Limit Stop Patents (Class 192/138)
  • Patent number: 10920863
    Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a rotatable driving member; a rotatable follower member, and an elastic member. The drive transmission device includes a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member. The first rotatable member includes first and second driving portions and a limiting portion. The second rotatable member includes a first driven portion, a second driven portion and a contact portion contacting the limiting portion. The second driving portion is adjacent to the limiting portion with respect to a rotational axis direction of the first rotatable member. The second driven portion is adjacent to the contact portion with respect to a rotational direction of the second rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideto Chino
  • Patent number: 10456314
    Abstract: An orthosis for stretching the tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer includes a first member affixable to the foot and a second member operatively connected to the first member and affixable to the toe. A gear is connected to the second member and rotates relative to the first member to impart movement of the second member relative to the first member. A drive assembly is operatively coupled to the gear and drives rotation of the gear, thereby driving movement of the second member relative to the first member such that the toe moves relative to the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bonutti Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris P. Bonutti, Peter M. Bonutti, Kevin R. Ruholl
  • Patent number: 9796098
    Abstract: A mechanical stopper device having a desirable stopper function while having a simple structure, and a multi-joint robot having the mechanical stopper device. A mechanical stopper is constituted by an elastically deformable body arranged on a second arm, and a contacting member arranged on a first arm so that the deformable body comes into contact with the contacting member when the second arm is rotated by a predetermined angle. The spring pin has a slit extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the extending direction of the slit when the pin is inserted into a hole intersects with a contact direction of the spring pin against the contacting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentarou Ootani
  • Patent number: 9506539
    Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle door lock mechanism has a motor, a first gear, a second gear and a third gear. The motor has a shaft to which the first gear is connected. The motor rotates the first gear, which in turn drives the second gear and the third gear. A non-tooth part is formed on the second gear. A projection is formed on the third gear. Stops are arranged for stopping rotation of the third gear. When the second gear rotates to a position where the non-tooth part corresponds to the third gear, the projection is spaced from one stop by an angle. When the second gear rotates further, the gears re-mesh and the third gear rotates till the projection contacts the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Jing Ning Ta, Zhong Ping Wu, Bin Yu, Qiu Mei Li
  • Patent number: 9434040
    Abstract: An unloading and feeding device can include a driving mechanism, a mounting member, two elastic assemblies, a rotating assembly, a pressing member, and a picking member. The driving mechanism can include a base plate having an edge, a movable assembly coupled to the base plate, a first limiting member coupled to the base plate adjacent to the edge, and a second limiting member coupled to the base plate away from the edge. The first limiting member and the second limiting member are positioned at opposite sides of the base plate. The mounting member can be coupled to the movable assembly. The elastic assemblies can be positioned at opposite sides of the movable assembly, corresponding to the first and second limiting members respectively. Each of the elastic members can include a movable member extending through the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yan-Cheng Bao
  • Patent number: 8863930
    Abstract: A rotating range restricting mechanism that restricts the rotating range of a rotating body rotatable 360 degrees or more with respect to a supporting body includes: a swing member rotatably attached to the supporting body; a first restricting member abutting the swing member to restrict the swing range of one end of the swing member; a second restricting member abutting the swing member to restrict the swing range of the other end of the swing member; an engaging member fixed to the rotating body which engages with the swing member to allow the swing member to swing between a first restricting position and a second restricting position; a first magnetic holding mechanism that holds the swing member in the first restricting position with a magnetic attraction force; and a second magnetic holding mechanism that holds the swing member in the second restricting position with a magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kitahara, Shigeyuki Kaino
  • Patent number: 8358096
    Abstract: A linear electro-mechanical actuator comprises a housing with a reversible DC-motor (1), which through a transmission (2) can move an activation element (5) between two end positions. The activation element (5) will in the two end positions cause the electrical end stop switches (17, 25) to be activated for interrupting the current for the DC motor (1) in the end positions of the activation element (5) for running the motor (1) in one direction. Parallel to the end stop switches (17, 25), an extra set of switches (21, 23) are incorporated for determining in which end position the activation element (5) is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Jeppe Bastholm
  • Patent number: 7308693
