Torsion Patents (Class 267/154)
  • Publication number: 20100012400
    Abstract: A wheelchair having torsion-acting shock absorbers from which cantilevered swing arms connected to drive wheels are connected is disclosed. The wheelchair incorporates a compact, collapsible power scooter that attaches to the wheelchair and presents a pair of handlebars having an accelerator and a brake, thus enabling the rider to propel him or herself by a power drive train rather than by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Steven J Patmont, Gabriel S. Petmont, Trevor Snowden
  • Patent number: 7611103
    Abstract: A display apparatus including a base plate; a display main body to display a picture thereon; a lifting member standing on the base plate and combined to the display main body to adjust the height of the display main body; at least one spiral spring connected to the lifting member and to elastically support the weight of the display main body and to extend and retract accordingly as the display main body is lifted up and lowered down; a supporter connected to the spiral spring and to extend and retract the spiral spring via rotation; and a friction member inserted in the supporter to contact with the spiral spring and to generate a predetermined friction while the supporter rotates so that the height of the display main body is maintained even when the weight of the display main body is changed. Accordingly, a display apparatus having an adjustable a display main body even when the weight of the display main body is varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-kyeong Ha, Ju-hwan Kim, Jeong-su Jason Lim, Dong-hyug Kim
  • Patent number: 7606511
    Abstract: The automatic document transport device 2 comprises a device main body 4, an opening and closing body 20 pivotally supported by the device main body 4 about a support shaft 22 between a closed position and an open position, and a helical torsion coil spring 30 that urges the opening and closing body 20 positioned at the closed position in the open direction. The helical torsion coil spring 30 is provided and arranged at a position separate from the support shaft 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20090250853
    Abstract: The invention relates to torsion spring elements for the suspension of deflectable micromechanical elements such as reflecting elements pivotable around a rotational axis. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide torsion spring elements for suspensions of deflectable micromechanical elements which can achieve improved properties in operation with respect to known spring elements. Torsion spring elements in accordance with the invention are made so that they have a changing geometrical design in the direction of their longitudinal axis and thereby have non-linear spring characteristics. The longitudinal axis is in this respect aligned between a clamping or support and the deflectable micromechanical element which is held by at least one torsion spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Wolter, Christian Drabe, Thomas Klose
  • Publication number: 20090250854
    Abstract: An inner raceway surface (21) and an outer raceway surface (31) include deformed raceway surfaces (2k), (3k) which, in conjunction with the relative rotation of inner and outer rings (2) (3), progressively narrow a clamping gap for a cylindrical roller (4) as allowing the rolling movement of the cylindrical roller (4) thereby imparting a rotational urging force between the inner and outer rings (2), (3) in a direction to eliminate a phase difference caused by the relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Masahiro Harada, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 7591453
    Abstract: A stabilizer (1) used in a vehicle is provided by a tubular element (2) with a middle section (3) and two end sections (4a and 4b), where the end sections (4a and 4b) is bent at an angle relative the middle section (3) so that the stabilizer (1) attains a U-shape. Section surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal/center axes (A3 and/or A4) of the tubular element at the middle section (3) and/or the end sections (4a and 4b) are of a shape where one of two vectors (V1 and V2) in the plane of a section surface is longer than the other, both vectors originating from the center of gravity of the section surface (P), extending to the periphery of the tubular element and being at an angle relative to each other. A method of manufacturing a stabilizer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Accra Teknik AB
    Inventors: Anders Sundgren, Göran Berglund, Mats Lindberg
  • Publication number: 20090185248
    Abstract: An oscillating device includes a supporting portion, a movable portion, a torsion spring that supports the movable portion with respect to the supporting portion so that the movable portion is capable of torsionally vibrating around a torsion axis, and a driving unit that vibrates the movable portion. The torsion spring is formed of single-crystal silicon, and a crystal orientation parallel to the torsion axis of the torsion spring is a [111] orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Torashima, Takahisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20090153941
