Rod Patents (Class 188/67)
  • Publication number: 20030094334
    Abstract: A braking device of the linear guide comprises a braking slide seat which is mounted on the guide. An operation platform is mounted on the braking slide seat for moving the operation platform along the guide. The braking slide seat is provided with a braking rod which is provided in the mid-segment with an insertion slot having a tapered bevel and in the rear end with a disk spring for pushing the front end of the braking rod to make a frictional contact with the guide. The braking rod is further provided in other side with a piston push rod driven by the hydraulic or pneumatic power source. The urging rod is pushed by the piston in motion to enter the insertion slot of the braking rod so as to cause the braking rod to move away from the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Chin-Mou Hsu, Shing-Yuan Lin, Hsi-Hung Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6564911
    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. The invention provides an effective emergency braking assembly for such systems as progressing cavity pumps in oil wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Kudu Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20030085085
    Abstract: A braking device acts on a guide rail and consists of a housing that is arranged at an elevator car yoke and serves as a support for spring packets and/or for adjusting packets. The housing also serves as a support and guide for chock guide elements that in turn retain and guide brake chocks with brake linings. Pushrods engage at one end at the brake chocks, and at the other end are pivotably connected to an actuating fork. Upon braking of the elevator car, the actuating fork is moved at the pushrod end in the direction of the braking device. The guided brake chocks with the brake linings slide in the braking device. At the same time the brake linings are moved at the guide leg of the guide rail. The brake chocks are moved in the braking device and the spring and adjusting packets are stressed, whereby a braking force for stopping an elevator car or a counterweight is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Oliver Simmonds, Stefan Hugel, Julien Maury, Peter Mori, Peter Aeschlimann
  • Publication number: 20030075393
    Abstract: An infinitely positionable linear friction lock assembly utilizes a single friction spring coaxially disposed about a translating rod within an elongated housing. A bias bushing is provided for slidably supporting the rod. The bushing defines a sloped shoulder against which the friction spring hears, with the angle of the shoulder calibrated to provide an increased holding force up to a predetermined axial force on the rod, and permitting the rod to slip at greater axial forces without disturbing the integrity of the spring or its coils. The assembly includes a release or actuation lever having a cap bushing integrated therein to support the rod and keep the actuation lever in alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Roy E. Shields
  • Publication number: 20030075394
    Abstract: The present invention involves a friction lock device which utilizes one or more friction springs coaxially disposed about a translating rod within an elongated housing. Bias bushings are provided for slidably supporting the rod adjacent one end of each spring. Each bushing defines a sloped shoulder against which the friction spring bears, with the angle of the shoulder calibrated such that the spring is canted to provide a holding force up to a predetermined axial force on the rod, and to permit the rod to slip relative to the spring at greater axial forces without disturbing the integrity of the spring or its coils. The device includes a release or actuation mechanism to partially unwind the springs, thereby reducing the gripping force of the springs and freeing the rod to slide through the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Roy E. Shields, Anthony T. Trzaska
  • Publication number: 20030066717
    Abstract: An improved slip assembly having a base and at least two opposing slip frames positioned on the base with each of the slip frames including a planar slip surface. Additionally, a die is carrier positioned within each of the slip frames and each of the die carriers also includes a planar surface which engages the slip surfaces of the slip frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Buck
  • Publication number: 20030066718
    Abstract: An improved snubbing unit including a snubbing unit base, a lifting assembly having a platform positioned above the base, a rotary table positioned on the snubbing unit, and a first slip assembly positioned on the rotary table. The first slip assembly further includes a base plate with a center aperture formed therein, at least two separate slip frames positioned on the base plate around the center aperture, wherein each of the slip frames includes a slip surface, and a die carrier positioned within each of the slip frames, wherein each of the die carriers also includes a surface for engagement with the slip surfaces of said slip frames. Additionally, a second slip assembly will be positioned on the snubbing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Buck
  • Patent number: 6543546
    Abstract: A pair of ram blocks are provided such that when they are actuated hydraulically to move together, they present an opening which has a series of gripping members downwardly biased. Removal of tubulars or tools from the well bore works against the bias to retract the grippers so that removal can be accomplished. However, if there is an accidental release, the bias pushes the grippers toward the tubular or tool to grip it to prevent loss into the well bore. The ram blocks can be retracted for run-in to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Garry R. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20030062227
