Positive Lock Patents (Class 188/31)
  • Patent number: 8720650
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a wheelchair has a hub device and a switch device. The hub device has a hub shell, an axle, a ring and a ratchet. The ratchet has a cylinder section. The cylinder section has a recess formed in an outer surface of the cylinder section. The switch device has a pin and a wire. The pin is capable of being selectively inserted into the recess. The wire is securely connected with the pin. Because the pin is inserted into the recess and the ratchet engages the ring, the hub shell along with a wheel cannot be moved unintentionally backward on a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 8573368
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator system for an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a riding lawn mower, comprises a reversible electric motor that drives a gear reduction assembly. The gear reduction assembly rotates an output shaft at a speed slower than the speed of rotation of the motor. The output shaft has opposite ends that are linked by a pair of actuating rods to a pair of parking brakes. As the motor is rotated in reverse rotary directions, the connecting portions of the rods that are coupled to the parking brakes are moved in opposite, straight line directions to move the parking brakes between brake disengaged and brake engaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Dale A. Stover, Karl D. Heal, Steven R. Porter
  • Patent number: 8573378
    Abstract: A parking lock device for a motor vehicle transmission which comprises a transmission housing, a locking pawl mounted by a bolt to swivel on the housing and loaded by a restoring spring, a guide plate supported on the housing, and a locking element by which, in the engaged condition, the locking pawl can be locked by being supported against the guide plate. The locking pawl is arranged on the bolt with some play and, on a narrow side thereof facing toward the guide plate, has a pawl hook with a first detent element, while the guide plate has, in a swiveling area of the pawl hook, an opening with a second detent element which interlocks with the first detent element when the parking lock is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Juergen Stauber
  • Patent number: 8556218
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stop brake for a tripod head, particularly for film or television cameras. The tripod head may include (a) a substantially cylindrical brake caliper, which has a main body for insertion into a receiving opening in a housing part of the tripod head and (b) a brake block for engaging with a brake disk, and (c) a locking device in order to engage and disengage the brake block with/from the brake disc. An expanding section is provided in the region of the outer circumference of the main body of the brake caliper. The expanding section is deflected radially outward in the direction of an inside wall of the receiving opening upon engaging the brake block with the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Camera Dynamics GmbH
    Inventors: Bartholomäus Daisenberger, Dagmar Wessels, Martin Giersiepen
  • Patent number: 8544355
    Abstract: A parking lock arrangement for a motor vehicle gearbox. A parking lock cog can be fixed to a shaft of the motor vehicle gearbox rotatable about a first axis. A parking lock pawl is supported so that it can pivot about a second axis. An actuating mechanism can pivot the parking lock pawl into a locking position, in which the parking lock pawl meshes with the parking lock cog. A release mechanism can pivot the parking lock pawl out of the locking position into a release position, in which the parking lock pawl is decoupled from the parking lock cog. The actuating mechanism has a cam, which is supported so that it can pivot about a third axis and which in a first cam position holds the parking lock pawl in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Georg Burgardt, Stefan Kapp
  • Patent number: 8490757
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for a stroller includes an axle, a wheel and at least one brake fixing seat disposed at an inner side of the wheel. The brake fixing seat includes a brake assembly and a fixing seat. The brake assembly includes a pedal assembly and a brake member. The brake member has at least one abutting portion and at least one brake arm. The brake assembly includes a pushing member for pushing the abutting portion. A brake hub is disposed at the inner side of the wheel. A plurality of recesses is formed on the brake hub and arranged compactly. The axle passes through the pedal assembly, the brake member, and the fixing seat. The pedal assembly is used to drive the pushing member to push the abutting portion and the brake member moves toward the brake hub until the brake arm extends into the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Ruibin Chen, Zong-Wang Cui
  • Patent number: 8464843
    Abstract: The invention relates a lockable caster wheel. The lockable caster wheel can be widely used in shopping carts, luggage carts, strollers, turnover carts, stretcher cars and many other trolleys. The controlling mechanism of the lockable caster wheel comprises a controller which comprises a signal receiving device and a locking device which is controlled by the controller. The locking mechanism further comprises a revolving damper which comprises a shell having a restricting structure and a damping wheel located inside the shell. The shell, through its restricting structure, separates from or connects with the locking device to form unlocked or locked states. The damping wheel connects with the wheel assembly. The caster wheel uses a damper. Beyond the allowed area of use, the trolleys can be slowly pushed for a few of meters because of the damper effect, but it will not suddenly stop completely. Therefore it will not present danger to the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Rocateq International B.V.
