Eccentric Patents (Class 384/255)
  • Patent number: 11952051
    Abstract: A rack guide bearing for meshing a pinion and vehicle steering system rack, the guide bearing including a wall, a first portion is tubular and defines an axis and internal channel around the axis opening at the guide bearing first end, and opening onto a second portion of the wall opposite the first end, an internal channel section transverse to the axis and inserts the rack into the channel according to the rack axis parallel to the guide bearing axis, the guide bearing including an internal channel inner surface of the guide bearing wall's first portion and an inner surface of the guide bearing wall's second portion, the inner surfaces are in slipping contact with a slipping surface of the rack opposite to a toothing of the rack, when the rack is inserted inside the first portion of the wall's internal channel according to the axis of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Roch Monnet, Arnaud Latreille, Yannick Vigne
  • Patent number: 11815826
    Abstract: In a developing unit, one of a frame body and an end portion member, which sandwich a bearing member rotatably supporting a developing roller in an axis direction of the developing roller, includes a hole portion depressed in the axis direction on a surface facing the bearing member, and the other of the frame body and the end portion member includes a protruding portion inserted into the hole portion. The protruding portion includes a first region that is press-fitted into an inner wall surface of the hole portion, and a second region that faces the inner wall surface with a gap therebetween, and at least the gap is filled with an adhesive via a communication hole that extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction such that the gap leads to an outside of the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hijikata, Sohta Sugimoto, Yasuyuki Egami
  • Patent number: 11780528
    Abstract: An adjustable head angle bicycle assembly includes a steerer tube; a head tube that includes a first annular surface protruding radially inward from an inner wall at the upper end, and a second annular surface protruding radially inward from the inner wall at the lower end; an upper cup that includes a third annular surface engaged with the first annular surface of the head tube; and a lower cup that includes a fourth annular surface engaged with the second annular surface of the head tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Daniel Robinson, Jeffrey Keith Bowers, William Te-Chung Chan
  • Patent number: 11577810
    Abstract: A modular drive apparatus includes a gear box (16) with a rotatable internal transmission gear (60). The gear box includes a plurality of body openings (44). The openings may be selectively closed by the installation of cover plates (52, 54). With a cover plate removed, a drive coupler (32, 34, 58, 148) may be extended in the respective opening and mounted in operative connection with the gear box. In the mounted position of the drive coupler, an idler gear (72, 172) engages the ring gear of the gear box. Rotatable power devices such as pumps, motors and generators may be operatively rotatably engaged with the drive coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LOGAN CLUTCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles D. Schultz, Stefan Vinca
  • Patent number: 11033997
    Abstract: A method for correcting non-rigid thin-walled tubular elements having geometric deficiencies, wherein, following correction, the tubular elements may perform over a wide range of pressure and temperatures, for example as a rocket motor beaker, from about ?70 C to about 1000 C. Correction is required to remove asperities, maximize cylindricity, squaring a forward end wall and a rearward end wall, so that the forward end wall of the tube product may be fitted, bonded and sealed to a circular planar element using a labyrinth-joint closure. The method provides uniformity so that both the tubular elements and the circular planar elements are interchangeably uniform in size, shape and performance, and may be readily assembled into non-rigid thin-walled tube products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Tina Jones, John Kelley
  • Patent number: 10443708
    Abstract: A gear system for a geared turbofan engine includes a sun gear, a planet gear supported in a carrier and engaged to the sun gear, a forward journal bearing and an aft journal bearing both supporting the planet gear. The carrier includes a forward wall supporting the forward journal bearing and an aft wall supporting the aft journal bearing. A ring gear is engaged to the planet gear. A geared turbofan engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10053139
    Abstract: An electromechanical servo steering system may include an electric servomotor that drives a worm shaft that meshes with a worm wheel arranged on a steering shaft. The worm wheel is operatively connected to an input shaft of a steering gear mechanism, and the worm shaft and the steering shaft are rotatably mounted in a common gear mechanism housing. The worm shaft has a free end that is remote from the motor and an end that is close to the motor. The end that is remote from the motor is mounted in a rolling bearing, and the end that is close to the motor has a rolling bearing that is received in an eccentric lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG
    Inventors: Johannes Schönlechner, Christian Kohler
  • Patent number: 9932066
    Abstract: A worm gearbox having a worm wheel is arranged, in a torsionally resistant manner, on a steering shaft and rotates around a steering axis. A worm shaft is supported to rotate around a rotational axis, with the worm shaft having an end on the engine side and an end away from the engine. Worm toothing engages the teeth of the worm wheel and when the worm shaft rotates around the rotational axis, the worm wheel and the steering shaft rotate around the steering axis. A gearbox housing supports the worm wheel and the worm shaft and allows them to rotate. A compensating element has a middle section, a rear end section connected to the gearbox housing and a front end section retaining the end away from the engine of the worm shaft or a holder accommodating the end away from the engine of the worm shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: IMS GEAR SE & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Stephan Oberle, Gregor Mauerlechner