    Abstract: A friction applying apparatus and a linear guide apparatus having the same, according to the present invention can uniformly contact allover contacting faces of sliding members to the contacted members so as to reduce abrasion in the sliding members and the contacted members, and may maintain appropriate frictional force and precision. In the friction applying apparatus forcing the sliding members moving along guide rails for generating friction, the sliding member is made of a material having elastic modulus being 5000 MPa or less and Vickers hardness being 400 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Soichiro Kato, Masaru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6511255
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device, comprising two clamping jaws (33) arranged symmetrically to each other and each having a through hole (38) for a rod (12) or shaft passing through same, and an actuating piston (27) which can be actuated by means of a fluid in a piston chamber. The fixing device also comprises an actuating lug (30) which can be moved by the actuating piston for engaging the clamping jaws and moving them away from each other against the force of a spring (36) and about a pivoting bearing (35) from a first into an open second position. The center of each through hole is at a first distance to the pivoting bearing and at a second distance to the area where each actuating lug engages each clamping jaw. The invention is characterized in that the second distance is smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Frenotech
    Inventor: Gianfranco Mainardi
  • Patent number: 6499568
    Abstract: A locking device for a movement unit supported displaceably relative to and along a longitudinal axis of at least one guide rod, comprises a pair of clamping members which have each a clamping opening. Each clamping opening has an inner surface for receiving the guide rod. Each clamping member has a foot end and a head end and is pivotable about an axis to assume a first position, in which the inner surface is in frictional braking contact with the guide rod, and a second position for allowing free relative movement of the clamping members and the guide rod. The pair of clamping members has also a corresponding pair of control surfaces facing each other at their head ends. There is an actuation device that acts onto the pair of clamping members to move them from one of their positions to the other. This actuation device includes: a device for imparting movement which has a pressure exerting surface for exerting pressure in a direction towards the clamping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: PWB AG
    Inventor: Ferenc Nemeth
  • Patent number: 6494298
    Abstract: A brake apparatus engages and locks a piston of a hydraulic elevator drive carrying an elevator car or a cable pulley. The brake apparatus includes a pair of opposed pivotally mounted brake arms each having a curved support carrying a brake lining for engaging the exterior surface of the piston. Each brake lining is formed by bending a planar body at a plurality of the vertical grooves formed in a contact surface to define planar sections. The lining is attached to the support with the sections spaced from the curved support surface. As the brake linings are brought into engagement with the piston surface, the compression forces are evenly distributed by the planar sections functioning as springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: John W. Koshak, Paul L. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6484963
    Abstract: A winding frame is provided which is swingably mountable on a machine frame and operable to support a rotatably driveable winding core for the winding of a filament thereon. The winding frame includes a damping apparatus for opposing unscheduled swing movements of the winding frame during regular winding of a filament onto the winding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Volkmann GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Lohmann
  • Patent number: 6478123
    Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kone Inc.
    Inventors: Ernie Glen Seggebruch, Andrew Ernest Werner
  • Patent number: 6474899
    Abstract: Device for locking in position linear elements movable translationwise such as rods (51) of cylinders (50) and the like, comprising an external body (11) provided internally with a chamber (13) housing elements (21) for locking the rod (51), between which resilient means (22;122) acting on the locking elements themselves are arranged, the chamber (13) having, formed inside it, two opposing cylinders (33) which are arranged on opposite sides of the rod (51) and the pistons (31) of which are designed to be arranged in a position for engagement/disengagement with/from the locking elements (21;121) so as to cause the movement towards/away from one other and the consequent unlocking/locking of the rod (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Airwork Pneumatic Equipment, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Riccardo Corradi
  • Patent number: 6450385