    Abstract: A disk drive structure with an adjustable bearing structure for guide bars therein. The disk drive includes a base, a spindle motor, a main guide bar located aside the spindle motor, a secondary guide bar located also aside the spindle motor but opposing to the main guide bar, an optical pickup head riding at the main guide bar and the secondary guide bar, and four bearing structures to sustain ends of the main guide bar and the secondary guide bar. The disk drive includes at least one of the four bearing structures is an adjustable bearing structure. The adjustable bearing structure includes a housing, a through hole, a spring arm, and a cam pillar pivotally mounted under the housing and sent into the through hole. By providing the cam pillar and the spring arm to hold the end of the respective guide bar, the position of the guide bar can be adjusted by turning the cam pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Fu Lee
  • Patent number: 7237666
    Abstract: A multi-stop mechanism for providing multiple stop positions between first and second objects that are movable into and out of contact with one another. The multi-stop mechanism of the present invention includes a housing which secures the multi stop mechanism to the first object and/or the second object, a rotatble shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and plurality of stops located on the rotatable shaft. When the shaft is rotated within the housing, the stops are rotated to different positions relative to the housing. As such, the rotatable shaft positions one of the stops to contact the first or second object that the multi-stop mechanism is not attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: 7143887
    Abstract: A multi-stop mechanism for providing multiple stop positions between first and second objects that are movable into and out of contact with one another. The multi-stop mechanism of the present invention includes a housing which secures the multi stop mechanism to the first object and/or the second object, a rotatble shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and plurality of stops located on the rotatable shaft. When the shaft is rotated within the housing, the stops are rotated to different positions relative to the housing. As such, the rotatable shaft positions one of the stops to contact the first or second object that the multi-stop mechanism is not attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: 6997090
    Abstract: A saw with a safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and a blade while the blade is moving. The safety system further includes a brake system adapted to engage the blade and to stop the blade when the detection system detects contact between the person and the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, J. David Fulmer, David S. D'Ascenzo, Jonathan N. Betts-LaCroix, Robert L. Chamberlain, Joel F. Jensen, Andrew L. Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald, Benjamin B. Schramm
  • Patent number: 6880440
    Abstract: A miter saw having a base and an arm that pivots toward the base is disclosed. A blade is supported by the arm, and is designed to cut workpieces resting on the base when the arm and blade pivot downward. The saw includes a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade, such as when a person accidentally touches the spinning blade, and the saw includes a reaction system to stop the downward movement of the blade and arm when the dangerous condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 6854579
    Abstract: An angle-adjustable rotating device includes a mounting part disposed on a peripheral wall of a base member. A drive unit includes a motor and a drive shaft driven by the motor. A mounting seat is sleeved on the drive shaft, and is formed with an engaging member. A control mechanism is associated with the drive shaft in such a manner that rotation direction of the drive shaft is reversed when resistance to rotation of the drive shaft is greater than a predetermined amount of torque of the motor. A resistance providing member is mounted adjustably on the mounting part, and is engageable with the engaging member so as to provide resistance to rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Royal-G Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 6843356
    Abstract: A rotating actuator includes a shaft (24) and a mechanical stop device (23) for generating a stop to limit the rotation of the shaft in a direction of rotation. The stop device acts upon the shaft to prevent the shaft from rotating further in the direction of rotation by blocking the shaft using a stop device acting mechanically on the shaft while enabling rotation of the shaft in a direction of rotation counter to the stop with slip in a stop arrangement. The slip is configured such that movement of the shaft in the direction of rotation counter to the stop is detectable. The stop device may include two independently triggered, mechanical stop devices. One stop device acts as a stop for limiting the rotation of the shaft to the right, and the other stop device acts as a stop for limiting the rotation of the shaft to the left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Oster
  • Patent number: 6826988
    Abstract: A woodworking machine is disclosed having a base, a blade, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating and/or to stop movement of the blade toward the cutting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 6813983
    Abstract: A miter saw having a base and an arm that pivots toward the base is disclosed. A blade is supported by the arm, and is designed to cut workpieces resting on the base when the arm and blade pivot downward. The saw includes a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade, such as when a person accidentally touches the spinning blade, and the saw includes a reaction system to urge the arm and blade away from the base when the dangerous condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 6561255
    Abstract: An operator (10,210) for moving in upward and downward directions a sectional door (D) having a counterbalancing system (30) including a drive tube (31) interconnected with the door comprising, a reversible motor (41), a drive gear (52) selectively driven in two directions by the motor, a driven gear (54) freely rotatably mounted on the drive tube and engaging the drive gear, a slide guide (56) non-rotatably mounted on the drive tube, a disconnect (70) mounted on the slide guide and selectively movable between a first position rotatably connecting the driven gear and the slide guide and a second position disconnecting the drive gear and the slide guide, and an actuator (80) for selectively moving the disconnect between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6274830