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for reducing failures due to hinge memory. The method, in one embodiment, includes providing a torsional element having an amount of hinge memory, wherein the hinge memory is at least partially created using an average operational temperature. The method, in this embodiment, further includes subjecting the torsional element having the hinge memory to a temperature equal to or greater than the average operational temperature while the torsional element is in a parked state for an amount of time to reduce the amount of the hinge memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick Ian Oden
  • Patent number: 7527251
    Abstract: A non-helical torsion spring system includes an arm to be connected to a load, such as a frame or chassis of a vehicle, and at least one ring to be connected to a moving member, such as a vehicle suspension member. Torsion elements, which may be disposed in concentric groups, each have one end disposed at and resisting rotation relative to the arm but permitting flexural movement relative to the arm. The torsion elements also each have another end disposed at and resisting rotation relative to the at least one ring but permitting flexural movement relative to the at least one ring. At least one of the ends is axially movable. Each group of torsion elements is connected to a respective ring. A torsion control adjusts torsion in the at least two torsion elements, manually or through the use of servomotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: W. Thomas Mc Clellan
  • Publication number: 20090094977
    Abstract: A linear free piston Stirling machine having a displacer piston mounted on first and second planar springs. The first spring has a stiffness which increases with increasing spring displacement. The second has a stiffness which is less variable with spring displacement to provide a combined stiffness which rapidly increases once the displacer piston displacement exceeds a fixed limit. Each of the springs has a plurality of spiral spring portions and a stress relieving hole beyond the outer edge of the spiral spring portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MICROGEN ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Nicholas Hill
  • Publication number: 20090091170
    Abstract: A chair seat adapted to be mounted on or in a frame, and comprising a seat part (4) and a backrest part (5), which parts are functionally separate units, and which are joined by a spring means which allows the backrest part to move resiliently in relation to the seat part, and in which the spring means comprises one or more thin flexible strips of a spring material, preferably a carbon fibre web material, comprising a flat upper spring part (2a) which is fixed to the backrest part (5) of the chair seat and a flat lower spring part (2b) which is fixed to the seat part (4) of the chair seat, and in which the spring means (2) is formed with a curved spring part (8) between the two flat spring parts (2a, 2b) which is substantially free from the seat and the backrest, and which provides a spring action and a counter spring action of the backrest (5) in relation to the seat part (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Norbert Grentzelius, Ann Sandell, Lennart Noack, Stefan Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20090080044
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resonance type micro-oscillating member capable of retraining a fluctuation of angular velocity, and specifically provides a micro-oscillating member, which is a nested micro-oscillating member, wherein there exist a reference oscillation mode which is the characteristic oscillation mode of a reference frequency, and an even numbered oscillation mode which is the characteristic oscillation mode of a frequency being approximate even number times the reference frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Susumu Yasuda, Yasuhiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 7500660
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle stabilizer for high stress in which fatigue life of a bending portion can be prolonged and which can exhibit excellent durability. A configuration of a bending portion 16, to which a maximum stress is applied and which is the most fragile part, of a vehicle stabilizer for high stress 10 is formed in a state which satisfies conditions: 0<??4 and (?×d/R)?2 wherein d represents a material diameter before bending process, R represents a radius of bending of the bending portion 16, d1 represents a short axis dimension of a cross section of the bending portion 16, d2 represents a long axis dimension of a cross section of the bending portion 16, and a flat rate ? of a cross section of the bending portion 16 is represented by the following equation: ?=(d2?d1)/d2×100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Hanamura, Hidetaka Narishima, Takashi Yajima
  • Publication number: 20080304124
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable plate having a plate shape, a pair of axial parts that is elastically deformable and supporting the movable plate rotatable, and a tension adjuster adjusting tension on an axial direction of the pair of the axial parts and including a torsional axis that is formed jointly or integrally with one of the axial parts and disposed orthogonally to the axial direction of the axial parts, and a drive source that torsionally deforms the torsional axis, wherein the torsional axis is torsionally deformed through the action of the drive source and a spring constant of the pair of the axial parts is adjusted by adjusting the tension on the pair of the axial parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro YODA
  • Publication number: 20080284078