    Abstract: The invention concerns an annular clamping ring in particular for laying oil ducts including a rigid annular base (2) supporting with support apparatus a coaxial ring-shaped assembly of vertical jaws (4) mobile in the diametral planes; said apparatus includes long connecting rods (14) articulated on the base (2) and on the outside of the jaws (4) in an almost vertical position, and the rigid annular body (3) enclosing the jaw (4) assembly, mobile in vertical translation by means of controllable cylinder actuators (6) linking it to the base (2); the jaws (4) are linked with the annular body (3) by at least two connecting rods (5) forming an articulated parallelogram, such that the annular body (3) vertical displacement relative to the base (2) causes a substantially radial and synchronized displacement of the jaw assembly (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventor: Jean Guerin
  • Patent number: 6446769
    Abstract: The invention relates to braking apparatus for a linear motor driven load, where the motor comprises a source of electrical energy, a bed having a braking surface, and a load carrying member operably interconnected to the bed for relative movement with respect thereto. The braking apparatus comprises, a brake arm pivotally mounted at its proximal end to the load carrying member. A frictional braking pad is disposed on the distal end of the brake arm in opposing relation to the braking surface on the linear motor's bed. A biasing apparatus, such as a spring, is in contact with the brake arm for pivoting the brake arm with respect to the load carrying member and placing the brake pad of the brake arm in contact with the braking surface on the bed of the linear motor. An electrically responsive solenoid is coupled to the source of electrical energy for overcoming the biasing apparatus during times when electrical power is being supplied to the linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory A. Kangiser, Patrick J. Moreland
  • Publication number: 20020112929
    Abstract: An arrestor for any hydraulic ram or other cylinder but primarily for an emergency brake for lifting elevators. The present invention is a jack arrestor utilizing two lever acting brake arms lined with an accretable metal as the friction material. When actuated, the brake arms contact the ram circumferentially to slow and stop the falling ram. The lining material is machined inside the brake arms to a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the ram and when actuated, the accretable material on the brake arms contacts the ram with sufficient frictional force to stop the downward motion of the ram. The safety brake may be actuated by loss of hydraulic pressure, by an electronic signal from a hydraulic pressure detector, by down overspeed or by an uncontrolled down motion detector. In the case of the hydraulic pressure detector, reapplication of normal pressure in the hydraulic cylinder will automatically reset the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Koshak
  • Publication number: 20020088674
    Abstract: A rotor brake (8) for an open-end spinning rotor rotating at a high speed in a rotor housing. The open-end spinning rotor is rotatably supported by its rotor shaft (2) in the bearing nip (3) of a support-disk bearing (4). The rotor brake (8), which is preferably designed in a tong-like manner, comprises brake levers (9, 10) that can be placed on the rotor shaft (2) and comprise a replaceable brake lining (16) on their end. The brake lining (6) is manufactured from sintered bronze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Heinz-Georg Wassenhoven
  • Publication number: 20020063435
    Abstract: A pipe clamping apparatus for an oil well in accordance with the present invention includes a body which is formed with an opening for receiving the pipe. Two cages are mounted to the body opposite the body opening from each other. Each cage includes a pair of spaced-apart guide plates which are formed with a cam slot. A cam follower pin is inserted into the cam slot and a pair of guide arms are attached to the cam follower pin at one end. At the other ends of the guide arms, a pair of slip assemblies and one end of a retractor arm are positioned between the guide arms and attached to the cage. The other end of the retractor arm is rotatably attached to the cage via a crankshaft. Rotation of the crankshaft cause the retractor arms to pivot. The pivoting of the retractor arm causes the guide arms to move toward the body opening along a predetermined path defined by the cam slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Robert M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6394201
    Abstract: A tubing spider includes a rigid support frame having a plurality of support posts and an upper and lower support ring separated by said support posts, a pyramidal frustum formed by a plurality of inclined planes rigidly attached to the support frame, a plurality of slips moveable along the inclined planes and hydraulic cylinders for actuating the slips. The pyramidal frustum and the range of travel of the slips extends substantially the entire length of the support frame between the upper and lower support rings. These slips define a cylindrical opening, the diameter of which changes as the slips move along the range of travel. In one embodiment, the support frame may be opened up as the upper and lower support rings are comprised of two hemispherical halves which are joined together in a hinged manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Universe Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Feigel, Jr., Vladimir G. Pohnert
  • Patent number: 6371254
    Abstract: An arrestor for any hydraulic ram or other cylinder but primarily for an emergency brake for lifting elevators. The present invention is a jack arrestor utilizing two lever acting brake arms lined with an accretable metal as the friction material. When actuated, the brake arms contact the ram circumferentially to slow and stop the falling ram. The lining material is machined inside the brake arms to a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the ram and when actuated, the accretable material on the brake arms contacts the ram with sufficient frictional force to stop the downward motion of the ram. The safety brake may be actuated by loss of hydraulic pressure, by an electronic signal from a hydraulic pressure detector, by down overspeed or by an uncontrolled down motion detector. In the case of the hydraulic pressure detector, reapplication of normal pressure in the hydraulic cylinder will automatically reset the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Koshak
