Transversely Expanding Patents (Class 188/184)
  • Patent number: 9999830
    Abstract: A roulette game enables single-spin formation of meaningful character strings, which character strings may be coupled to tones for enhancing the gaming experience. The meaningful character strings may be defined by solfege-enabling letter groups, which letter groups may prompt underlying tones in solmization. The syllabic roulette game comprises a roulette wheel, a wager-enabling layout, and a plurality of balls. The wheel comprises alphabetic characters against a rainbow colored backdrop for enabling various payout schemes. A color-coordinated wager support surface is preferably disposed adjacent the roulette wheel for facilitating wager placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CG TECHNOLOGY, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald Fisher, Melissa S. Langtim, Douglas Krich, Darlene Marie Garmann, Stephen Foote
  • Patent number: 9752630
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch intermittently transmits power of rotation about an axis. The centrifugal clutch includes: a plurality of clutch shoes that are pressed against an inner peripheral surface of a clutch drum; a plurality of pivot members configured to rotatably support the clutch shoes; and a pressing member having a plurality of insertion portions that are inserted between head portions of the pivot members and the clutch shoes. The pressing member has a connecting portion that connects between the plurality of insertion portions, and the insertion portions and the connecting portion are curved in a direction of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9413218
    Abstract: An adjustment device includes a casing to which a movable member and two positioning members are movably connected. Two links are connected between the movable member and the positioning members. Each positioning member has a magnetic member connected thereto and the flywheel has a magnetic operation face. When the movable member moves from a second position to a first position, the links drive the positioning members and the magnetic members from a close-to-center position to an off-center position, and the flywheel cuts the magnetic field of the magnetic members to generate a first resistance to the driving device and the flywheel. When the movable member moves from the first position to the second position, the positioning members and the magnetic members move from the off-center position to the close-to-center position to generate a second resistance that is different from the first resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Chiu-Hsiang Lo
  • Patent number: 9254989
    Abstract: A ratchet includes a spool rotatably disposed within a housing and supporting a cord having opposed cord sections extending from the housing. Tension to one cord section is initially applied by pulling on the other cord section. To increase the tension, a tool is engaged with the spool to apply a further force to increase the tension on the one cord section. In another embodiment, a cord enters the housing and into the center of a hollow shaft supporting a spool and drawn through the hollow shaft to establish an initial degree of tension on the section of the cord entering the housing. A lever cooperating with the spool turns the spool to wrap the cord about the spool and increase the tension on the cord. In a third embodiment, a cord enters a housing and extends about a spool supported within the housing and thereafter exits the housing. A pivotable lever incrementally rotates the spool to increase the tension on the cord entering the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Kingery
  • Patent number: 9121495
    Abstract: Pulley assemblies are disclosed that include a pulley body, a hub disposed within the bore of the pulley body, and a one-way clutch concentric about the hub. The one-way clutch has a plurality of cantilevered members that each include a friction surface and a cantilevered end and a biasing member in contact with one cantilevered member to bias the cantilevered members into continuous frictional engagement with the bore of the pulley body. Each of the cantilevered members is pivotable about its cantilevered end and is partially nested within an adjacent cantilevered member to form an annular body. This construction places the friction surface of each cantilevered member facing the bore of the pulley body. In operation, the pulley body rotates in a predominant direction which activates the plurality of cantilevered members to link the pulley body to the hub for simultaneous rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony E. Lannutti, Kevin G. Dutil, James H. Miller
  • Patent number: 9027717
    Abstract: A cam assisted centrifugal brake or clutch system provides increased mechanical advantage to improve the output torque relative to prior art devices such as leading brake shoes. The brake or clutch engagement is cammed radially outwardly to engage a brake housing in one direction and guided to a disengaged position in the other direction. Centrifugal forces retain the brake in the disengaged position. Embodiments of the present invention are applied as a backspin braking system that is incorporated into a drive head for a progressing cavity pump drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oil Lift Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Vern A Hult
  • Patent number: 8827055
    Abstract: An emergency braking system for a machine tool for the abrupt braking of a rotating shaft, including at least one brake drum and at least one brake shoe which are brought into engagement with each other in order to brake the shaft, the brake drum engaging with the brake shoe under the influence of a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of a shaft. The present system is configured in such a way that at least one resetting device is provided which makes it possible to reset the brake shoes in the direction of their original position after braking has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 8794392