    Abstract: The invention relates to deflectable micromechanical elements which can preferably be deflected in translation and optionally also in an oscillatory manner. With respect to known solutions, it is the object of the invention to enable larger deflections with a simultaneously improved resistance toward lateral forces and torques. In this connection, a suspension having at least one spring system is present at elements in accordance with the invention. Levers pivotally connected to torsion spring elements are present at spring systems. Torsion spring elements of a spring system are aligned in a common axis and/or a plurality of axes arranged parallel to one another and at least one torsion spring element is fixedly clamped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Wolter, Thomas Klose
  • Publication number: 20080237954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a damper apparatus mounted between an engine and a transmission and adapted to dampen vibration by a torsion spring, in which a film of a diamond-like carbon is formed on a metal member which is slidably contacted with the torsion spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Masaki SAKAI
  • Patent number: 7410113
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor has a frame, a spindle, a seatbelt webbing and torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a road vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The seatbelt webbing is wound about the spindle for retraction there to and protraction there from. The torsion bar is fixedly coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith, the torsion bar has a first torsion portion mechanically coupled or press-fitted into a second torsion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Keller, Lloyd Snyder
  • Publication number: 20080179799
    Abstract: A non-helical torsion spring system includes an arm to be connected to a load, such as a frame or chassis of a vehicle, and at least one ring to be connected to a moving member, such as a vehicle suspension member. Torsion elements, which may be disposed in concentric groups, each have one end disposed at and resisting rotation relative to the arm but permitting flexural movement relative to the arm. The torsion elements also each have another end disposed at and resisting rotation relative to the at least one ring but permitting flexural movement relative to the at least one ring. At least one of the ends is axially movable. Each group of torsion elements is connected to a respective ring. A torsion control adjusts torsion in the at least two torsion elements, manually or through the use of servomotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: W. Thomas Mc Clellan
  • Patent number: 7192016
    Abstract: A torsion spring assembling construction includes a base member including an engaging hole, a movable member rotatably supported at the base member and rotatable about an axis for defining a first position and a second position, a long hole formed at the movable member, a torsion spring, and a fixed guide for setting a second end of the torsion spring at the second hole by moving the second end of the torsion spring from the first hole to the second hole upon rotation of the movable member. A first end of the torsion spring is inserted into the engaging hole and a second end of the torsion spring is inserted into the long hole. The long hole includes a first hole extended diagonally radial direction relative to the axis and a second hole in communication with the first hole relative to the radially external direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Fukunaga, Takashi Nishio, Sigeru Tanabe, Akira Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7063388
    Abstract: A spring chair (cushion) structure in which the spring chair (cushion) structure, elastic body, flexile rods have sufficient pliancy and, furthermore, are slanted at equal intervals apart such that they conjoin two frame members into a single structural entity. When sitting in the spring chair (cushion) structure, body weight is utilized to directly cause the torsional resiliency of the elastic body to produce an appropriate spring-loaded and buffered effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Yung Chen
  • Patent number: 7048271
    Abstract: A sheet separator for an automatic document feeder of the invention is capable of separating an outmost sheet from a stack. The separator includes a separating roller driven by a driving device, a friction roller, a first shaft, and a force-applying mechanism for pushing the separating and friction rollers against each other. The friction roller has a first rotating state, in which the friction roller is driven by the separating roller, a stationary state when the separating roller feeds a first sheet, and a second rotating state, in which the friction roller is driven by a second sheet fed by the separating roller. The first shaft is inserted into the friction roller to provide a damping torque for stopping the rotation of the friction roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Sheng, Huan-Hsing Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7044458
    Abstract: An automotive suspension stabilizer bar includes a fiber-reinforced composite rod having sets of fibers oriented at 0°, +45°, and ?45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Each end of the rod is secured to a respective light metal arm by first positioning the rod end in a recess in the arm and then crimping the arm about the rod end. The result is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant stabilizer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daily, Jiri Pazdirek, Robert G. Budzyn