  • Patent number: 6325188
    Abstract: A linear motion damping device comprises a cylindrical body having a receiving compartment and an axial hole, in which a dragging rod is slidably disposed such that the threaded portion of the dragging rod is engaged with a fastening member which is confined to turn around the dragging rod at such time when the dragging rod is exerted on by an external force along the axial direction of the dragging rod. The fastening member acts to provide the dragging rod with a damping force at the time when the dragging rod is engaged in a displacement along the axial direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Long Wu
  • Patent number: 6324935
    Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a mounting bracket for the steering column, such that during a crash situation friction surfaces on the steering column slides through an opening in a plastic block carried by the mounting bracket. The friction surfaces have an interference fit with the opening in the plastic block, so that during normal operation of the vehicle the steering column is effectively locked to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schoen, Paul Thompson
  • Publication number: 20010023797
    Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Ernie Glen Seggebruch, Andrew Ernest Werner
  • Patent number: 6276719
    Abstract: A locking device for releasably securing an adjustable steering column to a motor-vehicle body. The locking device comprises two locking elements where one of the two locking elements is attached to the steering column and the other is attached the motor-vehicle body. The two locking elements are adjustable in relation to each other between a release position, which allows the steering column to be adjusted, and a locking position, which secures the steering column. One of the two locking elements is designed as an elastically ductile deformation element that can be deformed in the locking position by means of the other locking element with resultant force and/or form locking of the steering column to the motor-vehicle body. Methods are also provided for making and using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Stephan Gärtner
  • Patent number: 6253881
    Abstract: An adjustment device for an item of furniture comprises two relatively mutually movable parts of which the one is elongate, cylindrical and longitudinally displaceable in relation to the other. A helical spring is disposed with pretensioning about a split sleeve which grips the cylindrical portion. At least one end of the spring is disposed for cooperation with an abutment in communication with the second part. An operating device is connected to the spring for realizing, on actuation between the ends of the spring and about the center axis of the spring, a relative rotational movement which is counter-directed to the pretensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Leif Andersson
  • Patent number: 6241062
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of damping in load-carrying members, particularly those load-carrying members that carry a load between a plurality of masses that are subject to induced cyclic distortion or vibration. According to an aspect of the invention, a damped structural member is provided that carries a load between a first mass and a second mass. The damped structural member comprises a load-carrying member that carries the load between the first and second masses, and at least one damping member nested with the load-carrying member. The damping member and the load-carrying member move relative to each other during cyclic distortion of the load-carrying member thereby dissipating distortion energy at a damping interface between the damping member and the load-carrying member. The damping member bears essentially only cyclic loads induced by cyclic bending mode movement of load-carrying member. A method for damping a structural member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: John J. Enright
  • Patent number: 6237433
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator comprising a screw that is driven in rotation, a nut that is driven in translation by rotation of the screw, and a guide rod which is driven in translation by the nut, the actuator having a plurality of rollers interposed between the guide rod and the nut, said rollers having a succession of annular grooves and ridges, while the outside surface of the nut and the inside surface of the guide rod have respective pluralities of complementary grooves and ridges, the grooves and ridges of the rollers co-operating with the grooves and ridges of the nut and of the guide rod to transmit axial force on the guide rod to the nut when said rollers are in an engaged position, the nut and/or the guide rod having release channels in angular positions that are designed to coincide with the positions of the rollers when they are declutched, said channels being such that they enable at least some of the grooves and ridges to be disengaged so as to release the guide rod to move in translation relat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Systemes Aeronauliques Civils
    Inventor: Fernand Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 6227587