    Inventors: Ying Qiu, Liming Fang, Jinyuan Xu, Jie Ma
  • Patent number: 8424654
    Abstract: A wheelchair safety system for a wheelchair which has a seat and two main wheels, the safety system comprising a first member fixedly secured to one of the wheels and a second member movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the disengaged position being one wherein said one of said wheels is free to rotate, an activating assembly which is linked between the seat and the second member, the activating assembly being arranged such that when there is more than a predetermined weight in the seat, the second member is maintained in a disengaged position and when there is less than a predetermined weight in the seat, the second member moves to an engaged position to prevent movement of the wheelchair. The device is useful in preventing accidents when an occupant attempts to rise out of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Landry, Michel Landry
  • Patent number: 8418315
    Abstract: A combination castor brake system includes a linking device, and a plurality of castor assemblies connected with the linking device. Each of the castor assemblies includes an operation unit, a braking unit connected with the operation unit, and at least one roller connected with the braking unit. The operation unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a mounting seat, a slide, and at least two limit rods. The braking unit of each of the castor assemblies includes a housing, a top cap, a control shaft, an elastic member, and a braking member. The roller of each of the castor assemblies is rotatably mounted on the housing of the braking unit. Thus, the linking device can drive and operate the castor assemblies to brake and position the castor assemblies simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sunny Castors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsien Lin, Feng-Hsi Yang
  • Patent number: 8418314
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a base frame having a chamber and a stem in the chamber, a mounting frame for mounting, a wheel pivotally mounted in the base frame, and a wheel lock structure consisting of a holder frame, a lift frame, a crank arm, a control knob and a compression spring and operable to lock/unlock the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Wei-Hung Lai
  • Patent number: 8397877
    Abstract: A wheel braking mechanism 10 comprising a brake shaft 14, a brake drum 16, an engagement pedal 18 and a disengagement pedal 20. The brake shaft 14 has a plurality of first splines 22 provided around the brake shaft 14. A first alignment member 24 is provided at the end of each first spline 22 and has first and second oppositely directed chamfered alignment surface 24a, 24b. The brake drum 16 defines a brake socket around which are provided a plurality of second splines 28, which define a plurality of spline recesses 30. A second alignment member 31 is provided at the opposing end of each second spline 28. Movement of the brake shaft 14 towards the brake drum 16 causes the first alignment members 24 to travel down the respective alignment surfaces of the second alignment members 31, thereby aligning the first splines with the respective adjacent spline recess 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas James Mival, Andrew Gordon Wallace
  • Patent number: 8387759
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blocking mechanism for a parking lock of a shaft in a motor vehicle. The blocking mechanism includes a pawl pivotable about a pivot axis and which, in a blocked position, engages into at least one latch cut-out of a ratchet wheel connected to the shaft. The blocking mechanism includes an actuating mechanism having an actuating device for moving an actuation slider. The pawl is pivotable by a movement of the actuation slider. The actuation slider includes a first U-shaped component and a second U-shaped component which each have two side sections and a transverse section connecting the side sections. The first component and the second component are plugged into one another in opposite directions such that the transverse section of the one component at least partly closes the open end of the U shape of the component and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Daniel Prix
  • Patent number: 8387769
    Abstract: A parking apparatus for an automatic transmission, may include a sprag shaft having a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein an end of the first portion may be inserted in a shaft groove formed in a transmission housing, and a sprag having one end fitted around the first portion of the sprag shaft to rotate about the sprag shaft, a sprag bracket fitted around the first portion of the sprag shall to cover the end of the sprag therein, wherein the second portion protrudes through the sprag bracket and the sprag bracket may be fixed to the transmission housing, and a sprag return spring mounted on the second portion protruding through the sprag bracket, wherein an end of the sprag return spring may be supported by the transmission housing and the other end thereof may be supported by the sprag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Wooyeol Kim
  • Patent number: 8240448