    Abstract: An improved stop block assembled to NAAMS™ specifications for providing a locating device for a movable member. The stop block has at least one crowned end for positioning to face the movable member and to accurately stop the movable member when the movable member comes in contact with the stop block. The improved stop block includes a proximity switch installed within the stop block for sensing when the movable member contacts the stop block. The improved stop block may also include an actuating device communicating with the proximity switch for sending a signal to a controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Welker Bearing Company
    Inventor: Timothy N. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5690207
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for use in a windshield wiper system having a park eccentric, the clutch incorporates a unidirectional sprag clutch bearing and a torsional return spring to provide the clutch function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Grimes Aerospace Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Scherch, Robert E. Neer
  • Patent number: 5358087
    Abstract: In a turret mill of the kind in which a doughnut 20 moves with the tool head along a threaded vertical rod 1, a tube 4 is slidably mounted on the rod 1 between end plates 5 and 6 which support a turret 7. The turret 7 can be rotated to bring a series of axially adjustable stop elements 9 into position for contact with the doughnut 20, allowing downward movement of the tool head to be stopped in various quickly selectable positions. Such contact with a stop 9 causes the lower plate 6 to act on a head 3 secured to rod 1, which in turn operates a cutout 17 via a lever 16 to stop vertical feed of the tool head. Upward movement of the doughnut 20 engages the upper plate 5, which acts on the rod 1 via a plunger 25 and lever 26, causing the rod to move downwards. This again operates the cutout 17 to stop the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Michael J. Moore
  • Patent number: 5195624
    Abstract: A screw thread cutting apparatus (tapping attachment) which is provided with a clutching apparatus within the attachment, having the capability of de-clutching the drive from the driver in the event of excessive torque. The clutching apparatus involves a clutching member or members carried by the driver and a clutching member or members carried by the driven part, and a displaceable clutching member which can produce a clutching or de-clutching action between the other members. The clutching apparatus can be built into an adapter for holding a tap provided with quick change capability. The clutching apparatus can also be built directly into the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Tapmatic International Corporation (Tic AG)
    Inventor: Alf Eriksson
  • Patent number: 5193658
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot with a stand (1) which is rotatably journalled in a base (2) and provided with a mechanical stop for limiting the rotary motion of the stand. The stop comprises at least one radially projecting stop arm (7), which in a certain rotational position makes contact with a stop pin (6) arranged on the base (2). The rotary moment is taken up by deformation of the stop pin (6). The stand (1) is provided with a plurality of recesses (8, 10) arranged around the periphery of the stand, whereas the stop arm (7) is formed with at least one fixing projection (12, 13) which is adapted to the recesses and which, with the aid of a wedge member (14), may be fastened into one of the recesses at an optional location on the periphery of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB
    Inventor: Leif Tellden
  • Patent number: 5174424
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for producing clutching and de-clutching particularly adaptable for use in a tapping attachment for threading holes. The clutching apparatus includes clutching members driven by the driver or driving machine and clutching members carried by the driven part. An intermediate member is provided which provides for clutching engagement and de-clutching between the members on the driving part and the members on the driven part. The clutching apparatus has the capability of producing de-clutching in response to excessive torque applied to the apparatus, and also, it has the capability of producing de-clutching in response to the tap having reached a predetermined depth and the hole being tapped. The apparatus can be built into a tapping attachment or into a tap holding adapter having the capability of quick change release, and also, the mechanism can be built directly into the driving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Tapmatic International Corporation (TIC AG)
    Inventor: Alf Eriksson
  • Patent number: 5097933
    Abstract: The core of a liner displacement transducer is coupled to a rotatable movable member by a threaded stem which engages the member for rotation therewith and is axially slidable relative thereto. The stem threadedly engages a nut which is axially located on a fixed part of the transducer and is restrained against rotation by a spring loaded detent. Projections on the stem are engageable with respective abutments on the nut at opposite limits of linear travel of the stem, causing the nut to rotate and preventing further change in the position of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Stephen H. Davies
  • Patent number: 5070266
    Abstract: In a stopping device for a shaft, which acts in all three dimensions and is unaffected by large accelerations, a gear on the shaft of an engine is stopped by a locking pawl which engages the gear when the electromagnet is not excited. A magnetic field generated by the passage of current through a coil produces a torque which turns the rotating armature against the force of a spring in such a way that the locking pawl is moved radially outward around the gear and over a guide pin on the rotating armature which can be moved in a guide slot of the locking pawl, and thereby releases the gear and hence the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Teldix GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Janczak, Richard Schopp
  • Patent number: 4653773
