Motion Modifier (e.g., Lash, Play) Patents (Class 280/93.509)
  • Patent number: 11953127
    Abstract: A telescopic tube assembly having a fixing structure, including: a first tube having at a receiving end offset toward a predetermined direction to form an inward offset arc portion and an outward arc portion opposite to each other; a second tube having an inserting end, wherein an inner diameter of the first tube is greater than an outer diameter of the second tube; and a fastening structure disposed at the receiving end of the first tube, wherein the inserting end of the second tube is inserted into the first tube through the receiving end; by locking the fastening structure, the second tube is pushed against the inward offset arc portion and fixed with the first tube; by loosening the fastening structure, the second tube is released from the inward offset arc portion and is movable relative to the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Chien-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 10336217
    Abstract: A seat lifter includes: a connecting member that connects a base member and a seat frame that form a seat and swings in response to external rotating force to raise or lower the seat frame; a first gear provided in the connecting member; a second gear that is provided such that an axial direction thereof is parallel to an axial direction of the first gear and meshes with the first gear; and an operating lever that applies rotating force to the second gear. The teeth of at least one of the first and second gears have such a shape that a tooth thickness of the teeth gradually decreases from one end toward the other end in the axial direction, and the first and second gears mesh with each other by approaching each other in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8262110
    Abstract: An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Miroslaw Zaloga, George E. Doerr, Christopher J. Mielke, William R. Venner, III, Marco E. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8246060
    Abstract: A tie rod for a vehicle axle assembly is constructed using substantially compliant, flexible, and/or resilient material. Such a resilient tie rod may be provided with a rectangular or otherwise non-circular cross-section. Such a resilient tie rod may be used in combination with an axle assembly of the type having an axle and a steering knuckle rotatably associated with each end of the axle. The tie rod may be rotatably or non-rotatably secured to the steering knuckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael J. Gottschalk, Mark W. Dankow, Scott A. Massa, Harold D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110248461
    Abstract: An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Miroslaw Zaloga, George E. Doerr, Christopher J. Mielke, William R. Venner, III, Marco E. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7914023
    Abstract: A steering mechanism includes a relay rod and an idler arm operatively attached to a first end thereof. A pitman arm includes a stud and is operatively attached to a second end of the relay rod. A bushing is configured to allow displacement of the pitman arm relative to the relay rod. The bushing includes an outer can, an inner metal member, and a bushing disposed therebetween. The inner metal member has a tapered receptacle configured to mate with a tapered portion of the stud. The resilient member may include voids, which may be oriented generally perpendicular to a turning direction and may be tapered from the base to the opening. The inner metal member may have a generally-cylindrical portion and substantially-opposing outer flats interrupting the same. The outer flats are spaced by a distance smaller than the cylinder diameter and may be substantially parallel to the turning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Miroslaw Zaloga, Christopher J. Mielke, George E. Doerr, Christopher N. Bither, Marco E. Rodriguez, Eric B. Hoyer
  • Patent number: 7644940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission mechanism (20) of a progressive gear (1), especially a steering gear for a vehicle, comprising a seating for each of an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). The transmission mechanism (20) according to the invention consists of a movable coupler (21) which is in articulated connection with the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30) so that transmission from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (30) with a progressive characteristic is achieved in the range ?180° to +180°. The advantage of such a gear (1) lies in the simple and therefore economical production of the apparatus and in its low space requirement. The absence of play in the mechanism and the direct transmission of forces by virtue of the individual components having suitable angles with respect to one another are further advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott
  • Patent number: 6375206
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a four-wheeled vehicle transmits a steering force through a steering shaft, a reduction gear mechanism, a steering lever and right and left tie rods to right and left knuckles. The reduction gear mechanism includes a pinion gear turned by the steering shaft, and steering gear engaged with the pinion gear mounted on a lever shaft. The pinion gear and the steering gear are cut in a taper and both of the gears are press-engaged together in an axial direction by a spring so that no backlash is formed between the pinion gear and the steering gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sosuke Kinouchi, Masatoshi Inoue