    Abstract: According to an operation of a shift lever to parking range, a cam member at a parking rod comes in between a parking pole and a support member, and the parking pole swings so that a pawl portion of the parking rod can engage with a parking gear. A concave holding portion to hold the support member is formed at a transmission case. The support member comprises a first cylindrical outer face having a first radius R1 which is supported in a concave inner face the concave holding portion to rotate in a specified range and a second cylindrical outer face (cam-contact portion) having a second radius R2 which contacts a cam member. The first radius R1 has a center which is located at the same position as that of the second radius R2. Herein, R2 is shorter than R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Narihito Hongawara, Tomoyuki Hata, Yuichi Honda, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8210324
    Abstract: A device for braking an elongated rotating body, includes at least two parts with coaxial conical surfaces, able to be slipped onto the body, and one, a so-called male cone, mounted integrally in rotation with the body, and the other, a so-called female cone, mounted fixed in rotation relative to the body. The female cone assumes the shape of a wheel with an axial bore with a conical bearing, and the male cone has a center recess. The cones are controlled in terms of axial relative movement by a control element. The male cone is, when the cones are close to one another, corresponding to the braking position, housed inside the axial bore of the female cone, with its conical external peripheral surface being held, by contact with a support, with the conical bearing of the female cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: France Reducteurs
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8205723
    Abstract: A brake apparatus for carts with three or more wheels such as golf bag carts, baby strollers and the like includes a hand brake control assembly fixed on the cart frame and having a body and a lug in pinned connection with the body. Brake activation can be done through a pull on the lug. On the other hand, brake release is achieved by pressing springy pushbuttons on both sides of the lug to escape the clipping pin from the indent. A brake pole set, fixed on a rear wheel axle tube, is capable of offering a buffer mechanism, which avoids potential destruction to the wheel. A brake wire enables easy operation and achieves an automatic lock during braking, which substantially prevents the lapse of releasing the brake by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Unique Product & Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Patent number: 8201667
    Abstract: Braking system for a stroller utilizes an actuator to move two brakes close to an axis to unlock the rear wheels of the stroller and away from the axis to lock the rear wheels. Each brake comprises a long arm. The brakes are disposed at the opposite sides of the axis. When the actuator is driven to rotate about the axis, the brakes move around the axis to have axial movement close to or away from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Zhi-Ren Zhong, Jian-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 8146728
    Abstract: A transmission parking lock and an actuating element (1) for the parking lock. The actuating element includes a pull rod (2) and a roller carrier (3) on which are arranged a first roller (13) for rolling on a first rolling surface on the pawl of the parking lock and a second roller (14) for rolling on a second rolling surface on a guide element, such that the roller carrier (3) can be moved along a predetermined path in the longitudinal direction of the pull rod (2). The roller carrier (3) can move longitudinally on the pull rod (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Reichert
  • Patent number: 8056683
    Abstract: There is provided an electric disk brake including a caliper and a lock mechanism wherein the lock mechanism shifts with a pad pressing member, and is composed of: a shifting member provided with a plurality of claws with a predetermined pitch in a shifting direction; an engaging member provided with an engaging portion which is engageable with the claws of the shifting member; an actuator driving the engaging member in a direction that the engaging portion engages with the claws of the shifting member; and an energizing means normally energizing the engaging member in a direction that the engaging portion is detached from the claws of the shifting member, and the engaging portion is engaged with the claws provided on one-side surface of the shifting member when being locked while the engaging portion is positioned on the other-side surface of the shifting member when being unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Usui
  • Patent number: 8037972
    Abstract: In a vehicle parking system, when a selected shift position is changed between Park and a shift position other than Park, if both an electric motor of an electric parking lock mechanism and an electric motor of an electric parking brake mechanism are operated, these electric motors are started in such a manner that the times at which striking currents supplied to these electric motors reach their peaks are staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kozo Fujita
  • Patent number: 8020675