  • Patent number: 7028998
    Abstract: A composite support comprising, a composite tube that is provided with an outer diameter and includes a first fiber layer including a resin and glass fibers that have been wound around a mandrel, a second fiber layer including glass fibers that have been wound around the first fiber layer, and an outermost fiber layer including glass fibers that is located around the second fiber layer, a housing that is at least in part spirally shaped and located around at least a portion of the composite tube, a plurality of fittings, wherein at least one of the fittings includes an aluminum and an anchoring surface, and the anchoring surface is provided with a diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the composite tube and secures, at least in part, the fitting to the composite tube, so that, after assembly, the fitting and the composite tube are generally coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daily, Jiri Pazdirek, Robert G. Budzyn
  • Patent number: 6997446
    Abstract: The rotational spring includes a base member which is in the form of a ring and includes elements for fixedly attaching it to a body of an appliance, such as a power toothbrush, which includes a drive element such as a drive shaft portion of a motor. Also included is an upper member in the form of a disc having a central opening through which the drive shaft is fitted, such that the disc member rotates with rotation of the drive shaft. Three leg members extend between the upper disc member and the base ring member. The spring is made from a material and is so configured and arranged that it has a symmetric spring rate for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Scott E. Hall, Bruce E. Taber
  • Patent number: 6948748
    Abstract: A door handle spring assembly for biasing a catch releasably coupling a door handle to a sleeve. The spring assembly includes a first arm engaged with the catch, a second arm extending outwardly from the sleeve, and a loop portion formed between the first and second arms. The first arm and the loop portion are retained within the sleeve. The spring assembly further functions to exert a radial biasing force between the handle and the sleeve to minimize play therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Oscar Romero
  • Patent number: 6948706
    Abstract: A clockspring with a housing that includes a stationary member having a first wall and a hub member rotatably coupled to the stationary member having a second wall. A flat cable is wound between the first and second walls. The flat cable has opposite first and second ends with the first end being coupled to the stationary member at a first connection area and the second end being coupled to the hub member at a second connection area. A flexible strain relief member is integrally formed as one-piece with one of the first and second walls proximate one of the respective first and second connection areas with one of the first and second ends of the flat cable being disposed between the flexible strain relief member and the one of the first and second walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 6931691
    Abstract: Wiper spring is made of a length of spring wire having hook-like end portions at opposite ends. One of the end portions is shaped to slide over the drive arm of a vehicle wiper assembly from one side. The other end portion is shaped to hook over the wiper arm of the vehicle wiper assembly for applying additional spring force to the wiper arm to maintain better contact of the wiper blade against the surface being wiped during operation of the wiper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DER 3 Products
    Inventor: Richard E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6827343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torsion device of an exoprosthesis system, with a proximal part (1) which, counter to the action of a resilient torsion element, can be turned in positive and negative directions of rotation (5, 6) in relation to a distal part (2). To increase the functional range, it is proposed that the torsion element (4), in the positive direction of rotation (5), has a torsion characteristic different than that in the negative direction of rotation (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Skiera
  • Patent number: 6766755
    Abstract: A spreader arm aperture generation system for use with a towed array is provided. The spreader arm aperture generation system broadly comprises a plurality of lines and a plurality of hydraulically activated, inflatable tubes for generating horizontal and vertical separation among the lines. Each of the tubes is filled with seawater to a desired pressure to achieve the desired horizontal and vertical line separation. Preferably, each of the tubes is formed from a high strength woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kimberly M. Cipolla, David A. Hurdis, Michael R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040070127
    Abstract: A torsion bar that can be installed in a seat belt retractor as an energy absorber has a gear integral therewith, wherein the gear is created by submitting the torsion bar to a rolling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Junker, Andreas Tull
