With Drive Or Brake Attachment Patents (Class 301/6.1)
  • Patent number: 11428287
    Abstract: A brake actuator assembly may comprise a housing, a piston disposed in the housing and slidably engaged therewith, a resilient member disposed within the housing and coupled to the piston, and a deformable member disposed within the housing a coupled to the piston, wherein each of the deformable member and the resilient member are disposed radially between a piston rod of the piston and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11203229
    Abstract: An assembled wheel includes a spoke, a T nut, a screw, a fixing ring, a rim, a brake drum. In use, the T nut is installed in the outermost T groove of the spoke; a second boss on a connecting ring fits with the groove on the back of the spoke; the spoke, the connecting ring and the fixing ring are connected together by the first screw; grooves on the outer side of the brake drum fit with a first boss in the right circumferential direction of the fixing ring; and the second screw axially fixes the brake drum in the fixing ring through a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zuo Xu, Bowen Xue, Chuanqun Li, Weidong Liu, Jiandong Guo
  • Patent number: 10953687
    Abstract: A combined wheel includes spokes, steel bushings, a rim, a metal frame, a brake disc and pins. In use, the steel bushings are installed in grooves of the spokes; the spokes are placed so that the clamping grooves are matched with the connecting blocks; the pins are installed into holes of the spokes and the connecting blocks; the metal frame is matched with the backs of the spokes; the screws I connect the metal frame, the connecting blocks and the spokes together and are matched with the steel bushings; and the brake disc is connected to the metal frame by screws II. In the combined wheel, the radial force and the axial force generated in the running process of the wheel can be counteracted on the spokes; and the brake disc brakes from the inside, thereby increasing the brake radius and reducing the clamping force required when braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bowen Xue, Chuanqun Li, Weidong Liu, Zhuo Zhou, Jiandong Guo
  • Patent number: 10837509
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Manouchehr Sabeti, James Seaman
  • Patent number: 9855792
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft wheel comprising a rim and a tire (20) received on the rim, the rim comprising two parts (1; 2) assembled with one another by means of assembly bolts (5), one of the parts comprising a recess (3) in which is arranged a seal (4) which is interposed between the two parts, the wheel being characterized in that at least one of the parts comprises at least one duct (6) extending beneath the seal so as to establish a leakage path between on one hand a volume of gas delimited by the rim and the tire, and on the other hand a space between the parts, the path being nominally closed by the seal when the bolts are tightened correctly but allowing gas to leak from said volume when the bolt associated with said opening is not tightened correctly or is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventors: Xavier Delayre, Yohann Mazan
  • Patent number: 9315070
    Abstract: A hub of a vehicle bearing device has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. The flange portion has a pin hole formation portion, a reference position intermediate portion, separate position intermediate portions, and build-up portions. The reference position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The first separate position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The second separate position intermediate portion is formed between bolt hole formation portions. The pin hole formation portion is formed at the reference position intermediate portion, and has a hub side pin hole. A pin for fixing the hub and a brake rotor to each other is inserted into the hub side pin hole. The build-up portions are formed on the separate position intermediate portions, and are balanced in terms of weight with the pin-hole formation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Anno, Katsuyuki Harada, Alexander Schupp, Josef Altweck
  • Publication number: 20150057897
    Abstract: In a rigid axle assembly, a trumpet housing has a longitudinal axis (Z) and comprises a first portion (9a) extending along the axis with a substantially constant profile, and a second portion (9b) attached to the first portion and with a profile that increases in distance from the axis as the distance from the first portion increases. The housing further comprises, at a position (P2) adjacent the junction (P0) of the first and second portions, an attachment area shaped to receive a strain sensor (30) for determination of a wheel load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Stoiber, Stefan Fries, Eberhard Wurtelle
  • Patent number: 8944196
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating an in-wheel motor has a connecting shaft. The connecting shaft has a disc portion, forming the planetary elements, and a shaft portion, axially extending from the disc portion, via a shoulder portion. The outer circumference of the shaft portion has a serration. The connecting shaft is inserted into the wheel hub until the disc portion abuts the inner member. A seal ring, formed of elastic material, is interposed between the inner member and the connecting shaft to shield the driving portion from the outside in a liquid-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Yamada, Syougo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20150021973