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical disk brake which has a switchable freewheel in order to be configured as a parking brake. The switchable freewheel includes a clamping roller freewheel having rollers for locking a motor shaft of an electric motor of the brake. A locating bearing of the motor shaft of an electric motor, and the freewheel are accommodated on a cover of a housing of the electric motor, and all the electric connections of the disc brake are routed via the cover. The number of components used can be reduced considerably by the integrated design. Moreover, the positional tolerances of the freewheel in relation to the motor shaft can be reduced with the aid of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann, Hans Frick
  • Publication number: 20110192690
    Abstract: An arresting assembly for a suitcase comprises: an arresting device; and a driving device, the driving device comprising: a press and pull assembly comprising a housing and a press subassembly; a transmission and buckle assembly comprising a connection casing, a buckle element and a spring both mounted in the connection casing, with the spring being between the buckle element and an inner wall of the connection casing, and the buckle element being connected with the arresting device; and a pulling rope comprising a rope core and an elastic sleeve, the rope core being longer than the elastic sleeve in length, both ends of the rope core being respectively connected to an inner wall of the housing and the buckle element, both ends of the elastic sleeve being respectively connected to the press subassembly and the connection casing. The arresting assembly is simple in structure and easy for arresting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: HANHUI JIANG
  • Patent number: 7992346
    Abstract: A drive device for a sliding door system having a transom and at least one door leaf guided along the transom. The drive device includes: a housing which can be mounted on the transom; a pulley which can be driven in rotation by a drive, the pulley being mounted for rotation on the housing and having a flange with locking elements adjacent to the housing; an endless traction mechanism guided around the pulley for moving the at least one door leaf linked to the traction mechanism; complementary locking elements which can be moved relative to the housing to engage the locking elements on the flange and thereby prevent rotation of the pulley; and an electromechanical actuation device which moves the complementary locking elements in response to an impulse emitted by a locking control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Andreas Finke
  • Patent number: 7958985
    Abstract: A parking lock gear (1) for a parking lock arrangement for locking an output shaft of a transmission of a vehicle has teeth (5). An annular element (2) is fixed to the parking lock gear (1) and has outer teeth (3) which engage an actuated locking pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Tobias Miller, Reinhard Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110108373
    Abstract: This invention relates to a bicycle crankshaft lock comprising a lock engageable with the crankshaft of a bicycle, the bicycle crankshaft rotatable when the lock is moved to a crankshaft non-engaged position, the lock inoperative condition, and the bicycle crankshaft non-rotatable when the lock is moved to a crankshaft engaged position, the lock operative condition, and an actuator is connectable to the lock and operable to engage the lock with the crankshaft between the inoperative and operative conditions, the actuator being hand operable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Cranklock Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Charles Toal
  • Publication number: 20110089665
    Abstract: A cable actuator comprises a housing, a handle, and a locking pin. The handle is pivotally connected to the housing and is moveable between a released position and a locked position. The handle has a slot that terminates in a locking detent. The locking pin has a first end configured to pass through the slot and a second end configured to engage the locking detent. The locking pin is biased toward engagement with the locking detent such that when the lever is pivoted to the locked position, the locking detent aligns with the locking pin permitting the second end to engage the locking detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Schneider, Harlan H. Hart, Samuel D. Traxinger
  • Patent number: 7926624
    Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A pawl and return spring are located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block. The pawl has a first, biased position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft which engages the pawl is located in and supported, at least partially, by at least one housing member. The brake actuation shaft is retained in the housing through the interface of features on the brake actuation shaft with a housing member, the pawl and the center section. The pawl may be installed in a first position or in a second, mirrored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7861829
    Abstract: A payout mechanism for spline used for attaching screen mesh to a frame uses a base member with a pair of upright standards, each standard having a downwardly extending channel. A spool with a length of spline wound thereabout has an axle passing through its hollow core with the axle being received within the channels. An end of the spline is grasped and whenever a pulling force is exerted on the spline, the spool rotates about the axle paying out additional spline. A brake mechanism located on one of the standards can be used to slow or even stop rotation of the spool while a post with a notch extending upwardly from the base can be used to frictionally hold an end of the spline between jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Coursey
