Acting Through Linkage Patents (Class 248/564)
  • Patent number: 11872916
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a damper system for a suspension of a vehicle seat. A linkage of the damper system can be configured to cause a damper to provide different damping characteristics when the suspension moves towards a neutral position than when the suspension moves away from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SEATS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Benjamin Nemec, Kole Wacker
  • Patent number: 11834862
    Abstract: A modular energy-dissipating fabricated structure for a transmission tower includes a base, two T-shaped beams, a vibration damping mechanism, a connection plate, and four supporting beams. The vibration damping mechanism slides to generate the damping force and energy dissipation. The larger the displacement of the vibration damping mechanism, the greater the damping force provided by the system. This effectively reduces vibration of an upper structure of the transmission tower, and lowers a probability of damaging the upper structure in a natural disaster. The modular energy-dissipating fabricated structure realizes hierarchical control under different loads. Under an action of a dynamic load such as a strong wind, a small sliding range of the vibration damping mechanism can realize vibration damping and energy dissipation purposes of the structure. When a strong dynamic load such as an earthquake is applied to the structure, the vibration damping mechanism reduces an impact on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: POWERCHINA SEPCO1 ELECTRIC POWER CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guodong Shao, Chongyang Zhang, Li Tian, Jiyong Pang, Tao Li
  • Patent number: 11685298
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, which are spaced apart from one another along a height axis and are connected to one another by means of a scissor frame arrangement, wherein the scissor frame arrangement comprises at least one inner swinging arm and at least one outer swinging arm, wherein the at least one inner swinging arm and the at least one outer swinging arm are mechanically coupled, whereby an angle of inclination of the vehicle seat upper part relative to the vehicle seat lower part can be specified, wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an arm element and a first connecting element pivotably connected thereto, wherein the angle of inclination can be specified by a length of the first connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Florian Dotzler, Konstantin Krivenkov
  • Patent number: 11584271
    Abstract: An air suspension apparatus for vehicle seats includes an air shutter connected to a supply port of a control valve configured to supply air so as to adjust the opening degree of an inner air channel through which air supplied to the control valve passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Byung Moon Kim
  • Patent number: 11407343
    Abstract: An adjustable suspended seat apparatus having a tuned frequency-tailored damping through stratified seat structure is described. The damping seat structure includes: a first material of a plurality of materials having a first characteristic to provide a first damping effect in a first layer. A second material of the plurality of materials based on a second characteristic to provide a second damping effect in a second layer, the first material or the second material having an adjustable damping characteristic. The suspended seat apparatus includes a seat base configured to have the seat coupled thereto; a suspension system coupled to the seat base, the suspension system comprising: an adjustment feature configured to adjust operation of the suspension system; and a chassis mount coupled to the suspension system, the chassis mount configured to be coupled to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wittenschlaeger, Timothy King, Mason Powers, Jeffrey Hermann
  • Patent number: 11147366
    Abstract: A desktop workspace that adjusts vertically includes a work surface platform, a base configured to sit on an existing platform, such as a desk, a height adjustable mechanism including at least one set of arms that connect at a pivot point(s) creating a scissoring motion to raise and lower the said work surface platform to various heights. A locking and unlocking mechanism may connect to the height adjustable mechanism. In some cases, the apparatus includes an adjustable mechanism to support items such as a keyboard. In some cases, the apparatus includes elements to raise items such as a monitor to an additional height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Office Kick, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Mark Poniatowski
  • Patent number: 11140977
    Abstract: A desktop workspace that adjusts vertically includes a work surface platform, a base configured to sit on an existing platform, such as a desk, a height adjustable mechanism including at least one set of arms that connect at a pivot point(s) creating a scissoring motion to raise and lower the said work surface platform to various heights. A locking and unlocking mechanism may connect to the height adjustable mechanism. In some cases, the apparatus includes an adjustable mechanism to support items such as a keyboard. In some cases, the apparatus includes elements to raise items such as a monitor to an additional height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Office Kick, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Mark Poniatowski
  • Patent number: 11000344
