Rotary-member Control Patents (Class 192/139)
  • Patent number: 11840289
    Abstract: An apparatus of limiting a steering angle in a steer-by-wire (SBW) system, may include a steering column rotating in association with a steering wheel; a striker which is provided to penetrate the steering column and rotates together with the steering column, and has a guide pin and a stopper pin; and a disk member that has a spiral sliding slot formed on a surface facing the guide pin, and a stopper formed on a position limiting a maximum steering angle of the steering column in a process of the guide pin rotating along the sliding slot and the striker being translated with respect to the steering column, so that the stopper pin is caught by the stopper in the rotation and translation motions of the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Hyuck Heo
  • Patent number: 11691299
    Abstract: A tool includes a transmission mechanism, a shaft rotatable relative to the transmission mechanism, and a stop mechanism associated with the shaft, the stop mechanism being transitionable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the shaft is free to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the second state, the shaft is constrained from rotating in one of the first direction or the second direction by a defined first endpoint of a range of rotational motion of the shaft. Devices and methods relate to rotation stop mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Grant M. Kadokura, Andrew C. Waterbury
  • Patent number: 11598401
    Abstract: A gear arrangement comprising: a housing having a gear axis and a housing stop, the housing stop having a first and second abutment; a rotatable member mounted on the gear axis having a first side having a first stop and a second having a second stop, the first stop is positioned between the first abutment and the second abutment; and a gear mounted on the gear axis having a first gear side, and a second gear side having a gear stop, the gear stop is engageable and disengageable with the second stop during rotation of the gear about the gear axis, the rotatable member positioned between the housing and the gear; wherein said rotation of the gear is hindered while the gear stop and the second stop are engaged when the first stop enters into engagement with either the first abutment or the second abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Giulio Biondi, Luca Bigazzi, Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 11287241
    Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion being rotationally coupled to the base, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. A wire wound torsion spring is operably coupled between two of the connected arm segments. A first measurement probe is coupled to the first end, the first measurement probe having a first extension element. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the first measurement probe. A probe end is disposed between the first measurement probe and the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James P. Phipps, Dragos M. Stanescu, Kishore Lankalapalli
  • Patent number: 11215390
    Abstract: A drive device with an abnormality detection mechanism may include a drive source; a drive member to which power of the drive source is transmitted; a driven member operably coupled to the drive member; and a detector structured to output a signal in response to the driven member being turned in the second direction around the second axial line. The driven member may be structured such that, in response to the drive member being turned in a first direction around a first axial line, the driven member is turned in a first direction around a second axial line; and, in response to transmission of the power from the drive member being disconnected, the driven member is turned in a second direction around the second axial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Yokoe, Takehiko Yazawa
  • Patent number: 10859161
    Abstract: A shift device for a vehicle, the shift device comprising: a shift body that is moved to change a shift position; and a restriction section provided with a first restriction member and a second restriction member, configured such that actuation of the first restriction member restricts movement of the shift body to a plurality of shift positions or within a shift range, and configured such that actuation of the first restriction member and the second restriction member, or actuation of the second restriction member alone, restricts movement of the shift body to a shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Makoto Yamamoto, Munetoshi Makimura
  • Patent number: 10736743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle assembly (100) for an implant delivery device for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant by means of at least one tension thread, wherein the handle assembly (100) comprises a drum (14) for winding the tension thread thereon by rotating the drum (14); a knob (9) to be rotated by a user of the handle assembly (100) in order to fold or unfold the medical implant, the knob (9) being interconnected with the drum (14) such that the drum (14) is rotated when the knob (9) is rotated; and a displacement limiter for limiting the length or displacement by which the tension thread (11) may be at least one of wound onto or unwound from the drum (14) by rotating the knob (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc.