  • Publication number: 20040026840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsion spring set especially for the powertrain system of a motor vehicle, having a first internally located component (1) and a second externally located component (2) situated in such a way that it may be rotated in relation thereto, and having a spring (3) acting between the first and second component (1, 2) embodied in the form of a torsion spring, and also having a first securing device (7) for connecting a first end section (9) of the spring (3) to the first component (1) and a second securing device (8) for connecting a second end section (10) of the spring (3) to the second component (2). The spring (3) extends essentially in the direction of the periphery over at least one part of the periphery of the first component (1). At least one of the securing devices (7, 8) is embodied in such a way that the first and/or second end sections (9, 10) is/are moved in a radial direction to the second component (2) when the first component (1) is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Eckel, Volker Hirsch, Erhard Moog, Anja Kunkel
  • Publication number: 20030227114
    Abstract: A torsion spring for a MEMS structure has a plurality of beams, each beam having two ends wherein both ends are fixed to a predetermined area, and at least one connection bar disposed at a right angle to a lengthwise direction of the plurality of beams, wherein the at least one connection bar connects the plurality of beams. Preferably, the distance between the connection bars is equal to or greater than the width of one of the plurality of beams. Accordingly, a torsion spring according to the present invention has a bending stiffness greater than a torsional stiffness, which allows easier torsion. Further, a torsion spring according to the present invention may be easily fabricated by etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee-moon Jeong
  • Publication number: 20030205858
    Abstract: The rotational spring includes a base member which is in the form of a ring and includes elements for fixedly attaching it to a body of an appliance, such as a power toothbrush, which includes a drive element such as a drive shaft portion of a motor. Also included is an upper member in the form of a disc having a central opening through which the drive shaft is fitted, such that the disc member rotates with rotation of the drive shaft. Three leg members extend between the upper disc member and the base ring member. The spring is made from a material and is so configured and arranged that it has a symmetric spring rate for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Scott E. Hall, Bruce E. Taber
  • Patent number: 6631954
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a back mounted to pivot on a seat proper by a locking mechanism, and urged forwards by a torsion bar formed by a metal wire which has two ends fixed respectively to the back and to the seat proper. The metal wire constituting the torsion bar forms at least one spiral comprising a plurality of adjacent turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Faurecia Siege d' Automobile S.A.
    Inventors: David Amorin, Yves Geoffroy
  • Publication number: 20030127786
    Abstract: An automotive suspension stabilizer bar includes a fiber-reinforced composite rod having sets of fibers oriented at 0°, +45°, and −45° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Each end of the rod is secured to a respective light metal arm by first positioning the rod end in a recess in the arm and then crimping the arm about the rod end. The result is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant stabilizer bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daily, Jiri Pazdirek, Robert G. Budzyn
  • Publication number: 20030057621
    Abstract: The connecting spring for a junction block of the type forming a kind of loop comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: ENTRELEC S.A.
    Inventors: Pascal Pedrinelli, Michel Sartorio
  • Patent number: 6520494
    Abstract: A modular anti-sway bar assembly for heavy duty vehicles. The anti-sway bar has multiple components including a main torsion bar which is equipped at each end with a splined connecting surface. The splined ends of the main torsion bar allow it to be easily disconnected and removed from the vehicle. Each of the splined ends of the main torsion bar is gripped by an arm, which is generally horizontally oriented and which is connected by a vertical link to a wheel end. The main torsion bar is guided along its length and restrained from axial motion by a pair of support bushings, each of which is held in a pocket in a suspension side plate. The main torsion bar passes through openings in the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Oshkosh Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon K. Andersen, Jesse D. Gander, Geoffrey W. Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20030006542
    Abstract: A torsion bar spring of spring steel with a high carbon content is connected fixedly in terms of rotation at its ends to structural parts. The structural parts are mounted pivotably in relation to one another. The torsion bar spring is connected in a materially integral manner to at least one of the structural parts by friction welding, condenser discharge welding, diffusion welding or medium-frequency pressure welding via intermediate pieces. As a result, a play-free and wear-free connection between the torsion bar spring and the structural part can be made in a confined construction space, and the connection is suitable for absorbing high loads, particularly alternating loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Rudolf Reinhardt, Bernd Schietinger