    Abstract: A combined well casing spider and elevator has a body defining a bowl inner wall tapered to reduced diameter from the top to bottom end and defining first external guide surfaces being inclined upwardly and outwardly and having a kicker element defining a second coextensive external guide surface being inclined upwardly and outwardly to a greater extent than the first external guide surface. A gate member is pivoted to the body for movement of a well casing to and from the bowl. A circumferential array of casing gripping slips is located within the bowl and form a circular hole to receive a well casing. The slips are vertically movable along the bowl inner wall to effect radial enlargement and contraction of the circular hole to release and grip the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Emma Dee Gray
    Inventor: Ben D. Terral
  • Patent number: 6206145
    Abstract: A brake apparatus engages and locks a piston of a hydraulic elevator drive carrying an elevator car or a cable pulley. Attached at the upper end of a hydraulic cylinder guiding the piston is a beam on which are pivotally mounted at least two brake arms at pivot points. The brake arms are pivoted by a slidable plunger toward and away from the piston. Each brake are carries a brake lining having a shoulder formed on an inwardly facing surface providing a transition from a piston contact portion to a recessed portion of the surface. The shoulder is positioned in the same generally horizontal plane as the brake arm pivot point for initially engaging the surface of the piston to reduce forces transmitted through the brake arms during engagement and disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Edward G. Cable, Dean L. Jodry, Richard A. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6192981
    Abstract: A coiled tubing hanger assembly for supporting coiled tubing in a well including, as a first element, a mechanically-assisted slip assembly characterized by multiple slip segments inserted in a tapered slip bowl located in the midsection of a coiled tubing head. The conical slips are constrained to move in concert in the tapered throat of the tubing head midsection by means of a slip retainer ring and rest on a rack cylinder slidably positioned in the bore of the midsection beneath the slips. The rack cylinder is typically fitted with lands and grooves that engage a pinion gear attached to a slip-operating mechanism to facilitate manually raising and lowering the rack cylinder and the slips together, causing the slip teeth to selectively engage and disengage the segment of coiled tubing extending through the slips and the bore of the rack cylinder, into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: True Turn Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Boquet, Michael J. Mathias, Sr., Billy M. Deville
  • Patent number: 6179094
    Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Montgomery Kone, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernie Glen Seggebruch, Andrew Ernest Werner
  • Patent number: 6176639
    Abstract: A fixing device, for fixing a linearly displaceable machine part relative to a fixedly supported machine part, has a guiding block (11), a bar member passing through the guiding block (11) in a bar guiding mechanism (14). The guiding block (11) has a controllable setting device and clamping members (21) which are provided with through-holes (24) for the bar member. The clamping members (21) in the guiding block (11) are settable by the setting device, between a first position in which the members (21) clamp the bar member and a second position in which the members (21) release the bar member. The clamping members (21) constitute a plurality of congruent plate elements (21) with parallel surfaces. In the release position, the plate elements (21) are located so as to be approximately normal relative to the central axis A1 of the bar guiding mechanism (14) and, in the clamping position, assume corresponding angular positions relative to the central axis A1 of the bar guiding mechanism (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Numatics GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Willi Fratini, Manfred Leufgen
  • Patent number: 6164419
    Abstract: The mechanical lock includes a rod having one end extending into a housing and another end extending out of the housing. The rod translate through bores through bushings within the housing. Coil springs in the housing and surround the rod. When the springs are in their normal orientation, they grip the rod tightly and prevent the rod from translating. The rod and bushings have complementary structure for preventing the rod from rotating within the bushings and housing. In the exemplary embodiment, the structure are flat surfaces along the rod and the bushing that mate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: P. L. Porter Co.
    Inventor: Kevin N. Tribbett
  • Patent number: 6161657
    Abstract: A rack mounted within the housing of a mechanical lock translates. The rack, which has a rectangular cross-section, has teeth along one surface. A toothed pawl pivots housing between a locked and unlocked position. The teeth on the pawl engage the rack teeth when the pawl is locked. The pawl has a window that receives a cam. The cam has a first surface that engages a surface of the window when the cam is in the locked position. In that position, the cam prevents pawl movement teeth away from the teeth on the rack. A second surface of the cam pushes against a different surface of the window when the cam is in the unlocked position. In that position, the cam disengages the pawl teeth from the rack teeth. The window has a chamfered surface to move the pawl to its locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: P. L. Porter Co.