    Inventors: Hou-Sen Lim, Wolfgang Gotz
  • Patent number: 10736744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle assembly (100) for an implant delivery device for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant by means of at least one tension thread, wherein the handle assembly (100) comprises a drum (14) for winding the tension thread thereon by rotating the drum (14); a knob (9) to be rotated by a user of the handle assembly (100) in order to fold or unfold the medical implant by tightening or winding the tension thread or by releasing or unwinding the tension thread, the knob (9) being arranged or interconnected with the drum (14) such that the drum (14) may be rotated when the knob (9) is rotated; and a brake frame assembly (25) comprising at least one brake element and at least one spring (256, 257) arranged to act on the brake element such that the brake elements contact one surface of the rear knob (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc
    Inventors: Hou-Sen Lim, Wolfgang Gotz
  • Patent number: 10661437
    Abstract: A stopper apparatus for robot rotary joint, for limiting the rotation angle of a turning shaft. The stopper apparatus includes: a rotary protrusion, fixed to the shaft and extended from an outer circumference surface of the shaft; a ring-like orbit, fixed to a mounting housing of the robot rotary joint, inserting the shaft therein; a first slider and a second slider, rotatably accommodated in the orbit and able to push each other to rotate; a stop protrusion, fixed to the housing of a robot rotary joint and extended in the direction of the center of the shaft; the rotary protrusion is able to directly push the second slider to rotate, while it is not able to directly push the first slider to rotate; the shaft, the rotary protrusion and the second slider cannot be obstructed by the stop protrusion when rotate, while the first slider is able to be obstructed by the stop protrusion when rotate, thereby the relative rotation between the shaft and the housing can be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jiajie Sha, Xiaodong Cao, Kaiyuan Cao, Yun Ha, Zhu Zhu
  • Patent number: 10525585
    Abstract: A robot fixing system includes a base member having a front surface in which an insertion hole is formed; a power transmission member configured to supply a rotational driving force to a movable part, which is supported on the base member in a rotatable manner about a first axis of rotation, by rotating about a second axis of rotation while opposing the front surface, a through hole being formed in the power transmission member to extend parallel to the second axis of rotation in a penetrating manner at a position separated from the second axis of rotation by a distance equal to a distance from the second axis of rotation to the insertion hole; and a fixing pin configured to be simultaneously inserted into the through hole and the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 10401162
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a toolsetting probe mounted on a bed or table, and a workpiece-sensing probe which can be mounted in a movable spindle. Both probes are calibrated by using them to make measurements against each other. The arbitrary length of the workpiece-sensing probe is used to calibrate the toolsetting probe, rather than using a pre-calibrated artefact of known length mounted in the spindle. A stylus disc of the toolsetting probe has a pre-calibrated size or dimension, and the workpiece-sensing probe is calibrated with respect to that. This obviates the need for skilful manual calibration procedures using pre-calibrated artefacts and manual measurement tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Lummes, Mark Cole
  • Patent number: 10259093
    Abstract: A grinding machine includes a plane grinding mechanism carrying a workpiece, an electrically controlled device mounted on the plane grinding mechanism, a grinder unit rotatably mounted on the plane grinding mechanism to grind the workpiece, and a smart working control system mounted on the plane grinding mechanism and electrically coupled to the electrically controlled device. The smart working control system includes a smart coder and a smart driver. When a load and a cutting force produced between the grinder unit and the workpiece reach preset parameters during the grinding process, the smart driver executes the working sequence or parameter setting program edited by the smart coder, to shorten a movement distance of the workbench of the plane grinding mechanism along the X-axis (leftward and rightward), and to produce an optimum lapping path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Falcon Machine Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Ming Chang, Chin-Peng Li, Chin-Wei Chuang
  • Patent number: 10087566
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub defining an interior, a basket located within the interior and rotatably mounted within the tub, a clothes mover rotatably mounted within the basket, a motor drivingly coupled to the clothes mover to selectively oscillate or rotate the clothes mover, and a loss motion device having a clutch configured to move among a set of indexed positions in response to rotation of the clothes mover, with the loss motion device being configured to rotationally couple the clothes mover and the basket after the clutch moves through the set of indexed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David Carr, Eric Farrington, David Goshgarian, Vetrivel Kanagaraj, Narendra Kapure, Abhijeet Nalawade, Kartik Vastrad, Bret Wamhoff
  • Patent number: 10064721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle assembly (100) for an implant delivery device for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant by means of at least one tension thread, wherein the handle assembly (100) comprises a drum (14) for winding the tension thread thereon by rotating the drum (14); a knob (9) to be rotated by a user of the handle assembly (100) in order to fold or unfold the medical implant, the knob (9) being interconnected with the drum (14) such that the drum (14) is rotated when the knob (9) is rotated; and a force limiter for limiting the maximum force or tension that may be applied or is applicable to the tension thread (11) or to the drum (14) by rotating the knob (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: VENUS MEDTECH (HANGZHOU), INC.