  • Patent number: 7857108
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Louis Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson
  • Patent number: 7810613
    Abstract: A cart braking device includes a swivel unit, a shaft unit and a braking unit which has a central shaft, an orientation member, a braking member and a base. The central shaft is coupled with the orientation member and has an elastic piece for moving the central shaft upward. A bottom of the orientation member has an orientation gear and a top of the braking member has a fixation gear corresponding to the orientation gear. The braking member is disposed in the base and includes two braking pads. An elastic member is disposed between the base and the braking member, and can move the braking member away from the base. When the braking pads are pressed against the wheel, the cart braking device stops the rotation of the wheel. When the orientation gear is engaged with the fixation gear, the cart braking device prevents the wheel from changing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Ching-Sung Lin
  • Patent number: 7765049
    Abstract: A braking system including a brake, a brake actuator which is operable to apply a force to the brake to effect braking, an automatic braking controller, and a manually operable brake actuator control device, the brake actuator control device including a manually operable control part which is movable between a release position and an apply position and which is adapted such that movement of the control part by a user from the release position to the apply position causes the brake actuator to apply the brake and movement of the control part by a user from the apply position to the release position causes the brake actuator to release the brake, the brake actuator control device being characterized in that it further includes a control actuator which engages with the control part and which is adapted to effect movement of the control part from the release position to the apply position on receipt of an appropriate signal from the automatic braking controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Laurence John Potter, Robert David Prescott
  • Patent number: 7757832
    Abstract: A parking lock for a motor vehicle with an automatic or manual automatic transmission includes a parking lock wheel connected with the transmission output, a locking pawl pivotably attached by a parking lock bolt to a transmission housing. The locking pawl engages and disengages the parking lock wheel and has an end communicating with a guiding plate. A locking element is placed between the pawl and plate to prevent the pawl from disengaging the parking lock wheel. A hydraulic damping element, is at least operatively connected with the pawl, such that while disengaging the parking lock, movement of the pivotable end of the locking pawl toward the guiding plate is damped upon release of the parking lock thus preventing any undesired release jolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Sauter, Gerhard Hockl
  • Patent number: 7735619
    Abstract: When it is predicted that a request for a parking lock operation is likely to be received, an actuator of a parking mechanism is controlled to perform standby processing for bringing the parking mechanism into a standby state immediately preceding a lock state to wait for the request for the parking lock operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Kato, Atsushi Kawamoto, Fumimori Imaeda
  • Patent number: 7708120
    Abstract: An improved electronic braking system for walkers that incorporates one or more electrically-operated brakes controlled by an electronic controller is disclosed. The controller is responsive to touch-sensitive switches for easy operation, and is adjustable and responsive to operator patterns of use to provide individualized control of the brake operation. The controller may also be responsive to environmental conditions such as the slope of the ground over which the walker is moving, to its rate of motion, or to the distance between the walker frame and the user, and may be adjusted to accommodate for the weight of the user or to set limits to the speed at which it can move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Eli Einbinder
  • Patent number: 7708119
    Abstract: A brake device for a pushcart includes a main movable member disposed movably within a main seat, an auxiliary movable member disposed movably within an auxiliary seat, and a connecting member interconnecting the main and auxiliary movable members. The main movable member is biased to an upper limit position, and is movable to a lower limit position so as to engage a main brake pin with a groove in a main pin-engaging member that is connected fixedly to one wheel. Hence, the connecting member moves the auxiliary movable member from a first position to a second position so as to engage an auxiliary brake pin with a groove in an auxiliary pin-engaging member that is connected fixedly to another wheel. As a result, the wheels are locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20100038189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arresting brake (10) for arresting at least one rotatably mounted component (12, 14) with respect to a housing (32), and is suitable in particular for use in an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle. The arresting brake (10) comprises an electromagnet (26), two armature components (40, 42) and two rotatably mounted components (12, 14). The electromagnet (26) preferably has a core (26) and a coil (30; 50, 52). The armature components (40, 42) are arranged such that they can move in relation to the electromagnet (26) and are rotationally fixed with respect to the housing (32). The electromagnet (26) is arranged between the armature components (40, 42), in order to arrest the rotatably mounted components (12, 14) using the arresting brake (10), in each case an armature component (40, 42) can be engaged with, in each case, one rotatably mounted component (12, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Nicolai Tarasinski, Matthias Lang, Rainer Gugel, Bernd Kneer