  • Patent number: 9915341
    Abstract: A geared drive assembly (10) comprising the driven gear (12) arranged to mesh with the driving gear (14) and a rotary actuator operatively connected to the driving gear (14) by the pulley belt (22) engaging with an first pulley wheel (18) of the rotary actuator and a second pulley wheel (24) rigidly and coaxially connected to the driving gear (14), wherein the pulley belt (22) comprises first (26) and second (28) pulley belt portions extending between the first (18) and second (24) pulley wheels, wherein the first pulley belt portion (26) is maintained, in use, under tension, and wherein the second pulley belt portion (28) is slack, in use. Advantages of the invention, compared with known anti-backlash gearboxes, include: significant weight reductions, reduced complexity, reduced drag, smaller motor sizes, reduced part count, reduced play and backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Paul Alexander Geissler
  • Patent number: 9670000
    Abstract: A non-driving pulley included in the conveyor device has an adjustment collar between a bearing and a shaft of the non-driving pulley. The adjustment collar has an adjustment outer surface inclined relative to a reference axis XB of the shaft. The adjustment collar rotated relative to the shaft changes the state of inclination of the adjustment outer surface supporting the bearing, thereby changing the orientation of the non-driving pulley having the wrapped belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Fujio
  • Patent number: 9657812
    Abstract: A planetary gearing which includes a predetermined number of planet gears and a planet gear carrier with two walls on which the planet gears are mounted, supported by supporting pins defining a respective axis and the ends of which are fixed to a respective wall of the planet gear carrier, wherein each supporting pin is provided with, at an end thereof, an annular groove obtained in the thickness thereof, and wherein the groove has an extension along the axis lower than the extension of the meshing band of the planet gear along the axis. A ring may be provided partly inserted in the groove and having a profile equal to that of the portion of groove in which it is inserted. Such a ring acts as a mechanical stop for the yielding part of the pin which yields, under a predetermined load, up to a contact with the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Caiazzo, Enzo Cognigni, Hermes Forabosco
  • Patent number: 9309831
    Abstract: A piston arrangement for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine having a variable compression ratio. A piston includes a device for the variable adjustment of the compression ratio associated with the combustion chamber, and a piston pin is coupled to the piston via respective connecting regions, via which piston pin the piston can be coupled to a connecting rod of the internal combustion engine. The device includes the piston pin having at least one eccentric element, which is eccentrically arranged with respect to the connecting regions of the piston pin and via which the piston pin can be coupled to the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dieter Nowak, Tilmann Roemheld, Michael Wagenplast
  • Patent number: 9120588
    Abstract: A beverage bottle or container labeling device with a cutting unit and cutting unit for a beverage bottle or container labeling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Deckert, Oliver Kress
  • Patent number: 8950280
    Abstract: The wear-compensation device for a gear comprises a fixed support capable of being fixed axially on an external element in order to keep the device on the said external element, a bearing designed to be mounted on a shaft comprising one of the wheels of the gear, an eccentric mounted on the bearing and designed to be in contact with the external element, the said eccentric being able to move angularly relative to the fixed support. The device also comprises a torsion spring mounted axially between the fixed support and the eccentric and capable of exerting a circumferential preload force on the said eccentric, the said spring comprising a first end mounted inside a recess of the eccentric and a second end interacting with the fixed support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Romuald Lescorail, Carole Girardin, Daniel Jansen
  • Patent number: 8430415
    Abstract: A bicycle rear suspension system is connected between front and rear triangles. The suspension system includes an eccentric bearing unit disposed within one of the front and rear triangles, a connecting member connected pivotally to the other one of the front and rear triangles, and a pivot. The eccentric bearing unit includes an outer bearing, and an inner bearing movable within the outer bearing along an annular path. The pivot extends through the inner bearing of the eccentric bearing unit and into the connecting member such that, application of a force to the rear triangle results in pivoting movement of the rear triangle relative to the front triangle, and movement of the inner bearing along the annular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sotto Group LLC
    Inventor: David Earle
  • Patent number: 8387737