    Inventors: Hou-Sen Lim, Wolfgang Gotz
  • Patent number: 9818561
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a transmission shaft, driven by an output shaft of a motive power device; a clutch element, including an engagement end, in unidirectional transmission connection with the transmission shaft, and a meshing end; a push rod, passing through the clutch element and including a contact end and a fixed end connected to the transmission shaft; a gear shaft, including a transmission gear in transmission connection with the meshing end; a rotary element, surrounding the gear shaft in a rotatable fashion and including a transmission end and a drive end; and a restoring element, one end bearing against the transmission shaft and another end bearing against the output shaft; and a drive gear, in transmission connection with the gear shaft and provided in a circumferential direction with a drive portion capable of pushing the transmission end. A gas insulated circuit breaker including clutch mechanism is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Guo Qiang Huang
  • Patent number: 9347519
    Abstract: A pendulum damper fixed to a rotating element of an engine comprises a pendulum anchor, a pendulum, and a flexible metal strap attaching the pendulum and pendulum anchor. The strap is wound around the pendulum and pendulum anchor to define a bifilar pendulum. A pendulum clamp is attached to the pendulum such that part of the strap is captured between the pendulum clamp and the pendulum. A pendulum anchor clamp is attached to the pendulum anchor such that a portion of the strap is captured between the pendulum anchor clamp and the pendulum anchor. The pendulum includes a pendulum anchor-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The pendulum anchor includes a pendulum-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The surfaces of the pendulum and the pendulum anchor that face each other are mutually conjugant so that at all positions of normal pendulum motion there is only a small running clearance between the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Alvin H. Berger
  • Patent number: 9168660
    Abstract: A SCARA robot according to an aspect of the invention includes a first arm rotatable with respect to a base, a second arm rotatable with respect to the first arm, a first rotation regulating member regulating a rotation of the first arm, and a second rotation regulating member regulating a rotation of the second arm. The first arm includes a beam provided inside a casing, at least one of the first rotation regulating member and the second rotation regulating member includes a contact part, a fixing part, and a connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuta Sato, Shingo Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8920060
    Abstract: A rotation restricting device for restricting the rotation of a rotating part with respect to a base part, comprising a stopper supported so as to be capable of rotating around an axis of rotation of the base part, a lock mechanism capable of switching between a state preventing and a state allowing the rotation of the stopper with respect to the base part, a first block provided on the rotating part and capable of moving between a position interfering with and a position not interfering with a rotation path of the stopper, and a second block provided on the rotating part and capable of moving between a position interfering with and a position not interfering with the rotation path of the stopper. In a state where the rotation of the rotating part with respect to the base part is not restricted, both the first block and the second block are in the position interfering with the rotation path of the stopper, and the stopper is positioned between the first block and the second block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Wataru Maekita
  • Patent number: 8757345
    Abstract: Rotational hardstop assemblies that provide greater than 360 degrees of non-continuous rotation for rotating mechanisms are provided. In certain embodiments, an assembly is used to provide 630 or more degrees of rotation for the shoulder axis of a robot, such as a wafer transfer robot. The rotational hardstop assemblies include opposing magnets as springs. According to various embodiments, the opposing magnets provide non-contact engagement and produce no contact noise nor have any wear over time. The rotational hardstop assemblies provide the ability to location from either direction of rotation of a robot cylindrical coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Blank, Jim Roberts, Wayne Tang, Michael Bergeson
  • Patent number: 8136607
    Abstract: A device has a torque-limiting unit of a power drill, wherein torque-limiting unit is intended to limit a screwdriving moment in a screwdriving function; and a power drill is provided with the new torque-limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Frauhammer, Gerhard Meixner, Heinz Schnerring
  • Patent number: 7987959
    Abstract: An actuator for a state changeover element that is actuated in a manner interlocking with the tilting of a tilt member is provided. The actuator is equipped with a rotational power generating portion, an output shaft coaxially and integrally rotatably coupled to a tilt spindle of the tilt member to output a rotational power generated by the rotational power generating portion, a casing that covers the actuator and having an opening for exposing one axial end side of the output shaft to an outside. The actuator is further equipped with a rotational angle limiting unit provided between the output shaft and a wall portion of the casing radially facing the output shaft to physically limit a rotational angle of the output shaft. A range changeover device for an automatic transmission equipped with this actuator and a parking device equipped with this actuator are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Itazu, Yoshinobu Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20100278623