    Abstract: A steering axle stop for an axle steering joint assembly is defined by a stub shaft rigidly supported within a steering knuckle boss. In a preferred form, the stub shaft contains a plurality of apertures which extend through the shaft and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The steering knuckle boss is pivotal relative to the axle housing, and the stub shaft extends through an aperture of the boss which has its axis extending tangentially to the swing movement of the boss. The stub shaft is rigidly secured in any one of the selectable apertures by means of a clevis pin which extends through the boss perpendicularly to the latter swing movement. Also in a preferred form, the axle housing contains a projection which includes a contact surface disposed for limiting the rotation of the steering knuckle via contact of one end of the stub shaft with the latter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald W. Graft
  • Patent number: 4641737
    Abstract: An overtravel stop for a rotating shaft has a pair of gears associated with the shaft to rotate therewith. Each gear engages an associated limiting gear and the two engaged gear pairs have different gear ratios. One of the limiting gears is threaded over a shaft which is secured for rotation with the other limiting gear, such that the different gear ratios causes the one limiting gear to translate over the shaft. At selected travel limits, the one limiting gear is caused to lock relative to the other, thereby causing one of the gears associated with the shaft to shift therearound. A cam structure is provided which axially shifts a stop member associated with the shaft into engagement with a fixed stop when the one gear shifts about the shaft. Two different cam structures are shown including a pin and slot connection between the stop member and the shaft, and an ear and cam recess connection between the stop member and one of the shaft gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Gillingham, Jeffrey D. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 4609089
    Abstract: An impact wrench including a hammer and an anvil to which impacts are imparted by the hammer, the impact wrench comprising a pair of sensors located at a stationary section of the wrench wherein the sensors are electrically arranged so as to have different phases, the sensors being to detect the rebounds occurring on the anvil, a second sensor adapted to detect an angular displacement of the anvil from a time when the rebounds detected by the first sensors exceed a predetermined value, and means for stopping the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kuken
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Masaru Mizuhara
  • Patent number: 4553463
    Abstract: A chain saw mounting assembly wherein a chain saw is pivotally mounted at the motor housing end, on a support frame, for pivotal movement in the cutting plane of the saw blade. A throttle actuator on the assembly regulates the speed of the cutting chain between idling speed, when the saw is in its inoperative pivoted position, and an accelerated cutting speed when the saw is in its pivoted operating position. The device is adaptable for mounting on a workpiece supporting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Inventor: Richard C. Engel
  • Patent number: 4417185
    Abstract: This driving system for roll-up shades, blinds, rolling shutters or the like is applicable to tubular winding tubes of the shade or the like and comprises an electric motor having its shaft coupled to the tube, and an emergency manual control mechanism in the form of a worm and wheel gearing adapted, in case of failure in the supply of electric current, to drive at the same speed the tubular casing of the electric motor and the winding tube, without causing any misadjustment of the automatic stop device; for this purpose, a particularly compact kinematic connection is provided and comprises a first toothed ring rigid with the winding tube and connected through adequate kinematic means including a pinion rotatably mounted inside a drive wheel to a second toothed ring disposed on the opposite face of this wheel and connected via a toothed wheel to cam members incorporated in the automatic stop means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Somfy
    Inventor: Jean Bullat
  • Patent number: 4036373
    Abstract: An automatic inspection apparatus including a carrier body on the (Y, -) side which is slidably supported by X-direction guide rods, and a carrier body on the (Y, +) side slidably supported by both X- and Y-direction guide rods, each carrier body accommodating a plurality of tap shafts vertically movable therethrough, so that the tap shafts are raised and lowered as desired for the inspection of the object. Each carrier body houses a drive shaft operatively coupled to a prime mover for rotation. A plurality of screw gears, each of which is spring-biased in one way, are fitted on the drive shaft axially slidably thereon. These screw gears and tap shafts are operatively interconnected through gearings to raise and lower the tap shafts. In case of overloading on the load side, the screw gears are tripped against the spring forces so that the displacements of the screw gears can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Igarashi Taenzi, Tsubota Toshio
  • Patent number: 3970179
    Abstract: A die holder comprising a housing in which is freely journaled a spindle, the spindle terminating in a free end portion capable of supporting a die. A collar is mounted upon the spindle and is associated with a position-referencing system which governs an at-rest position of the spindle relative to the housing. At least one shearable pin or lug fixedly secures the collar to the spindle, the lug having a shear-resistance below the bending and shear-resistance of the spindle, the collar and the housing so as to be capable of shearing in the presence of the application of an excessive torque to the spindle before any damage occurs to the remainder of the die holder. The die holder also includes a releasable spring-clutch device interposed between the spindle and housing for overcoming any rotary force exerted against the spindle tending to rotate the latter to its at-rest position before the die held by the die holder is fully released from a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Inventor: Jerome Friedman