    Abstract: In a rappelling device (10) for braking a load guided on a cable which can be fixed to the rappelling device (10), the cable (14) is friction-guided over a distance (22) and the cable (14) which runs through the rappelling device (10) is guided over a brakable shaft (24). The cable (14) is pressed onto the brakable shaft (24) by means of a pre-definable pressing force (29). The braking elements for the brakable shaft (24) can be kept small in weight and design because an additional braking of the cable (14) takes place over the friction-guided distance in the rappelling device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Spidescape Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Patent number: 8590107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, including at least one pivotably supported actuating arm for moving a furniture flap. The actuating arm is or can be acted on by a spring device, and a retaining clip is proposed for the empty actuating arm on which no furniture flap is mounted yet. The retaining clip prevents accidental opening or deflecting of the empty actuating arm and for this purpose includes a brake or detent device which can be moved by a shaft (R). A transmission gear is provided by which the pivot speed of the actuating arm can be geared to a higher rotational speed of the shaft (R) at least over a region of the pivot travel of the actuating arm in the open direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Omann
  • Patent number: 8365877
    Abstract: An abseiling device for braking a load (16) that is suspended on a rope (14) and may be fastened to the abseiling device (10), with which the rope (14) passes through the abseiling device (10) and is frictionally guided along a section (22), at least one portion of the section (22) being guided by a part (25) of the abseiling device (10) that is movable out of an unloaded starting position relative to a housing (12) of the abseiling device; when a load is suspended, the part (25) generates a frictional force that is a function of the weight of the load (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Suco Robert Scheuffele GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Patent number: 8177018
    Abstract: A bi-directional over-speed energizing brake system which implements automatically in the event an electric power steering system is in an over-speed condition. For rotational speeds of a rotating component exceeding a predetermined rotational speed threshold, centrifugal force acting on brake arms of a braking assembly overcome biasing by springs such that the brake arms will frictionally engage a non-rotating brake ring to thereby slow the rotational speed of the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Coleman, Christopher J. Mielke, George E. Doerr
  • Patent number: 8167090
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the cable and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and securely attached to the frame; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support, spool and frame to descend at a safe rate for the user. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame; a spool including a cable rotatably mounted on the frame; a securing device attached to the frame and adapted to securely attached to the structure; a user support adapted to support the user and attached to the cable; and a pair of centrifugal hydraulic brake systems adapted to slow a rotation of the spool to cause the user support to descend at a safe rate for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Ralph L. Michael
  • Patent number: 8118143
    Abstract: An emergency braking assembly that stops the rotation of a shaft in the event that the speed of the shaft exceeds a predetermined speed. The braking assembly includes a flanged mounting ring that is mounted to a housing where the shaft extends through the ring, and a braking ring threadably mounted to the mounting ring. An insert is mounted to the shaft within the braking ring. The braking assembly insert includes a pair of symmetrical weights that tend to move outward upon rotation of the shaft. Pins mounted to the weights and the insert prevent the weights form moving outward until the speed of the shaft exceeds the predetermined speed. A locking mechanism that locks the pin to the insert releases causing the pins to extend outside of the insert and engage stops mounted to an inside surface of the braking ring, which stops the shaft from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Axel Brandt
  • Publication number: 20110077595
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for an injection device for generating a braking action on a moving, e.g. rotating, part or component of the injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Adrian Eich, Aurèle Horisberger, Patrick Hostettler, Malte Kladiwa, Stefan Meier, Peter Stettler, Jürgen Wittmann
  • Patent number: 7562757
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, including at least one actuating arm for moving the flap, a base member on which the actuating arm is pivotally arranged, and a spring device able to act upon the actuating arm. An assembly securing device for the vacant actuating arm, which has not yet been fitted with a flap, includes a braking device which limits the opening speed of the vacant actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Fredi Dubach, Christian Omann
  • Patent number: 7073772
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor brake structure including: a rotor; a rotor axis relatively fixed to the rotor; a soft material brake having a central portion thereof into which the rotor axis is inserted, the soft material brake rotating identically with the rotor axis; and a case formed at an outer side of the brake, wherein the soft material brake has a base part having a mortise into which the rotor axis is inserted; a flexible part circularly extended from an end of the base part; and a friction part extended from an end of the flexible part, having a friction surface formed at an outer circumference thereof, and large-sized relative to at least the flexible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Woo Kee Min