    Abstract: Rotational hardstop assemblies that provide greater than 360 degrees of non-continuous rotation for rotating mechanisms are provided. In certain embodiments, an assembly is used to provide 630 or more degrees of rotation for the shoulder axis of a robot, such as a wafer transfer robot. The rotational hardstop assemblies include opposing magnets as springs. According to various embodiments, the opposing magnets provide non-contact engagement and produce no contact noise nor have any wear over time. The rotational hardstop assemblies provide the ability to location from either direction of rotation of a robot cylindrical coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Blank, Jim Roberts, Wayne Tang, Michael Bergeson
  • Publication number: 20090242352
    Abstract: A rotation stop system is disclosed, which limits the rotation of a user device mounted to a mounting member. The user device may be connected to an end cap secured to the mounting member. The rotation stop system includes a rotation stop device operable to engage the mounting member and the end cap. The rotation stop device includes a rotation stop collar and at least one rotation stop ring having at least one stop member. The end cap includes a stop engaging member, which is configured to interoperate with the stop members of the rotation stop rings, in order to prevent further rotation of the user device beyond the stop members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Altonji, David VanDuzer
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040178042
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Kuo-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 6688447
    Abstract: An improved electrical rolling door transmission including one door controller with one pair of transmission gears, two cams, one position cover and two adjustable shafts, all contained in the FixDisc, allowing the user to adjust manually and directly in the limited maintenance space, keeping the limiting position steady after adjustment, thus facilitates the maintenance. One positioning board is installed between the wheel and the driving motor for the user to dismantle the driving motor directly while eases maintenance and assemblage. Furthermore, several sockets on one side of the clutch disc of the FixDisc allow the inserting shaft to insert into any of these sockets for reposition, instead of waiting for reposition by revolving for a big circle, providing better reposition mechanism. While no replacement for a new clutch is needed in case of any socket being damaged, the maintenance cost generates more economic benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Curtis Liu
  • Publication number: 20040016313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved electrical rolling door transmission including one door controller with one pair of transmission gears, two cams, one position cover and two adjustable shafts, all contained in the FixDisc, allowing the user to adjust manually and directly in the limited maintenance space, keeping the limiting position steady after adjustment, thus facilitates the maintenance. One positioning board is installed between the wheel and the driving motor for the user to dismantle the driving motor directly while eases maintenance and assemblage. Furthermore, several sockets on one side of the clutch disc of the FixDisc allow the inserting shaft to insert into any of these sockets for reposition, instead of waiting for reposition by revolving for a big circle, providing better reposition mechanism. While no replacement for a new clutch is needed in case of any socket being damaged, the maintenance cost generates more economic benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Curtis Liu
  • Publication number: 20030226734
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly 1 has a pair of axially facing plates 12 and 13. A relatively rotatable flange 8 is provided between the plates 12 and 13. A first elastic member 30 exhibits high rigidity on the positive side of the torsional characteristics. A second elastic member 31 is provided to operate in parallel with first elastic member 30 to realize a low rigidity on the negative side of the torsional characteristics. The stop pins 22 affix plates 12 and 13 together. The stop pins 22 and notches 8c are provided on the outer periphery of the flange 8 constitute a stopper mechanism 86 for regulating the relative rotation between the plates 12 and 13 and the flange 8. The stopper mechanism 86 is located on radially outside the second elastic members 31. The stop pins 22 are movable on the outer periphery of the second elastic members 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uehara
  • 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: 6394255
    Abstract: A rotary motion limiting arrangement includes a stationary component, a rotating component rotatable in opposite directions relative thereto, a pair of stops movably mounted on the stationary component for establishing a first set of opposite limits to rotational movement of the rotating component, and a link fastened to the stops such that, as one stop is moved between extended and retracted positions across and outside of a path of revolution of a lug on the rotating component the other stop is moved oppositely between retracted and extended positions. A braking mechanism is positioned, upon electrical energization, to halt rotation of the rotating component. Switches situated adjacent to the link and rotating component are electrically connected to the braking mechanism for establishing a second set of opposite limits to rotational movement of the rotating component within the limits of the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdul-Azeez Mohammed-Fakir, Mark Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 6244984