    Abstract: A wheel hub rotary joint assembly with an axis of rotation includes a wheel hub with a wheel flange for connecting a wheel and a sleeve section for receiving a wheel bearing; a constant-velocity rotary joint with an outer joint part, an inner joint part and torque-transmitting elements. The outer joint part has a first spur gearing section with first teeth at its end facing the wheel hub. The sleeve section has a second spur gearing section with second teeth at its end facing the constant-velocity rotary joint. The two spur gearing sections engage with one another for torque transmission. A tensioner for axially tensioning the wheel hub against the outer joint part is axially supported on one side on the wheel hub and on the other side on the outer joint part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Johann DUDKOWIAK, Eduard GINGLAS
  • Publication number: 20140319900
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes an elongated axle body, axle spindles coupled to ends of the axle body, and axle hub assemblies each comprising a hub housing having an interior space that receives one of the spindles therein, the hub housing including a radially extending drum brake mounting flange adapted to have a brake drum assembly mounted thereto, and a disc brake mounting portion separate from the drum mounting flange and adapted to have a disc brake assembly mounted thereto, and a first bearing assembly rotationally supporting the first hub housing from the first axle spindle, whereby the brake drum assembly and the disc brake assembly may alternatively be mounted to the drum brake mounting flange and the disc brake mounting portion of the hub housing, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bowyer, Edward Hammer
  • Patent number: 8833863
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is configured for suspending the wheel of a motor vehicle on one side and includes a brake disc, which is part of a disc brake and which is fixed, when viewed in the radial direction, to a wheel disc on the outer circumference of the wheel assembly in close vicinity to a wheel rim. The brake caliper of the disc brake surrounds the brake disc over the inner circumference of the brake disc and is fixed to a wheel carrier that supports a stationary ring of a wheel bearing, which has a rotating ring that supports a wheel hub that in turn is connected to the wheel disc. The invention brake disc is fastened to the wheel disc in a floating manner and/or in an elastically flexible manner in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Josef Boehm, Johann Dudkowiak
  • Publication number: 20140252844
    Abstract: Spherical wheel that can be driven by a motor comprising a first body (1.1) and a second body (1.2) which are substantially hemispherical and are mounted coaxially to one another so as to pivot about a support axle (2), the bodies being separated by an interstice (3) into which there extends a shaft (6), said shaft having an end that is rigidly connected to the support axle and an opposite end that is connected to a drive motor, characterized in that at least one element (7, 17) extending at least one portion of the outer surface of the bodies extends into the interstice. Vehicle comprising a chassis that is supported by such wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Alain Riwan, Alexandre Verney
  • Publication number: 20140070505
    Abstract: A brake mechanism suitable for use with an infant stroller apparatus includes two wheel supports adapted to affix with two transversally spaced-apart legs of the infant stroller apparatus, two wheels respectively assembled with the two wheel supports about a rotation axis, wherein each of the two wheels includes a hub portion, two latches respectively assembled with the two wheel supports and operable to rotationally lock the two wheels, and a brake actuating assembly including two cam surfaces in sliding contact with the two latches, wherein the two cam surfaces are operable to rotate about the rotation axis to cause displacements of the two latches parallel to the rotation axis to respectively engage and disengage the hub portions of the two wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Zehua YI, Xiaojian ZHANG, Haibo ZENG, Wanquan ZHU
  • Patent number: 8668276
    Abstract: A heat shield segment includes at least one tab extending from an outboard end, the tab adapted to secure the heat shield segment against radial and axial movement. The at least one tab is received over a retaining ring positioned within a tube well of a wheel. The retaining ring is received in recesses formed in the inner surface of drive keys spaced around the interior of the tube well. The heat shield segment is secured at the inboard end by a fastener, and is spaced from the tube well by a spacer positioned between the heat shield segment and the tube well. The at least one tab of the heat shield segment allows for easy assembly and maintenance of the heat shield assembly formed by a plurality of the heat shield segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems
    Inventors: John M. Hall, William J. Burley, Mark P. Dyko, Kurt Burkhalter