    Inventors: Jim Zhuang, Kevin Tribbett
  • Patent number: 6152268
    Abstract: A rod clamp device having a rod clamp sleeve with a frusto-conical outer surface and an annular cam with a frusto-conical inner surface and an annular ball guide cage arranged to equalize movement of the bearing balls in circumferentially spaced paths along the clamp sleeve so that the annular cam applies pressure through the bearing balls uniformly around the rod clamp sleeve when the cam is moved axially in one direction to a rod clamp position, and the annular cam uniformly releases pressure on the bearing balls when the cam is moved axially in an opposite direction to a release position. The rod clamp sleeve has slots and the ball guide cage is keyed to the clamp sleeve to maintain a preset angular relation therebetween while allowing relative axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Willy J. Goellner, Miodrag. M. Mihajlovic
  • Patent number: 6151982
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a car, comprises a steering shaft provided with a steering wheel at one end thereof, a steering column for supporting the steering shaft to be freely rotatable, an upper support mechanism fixed to the car body side for supporting the steering column, having an operating lever capable of taking a state for allowing the steering column to move in the axial direction and a state for fixing the steering column, so as to selectively take one of these two states and a lower support mechanism fixed to the car body side for supporting the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakae Matsumoto, Shoji Oka
  • Patent number: 6098496
    Abstract: A control device for an automobile vehicle seat adjustment element including a control element connected to the adjustment element by a connecting rod. The rod is attached to one of the elements by a clamp made of a material more deformable than the material of the rod, the claim including a body and a cover between which the rod is inserted, the rod including protuberances which anchor into the material of the clamp by deforming this material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Rougnon-Glasson
  • Patent number: 6089338
    Abstract: A spider for use within the rotary table opening has all movable elements flush with or below the rig floor. The conventional wedge shaped slips are supported and aligned by a slip carrier that has a spherical outer surface that slideably mates with a spherical bowl inner surface in the spider such that the pipe, slip, and slip carrier can tilt as a unit about any horizontal axis that passes through the spherical surface center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Frank's Casing Crew and Rental Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon J. Bouligny, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6082503
    Abstract: A clamping device is disclosed for attachment to two elements in order to clamp the two elements in any desired relative position. The clamping device comprising a rod for attachment to one element and a collar for attachment to the other element and having an aperture through which the rod passes with clearance. A locking member mounted on the collar at a position spaced from the aperture along the axis of the rod is adjustable manually to apply a force between the collar and the rod in a direction to cause the collar to tilt relative to the rod, so as to jam the rod in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergio Magrini
  • Patent number: 6053288
    Abstract: A portable vehicle fluid drain device is disclosed. The device includes a vertical drain tube which supports a vehicle fluid drain bowl. The drain tube is manually adjusted to an elevated position, latched in place while the vehicle fluid is drained, and unlatched to descend at a rate less than that of free fall due to the use of a friction brake. The friction force imparted by the brake on the drain tube is adjusted by rotating a wing nut on a carriage bolt to squeeze the inner edges of two wishbone arms against the drain tube. A method of using a vehicle fluid drain device with a brake and a self-latching mechanism is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Alemite Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Okpokowuruk
  • Patent number: 6044934
    Abstract: A locking device for a linear movement unit (1) ensures quick and precise locking by providing a guidance when two clamping members (9) pivot into a clamping position substantially free from any play. The guidance is provided by at least first and second guide surfaces (12, 13 or 14, 15) so that the clamping members engage a guide rod (4) simultaneously to lock the unit on it, thus avoiding any spluttering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: PWB AG
    Inventor: Ferenc Nemeth
  • Patent number: 6045188
    Abstract: A system for mounting a seat back relative to a seat bottom includes a rod having circumferentially spaced threaded and non-threaded portions. The non-threaded portions have a smaller diameter than the threaded portions. The rod extends through a bore in a lock ring. The lock ring bore has threaded and non-threaded portions. The threaded portions of the ring have a smaller diameter than the non-threaded portions. The lock ring is rotatable between a locked position at which its threaded portions are aligned with the threaded portions on the rod. At this position, the rod cannot move. The rod is fixed to a seat back pivot bracket, and when the rod is fixed, the seat back is prevented from pivoting relative to a seat bottom. However, when the locked member is rotated such that its non-threaded portions are aligned with the threaded portions on the rod, the rod can move. At this position the seat back can pivot relative to the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Paul T. Schooler