  • Patent number: 6988593
    Abstract: A centrifugally activated device for controlling the speed of movement of an elevator cab includes the capability of controlling upward and downward movement. A first stopping device is associated with at least one elevator sheave. A second stopping device preferably is supported on an opposite side of the same sheave. The second stopping device preferably includes centrifugally activated components such as a latch member that moves from a first position into a second, stopping position responsive to an undesirably high speed of upward movement of the elevator cab. The centrifugally activated components preferably include a latch member that is rotatably supported on the sheave and has an engaging member at one end that engages a cooperating stop surface near the sheave to prevent the sheave from further rotation upon the sheave reaching an undesirably high rate of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Luis Martí Sánchez, Fernando Del Rio Sanz, Fernando Santos Cosgaya
  • Patent number: 6790308
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a friction clutch plate includes cutting a supply of friction material into a plurality of individual shaped segments. The cut segments are moved in a first horizontal linear direction to a position adjacent a shuttle assembly. At least a first cut segment is engaged by the shuttle assembly which transfers the first cut segment in a second horizontal linear direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal linear direction. The first cut segment is deposited in a first indexing fixture. The remaining cut segments are sequentially moved in the first horizontal linear direction to the position adjacent the shuttle assembly. At least a second cut segment is engaged by the shuttle assembly and is transferred in a third horizontal linear direction which substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Murphy, Dean A. Collis
  • Publication number: 20040134726
    Abstract: A centrifugally activated device for controlling the speed of movement of an elevator cab includes the capability of controlling upward and downward movement. A first stopping device is associated with at least one elevator sheave. A second stopping device preferably is supported on an opposite side of the same sheave. The second stopping device preferably includes centrifugally activated components such as a latch member that moves from a first position into a second, stopping position responsive to an undesirably high speed of upward movement of the elevator cab. The centrifugally activated components preferably include a latch member that is rotatably supported on the sheave and has an engaging member at one end that engages a cooperating stop surface near the sheave to prevent the sheave from further rotation upon the sheave reaching an undesirably high rate of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Luis Marti Sanchez, Fernando Del Rio Sanz, Fernando Santos Cosgaya
  • Publication number: 20020185344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking assembly for permitting axial rotation of a shaft in a first direction and inhibiting axial rotation of the shaft in a second, opposite direction, comprising: a hydraulic clutch having a torque generating member and a torque receiving member wherein the torque generating member is connected to the shaft and the torque receiving member is stationary and a guide means for maintaining the torque generating member in a first de-activated position when the shaft is rotated in the first direction and for moving the torque generating member to a second activated position when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction whereby activation of the torque generating member inhibits rotation of the shaft in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A.R. Mills
  • Patent number: 6196485
    Abstract: A centrifugal braking mechanism of a dual-bearing reel for braking under centrifugal force the reel spool fitted rotatively in the body of the reel. The centrifugal braking mechanism achieves simple adjustment of braking force, by which adjustment distinctly perceptible differences in braking force are gained. The centrifugal braking mechanism includes shifting members (52), a brake element (53), an urging member (54), a restricting member (55), and an urging force adjusting mechanism (56). The shifting members are provided on a rotary member (51) that rotates with the spool, and are shifted under centrifugal force arising from rotation of the spool. The brake element is non-rotatably provided on, and permitted to shift axially with respect to, the reel body. The brake element comes into contact with the shifting members shifted under centrifugal force. The urging member urges the brake element towards the shifting members, which movement is controlled by the restricting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6079524
    Abstract: An automatic stop mechanism for a rolling door includes two brake members mounted to the stop member which is removably engaged with the fixture, the stop member having a flange disengagably contacting the inclined flange to normally stop the rolling door, a handle pivotally connected to the fixture and connected to the first member and the second member so as to shift the stop member along the shaft of the motor, the two brake members each having a brake pad and located within the motor casing, when the rolling door runs downwardly fast and the normal stop mechanism fails, the two brake members are expanded due to the eccentric force to stop the door by the two brake pads contacting the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Jin-Shan Hung