  • Patent number: 8646850
    Abstract: A wheel rim with a brake rotor includes a wheel rim having two retaining walls respectively and annularly formed on two lateral sides thereof. An annular groove is annularly defined between the two retaining walls for adapting to retain a tire. The wheel rim has a plurality of support plates spacedly formed on one retaining wall and extending toward a center of the wheel rim to form a hub hole defined therein. The hub hole is axially located at the center of the wheel rim for adapting to assemble with a wheel hub. A brake rotor is concentrically connected with the wheel rim and mounted with the other retaining wall of the wheel rim for adapting to be clamped by a disc brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ashima Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20140008963
    Abstract: A rim rotor braking system has an integrally formed rotor portion that is orientated at 90 degree to the rim. The rotor is compressed between calipers in a braking system that is attached to a portion of a vehicle such as a bicycle fork. The rotor's orientation maximizes heat transfer to the air and allows the braking system to efficiently stop the vehicle. The brake system may be mounted under the fork or adjacent to it. The rim may be made of aluminum, titanium, steel or any other suitable material. The braking mechanism may be mechanical, hydraulic or electric. In one embodiment, dual rotors are disposed on either side of the rim to provide extra braking power. In yet another embodiment, the rotor is replaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: W. Cody Franklin
  • Publication number: 20130334867
    Abstract: An axle system including an external unit having a maximum extent D1 transversely with respect to an axis of rotation, a brake drum element comprises a face part extending transversely with respect to the axis of rotation and has a cutout, and a drum casing that extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the cutout of the face part having an extent transversely with respect to the axis of rotation of at least D1, the extent of the drum casing transversely with respect to the axis of rotation is smaller than the internal dimension of an attachment unit which can be fixed to and at least partially surrounds the brake drum element, the external unit is arranged in the direction of the axis of rotation on a hub unit, and wherein the brake drum element can be moved over the external unit and fixed to the hub unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Christ, Olaf Drewes
  • Publication number: 20130193745
    Abstract: A speed restricting wheel assembly is provided. The speed restricting wheel assembly includes: a casing of which one side is partially open and forms a circular accommodating hole eccentric from a center; a rotation rotor which is inserted inside the accommodating hole and rotates in an interlocked manner with the casing in a state where it is eccentric from a rotation center of the casing, but which also forms a rotation space inside and a plurality of internal gear teeth dented radially from the rotation space; a sun gear accommodated inside the rotation space, and has a plurality of protruding external gear teeth in contact with the internal gear teeth and an axis member mounted onto a rotation center accommodated inside the rotation hole; and a resistance fluid which is accommodated in a space between the external gear teeth and internal gear teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Research & Business Foundation SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Research & Business Foundation SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
  • Publication number: 20130181502
    Abstract: A wheel lock configured for use in a movable apparatus is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the movable apparatus can include a leg structure and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure. A wheel lock can extend through the wheel. The lock can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel from rotating and a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventor: Great Stuff, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130056290
    Abstract: A driving wheel assembly and a robot cleaner having the same includes a main body and a driving wheel assembly including a driving wheel, a housing, a driving motor, a rotary member with rotation around a rotation shaft of the driving motor, where the rotary member includes a first unit and a second unit disposed at a position opposite to the driving wheel with respect to the rotation shaft of the driving motor, and a compression coil spring disposed between the housing and the second unit to apply pressure to the second unit, where a distance between a contact point where the compression coil spring and the second unit contact and the rotation shaft of the driving motor is shorter than a distance between a rotation shaft of the driving wheel and a rotation shaft of the driving motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung In LEE, Hwi Chan Jang, Hyun Soo Jung, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8371660