    Abstract: A switch gear with at least two gear stages is provided. At least one gear stage is configured as a switching stage, whereby at least one switching stage is formed by a coaxially nonrotatable sunwheel on a drive shaft, by at least one planet carrier carrying one planet wheel and by at least one ring gear meshing with the planet wheel on the inside, which is held fixed in its housing, and by a cam disk for the actuation of switching elements. The cam disk is provided with a female spline which exhibits approximately the identical pitch circle diameter as the female spline of the ring gear, whereby the female spline of the cam disk exhibits a number of teeth different from the female spline of the ring gear and whereby the cam disk, by means of the female spline, meshes with at least one planet wheel of the switching stage. The switch gear may be used, for example, as a limit switch of cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Stromag AG
    Inventor: Günter Dieterich
  • Patent number: 6073504
    Abstract: A drive unit provided with an end position recognition device includes a radially projecting cam (27) connected to a driveshaft (20) of the drive unit, for reducing the stroke travel of the unit. The radially projecting cam engages, from tooth to tooth, into the inner toothing of a ratchet wheel (110), rotatable about an axis of rotation (111) that is offset and parallel to an axis of the driveshaft (20). The end position recognition device can be retrofitted and is preferably capable of operating even in the case of emergency manual actuation. The cam (27) has a sufficient axial stroke lift such that, in the case of emergency manual actuation, it nonetheless meshes with the ratchet wheel (110) even when the driveshaft (20) is displaced axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ronald Gleixner, Peter Landwehr, Sabine Lang
  • Patent number: 5950790
    Abstract: A linear pneumatic actuator stopping and positioning apparatus has a pneumatic actuator connected to a worktable for moving the worktable along a rectilinear path as well as a selector shaft that is mounted for rotational indexing movement at one side of the actuator and is operatively associated with one or more extendible stop arms for selecting a stop arm located at a selected stop point so as to contact the worktable and stop the movement of the worktable at the stop point selected. The shaft can be mounted to allow it to be shifted along its own central axis for moving one or more sleeve members that are connected to the shaft a short distance for extending a stop arm to an operating position. In one form, a stop arm actuator and locking bar is positioned to be engaged by the sleeve and to press the stop arm to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Steven C. Barber
  • Patent number: 5887693
    Abstract: The present invention is an adjusting mechanism for a controlling switch which comprises a transmission mechanism. The gear of the transmission mechanism is meshed with a driving gear and a worm is driven via an inner gear. The worm is further meshed with a driven gear of the adjusting mechanism. The driven gear is provided with clutching plates at both sides. A stopping block biased by a resilient spring plate is disposed adjacent to the clutching plate such that the clutching plate is pressed against the driven gear and is rotated together with the driven gear. The clutching plate is provided with a coil spring externally and centrally. The resilient spring plate is further provided with a triggering rod such that the clutching plate can be removed from the driven gear. On the other hand, the clutching plate can be also moved back to its original position by the coil spring such that the stopping block will press onto a rocker arm and the switch will be triggered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Mu-Chuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 5855141
    Abstract: A scrolling device includes a first disk, a second disk and a middle disk wherein a shaft extends through the disks and two setting devices are respectively disposed between the middle disk and the respective one of the first and the second disk. A casing receives the three disks therein and is driven by a motor which is controlled by two control members disposed to the first and second disk. Each of the setting devices include a base gear and a plurality of wheels each of which has a toothed periphery and a cam member formed in a first side thereof, and two teeth extending laterally from a second side thereof, a setting member and a positioning member pivotally and respectively disposed between the middle disk and the respective one of the first and the second disk. The setting members each have gears engagable with the wheels and base gear, and a plurality of plates engagable with the cam members to set the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Tai-Shan Chen
  • Patent number: 5647137
    Abstract: An arm 12 for holding a tool-setting probe 14 in a machine tool is rotatable between an operative position and an inoperative position. The operative position is defined by elements 48,52 which form a stop against further rotary motion beyond the operative position. These elements 48,52 are arranged as a kinematic support, so that the operative position is defined in a precisely repeatable manner. Springs 40 urge the elements 48,52 together. When the arm is in the operative position, these springs are stretched by a repeatable amount, so that they provide a repeatable force, in order to increase the precision of the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Renishaw plc