  • Patent number: 6079489
    Abstract: A backspin retarder for a shaft comprises a brake mechanism including a stationary brake member and opposed brake members rotatable with the shaft and movable between braking position in which the movable brake members engage the stationary brake member and a non-braking position in which the movable brake members are removed from the stationary brake member and a brake control mechanism responsive to the direction of rotation of the shaft for disabling the brake mechanism when the shaft rotates in a forward direction and for enabling the brake mechanism when the shaft rotates in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford Holding U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Vern Arthur Hult, Curtis Christopher Blundell
  • Patent number: 6003798
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel and a braking element assembly preferred for use in the inventive apparatus. The inventive braking apparatus comprises: a contacting structure; a plurality of braking elements for contacting the contacting structure to generate a braking force; a dial and cam slider assembly for selectively placing the contacting structure in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the braking elements; and an indexing structure for identifying the predetermined positions. The inventive braking element assembly preferably comprises: (a) a housing having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal end and (b) a plurality of braking elements retained in the housing for radial braking movement relative to the longitudinal axis. A first and second one of the braking elements are each retained in the housing at a first longitudinal position spaced a first longitudinal distance from the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Zebco Division of Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Hyunkyu Kim
  • Patent number: 5950949
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel comprising: a plurality of braking elements; a braking element assembly for retaining the braking elements in radial paths about a rotational axis such that a centrifugal force imparted to the braking elements by rotating the braking elements about the rotational axis will urge the braking elements to move in their radial paths away from the rotational axis toward individual, extended radial positions; a contact member; and a positioning mechanism for selectively positioning the contact member in at least a first location and a second location. When the contact member is positioned in its first location and the braking elements are in their extended radial positions, at least one of the braking elements contacts the contact member. However, when the contact member is positioned in its second location, the one braking element just mentioned cannot contact the contact member, regardless of whether the braking element is in its extended radial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Zebco Division of Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Rayford A. Cockerham
  • Patent number: 5931263
    Abstract: An elevator safety based on having the elevator lift-rod, under the influence of the elevator governor, cause to rotate approximately elliptical cams, called quasi-elliptical cams. The cams are wider in one orientation, just as an ellipse has a major axis, wider than its minor axis. The cams are positioned to push against a brake pad as they rotate so that the major axis of each cam changes orientation with the minor axis. The cams can be shaped to simulate a wedge-type safety, even one using a wedge with multiple ramp angles. With essentially no additional complexity, the cam safety can be designed to operate with a bi-directional governor, one which exerts, usually through an intermediate linkage, force on the lift-rod in either the up or down motion depending on the unintended motion of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Anthony Cooney
  • Patent number: 5909848
    Abstract: A high pressure liquid nozzle housing encloses a self-rotating speed-controlled nozzle. A cylindrical sleeve in the housing forms an inwardly facing friction surface engageable by a nozzle-driven friction generating speed control mechanism to provide increasing retarding force on the nozzle as nozzle speed increases for controlling maximum nozzle rotational speed. The speed control mechanism includes a radially expandable helical coil spring rotatable with the nozzle with its windings at low nozzle speeds slightly spaced from the sleeve. An input end of the coil spring is driven by the nozzle structure in a direction tending to unwind the spring and increase its outer diameter in response to rotation of the nozzle. An output end of the coil spring rotatably drives a cluster of centrifugal weights which are spring biased away from the sleeve and which at low nozzle rotation speeds also remain spaced from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
  • Patent number: 5904229
    Abstract: A brake assembly by means of which rotational motion and also linear motion, i.e. faulty motion of lifting platforms, especially dropping, is braked. The assembly comprises a braking gear (20, 21) fitted onto axle (4), a coupling (25, 26) to transmit rotational motion and furnished with a locking device (27) that releases by an adjusted rate of centrifugal force generated by the rotational motion and locks the coupling to transmit rotational motion between the axle and the locking device. Upon locking, the locking device in the coupling is fitted to transmit rotational motion also in the opposite direction of the direction produced by the locking device in order to open the locking device by turning axle (4) in the opposite direction, and the coupling has a retaining shoulder (50) to prevent the locking device from returning immediately to an unlocked position when the brake is opened by rotating axle (4) in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Oy Scaninter Nokia Ltd.