  • Patent number: 7631742
    Abstract: A parking lock device for an automatic transmission includes: a parking gear externally fixed to the output shaft; a parking lock pole displaced between a lock position, where the parking lock pole latches onto the parking gear to disable rotation of the parking gear, and an unlock position, where the parking lock disengages from the parking gear to enable rotation of the parking gear; a parking rod for displacing the parking lock pole toward and away from the parking gear; a drive lever that moves the parking rod; and a booster mechanism interposed between the parking rod and the drive lever that increases the driving force of the drive lever. Thus, the parking lock device makes the driving force applied by the drive lever when unlocking as small as possible and prevents inadvertent unlocking when in a locked state, thereby achieving smooth operation and enhanced reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20090173584
    Abstract: A transmission parking lock and an actuating element (1) for the parking lock. The actuating element includes a pull rod (2) and a roller carrier (3) on which are arranged a first roller (13) for rolling on a first rolling surface on the pawl of the parking lock and a second roller (14) for rolling on a second rolling surface on a guide element, such that the roller carrier (3) can be moved along a predetermined path in the longitudinal direction of the pull rod (2). The roller carrier (3) can move longitudinally on the pull rod (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Reichert
  • Patent number: 7556135
    Abstract: A parking mechanism of a transmission includes a parking sprocket plug having a pawl portion to be engaged with a parking gear, a parking rod which has a bulge portion and causes the parking sprocket plug to operate, and a bracket which has a rod support member supporting the parking rod. The parking sprocket plug also has a support piece. When the bulge portion is disengaged from a projection, the support piece is hooked on the bulge portion, and the parking sprocket plug is supported in a position where the pawl portion is disengaged from the parking gear. Thereby, a parking mechanism which incurs no malfunction and requires small force for operation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Kasuya
  • Patent number: 7549518
    Abstract: A brake for retaining a mobile carriage on which apparatus such as storage facilities are located. The brake includes a pivot member with a release end and a locking end and with a claw at the locking end. The claw engages a slotted member when the locking end is depressed. The opposite end of the pivot member from the locking end is the release end. Adjacent the release end is a slot which rides on a stoop pin to prevent the release end from being depressed below the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Lance Pennington
  • Patent number: 7537093
    Abstract: A brake device for a pushcart includes a rotary lever rotatable on a base between first and second positions and biased to the first position. A cam member is rotatable within the rotary lever, and has a convex portion and a concave portion. A braking pin is disposed movably on the base, and is biased to contact the cam member. When the rotary lever is rotated from the first position to the second position, the cam member rotates so as to move an end of the braking pin from one of the concave portion and the convex portion onto the other one of the concave portion and the convex portion, thereby switching the braking pin between a braking position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20090095577
    Abstract: A brake for retaining a mobile carriage on which apparatus such as storage facilities are located. The brake includes a pivot member with a release end and a locking end and with a claw at the locking end. The claw engages a slotted member when the locking end is depressed. The opposite end of the pivot member from the locking end is the release end. Adjacent the release end is a slot which rides on a stoop pin to prevent the release end from being depressed below the horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Lance Pennington
  • Patent number: 7510057