    Abstract: A medical stand may include a first link, a second link parallel to the first link, a third link connected between one end of the first link and one end of the second link, a fourth link parallel to the third link and connected between the other end of the first link and the other end of the second link, a mounting arm extending from the other end of the first link, a variable balancing arm connected to at least one of the second link or the third link, a counterweight provided at a distal end of the variable balancing arm, a detector detecting a displacement of at least one of the first link, the second link, the third link, or the fourth link, and a controller generating the control signal to adjust the center-of-gravity position of the variable balancing arm in accordance with the displacement detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: KOH YOUNG TECHNOLOGY INC., INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY ERICA CAMPUS
    Inventors: Jong Tae Seo, Byung Ju Yi, Jae Hong Woo
  • Patent number: 10682934
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant of a vehicle includes a cushion and a suspension. The cushion has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to engage the occupant. The second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The suspension includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a third surface. The third surface engages the second surface of the cushion. The second portion includes a fourth surface. The fourth surface defines a first depression. The first depression opens toward the cushion. The first depression is configured to receive a portion of the cushion when the occupant exerts a load on the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Onkar Akolkar, Daniel W. Booth, Paul W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10429411
    Abstract: A near-field scanning probe includes: a measurement probe that relatively scans a test sample; an excitation light irradiation system; a near-field light generation system that generates near-field light in a region including the measurement probe in response to irradiation with excitation light from the excitation light irradiation system; and a scattered light detection system that detects Rayleigh scattering and Ramen scattered light of the near-field light from the sample, generated between the measurement probe and the sample, and the near-field scanning probe is characterized in that the near-field light generation system includes a cantilever with a chip coated with a noble metal, and a tip of the chip is provided with a thin wire group including a plurality of carbon nanowires with a noble metal provided at ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaifeng Zhang, Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10112512
    Abstract: Suspension device for a vehicle seat, comprising an upper suspension portion and a lower suspension portion, said suspension portions being connected to one another by a first swivel connector and a second swivel connector, said first swivel connector being arranged on the lower suspension portion in such a way that it can swivel about a first swivel pin, and said second swivel connector being arranged on the lower suspension portion in such a way that it can swivel about a second swivel pin, a first tension spring and a second tension spring being respectively connected to the first swivel connector by means of a first end region and to the upper suspension portion or the lower suspension portion by means of a second end region, wherein the first end region of the first tension spring is attached to the first swivel connector at a first distance therefrom, and the first end region of the second tension spring is attached to the first swivel connector at a second distance therefrom, the length of the first di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Lorey, Florian Schanderl
  • Patent number: 9586506
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat pan and four linkage arms individually pivotably coupled with the seat pan. The assembly further includes a mounting plate, each of the four linkage arms being pivotably coupled therewith. A gear rack is coupled with the seat pan and defines an articulation path therefor, and a pinion is operably engaged with the rack to drive articulation of the seat pan including pivoting of the four linkage arms and sliding of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Robert Damerow, Patrick Maloney, Sean David Fannin, Balakrishna Reddy, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Patent number: 9120409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat for a vehicle, in particular for all-terrain vehicles, with at least one seat area extending in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle for receiving a person, a backrest for supporting the back of the person and a holding device connected in the vertical direction (Z) under the seat area and to the latter for keeping the seat area at a distance from a coupling region for coupling the seat to the vehicle, wherein the holding device has at least one spring device for the movable arrangement at least for a time of at least the seat area with respect to the coupling region in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and/or in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Publication number: 20150115126
    Abstract: A seat suspension system for a vehicle comprising a system frame, an elongated seat bracket having one end pivotably mounted to said system frame and the opposite end adapted to support a seat, and a dampening device attached between said system frame and a location on said seat bracket between said one end and said opposite end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SEARS MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Donald Linnberg
  • Patent number: 8585004