    Inventors: David R. McMurtry, Andrew J. Harding, Stephen E. Lummes, Martin P. Spivey, Jonathan S. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5566593
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle part that can be displaced between end positions, especially for a cover of an openable vehicle roof. The drive device is actuated by an electric motor that is connected, by a reduction gear, to a pinion gear placed on an output shaft. The drive device further has a switch element controlling the electric motor, to stop it in at least one predetermined position and an eccentric gear arrangement is provided to actuate the switch. The drive device enables an emergency actuation in which manual actuation of the output shaft is made possible by uncoupling of the electric motor while maintaining the coupling of the switching gear elements, so that, after an emergency actuation, no readjustment of the switching arrangement is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Webasto Karosseriesysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Vordermaier
  • Patent number: 5538089
    Abstract: A power tool clutch assembly is provided. A first spindle is configured to rotate in a gear case. A drive clutch element is fixed to the first spindle. A second spindle rotates independently of the first spindle. An output clutch element is fixed to the second spindle. An intermediate clutch element is positioned between the drive and output clutch elements, rotatable and slidable relative to the second spindle. A compression spring is provided between the intermediate and output clutch elements. A clutch housing supports the clutch components. The clutch housing and clutch components all can be removed from a power tool gear casing for easy service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Black & Decker Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher P. Sanford
  • Patent number: 5464260
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a drive having a housing formed with an inner surface formed relative to a main axis traversing the housing with two angularly offset and radially inwardly open notches, a shaft rotatable in the housing about the main axis and having a radially outwardly projecting bump, and a wheel rotatable in the housing about the main axis, surrounding the shaft in the housing, and connected to the input member of the latch to rotate jointly with the input member between locked and unlocked positions of the latch. A lobe on the wheel projects radially outward into one of the notches. A radially outwardly deflectable abutment on the wheel is angularly engageable with the bump of the shaft and is urged by a spring radially inward on the wheel so that the bump can angularly engage the abutment and angularly displace the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Bartel, Hans-Joachim Buscher
  • Patent number: 5446970
    Abstract: An arm 12 for holding a tool-setting probe 14 in a machine tool is rotatable between an operative position and an inoperative position. The operative position is defined by elements 48,52 which form a stop against further rotary motion beyond the operative position. These elements 48,52 are arranged as a kinematic support, so that the operative position is defined in a precisely repeatable manner. Springs 40 urge the elements 48,52 together. When the arm is in the operative position, these springs are stretched by a repeatable amount, so that they provide a repeatable force, in order to increase the precision of the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Renishaw plc
    Inventors: David R. McMurtry, Andrew J. Harding, Martin P. Spivey
  • Patent number: 5407044
    Abstract: A device for limiting the number of revolutions of a shaft for rotary drives of sliding roofs or sliding-lifting roofs or automobiles. The shaft is rotationally blocked in the closed position and in defined intermediate positions of the sliding lid by the cooperation of an actuating element, controlled by the pivotal movements of the crank arm, with a spring-loaded blocking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Rockwell Golde GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Grimm, Jurgen Deckardt, Kai Stehning
  • Patent number: 5404983
    Abstract: A multi directional actuator capable of moving a shaft in at least two directions independently including one linear and one rotary movement. A base plate is provided to receive a first actuator having a linearly moving shaft which is extended from and retracted into the actuator. A second actuator is connected for movement by the first actuator and where the second actuator operates an output shaft which is selectively rotated through a portion of an arc. A guide arrangement is provided to direct movement of the second actuator by the first actuator and to journal the shaft of the second actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the shaft of the second actuator. Limit switches can be provided to indicate end of the stroke of the linear and rotary actuators and the first and second actuators can be separated to allow use of limit stops to limit rotation of the shaft of the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans, Jr., Gary M. Rumrill
  • Patent number: 5374791
    Abstract: A compact automatic stop device for two mechanisms for counting revolutions which consist of coaxial counting wheels (10, 10') each associated with a notched cam (14, 14') interacts with a cutoff finger (24, 24') securely fastened to a common cutoff lever (20, 20'), so that when the notches (19) are aligned, the cutoff lever actuates a switch (26, 26'). A set-to-zero lever (29, 29') makes it possible to reset the counting wheels to zero by acting via hammers (33') on core cams (18'). The counting wheels, the cutoff levers and the set-to-zero levers of each counting mechanism are pivoted in a common cradle (5, 5') articulated with respect to a fixed casing (1) having profiled parts (36, 37, 36', 37') which are intended to interact with the cutoff levers and the set-to-zero levers during the displacement of the cradles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Somfy