  • Patent number: 6039154
    Abstract: A braking means for a movable part of a furniture component, especially an upholstered furniture component, which has support frame (1), with a slide rail (7) to be attached to either of a movable part (3) and a support frame (1), and with a brake bearing block (8) to be attached to the other of the support frame (1) and movable part (3), an adjustment device (9) for adjustment of the braking force exerted by the brake bearing block (8) on the slide rail (7) being provided on the brake bearing block (8). Especially sensitive adjustability and a small starting jerk are accomplished in this braking device by the bearing block (8) having two brake rollers (11) which roll on opposite brake surfaces (10) of the slide rail (7). As an alternative, the brake bearing block (8) is located within a crosspiece (6) through which the slide rail (7) penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas Jungjohann
    Inventors: Reiner Moll, Helge Fedderke, Christoph Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6039151
    Abstract: A braking device is arranged around a piston of a hydraulic elevator drive and serves for locking of the piston carrying an elevator car or a cable pulley by engaging at least two brake arms, each rotatable around axes. The brake arms are actuated by a brake drive having a brake cylinder with a plunger biased by hydraulic fluid to release the brake arms. In response to a pressure drop in the brake cylinder, or at an unauthorized downward motion of the elevator drive piston, the brake arms are closed by the brake drive and the elevator drive piston is prevented from moving. A brake control circuit connected to a power supply actuates the brake drive and includes a buffer battery backup in case of failure of the power supply and a storage capacitor backup in case of failure of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Cary J. Ringel, James L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6019367
    Abstract: In a multi-bin printed sheets distribution system, a simple safety system solution is provided for protection from accidental dropping of the vertically moving sheet distribution carriage by failure of its movement system. A safety stop member connects with both the tension member providing the carriage movement and the carriage. The safety stop member automatically repositions into stopping engagement with an adjacent vertical guide member in response to breakage or other release of tension in the tension member, to prevent the sheet distribution carriage from accidentally dropping. Preferably the repositioning is by a spring normally overcome by the tension in the tension member. The safety stop member may be a pivotally mounted plate with an aperture though which the guide member normally passes unobstructedly, which plate is both pivoted and laterally moved by the spring to lock to the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Frederick A. Green
  • Patent number: 6003947
    Abstract: An adjustable chair arm is used with a chair that has a base, a seat supported by the base, and a back connected with the base. The arm is an elongated member that is connected with the base and has two opposing ends. An arm adjustment device is interposed between the arm and the base and has a drive rod, a frame, a torque member, a brake, and a brake actuator. The frame holds the drive rod in rotating engagement. The torque member is connected between the frame and the drive rod and applies a torsional force to the drive rod. The brake has a locked mode and a released mode and holds the drive rod in preselected rotational positions, relative to the frame. The brake actuator manipulates the brake between the locked and released modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph K Rye
  • Patent number: 6003394
    Abstract: The actuator includes a housing (12) and a gear nut (64) within the housing (12). A leadscrew (78) on which the gear nut (64) is threaded traverses the housing (12). As the leadscrew (78) moves axially, the gear nut (64) rotates. To prevent misalignment between the gear nut (64) and leadscrew (78), the gear nut's outer walls (74 and 76) and bearing surfaces (30 and 46) within the housing (12) permit the gear nut's axis of rotation to pivot in any direction along with any pivoting of the leadscrew (78), while allowing the gear nut (64) to rotate about the leadscrew (78). Therefore, if the leadscrew (78) is not aligned with the housing (12), the leadscrew will pivot the gear nut (64) so that the gear nut (64) remains aligned with the leadscrew (78) and movement of the leadscrew (78) can continue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: P.L. Porter Co.
    Inventor: Donald T. Heckel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5992801
    Abstract: A primary pipe gripping mechanism and a backup, secondary pipe gripping mechanism are carried in a single tapered slip bowl. The primary gripping mechanism employs smooth surface pipe dies that set against and grip and hold the pipe without damaging the pipe surface. After the primary mechanism is set, toothed dies in the secondary gripping are automatically engaged with the pipe with only a minimal pipe gripping force. Accidental slippage of the pipe through the smooth dies sets the toothed dies down against a wedging surface to grip and hold the pipe to stop its downward movement. A resilient biasing device is used to urge the toothed dies away from the pipe before the smooth dies are set. Movement of the pipe relative to the already set, smooth dies automatically causes the toothed dies to set and grip the pipe to thereby limit the incidence of pipe damage to those situations in which pipe slippage occurs through the primary gripping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Carlos A. Torres