    Abstract: A splined drive body for supporting a plurality of sprockets is disclosed. The drive body is provided with at least one composite drive body spline which consists of a first portion made up of the drive body material and a second portion made up of a different, harder material. The second portion of the composite drive body spline is an insert which includes a force receiving surface and a force transmitting surface and is operable to transmit force transmitted to it into the drive body through a force receiving surface provided on the first portion of the composite drive body spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: William B. Shook
  • Publication number: 20130033092
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a wheelchair has a hub device and a switch device. The hub device has a hub shell, an axle, a ring and a ratchet. The ratchet has a cylinder section. The cylinder section has a recess formed in an outer surface of the cylinder section. The switch device has a pin and a wire. The pin is capable of being selectively inserted into the recess. The wire is securely connected with the pin. Because the pin is inserted into the recess and the ratchet engages the ring, the hub shell along with a wheel cannot be moved unintentionally backward on a ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: YU-MING WU
  • Publication number: 20120319457
    Abstract: A road surface adaptive adjustable driving wheel is provided, which has the same moving speed as a general circular type wheel while adapting to a road surface state in the same manner as the caterpillar type wheel, and automatically spreads wing portions of the wheel when the wheel reaches a rugged place without the necessity of separate wheel adjustment constituent elements such as a road surface detection sensor and a control unit. The road surface adaptive adjustable driving wheel includes a driving shaft that is rotatable by driving of a motor, auxiliary driving shafts rotatably engaged with the driving shaft, and adjustable driving bodies each having a head portion that is directly engaged with the auxiliary driving shaft and a wing portion extending from the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: IMTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ja-Yun Jo
  • Publication number: 20120292978
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axle module for a motor vehicle, the axle module being composed of two control arms which can be fixed to the body structure via a pivotal bearing, support the wheels of the axle and are connected to each other by an axle body. According to the invention, each control arm comprises a receiving element for a drive, particularly an electric motor, particularly a wheel hub motor. The receiving device is designed such that it forms the carrier for the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: KSM CASTINGS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Andreas Kiesel, Udo Albinus
  • Publication number: 20120248849
    Abstract: A wheel hub drive unit for driving a motor vehicle wheel, with the unit including a wheel hub drive that has a bearing element (14) by which the wheel hub drive is arranged on a wheel hub (20) of the motor vehicle. The wheel hub drive has a mechanically designed blocking element (40) for applying a braking force to the wheel hub (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Fischer, Michael Bogner
  • Publication number: 20120186893
    Abstract: A movable and steerable device that has a platform with four wheel assemblies, any of which are both drivable and steerable. Different driving and steering options can make the device move in different directions and orientations. The driving can be done by a drive motor, forming a drive loop of material, such as chain, and a steering motor, also forming a steering loop. The different loops are attached to different sprockets on the device, which have different sizes, and therefore the different loops do not interfere with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Publication number: 20120181847
    Abstract: A floating dock mover that utilizes electrically powered devices to aid in relocating a floating dock whenever water levels change in a lake or reservoir. Electrical powered winching mechanisms are used to adjust cables lengths to maintain a position, or aid to obtain a new position of the dock in relation to the shoreline. Additionally, a motorized speed reducer is used to turn the wheels on the dock walkway, which moves the walkway and dock away from, or toward the shore. By electrically powering winch cable lengths, plus electrically powering the walkway wheels, the dock can be relocated horizontally and vertically and maintain a relative desired position in relation to a moving shoreline. An additional electrically motorized unit is used to operate an anchor which aids in maintaining a dock in a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Lester L. Ramey, Richard H. Dawkins
  • Publication number: 20120175940
    Abstract: A sleeve nut configured to properly align components of a wheel assembly includes a main body defining a central channel formed therethrough. The main body has first and second ends. The first end is configured to be retained within a through-hole of a brake drum connected to a hub. The second end is configured to be securely positioned between an outer circumference of a shaft of a fastener and a portion of the brake drum that defines the through-hole. The sleeve nut is configured to ensure that the fastener remains properly aligned with respect to the wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Ross S. Hill