    Inventor: Jali Timari
  • Patent number: 5577587
    Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for a power driven working tool such as a chain saw, hedge trimmer, or the like having a hub portion (10) adapted to be connected to an engine shaft, and at least two clutch shoes (16, 17) rotatably journalled on the hub portion. The clutch shoes are adapted, when actuated by centrifugal forces, to move against the bias of tension springs striving to release or disengage the clutch shoes from the clutch drum, and engage a surrounding clutch drum (18). The tension springs (19, 20) have one end which is connected to a clutch shoe and another end which is connected to an adjacent clutch shoe such that a bearing free of play is insured between the clutch shoes and the hub portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Hans G. Jansson
  • Patent number: 5542619
    Abstract: A fishing reel of the multiplier type has a frame, a line spool rotatably mounted in the frame, a brake ring coaxial with the line spool and connected to the frame, and a friction brake device connected to the line spool and adapted, in cooperation with the brake ring, to brake spool rotation. The brake device comprises a carrier ring which is rotatable together with the line spool, is coaxial therewith and has at least one bearing pin parallel to the axis of rotation of the line spool and pivotally supporting a brake element for cooperating with the brake ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: ABU AB
    Inventor: Jarding Karlsson
  • Patent number: 5483849
    Abstract: A governor is provided with a pulley comprising a casing, a pulley rotatably supported by the casing and a long member wound around the pulley. The pulley is rotated when the long member is pulled. A spring member is provided for urging the pulley in the direction in which the long member is wound up. A braking device is provided for braking the pulley when the long member is pulled. A long member winding up portion is formed in the pulley so that winding up diameters thereof change as the long member is being pulled out which, in turn, changes the operation of the braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Orii, Teruaki Imai
  • Patent number: 5393005
    Abstract: A brake structure for a reel comprising a rotary member rotatable in a spool transmission system, a centrifugal brake device including a brake block radially slidably mounted on the rotary member and a brake shoe attached to a fixing structure, and a position maintaining mechanism for allowing slide movement of the brake block to maintain the brake block in an operative position for effecting a braking operation and a retaining position for moving the brake block away from the brake shoe. The brake block is reversibly moved from the operative position to the retaining position upon release of the positional maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5280828
    Abstract: A speed governor is enclosed within a generally cylindrical housing which defines an interior cylindrical surface. A rotor is rotatably supported within the enclosure of the housing and is coupled to a power coupling belt by a pulley formed in the rotor shaft. A pair of weighted arms are pivotally secured to the rotor forming a pair of centrifugal counterweights. A coil spring is commonly coupled between the counterweights to provide a drawing force urging the counterweights to a collapsed inward position. Each counterweight supports a friction pad on its outer surface facing the cylindrical surface of the governor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Reynoso, T. Scott Engle, Gabriel Marason, Jr., Frederic A. Schwager
  • Patent number: 5222578
    Abstract: A safety brake of the type for use in hoist. As a hoist cage descends or ascends faster than a predetermined safety speed, a corresponding high speed motion is transmitted to a main shaft of the safety brake through a input pinion gear connected to the main shaft for engagement with a vertical rack attached to a hoist tower. Movable braking disks are attached to the main shaft for rotation therewith. Fixed braking disks are interleaved with the movable disks. Such high speed motion causes a dog retained in the main shaft to centrifugally move outwardly to engage the drum. The actuator assembly connected to the drum acts to cause the drum to move against the fixed and movable braking disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: U.S.A. Hoist Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Thorp
  • Patent number: 5135083
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an input responsive damper comprising a worm wheel for being rotationally driven by an object of damping, a worm for being rotated by the worm wheel, a guide for movably guiding along the axis of the worm a worm support member rotationally supporting the worm, a biasing device for biasing the worm support member in the direction opposite to the direction of the biasing force of the worm wheel applied to the worm and a damping device having a combination of a magnet and a conductor arranged concentrically around the rotary axis of the worm, the magnet and the conductor rotating relative to each other, either of the magnet and the conductor being supported by the worm and the other being supported by a stationary member. This induction type damper provides greater than normal damping when greater than normal force is applied by the object of damping. Frictional type and fan type damping enhancement element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hayashi, Sadao Fujishige
  • Patent number: 5052255
    Abstract: A radial arm saw assembly (10) includes a fixed position support (12) and a power saw (22) mounted on the support (12) for reciprocating movement relative thereto. The saw (22) includes a blade (28) and a drive mechanism for powering movement of the blade (28) which forces the power saw (22) towards the user (30) thereof at a predetermined speed when controlled by the user (30). A brake mechanism (38,38',38") locks movement of the saw (22) towards the user (30) when the saw (22) moves faster than the predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Robert C. Gaines