    Abstract: An adjustable seat pedestal that allows a user to adjust the height of the seat without sacrificing ride quality. The seat pedestal has a top carrier onto which a seat is mounted and a base that is mounted to the floor of a vehicle. A scissor linkage is employed to allow movement of the carrier toward the base when force is applied through the seat to the carrier when the vehicle hits bumps and forces the user downward. An air bag biases the top carrier upward away from the base. As the upper ends of the scissor linkage move closer together by being pushed upward, a sliding end of the scissor linkage is restrained from movement inward and therefore, limits the maximum height of the pedestal. The pressure in the air bag may be varied which will not change the height above the maximum, but will change the ride quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Roeglin, Robert Cooling, Michael Pequignot, II
  • Patent number: 8579267
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle oscillation device with a lower part (1) and an upper part (2, 2a, 2b) positioned higher and spring-mounted in relation to the lower part (1) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and/or vehicle width direction (22) by a spring device (7, 7a, 7b, 8; 18), wherein the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and/or the vehicle width direction (22) constitute spring travel directions (9, 11), wherein at least one damper (3, 3a; 4, 4a) is arranged which extends with its longitudinal extension in a plane defined by the vehicle longitudinal direction (21) and the vehicle width direction (22), is mounted on the lower part (1) pivotably about an axis (17, 24) oriented perpendicular to the plane, and is connected with a first end (5, 5a; 6, 6a; 16) to the upper part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Publication number: 20130264455
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension system providing both coarse and fine suspension for payloads such as passenger seats, trailers, passenger compartments of motor vehicles, shock/vibration generating devices etc. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a selected position regardless of the weight of the payload. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in time and/or frequency domains to determine a variable amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device. A nominal damper resistance of the MR device is selected based at least on the combined weight of the payload. A piston of the MR device is centered about its throw range and the piston is actuated at angles not parallel to the movement of the payload to provide low-profile operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jody G. Robbins, William E. Woodbury, II
  • Publication number: 20130020458
    Abstract: Spring-mounted vibration system to reduce vibration with a first spring-mounted part and a second spring-mounted part, wherein the first spring-mounted part and the second spring-mounted part can oscillate relative to each in at least one vibration direction and at least one of the spring-mounted parts can be exposed to a return force on a vibration movement. A control unit is arranged with at least one travel linkage which is connected with at least one of the spring-mounted parts and in which is arranged displaceably at least one guide element connected with a spring element generating the return force and/or the other spring-mounted part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Grammer AG
  • Publication number: 20120298831
    Abstract: A diaphragm 34 which defines a liquid sealing chamber 32 has a curved surface shape where the diaphragm 34 bulges toward a partition body 40 side with a center portion 34A thereof forming a peak portion, and a projection 44 which is an injection port mark of an elastic material formed at the time of forming the diaphragm 34 is formed on a film surface of the diaphragm 34 at the center portion 34A on the partition body 40 side. A recessed portion 62 which receives the projection 44 is formed in a center portion 56 of the partition body 40 which faces the projection 44 in an opposed manner, and a liquid-sealed antivibration device 10 is assembled in a state where the projection 44 of the diaphragm 34 is inserted into the recessed portion 62.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Kato
  • Patent number: 7988113
    Abstract: A display device includes a seat, a support member, an adjusting member, and a display panel. The adjusting member is moveably attached to the rear of the display panel. The adjusting member includes a pair of first linkage poles, a pair of second linkage poles, a pair of third linkage poles, a fixing member, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, and a fourth rotating shaft. The linkage poles and rotating shaft form a transmutable quadrilateral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin Yang, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 7950618
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another along at least two sides by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the plates are displaced responsive to externally-imparted forces. An air spring resists relative vertical motion between the bottom and top plates as external forces are applied to the platform. A shock-absorbing damper damps the natural oscillation of the air spring. The resistance presented by the air spring is adjustable through an inlet and outlet port in fluid communication with a remote source of air under pressure. In a second embodiment, a seat bottom includes arched leaf springs that supplant the air spring to increase the range of relative movement between the top and bottom plates and to lower the profile of the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Peter J. Burer
  • Patent number: 7942378