  • Publication number: 20120103708
    Abstract: A drive apparatus (1) for a motor vehicle has a hollow portal axle (2) that accommodates two electrical machines (4). Wheels (12) are mounted rotatably at opposite ends of the portal axle (2) and can be driven by the electrical machine (4) associated with the respective wheel. A step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) is arranged between each electrical machine (4) and the respective wheel (12) and a separate connection from the respective wheel to the step-down gear mechanism, permits the wheel to be mounted in a non-rigid manner. The respective step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) is connected to the respective wheel (12) by a cardan shaft (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stephan Hennings, Daniel Armbruster, Jochen Schmid
  • Publication number: 20120024610
    Abstract: An electric machine (10;100) comprises a rotor (14a), preferably having permanent magnets (24a,b), although other field generation means are available, and a stator (12). The stator has coils (22) wound on stator bars (16) for interaction with the magnetic field of the rotor across an air gap (26a,b) defined between them. The rotor (14) comprises a housing (54) of a chamber (70) containing refrigerant (82). The rotor housing (54) has heat dissipating fins (96) accessible by the open environment whereby air movement relative to the housing caused at least by rotation of the rotor absorbs heat from the fins. The machine may bean axial flux machine, the coils being wound on bars that are disposed circumferentially spaced around a fixed axle of the machine forming a rotational axis (80) of the rotor. The machine may be a wheel motor for a vehicle, wherein the wheel is mounted directly on the rotor housing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Tim Woolmer
  • Publication number: 20120019049
    Abstract: A wheel construction including a locking device, characterized in that said wheel construction comprises a box-like body of a substantially prismatic configuration and opened at least at a bottom portion thereof, in said box-like body being snap arranged a fork element cooperating with a lever element for locking a rotary movement of a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: O.G.T.M. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ruggero TRIVINI
  • Patent number: 8096623
    Abstract: A protection structure for outer shell of a hub comprises: a hub and an outer shell mounted at one end of the hub, the outer shell is provided at one end close to the hub with an enlarged flange, on an outer peripheral surface of the outer shell are annularly and spaced-apart formed a plurality of splines and at least one positioning rib, at least at one side of each splines is disposed with a protecting member whose material is different from that of the outer shell. By such arrangements, the protecting member can be assembled with a sprocket to prevent the sprocket from touching the splines. Thus, damages of the outer shell of the hub are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Xero Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Gwo-Dong You
  • Publication number: 20110304195
    Abstract: An in-hub braking system for a wheelchair comprises a brake shell fixed against rotation movement in relation to a wheelchair frame. A wheelchair drive wheel having a hub supporting a braking system is supported for rotational movement in relation to the brake shell. A lever is operatively connected to the braking system for activating that braking system to cause the braking system to frictionally engage the brake shell. A push rim, which when urged forward, rotates the drive wheel in a forward direction to propel the wheelchair in a forward direction. When urged rearward together with the drive wheel, the push rim rotates with the drive wheel in a rearward direction to propel the wheelchair in a rearward direction. The push rim is operatively connected to the lever so that the push rim, which when urged rearward independent of the drive wheel, operates the lever to activate the braking system to frictionally engage the brake shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan E. JOWERS, Stephen H. Sprigle
  • Publication number: 20110233990
    Abstract: A radioisotope powered thermoelectric vehicle lacking an internal combustion engine. The vehicle may include a commercially available, federally-approved encased radioisotope, sensors, an encased metal heat conductor, a heating element embedded within a heat sink, a plurality of thermoelectric chips mounted around the outer surface of the heat sink, a hollow body surrounding the heat sink with a space present between the heat sink and the hollow body, a power converter, an electric power regulation and distribution system, a magnetic reed relay unit, operational and directional controls, radioisotope thermoelectric power generator, and at least one DC motor mounted to a wheel of the vehicle. A portable lead-lined metal, climate-controlled, and airtight lockbox may house the entire power generating unit providing for more than redundant systems protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Franze B. Boncodin
  • Patent number: 7984795