  • Patent number: 4993276
    Abstract: A drive assembly brake is mounted in the gearbox connecting a motor driven input shaft to an output shaft, the output shaft being connected by a tubing string to a submersed rotary pump. The gearbox includes an output shaft housing portion defining an oil chamber and an input shaft housing portion defining an oil-free centrifugal brake chamber. The relatively faster moving input shaft carries a centrifugal brake having weight members frictionally engageable with the brake chamber wall when the rotational speed of the input shaft reaches a sufficiently high degree, and the resulting braking action retards the rotation of the input shaft.In one embodiments a split casing gearbox is used having matched passage portions in the faces of the connected gearbox portions to form a lubrication passage system for the shaft bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Superior Gear Box Company
    Inventor: Wallace L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4938435
    Abstract: A personnel lowering or descent control device. The device includes a housing adapted to be secured to a person intending to descend from a higher to a lower elevation, and containing a line adapted to be secured at one end to a fixed point at said higher elevation. The line is wound on a reel rotatably mounted in said housing. A brake assembly, including a centrifugal brake controls the rate of rotation of said reel and thereby the rate of descent. A mechanical brake on said housing provides a manual control of the rate of rotation of the line supply reel. The descent line is trained on a plurality of capstans mounted within the housing for absorbing energy and providing a capstan ratio effective to reduce applied line tension to slow the descent of an object supported by the said descent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Frost Engineering Development Corporation
    Inventors: Horace M. Varner, Ernest L. Stech
  • Patent number: 4905797
    Abstract: A centrifugal brake is disclosed which comprises centrifugal shoes which cooperate with supplemental weights. Each supplemental weight has a ring-type basic shape and, by means of a ring part, extends along the centrifugal shoe to be affected. In addition, the supplemental weight interacts with the centrifugal shoe by way of a transmission element and a support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Klaus Gausrab
  • Patent number: 4903810
    Abstract: An improved clutch shoe of the type that is mounted on the rotor of a centrifugal clutch for coupling engagement with an outer clutch housing. The shoe is formed by two similar L-shaped shoe half sections which are stamped of sheet metal. Each shoe half section has an arcuate-shaped configuration comprising a web and an integral outer shoe table portion with an annular boss formed on each of the webs. A plurality of annular projections are formed to one of the shoe half webs and extend outwardly therefrom in a direction opposite from the annular boss formed on the web. The other shoe half web is formed with a plurality of holes into which the annular projections are press fitted to connect the two shoe halves together with the webs being placed in abutting relationship. The shoe half table portions lie in juxtaposition with respect to each other and form an outer shoe table on which a strip of friction material is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Dyneer Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Stock, David L. Heldt
  • Patent number: 4856623
    Abstract: An overspeed brake mounted on an elevator cage includes a shaft that carries a pinion engageable with a rack so that linear movement of the cage produces rotation of the shaft. A carrier rotated by the shaft has two pivotably mounted dogs thereon that move outwardly at a predetermined centrifugal force level to cause rotation of a separation ring. A spreader causes axial first separation between the first ring and a second separation ring in response to the rotation, forcing two brake surfaces together and stopping rotation of the shaft, thereby halting linear motion of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Byron A. Romig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4838333
    Abstract: A roller blind comprising a horizontal roller for supporting the blind and mounted for rotation about its own axis, a blind having an upper edge fixed to the roller and a free lower edge, resilient means tending to bias the roller towards a position in which the blind is rolled up, and a centrifugal-mass brake for slowing the rotation of the roller during rolling up of the blind. The centrifugal-mass brake is carried by a fixed support structure outside the roller and the rotor of the brake is connected to the roller through the interposition of step-up wheels and a one-way clutch device adapted to break the connection between the rotor of the brake and the roller when the blind is lowered, the one-way clutch device and the step-up wheels also being carried by the fixed support structure, outside the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Mottura S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Mottura
  • Patent number: 4809823
    Abstract: Braking device for a vehicle, comprising a mechanism for driving at least one friction member in frictional engagement with a rotary member to be braked, the mechanism comprising a wedge (28) movable in a first axis in order to shift an actuating member (14) of the brake under the effect of a force coming from an actuator (34), characterized in that the actuator (34) comprises a centrifugal assembly (34) equipped with at least two flyweights (40; 72) arranged about a second axis and intended for rotating selectively about this second axis, the rotation of the flyweights (40; 72) about the second axis causing them to move away from the latter, and a connecting assembly (36, 30; 76, 90) between the flyweights (40; 72) and the wedge (28) for converting the movement away of the flyweights (40; 72) into a movement of the wedge (28) in the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventor: Eric Fargier