    Abstract: The medical stands is used to support a medical tool and includes a first parallel linkage to maintain weight balance of the medical tool. The torque transmitting mechanism maintains an attitude of the medical tool and includes a second parallel linkage whose one end is fixed to a body of the medical stand, a connecting element, and a third parallel linkage connected through the connecting element to the second parallel linkage. Links that form the second parallel linkage are made of rigid material. A vibration suppressing mechanism is attached to a longitudinal link of the first parallel linkage and is always resiliently in contact with a longitudinal link of the second parallel linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7887133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stand-up wheelchair comprising a frame (29) to which two drive wheels (30) and at least one steerable wheel (31) are fixed. A stand-up unit (33) provided with a height-adjustable seat (3), a back rest (7), and at least one foot rest (32), is pivotably arranged on said wheelchair. The inventive wheelchair is characterized in that the seat (3) is mounted, on both sides, on an articulation parallelogram structure consisting of an upper longitudinal rail (1) which is connected to the seat (3) in a fixed manner and comprises a front articulation point (10) and a rear articulation point (11), a lower longitudinal rail (2) comprising a front articulation point (12) and a rear articulation point (13), and two guides (4, 19) connecting the front articulation points (10, 12) and the rear articulation points (11, 13). The inventive wheelchair is also characterized in that the parallelogram structure can be displaced by a lifting device (36) in order to adjust the height of the seal (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinrich Perk
  • Publication number: 20100308201
    Abstract: A seismic damper includes upper and lower brackets, and a link mechanism. The upper bracket is formed with an upper hole. The lower bracket is formed with lower and intermediate holes. The link mechanism includes a support link, and first, second, and third pivot joints. The support link has first and second ends, each of which is formed with a through-hole, and an intermediate portion, which is formed with a through-hole. The first pivot joint extends through the upper hole in the upper bracket and the through-hole in the first end of the support link. The second pivot joint extends through the lower hole in the lower bracket and the through-hole in the second end of the support link. The third pivot joint extends through the intermediate hole in the lower bracket and the through-hole in the intermediate portion of the support link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Yung-Feng SU
  • Patent number: 7819476
    Abstract: A support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the support frame includes a base frame having longitudinally spaced transversely extending front and rear frame base rails; a first longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails and a second longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails, respectively, the first and second side frame base rails and the front and rear frame base rails being co-planar for supporting the lift chair on a surface; and a force balance member mounted to the rear frame base rail. The force balance member has a transversely extending base portion, a first arm portion extending from the base portion at a first angle ?a, and an opposite, second arm portion extending from the base portion at a second angle ?b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: I-Trust Better Life Corp.
    Inventors: Jiaxiong Gong, Ming Yin, Xiaojun Gong, Quan Liu, Xiaoxiang Zhang, Yongyong Mao
  • Patent number: 7740190
    Abstract: A boom breakaway assembly for a spray boom used by a vehicle. The boom breakaway assembly includes a reciprocating system having a first position and a second position, a retention system, and a bias system. In the first position, the bias system applies a maximum effective bias rate to the reciprocating system and the retention system applies a holding force upon the spray boom to maintain the spray boom in a desired outward position. In the second position, the bias system applies a minimal effective bias rate to the reciprocating system and the retention system reduces or disengages the holding force upon the spray boom, thereby allowing the spray boom to move from the outward position to a breakaway position when the spray boom encounters an obstacle. The bias system returns the reciprocating system to the first position once the spray boom clears the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: John Peterson, Steve Seubert, Dave Friesner
  • Patent number: 7740234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a low-profile suspension system, which provides coarse and fine suspension control to an object supported by the low-profile suspension system. Coarse suspension is provided to adaptively control a position of the object through pneumatic support devices. Pneumatic pressure is adaptively increased in the pneumatic support devices to support an increasing weight of the object, while pneumatic pressure is adaptively decreased in the pneumatic support devices to support a decreasing weight of the object. Fine suspension control is provided through rotational actuation of a shock absorbing device through a right-angle gear drive. By rotationally actuating the shock absorbing device, a range of stroke of the shock absorbing device along a vertical direction is minimized. Position equalization control is further provided to maintain a position of the object along an axis that is orthogonal to the coarse and fine suspension axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Elliptical Mobile Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jody G. Robbins, William E. Woodbury, II, Richard M. Chaput, Scott A. Boster, Mark J. Miskill
  • Patent number: 7637468