    Inventor: Philippe LeMarchand
  • Patent number: 5307916
    Abstract: A sensing device for monitoring the presence of a tool or other object on an automatic machine comprises a sensing head adapted to be mounted on the machine. The sensing head has a sensing needle mounted on the output shaft of a reversible motor actuated on each cycle of the automatic machine for movement through a swing angle such that the sensing needle will either contact the monitored object or complete the full swing angle movement resulting in a cycle continue or cycle stop signal to the automatic machine control. The swing angle is manually adjustable by a setting ring on the sensing head for either clockwise or counterclockwise initial rotation of the sensing needle through any desired angle up to 180.degree. degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Tooling & Productions Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean L. Bentzien, Hermann Dohl, Armin Dohl
  • Patent number: 5282523
    Abstract: A motor driven actuator having a mechanical stop radially protruding from the motor output shaft which contacts the output mechanism upon reaching an extreme of travel thereby stopping the rotation of the motor by imparting a tangential stopping force thereby stopping the movement of the output mechanism while minimizing forces generated in the actuator drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Mueller, Don J. Krzysik, Donald R. Haefner
  • Patent number: 5249476
    Abstract: An automatic selector device for multi-gear change-speed gearbox includes a multi-way valve which can be driven into several valve positions each associated with one gear by a stepper motor whose operation depends on an electronic control unit. Each of the valve positions causes the appropriate gear to be selected. The multi-way valve is connected kinematically to a selector unit which can be actuated manually in order to block gears through the intermediary of a stop and an opposing stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Zaiser, Gerhard Wagner
  • Patent number: 5244068
    Abstract: A device for limiting the number of revolutions of a shaft for a rotary drive for a sliding-lifting roof of an automobile is proposed. By the cooperation of a detent bolt, actuated by an actuating knob with a spring-loaded blocking pin and with a rotationally driven blocking ring, the shaft is blocked in rotation not only in the lid closure position, but also by a special construction of the blocking ring, in intermediate sliding and/or lifting positions of the sliding lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Rockwell - Golde GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Hattass, Karl Schmidhuber, Brigitte Weidmann
  • Patent number: 5190503
    Abstract: Weight and complexity concerns in geared rotary actuators and stop mechanisms for aircraft or the like may be minimized in the structure including a housing (18) adapted to be fixed to another structure, a rotatable input shaft (14) journalled by the housing (18), an output shaft (22, 28) journalled by the housing and a coupling between the input shaft (14) and the output shaft (22, 28) including at least one rotatable gear (42). The system includes a mechanical sensor (66) for sensing when the gear (42) has rotated close to an overtravel position and a first stop element (82) is associated with the input shaft (14) to be rotatable therewith. A second stop element (80) is movable into interfering relation with the first stop element (82) to stop rotation thereof and is carried by a gear part (19). Also included is an actuator (60, 62, 68, 70, 72) responsive to the sensor (66) for moving the second stop element (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Russ
  • Patent number: 5144858
    Abstract: A device for limiting rotary movement in two directions comprising a housing (18) having a wall (17). A first stationary component (10) is attached to the wall (17) of the housing (18), the first stationary component having an arcuate segment (11) defined by lateral surfaces (11a, 11b) limiting the arc length thereof. A shaft (14) is rotatably mounted in the first component (10). A second component (20), also having an arcuate segment (21) defined by lateral surfaces (21a, 21b) limiting the arc length therof, is attached to the shaft. The first and second components (10, 20), respectively, have the same shapes and sizes and each of them is provided with a bearing (12, 22) which defines a bore (12a, 22a) and is molded on the arcuate segment (11, 21). Pins (11c, 21c) are positioned, respectively, to extend from oppositely directed faces of the arcuate segments (11, 21). The lateral surfaces ( 11a, 11b; 21a, 21b) of the first and second components (10,20) form abutments acting on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Helmut Funk
  • Patent number: 5141092
    Abstract: A mechanical stop mechanism (15 or 15') adapted to be accommodated in a container (29) having at least one fixed stop (18, 19) defining a limit position for the stop mechanism (15 or 15'). The stop mechanism (15 or 15') includes a helical spring member (S) mounted on a hub (20), with the helical spring member (S) having an active spring length (l) dimensioned so as to absorb impacting forces of the stop mechanism (15 or 15') against the at least one fixed stop (18, 19) by compression of the material of the helical spring member (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie L. Bevans, Richard E. Walsh