facing wall of the housing. The spring urges the braking member frictionally against the disc to retard rotation thereof and dampen rotation of the shaft. By adjusting a screw, the disc may be shifted axially toward or away from the spring to change the compression thereof and thereby change the retarding torque applied to the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Elco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest W. Reinwall, Robert A. Hagan
  • Patent number: 4827641
    Abstract: There is disclosed an index device in which a cover member is axially attached to a receptacle so as to be openable and closable, and a multiplicity of cards are accommodated therebetween so as to be superposed on each other. This indexing device is arranged such that: a rotation resisting member including viscous substance for moderating the resilient repulsion forces when the cover member is unfolded from the receptacle is provided between the receptacle and the cover member; the rotation resisting member has a rotor which rotates within hermetically sealed casings attached to the receptacle and filled with the viscous substance; and notches are formed in a peripheral portion of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Carl Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuzo Mori
  • Patent number: 4794998
    Abstract: A fixing structure is provided for a motorcycle including a swing arm by which an axle having at either end thereof a drive wheel and a torque damping mechanism fixed thereto respectively is rotatably supported substantially at the central part thereof. The fixing structure fixes a driven sprocket to a transversely inner part of an outside constituting member of the torque damping mechanism. The fixing structure includes a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed at predetermined intervals on the outer circumference of the outside constituting member, and a plurality of fixing lugs projectingly formed with a predetermined width on the inner circumference of the driven sprocket to be fixedly fastened in a detachable manner with the fixing lugs of the outside constituting member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwai, Yoshimi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4724936
    Abstract: A fluid-filled bushing with variable damping forces includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an elastomeric body joining the inner and outer tubes, a plurality of fluid chambers defined by the elastomeric body between the inner and outer tubes in circumferentially spaced relationship, a fluid passage for providing communication between the fluid chambers, a valve disposed in the inner tube for controlling fluid flow through the fluid passage, and a valve actuator for actuating the valve. The fluid passage includes a plurality of first passages defined in the inner tube and each communicating with one of the fluid chambers, and a plurality of second passages defined in the valve and communicable with the first fluid passages, respectively, the second fluid passages cooperating with the first fluid passages in varying cross-sectional areas thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Koga, Tsunehiko Fukatsu, Masaru Yorita
  • Patent number: 4679838
    Abstract: A non-hydraulic energy dissipating collision bumper that functions with surface-to-surface friction in a stacked assembly of one movable disc or ring interleaved between two stationary discs. This bumper has the optimum characteristic of constant force vehicle deceleration, independent of vehicle velocity, and is also capable of responding to oblique bumper impacts at an angle with respect to a bumper normal. It provides accurate lateral bumper centering with set-up springs, as well as automatic system reset after a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventor: Stanley J. Mikina
  • Patent number: 4526047
    Abstract: An energy absorber strut includes a pair of elongated drive nuts threaded internally to mate with a drive screw having high lead threads on opposite ends so that outward movement of the nuts on the screw rotates the screw in one direction and inward movement rotates the screw in the opposite direction. A mandrel mounted to rotate with the screw is restrained from rotation by a capstan spring which surrounds and grips it. Prestressed torsion springs connected to the ends of the capstan spring permit it to unwind slightly and drag with respect to the mandrel when the torsion springs are subjected to a predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Company
    Inventor: Elmer C. Yang
  • Patent number: 4480731
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damping apparatus incorporated in the crossing of diagonal members such as braces of a framed structure for damping vibration imparted by external force such as an earthquake or a strong wind. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable members or discs, a resistive body disposed between the discs, and a pair or pairs of link bars causing relative rotation of the discs in response to the impartation of the external force, whereby the vibration is damped by the resistance force of the resistive body resisting to the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Oiles Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Izeki, Ikuo Shimoda
  • Patent number: 4398409
    Abstract: A friction shock absorber comprised of a plurality of mating friction surfaces in constant contact together is incorporated on an oscillating member of the valve shifting mechanism of a forging hammer for preventing the valve from bouncing away from its intended position after it has been shifted by the motion of the forging hammer ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: National-Standard Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Hambrick
  • Patent number: 3937302
    Abstract: A means to damp the oscillating movements of a hoisting device suspended in a link the upper end of which pivotally mounted about a first horizontal shaft on the outer end of a crane jib and at the lower end of which the hoisting device is pivotally mounted about a second horizontal shaft. A sector-shaped brake disc is mounted at the upper articulation point, the centre of said disc being situated in or close to the centre of said first shaft. At least one brake shoe is provided at the crane jib and arranged to be pressed against the disc at a distance from said first shaft, whereby the desired damping effect is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Hiab-Foco Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Jan Birger Palmcrantz