    Abstract: An adjustable notebook computer support includes a carrier member holding a notebook computer, a base member having a sliding slot, a first link that has one end pivoted to one end of the carrier member and the other end pivoted to one end of the base member, a second link that has one end pivoted to the other end of the carrier member and the other end coupled to and movable along the sliding slot of the base member, a braking unit movable between an unlocking position for allowing adjustment of the elevation and angle of the first and second links relative to the carrier member and a locking position where the first and second links are locked to the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ming-Hsing Huang
  • Patent number: 7553533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent covering having high damping power, the covering being secured to a structure (20) and being provided with an absorbent layer (10) of elastic material (4). Remarkably, said absorbent layer (10) comprises a dissipater mesh arranged in the elastic material (4) and constituted by a plurality of nodes (2) and of dissipater elements (1), which dissipater elements are advantageously elliptical in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Thomas Manfredotti
  • Patent number: 7413158
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another along at least two sides by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the plates are displaced responsive to externally-imparted forces. An air spring resists relative vertical motion between the bottom and top plates as external forces are applied to the platform. A shock-absorbing damper damps the natural oscillation of the air spring. The resistance presented by the air spring is adjustable through an inlet and outlet port in fluid communication with a remote source of air under pressure. In a second embodiment, a seat bottom includes arched leaf springs that supplant the air spring to increase the range of relative movement between the top and bottom plates and to lower the profile of the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Peter J. Burer
  • Publication number: 20080156960
    Abstract: A truck seat suspension with scissors linkages. Each channel-in-channel scissor arm has a first C-section channel member opening in a first lateral direction, a second C-section channel member opening in the opposite lateral direction, the second C-section channel nesting within the first C-section channel member to provide abutting double flanges at the top and bottom of each scissor arm, and the first and second C-section channels welded to each other adjacent the abutting flanges. Enhanced bending stiffness, torsional properties, lateral stability and mass reduction are obtained compared to solid plate scissor arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Paul A. Elio, Hari Sankara Iyer, Robert E. Glaspie
  • Patent number: 7370842
    Abstract: An exemplary support structure has an auto-adaptable surface. The exemplary support structure comprises a base; an assembly of distinct, adjacent contacts; and an assembly of platforms of a common level forming a common tier, each platform being linked to the base by an articulation. The platforms have multiple branches, each branch supporting a contact, and the contacts and the platforms have three degrees of freedom in rotation. Thus, the contacts are linked to the base such that they are mobile with respect to each other and with respect to the base to form the auto-adaptable support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Dominique Henri Fritz
  • Patent number: 7263806
    Abstract: A storage rack vibration isolator for a storage rack system installed on a floor comprising a first mounting plate connectable to the storage rack system, a second mounting plate connectable to the floor. An elastomeric component extending between these mounting plates and is operatively attached to them so that during seismic events the first and second mounting plates remain attached to the elastomeric component as the elastomeric component is placed in shear while the first and second mounting plates are able to move in planes substantially parallel to each other. The elastomeric component comprises at least one elastomeric member made of material that is capable of absorbing and dissipating the energy of ground movement imparted to the storage rack system during seismic events, while the material enables the storage rack system to move a sufficient distance relative to the floor to lower the natural frequency of the storage rack system in at least one horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ridg-U-Rak, INc.
    Inventors: John B. Pellegrino, James A. Courtwright, Robert Michael
  • Patent number: 7249442
    Abstract: A storage rack system to be installed on a floor has a plurality of columns, is more flexible in a down aisle dimension than it is in a cross aisle dimension, and has at least a first column and a second column adjacent one another in the cross aisle dimension. A storage rack vibration isolator for use with this storage rack system comprises at least one seismic vibration absorption and dissipation structure constructed to be located primarily between the first and second columns to reduce the storage rack system's natural frequency in at least the cross aisle dimension. The seismic vibration absorption and dissipation structure includes a first member connectable to the storage rack system and a second member connectable to the floor. At least one column support assembly is mountable to at least the first and second columns to enable them to move with respect to the floor. A structure limits the movement of the first and second columns to substantially the cross aisle dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ridg-U-Rak, INc.