  • Patent number: 4703186
    Abstract: A hand-held scanner, namely, a hand-operated optical reader, capable of selectively and partially reading a necessary portion of a document. The hand-held scanner is equipped with a speed control device capable of producing a load for controlling the moving speed of the hand-operated scanning unit for approximate uniform motion to enable a compact and inexpensive apparatus to reproduce an original picture easily and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Nakayama, Kenzi Nagamine, Kazuya Ueda, Fuminari Saito
  • Patent number: 4616737
    Abstract: A buffer or damping device affixable as a unit to a rotating gear 22. The buffer includes a first gear 2, 3 engaging the rotating gear and a geared one-way clutch 4. The clutch is linked to a worm 7c on a shaft 7. A damping member 8 is fixed to the shaft and it expands under rotation to frictionally contact a sliding contact member 6 to thereby damp the rotation of the rotating member. All elements are enclosed in a case 1 and cover 9, except a portion of the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Makoto Orii
  • Patent number: 4595198
    Abstract: An exercise machine primarily used in exercising and strengthening muscles and ligaments not normally affected by the standard dynamic and/or isometric approaches. The machine causes the user to work against a centrifugally operated brake which increases the resistance to movement as the rate of movement increases. A horizontally disposed lever including a stirrup is rotated about a vertical shaft by the foot and leg of a user, and the shaft is functionally connected to a speed increasing mechanism and its rate of rotation is regulated by a centrifugal brake. The amount of effort being expanded to overcome the brake resistance is displayed by a simple linkage from the brake mechanism to an easily visible indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Inventor: Roger C. Sparks
  • Patent number: 4582179
    Abstract: A speed governing mechanism is provided utilizing plano-centric gearing and centrifugal braking. An outer cylindrical member serves as a cable drum and is rotated by playing out of the cable. A central shaft is fixedly mounted for supporting the assembly. Plano-centric gearing within the outer cylindrical member turns an inner rotary member on the fixed shaft at an increased speed, while a centrifugal brake assembly is fixed on the inner member and has brake shoes that fly outwardly under centrifugal force to bear against an inner cylindrical reaction surface on the outer cylinder, and thereby to limit the speed of rotation of the outer cylinder. Guides are provided coacting with the brake shoes to cause them to move rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation, and thereby to provide a wedging action with the reaction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Wedgtrac Corporation
    Inventor: Bertel S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4572333
    Abstract: A decoupling and speed governing mechanism is disclosed for a spring returned drive train driven by a stepper motor. A pinion assembly in the drive train is rotatably coupled to the rotor by dogs on the assembly which engage spokes in a rotor in the motor when the assembly is in a first position along the axis of the rotor. The pinion assembly also includes weighted shoes which move outwardly when the assembly rotates at greater than a predetermined speed to frictionally engage an internal drum surface in the rotor to govern the drive train speed when the assembly is in a second axial position relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis E. Westley
  • Patent number: 4556155
    Abstract: A flywheel or disc rotates around a circular stationary surface, for example, a shaft, the disc is configured relative to the stationary surface so as to define the tapered area or gap at diametrically opposite positions. Two flyweights that are mounted on the disc and mechanically interconnected pivot on the disc radially outward as the disc speed increases. A pair of rollers are located in the space between the disc and the stationary surface, and, as the weights move radially outward, are progressively forced into the tapered area or gap, eventually contacting the stationary surface where they are wedged in the gap, abruptly stopping the rotation of the disc. The counterweights' center of masses and the pivot points are such that the centrifugal force of one weight is slightly greater than the other. An overspeed switch is operated by the weights at a certain speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Werner Koppensteiner
  • Patent number: 4533026
    Abstract: A load carrying device, movable along a rope, has a casing formed of two cheeks, a shaft supported on the casing, and a pulley supported on the shaft. Two diverters are disposed on opposite cheeks of the casing so a rope enters the device on one diverter, passes about a portion of the circumference of the pulley, and exits the device on the other diverter. The casing has a closed position where the cheeks are axially adjacent and an open position where the cheeks are spaced apart along the shaft so that a rope may be inserted in the device. The cheeks have stops which limit their translational movement from the closed position and limit their rotational movement when rope tension tends to move the diverters away from each other. Centrifugal force of pulley rotation causes a pawl to lock the pulley against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: G.A.M.E.S.
    Inventor: Georges C. Bernard