  • Patent number: 6474662
    Abstract: A snowmobile ski suspension system for increasing the overall performance and adjustability of a snowmobile front suspension. The snowmobile ski suspension system includes a collar member attached to the chassis of the snowmobile, a torsion spring attached about the collar member, a first arm extending radially from the torsion spring engaging the ski support structure, a second arm extending radially from the torsion spring, and an adjustment member attached to the second arm for allowing adjustment of the stiffness of the torsion spring. The first arm may be attached at various locations along the ski support structure in various manners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Dale D. Cormican
  • Publication number: 20020149146
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns an elastic articulation designed to operate in torsion and comprising an elastomeric sleeve 7 whereof the inner and outer peripheral surfaces are linked without any possibility of sliding respectively to inner 8 and outer 9 reinforcements, and which is configured such that the articulation should have a minimal radial rigidity along a first reference axis Z′ of a system with three reference axes X′, Y, Z′ whereof the second reference axis Y merges with the axis of the elastic articulation 5, at least one of the two end surfaces 7a and 7b of the sleeve 7 has a profile which continuously moves in the circumferential direction of the sleeve between at least a minimum and at least a maximum, the minimum or minima and the maximum or maximums of the profile in the inner peripheral zone of the end surface being offset by a predefined angle respectively relative to the minimum or minima or to the maximum or maximums of the profile in the outer peripheral zone of the end surfa
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Serge Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 6446484
    Abstract: A method of varying the bend radius while forming a stabilizer bar is achieved by varying the radius of the forming tool over which the stabilizer bar is bent. The bend radius of the stabilizer bar is varied by changing the position and/or shape of the forming tool in relation to the stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is formed by bending the bar over the forming tool to create a bend of desired radius. In the disclosed embodiments, the forming tool is bent chain, a conical tool, and an eccentric shape with several distinct radii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Suspension Systems Company
    Inventors: Gerald D. Anderson, Michael W. Mattice, John M. Khoury, Thomas M. Drouillard, Kermit G. Rowe, III, David I. Fretwell, Alistair B. Lovatt
  • Patent number: 6431531
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly is provided that includes a vehicle frame. A suspension member is pivotally supported on a portion of the frame. A torsion bar having a longitudinal axis and first and second opposing ends is supported between the vehicle frame and a suspension member by its ends. The torsion bar is twisted about the longitudinal axis in response to the suspension member pivoting relative to the frame. Resin coated reinforcing fibers are secured to the exterior surface of the torsion bar at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The torsion bar may be hollow to reduce the weight of the torsion bar. The resin coated carbon fibers are cured to the exterior surface by an oven or by induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Kinfun Yu, Stephen Joseph Doyle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6425576
    Abstract: A suspension arm busing having an outer pipe fixed to one end of a suspension arm, an inner pipe positioned within the outer pipe, and a cushion spring inserted between the outer pipe and the inner pipe and coupled to an inner surface of the outer pipe and an outer surface of the inner pipe, for absorbing external forces transmitted to the outer pipe and the inner pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Tae-Su Choi
  • Patent number: 6422791
    Abstract: An attachment extends between an outer sleeve and an inner riser pipe where the pipe penetrates the keel of a platform. In one version, the attachment is a conically-shaped with a small diameter ring that engages the riser pipe and a large diameter ring that engages the outer sleeve. This attachment has elements that are very flexible in bending but relatively stiff and strong in axial load. Other versions include flat rings where lateral load is taken directly into tension and compression in the beams, allowing for relatively high lateral load transfer. Both the conically-shaped attachment and the flat ring have a number of variations that provide low bending stiffness but high axial stiffness of the elements. Depending on whether resistance to axial loads, lateral loads, or resistance to combination of both loads is desired, the attachment and the flat ring may be used alone or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph William Pallini, Jr., Kim Hoang Phan, Jerry Keith Rhodes, Chii Ren Lin, Rickie Gene Wester, Rockford D. Lyle
  • Publication number: 20020063368