    Inventors: John B. Pellegrino, James A. Courtwright, Robert Michael
  • Patent number: 7243895
    Abstract: A damping and mounting structure for a motor includes a bracket to which a motor is mounted, the bracket being provided with a plurality of through-holes; a housing having a driven element which is driven by the motor on the bracket; a plurality of threaded holes and positioning recesses coaxial to the threaded holes, provided in the housing; a plurality of cylindrical damper bushes made of an elastic material, mounted in the through-holes; a plurality of retainer bushes made of a material harder than the damper bushes and inserted in the damper bushes, the retainer bushes being provided, at the front ends thereof, with positioning projections which are inserted into the positioning recesses; and a plurality of set screws which extend through the retainer bushes from a surface of the bracket and are screwed into the threaded holes of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Saito
  • Patent number: 6935693
    Abstract: A suspension for a seat that varies the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension in direct proportion to the suspended weight of an occupant of the seat to provide the same effective vibration isolation for any occupant. The suspension includes an actuating mechanism engaged with a first spring and a pivotal transfer link that is engaged with a second spring and a non-adjustable rate damper that are each fixedly attached to the seat opposite the transfer link. The transfer link is engaged with a weight adjustment mechanism which operates to adjust the position of a pivot pin for the transfer link with respect to the transfer link, such that the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension are adjusted in proportion to the weight of the occupant of the seat to provide similar ride dynamics to any occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing, a Unit of Jason Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan Derrick Janscha, Kevin Earl Hill, Dean Davis-Troller, Bradley S. Boyles, John Kucharski
  • Publication number: 20040113040
    Abstract: An antivibration link for isolating two parts, the link comprising a rigid body extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end provided with a sleeve and a second end, a first antivibration joint arranged in the sleeve and presenting a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body, and a second antivibration joint arranged on the second end and presenting a central axis perpendicular both to the central axis of the first joint and to the longitudinal direction. The second end of the body has two branches extending from an intermediate base portion of the body away from the sleeve along the longitudinal direction and interconnected by a bridge extending along the central axis of the second joint, the second joint being arranged around the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Laurent Compain
  • Patent number: 6616116
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor vehicle seat, whose static height is held constant independently of the weight of the respective seat occupant. The inventive device provides a magnetically actuated air valve (16) which is enclosed 20 in a plastic valve housing for aerating and deaerating the pneumatic valve. The air valve is controlled by an external permanent magnet and according operates, quietly, cleanly and with little wear. Also a motor vehicle seat includes an integrated height adjustment mechanism, comprising a control system which automatically and simultaneously dampens the vehicle seat vibrations to a maximum, whilst the static height is being adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Rochau, Reiner Lieker
  • Patent number: 6585214
    Abstract: An extended travel lift system including a support frame and a display device frame. First and second arms are connected at first ends thereof by a hinge connector. A second end of the first arm is pivotally attached to a first slide mechanism on the support frame and a second end of the second arm is pivotally attached to the support frame. Third and fourth arms are connected at first ends thereof by the hinge connector. A second end of the third arm is pivotally attached to a second slide mechanism on the display device frame and a second end of the fourth arm is pivotally attached to the display device frame. A biasing mechanism is provided to bias the display device frame to an extended position. A height control mechanism is provided to retain the display device frame in either a retracted position or the extended position. The first and second arms are typically located in a first plane and the third and fourth arms are located in a second plane parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Chief Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: Jay Dittmer
  • Patent number: 6550740
    Abstract: A shock absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another at their respective rearward and side peripheral edges by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the top plate moves in relation to the bottom plate. In a first embodiment, an opening formed in the bottom plate accommodates the upper end of a platform-supporting pedestal so that the platform may be retrofit onto a pre-existing pedestal. The forward edge of the platform is open so that height-adjusting and seat-rotating pins are readily accessible. A cylinder is pivotally mounted on each outboard side of the platform and its plunger bears against a roller of a truncate link assembly that interconnects the top and bottom plates at their respective forward edges. Downward forces applied to the top plate are resisted by the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Peter J. Burer
  • Patent number: 6545118
    Abstract: A series of polymeric compositions, methods of making the compositions and uses of the compositions are described. An exemplary composition is made by copolymerization of a trifunctional amine or hydroxy compound, a monofunctional amine or hydroxy compound and a polyisocyanate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jeffry J. Fedderly, John D. Lee, Gilbert F. Lee, Bruce Hartmann, Karel Dusek, Jan Somvarsky
  • Publication number: 20030038223
    Abstract: A flexure for holding small parts is integrally formed by EDM machining in the form of two adjacent four-bar linkages. The two four-bar linkages can be flexed apart and small parts such as electronic components or optical filters can be placed between them. When the linkages are released, they will spring back together and hold the parts in between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fleming, Jeffrey J. Hohn, Christopher R. Holloman, Steven E. Wheeler, Charles N. Miller
  • Patent number: 6366190