    Abstract: A parking brake for a commercial vehicle equipped with an air-operated service brake is configured in such a way that the actuating energy for the brake is reduced in comparison to a configuration with a spring brake cylinder, while the installation space in the wheel area is minimized. Primary functional parts of the parking brake include an inner race and an outer race, which delimit an annular gap. Displaceable tapered-roller bearings are located in the annular gap. To adopt a release position in opposition to the action of a compression spring, the tapered roller bearings are disengaged from the conical surfaces of the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kiener, Stephan Lange, Johann Baumgartner, Eduard Gerum, Michael Herges, Dirk Ganzhorn, Bence Csàk, Nicolas Savagner, Uwe Neumann, Matthias Gradl, Matthias Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7476172
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for a motor assembly including a motor and a reduction gear assembly driving an output shaft or axle is disclosed. A brake rotor is driven by the motor shaft and a brake puck is operatively engageable with the brake rotor for moving the brake rotor toward a braking surface. A brake cam shaft is rotatably supported about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft and engages the brake puck so that rotation of the brake cam shaft about its axis forces the brake puck to move the brake rotor toward the braking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Shane A. Deters
  • Patent number: 7448476
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Carte, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan L. Otterson
  • Patent number: 7428951
    Abstract: In a braking device for an elevator, a sheave around which main ropes for suspending a car and a counterweight are looped is provided with a pressing device. A braking disc provided with a plurality of engaging portions is pressed against the sheave by the pressing device. An engaging device has a movable portion that can be displaced between an engagement position corresponding to engagement with the engaging portions and a release position corresponding to release from the engaging portions. The braking disc can rotate together with the sheave when the movable portion is at the release position. The braking disc is stopped to brake rotation of the sheave when the movable portion is at the engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ito
  • Patent number: 7410038
    Abstract: A locking unit for the locking of the movement of a piston. An electromagnet is provided the armature, respectively the armature bar, of which acts on an operating element. The operating element co-operates with a catching element in such a way that the catching element blocks in a locking position the movement of the piston, respectively the catching element unlocks in an unlocking position the movement of the piston. Catching element and operating element co-operate surface-to-surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: SVM Schultz Verwaltungs-GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kleinert, Georg Scherer, Winfried Willburger, Robert Müller
  • Patent number: 7407233
    Abstract: A parking brake system pneumatically actuates an air cylinder to mechanically lock a wheel brake in an applied position in response to a parking demand request. The parking brake system includes a dual hand control that has an electronic control element and a pneumatic control element. The electronic control element communicates with an electronic braking system control unit and the pneumatic control element communicates with a parking brake air reservoir. When the dual hand control is moved to a park position, the electronic control element generates an electronic control signal that applies a parking brake force to the wheel brake. The pneumatic control element generates an air signal that is sent to the air cylinder. The air cylinder includes an extendable shaft that supports a lock member. The air signal moves the lock member into engagement with a brake operating member to lock the wheel brake in the applied condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Denis John McCann, Dennis A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 7395902
    Abstract: A braking system designed to be an integral part of a shopping cart. The braking system consists of a hand-operated brake that is gravity actuated and normally engaged. The user disengages the braking system to move the shopping cart, preferably by pushing a primary handle of the cart. The braking system is also disengaged when the shopping cart is nested with other shopping carts to allow multiple carts to be moved without the brakes being engaged. The mechanical link from the handle to the brake is enclosed within the frame to reduce potential damage to the mechanism. The mechanical link consists of a hand-activated handle that is pushed down to disengage the brake, and when the handle is not depressed, the handle raises by gravity and applies the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventors: Paul D'Arca, Monty Hutchison
  • Patent number: 7370734
    Abstract: A brake handle assembly for actuating a brake of a wheeled walker of the type having a handle bar member slidably received for telescopic movement within the upper end of a leg member, a wheel rotatably mounted at the lower end of said leg member, a brake mounted at the lower end said leg member, and an elongated brake rod disposed within said handle bar and leg member for moving said brake into and out of braking engagement with said wheel. The brake handle assembly provides a linear pull non-cable brake actuation and is manually operable between a neutral position, a raised brake actuating position and a depressed brake locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Random Products Trust
    Inventor: Bjarki Hallgrimsson