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid-free mesh bearing damper, e.g., for a flywheel energy storage device. The disclosed mesh bearing damper is uniquely suitable for use in combination with flywheel assemblies, which typically are evacuated by one or more pumps to create a vacuum to substantially minimize energy loss due to air friction, because, among others, the disclosed bearing damper does not use fluids, e.g., pressurized oil, that may affect deleteriously the operation of the pumps. Moreover, the disclosed bearing damper damps vibrations, i.e., reduces the amplitude of the vibrations, induced by the rotating shaft, deflection of the shaft, and/or by the misalignment, or eccentricity, of the shaft; substantially lowers the load on the bearings, which enhances the life of the bearings and facilitates magnetic levitation; and transfers heat away from the bearings, which, further, enhances the life of the bearings. The disclosed bearing damper comprises at least one, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Omar M. Kabir
  • Patent number: 6341768
    Abstract: An improved torsion shock absorber has a curved clevis rocker arm and a solid rocker arm. Mounting holes are formed through one rounded end each of the rocker arms and bush holes through opposite rounded ends, each having symmetrical notches respectively machined along the inner circumferences. A torsion shaft of a spring steel is inserted into the bush holes of the rocker arms, and into the holes of corresponding mounting rings and a torque seat, a faced washer and a bushing are placed in the bush hole opening of the solid rocker arm, and a C-shaped circlip is fitted into each of the two ends of the torsion shaft. The mounting holes of the clevis rocker arm and the solid rocker arm are then attached to different force receiving entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventors: Chuan-Fu Kao, Yun-Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 6318710
    Abstract: A stabilizer bar is provided having a varying cross-section along the length of the bar. In particular, the stabilizer bar includes a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area that is different than the first cross-sectional area. A first surface at least partially defines the second cross-sectional area. The first surface has a non-circular shape with primary and secondary load bearing directions bearing different maximum loads in each of the directions. The shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged so that the primary load bearing direction is generally aligned with the highest load. Similarly, the shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged in a manner to bear the highest torsional load. The stabilizer bar may be solid or hollow. Preferred shapes may include egg-shaped or elliptical shaped surfaces. Alternatively, the stabilizer bar may have a generally uniform cross-sectional area along its length with the non-circular shape described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Suspension Systems Company
    Inventors: Gerald D. Anderson, Michael W. Mattice, John M. Khoury, Thomas M. Drouillard, Kermit G. Rowe, III, David I. Fretwell, Alistair Bruce Christian Lovatt
  • Patent number: 6311965
    Abstract: Stabilizer (1) for motor vehicles which has a toroidal cross section, and which is formed of several stabilizer sections that, together, create a U-shape having a pair of U-legs (2) connected by a U-back (3) via arcuately shaped transitional shoulder areas (4). The stabilizer (1), as a pipe stabilizer, is able to withstand the required number of load cycles even under very high stress or enables even greater weight reduction under normal stresses, by important stabilizer sections having an increased strength as compared to other stabilizer sections by either dimensioning, and/or increasing the carbon content of an outer and/or inner surface layer of the stabilizer (1) by carburization, and also, optionally, by at least partially shot peening the inner surface, preferably at least in the transitional shoulder areas (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender
    Inventors: Thomas Muhr, Leo Schnaubelt
  • Patent number: 6283463
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsion bar for tilting the cabin of an automobile, particularly related to a torsion bar having a different number of serrations on its ends, which can improve the assembling work of the torsion and the tilting effect of the cabin. When the torsion bar is assembled to the hinge bracket and the torsion bar arm, at least one serration on the ends of the torsion bar are automatically arranged in a straight line and torque is not applied on the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung Shik Park
  • Patent number: 6196530
    Abstract: Stabilizer (1) for motor vehicles which has a toroidal cross section, and which is formed of several stabilizer sections that, together, create a U-shape having a pair of U-legs (2) connected by a U-back (3) via arcuately shaped transitional shoulder areas (4). The stabilizer (1), as a pipe stabilizer, is able to withstand the required number of load cycles even under very high stress or enables even greater weight reduction under normal stresses, by important stabilizer sections having an increased strength as compared to other stabilizer sections by either dimensioning, and/or increasing the carbon content of an outer and/or inner surface layer of the stabilizer (1) by carburization, and also, optionally, by at least partially shot peening the inner surface, preferably at least in the transitional shoulder areas (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender
    Inventors: Thomas Muhr, Leo Schnaubelt