    Abstract: A magneto-spring structure includes a lower frame and an upper frame vertically movably mounted on the lower frame via a link mechanism. The upper and lower frames have respective permanent magnets secured thereto, with like magnetic pole opposed to each other. The link mechanism includes a plurality of links and a connecting member for rotatably connecting them via a bearing. The links are made of non-magnetic material, while the bearing is made of ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yoshimi Enoki, Hiroshi Nakahira, Eiji Sugimoto, Shigeki Wagata, Hideyuki Yamane, Shigeyuki Kojima, Kazuyoshi Chizuka
  • Patent number: 6286782
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations of a structure such as the air frame of a helicopter wherein a spring system (1), which has an elastic wall structure forming a tube-shaped hollow body supports a weighted vibrating object (23). At least one region of the wall structure is constructed to be elastically deformable in its plane, with a spring stiffness, tuned to the frequency of the vibration to be damped. The wall structure is formed by several planar spring elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), each of which can be elastically deformed in its plane by an arrangement of longitudinal strips (110a, 110b, 111a, 111b) and connecting cross pieces (120a, 120b, 121a, 121b). A battery of the helicopter can be used as the vibrating weight (23). The vibration damper containing the battery is installed at a location on the helicopter where clear structural vibrations occur in two directions perpendicular to each other and wherein the vibration damper is tuned to the vibrations frequencies in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Bansemir, Bernd Bongers
  • Patent number: 6186467
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension for a vehicle seat mounted on a scissors linkage wherein the spring supporting suspension force may be adjustable over a wide range of user weight, and wherein the scissors linkage permits the seat, which may include a back, to move in a substantially vertical direction during seat suspension movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Michigan Seat Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Wahls
  • Patent number: 5984410
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system is provided which includes, in a seat support comprising an upper housing and a lower housing and a scissors linkage support apparatus, a spring fixed to the upper housing and a cable attached to the spring and wrapping around a pulley attached to the upper housing and downwardly to an arcuate or eccentric pulley attached at the scissors linkage axis pivot and an actuator knob which allows a seat occupant to tighten or loosen the cable and raise or lower the seat to provide a vehicle seat suspension system. The present invention provides a suspension system which can be discreetly and infinitely adjustable and which allows a user to adjust the suspension curve characteristics of the seat by utilizing a non-circular drive pulley which is movably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5957426
    Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension between upper and lower supports comprises a scissors arms linkage and a support pivot assembly allowing height adjustment to multiple positions. The pivot assembly carries most of the seat load and comprises a pair of lever arms, a pair of bell cranks, a height adjustment latch including multiple height adjustment detents, a pair of latch supports and a pair of tension springs to provide height-adjustable suspension. The seat suspension also preferably includes a damper such as a shock absorber. The latch includes a plurality of detents which alternatively work to adjust the height of the seat. A moveable pin is disposed within the latch support to engage a detent of the latch to establish the adjustable height of the seat. The moveable pin is moved into a disengagement position by lifting the seat to its maximum raised position whereby an abutment surface on the latch forces the moveable pin rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5954400
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system is provided which includes, in a seat support comprising an upper housing and a lower housing and a scissors linkage support apparatus, a spring fixed to the upper housing and a cable attached to the spring and wrapping around a pulley attached to the upper housing and downwardly to an arcuate or eccentric pulley attached at the scissors linkage axis pivot and an actuator knob which allows a seat occupant to tighten or loosen the cable and raise or lower the seat to provide a vehicle seat suspension system. The present invention provides a suspension system which can be discreetly and infinitely adjustable and which allows a user to adjust the suspension curve characteristics of the seat by utilizing a non-circular drive pulley which is movably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5950489
    Abstract: A variable geometry linkage configuration for use between a support structure and suspended body comprises a link member having first and second ends, a first pivotal interconnection for pivotally interconnecting the first end of the link member with a support plate for rotation about a support pivot axis of rotation. A lever member is provided which has a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. A second pivotal interconnection for pivotally interconnecting the first end of the lever member with an impact plate for rotation about a main pivot axis of rotation. A shock pivot is mounted to the lever member and is adapted to connect an end of a shock absorber to the lever member for rotation about a shock pivot axis of rotation. A third pivotal interconnection is provided for pivotally interconnecting the lever member to the link member for rotation about a lever pivot axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Neway Anchorlok International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 5799922
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension for trucks and the like characterized by its low profile, ease of operation and adjustment and safety utilizing a scissors linkage. The lower ends of the linkage are attached to a base plate affixed to the truck frame and the upper links are attached to a seat bracket utilizing guides and slides to selectively permit fore and aft oscillation of the seat. The scissors linkage is supported by an air spring system and shock absorber, the seat bracket assembly is bolted to reduce distortion and a dual diameter roller system provides accuracy, reduces movement, and the seat bracket is connected to the vehicle frame through the scissors link lower pivot anchor by flexible tension members permitting the seat belts to be attached to the seat or seat bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Seating Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl B. Timms, Wilhelm F. L. Sturhan, Gerhard Hellweg