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to a vehicle, especially a commercial vehicle, with a braking system for a wheel of the vehicle having an axle arrangement and a brake, especially a disc brake, whereby the cross-section of the axle arrangement has an outer contour differing from a circle, and the brake has a brake carrier. According to one embodiment of the invention, the brake carrier has an opening whose inner contour differs from a circle and the outer contour lies on the axle arrangement such that the brake carrier surrounds the axle of the brake to form a keyed fit with the axle arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: WABCO Radbremsen GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Steinmetz, Bernward Redemann, Hellmut Jäger
  • Publication number: 20110068553
    Abstract: A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: NANCY BALCOM, Louis Belanger, Torr Brown, Janusz Krawczynski, Phil Mundy, David Harding, David Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 7802363
    Abstract: Attachment holes are formed in a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the attachment flange of a wheel bearing unit. The amount “h” of projection from an attachment surface in the axial direction of the opening edge peripheral portion of the respective attachment holes is limited under the condition that studs are press-fitted and fixed into the respective attachment holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Junshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7798575
    Abstract: A hub and drum assembly includes a recess around one or more stud holes in the drum and a shipping nut threaded onto a stud and contained in the recess. The recessed shipping nut securely fastens the hub to the drum during shipping. At a destination facility, the shipping nut does not have to be removed before wheels are installed on the huh and drum assembly. A method of assembling a portion of a drive train including a hub and drum assembly with a recessed shipping nut is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: KIC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Brotherton
  • Patent number: 7780243
    Abstract: The invention is directed to outside diameter piloting apparatus and method for concentrically aligning a disc rotor to a wheel hub. The pitch circle diameter of the annular piloting features is greater than the pitch circle diameter of the rotor mounting fasteners and the wheel studs of the hub. The outside diameter piloting feature allows a hub section profile which is smooth and continuous between the inboard side of the wheel hub up to the mounting fastener apertures. This smooth and continuous profile reduces stresses and increases the fatigue life of the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Consolidated MetCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Lippis
  • Publication number: 20100178844
    Abstract: A wheel includes a main body, a tire, a movable fixing pin, an electromagnet, and an elastic member. The tire is sleeved on the main body and defines a fixing hole. The tire is operable to rotate around the main body. The fixing pin is operable to be inserted into the fixing hole to fix the tire to the main body. The electromagnet is operable to attract the fixing pin to separate the fixing pin from the tire when the electromagnet is powered on. The elastic member is disposed between the electromagnet and the fixing ping, and pushes the fixing pin into the fixing hole when the electromagnet is powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XIAO-GUANG SU
  • Patent number: 7607740
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle such as a tractor is disclosed. The assembly comprises a wheel rim (10) for supporting a tire, a nave plate (11) mounted to the rim, and a drive plate (21) mounted to an axle flange (26). A torque ring (18) has first key ways (16, 17) for cooperating with first keys (14, 15) on nave plate (11), and second key ways (19, 20) for cooperating with second keys (22, 23) on drive plate (21). In this way, torque and radial and axial forces are transferred between the drive plate (21) and nave plate (11), but radial or axial forces, tending to remove the assembly from the axle, and exceeding respective predetermined levels, are prevented from being transferred from the nave plate (11) to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Pearson Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Alan Richard Reese
  • Patent number: 7575106
    Abstract: A motor-equipped hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell, a motor drive unit and a roller brake device. The hub shell is arranged around the outside of the hub axle, has a hub flange on an outside circumference thereof, and has a housing space on the inside thereof. The motor drive unit is housed inside the housing space and configured to rotate the hub shell with respect to the hub axle. The roller brake device is arranged within the hub shell to the outside of the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Matsueda
  • Patent number: 7568558
    Abstract: A bicycle brake apparatus comprises a securing bracket with an axle opening dimensioned to receive a bicycle wheel hub axle therethrough, a braked member that has a braking surface and is adapted to rotate with a bicycle wheel hub rotatably supported by the hub axle, a braking member adapted to contact the braking surface, and an operating unit that selectively causes the braking member to contact the braking surface. A locking unit is structured for attachment to the securing bracket, wherein the locking unit extends in an axial direction of the hub axle and is dimensioned to nonrotatably engage the bicycle frame radially inwardly of a rotating portion of the brake apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiji Fukui, Keiji Matsueda, Keita Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7437812
    Abstract: A method and assembly for mounting an auto rim and either motorcycle or auto tire as a motorcycle rear wheel. The assembly allows tires of different widths and diameters to be used on the rear of motorcycles that have single side swing arms and standard swing arms. The method and assembly allows a left side or right side drive which can be a belt or chain. A hub with bearings and spacers are mounted with a brake rotor disk and a drive pulley in tandem to produce a hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Rodney Baird
  • Publication number: 20080197694
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a ball wheel; and apparatus to cause the ball wheel to rotate in a selected direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Henry L. Blevio
  • Publication number: 20080156946
    Abstract: An integrated infusion management system provides for stable support of components attached to the system, even when the system is mobile. The system is optionally a mobility assist or walker for a patient who is attached to any number of medical components. A central trunk connects to a two-sided base that does not interfere with patient motion. The trunk may be angled with respect to vertical and oriented to support medical components in a configuration that is tip-resistant. The system is optionally deployable to facilitate conversion between a compact storage configuration and a stable deployed configuration. In an embodiment, additional deployable features include holding arms for holding various medical components, wheels, mobility arms and handles. Also provided is a novel wheel system with deployable wheels and methods associated with providing compact storage of any one or more of the systems presented herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen E. Schmutzer, Robin Richard Slaton, Christopher Pullen, Lucas Weidner
  • Patent number: 7229137
    Abstract: A trailer axle assembly includes a non-rotating axle tube that extends laterally between a pair of wheel ends. Each wheel end supports a disc brake assembly that selectively generates a braking force to slow or stop rotation of the wheel ends. The disc brake assemblies include a torque plate that is mounted to the axle tube. The axle tube includes a radial location feature that holds the torque plate fixed relative to the axle tube so that rotational brake torque is transmitted directly through a solid interface. The axle tube also includes an axial location feature that positions the torque plate at a predetermined location along the axle beam and prevents relative axial movement between the axle beam and the torque plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Roberts, Royston Leonard Morris, Michael Gaywood, Nagaraja Gargeshwari
  • Patent number: 7111911
    Abstract: A wheel hub, especially a wheel hub for commercial vehicles, for receiving a brake disk, in which a neck section which is formed on the wheel flange for receiving the brake disk, the neck section being provided with a surface structure, preferably ribs, which increases the amount of heat given off to the environment. There may also be provided ducts between the ribs to permit cooling air to pass between the wheel flange and the brake disk to further increase the amount of heat given off to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 6921137
    Abstract: A flange face portion located radially outwardly of boltholes of a flange is formed as a tilting face so that a maximum oppositely-spaced distance ? of the flange face portion from a disc rotor is preferably 10 ?m. Thereby, minimization is implemented for convex deformation of an outer circumferential end portion of the flange when bolts are press-inserted into boltholes, when nuts are tightened onto bolts, tightening forces compress the disc rotor and the flange to be in close contact and to be fixed via planar surfaces thereof without clearance being formed therebetween. Consequently, the accuracy of side run-out with surface of the flange can be prevented from being deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Morimoto, Nobuyoshi Murakami, Koichi Nate
  • Patent number: 6892841
    Abstract: A drum brake for braking a wheel disposed on the inside in the radial direction of an electric motor. The drum of the drum brake and an electric motor are disposed separate from each other, and thus wear powders of a brake shoe do not adhere to a permanent magnet of the electric motor. As a result, the wear powders do not adversely influence the performance of the electric motor, and the performance of the electric motor is maintained. The electric motor and the drum brake are disposed concentrically, so that the width of the wheel is reduced. Thus, a small and compact wheel is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Makuta, Shinji Takayanagi, Tomokazu Sakamoto