    Abstract: A Motorcycle Suspension Method and Sway Dampening Apparatus. Rather than selectively replacing portions of the prior motorcycle dampening apparatus, the apparatus and method of the present invention replaces the conventional dampening bushing within the OEM pivot shaft assembly. The replacement combination motor mount and bushing provides at least the same durability and dampening capability the OEM device, while eliminating the “wobble” experienced by virtually all OEM motorcycles having the prior rear pivot mount design. The replacement mount and bushing element comprises at least two different plasticized materials combined into a single element. The combination mount and bushing is made partially from a softer, pliable dampening material, as well as a more durable and hard material. Installation of the combination mount and bushing element eliminates the need for an asymmetric pivot shaft orientation, since the central bore of this element is centered on the geometric axis of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jeremy Ore
  • Patent number: 8353633
    Abstract: A bearing assembly support and adjustment system includes an annular support device and an annular adjustment sleeve. The annular support device has a support device outer circumferential surface located about a first axis and a support device inner circumferential surface located about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis. The annular adjustment sleeve has an adjustment sleeve outer circumferential surface located about a third axis and an adjustment sleeve inner circumferential surface located about a fourth axis spaced apart from the third axis. The annular adjustment sleeve is coupled to the annular support device with the adjustment sleeve outer circumferential surface located immediately adjacent the support device inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8033522
    Abstract: A dual mode flush valve includes a handle assembly having a handle, a bushing and a plunger. The bushing has a sleeve with a passage therethrough for mounting the plunger for sliding and tilting. The passage is defined by first and second partially overlapping bores that coincide at the inner end of the sleeve and are spaced one above the other at the outer end of the sleeve. The bores define a horizontal plunger travel axis and an angled plunger travel axis. Depending on which direction the user actuates the handle the plunger will travel along one of these axes. Travel along the angled axis will lower the plunger tip, allowing earlier clearance of a relief valve and a reduced flow through the flush valve compared to actuation with the plunger travel along the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7980152
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an aperture extending into the chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack within the chamber relative to the housing. The bearing includes a wall having a continuously varying radial thickness. An adjustment mechanism includes a shaft partially disposed within the aperture in threaded engagement with the aperture and engaging the bearing for rotating the bearing about the longitudinal axis, thereby repositioning the rack relative to the pinion. A plug is disposed within the aperture. A spring is disposed within the aperture between the plug and the shaft to bias against the shaft, thereby urging rotational threaded movement of the shaft to produce linear movement of the shaft into engagement with the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: George E. Arlt
  • Patent number: 7967097
    Abstract: A motorcycle suspension apparatus and method is provided. In one embodiment, a motorcycle suspension assembly includes a shaft and at least two asymmetric bushings, with each bushing comprising an inner element and an outer element, with the outer element and inner elements constructed of different materials. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Jeremy Ore
  • Patent number: 7785220
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7698818
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to obtain a cost-effective solution for providing a microsystem with bearings, which have sufficiently high precision and long-term stress resistance. The invention proposes a method for manufacturing, adapting or adjusting a bearing portion in a fluidal microcomponent (M) comprising a stator (30) and a rotor (40,2). Said rotor is rotatably supported on the at least one bearing portion (L10,L11) relative to said stator. Said rotor (40,2) is rotatably supported by a sleeve (10, 11) inserted into said stator (30), for forming said bearing portion, the at least one sleeve being inserted in said stator as a bearing sleeve and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface (10i, 10a; 11i, 11a). Before being inserted in said stator, said bearing sleeve (10, 11) is a separate bearing component comprising an inner surface (10i, 11i) as an inner bearing surface, which is mechanically micro-finished before being inserted into said stator (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: HNP Mikrosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Voegele, Thomas Weisener, Helmut Christmann, Armin Reichardt, Harald Helget
  • Patent number: 7594690
    Abstract: A vehicle having a closure system that includes a closure structure, a body structure component, and a hinge pin. The closure structure is configured to pivot with respect to the body structure component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Patent number: 7578213
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine case split into an upper case and a lower case. A crankshaft and a transmission input shaft are rotatably supported at a mating surface between the upper and lower cases, and a transmission output shaft rotated by the transmission input shaft is supported in the lower case. One side face of the lower case has a circular opening through which the transmission output shaft can be inserted from the outside. An eccentric bearing holder holding a bearing that rotatably supports one end of the transmission output shaft is mounted in the opening in a detachable manner from the outside. The axis of the transmission output shaft deviates from the center of the eccentric bearing holder toward the transmission input shaft. The inner diameter of the opening is larger than the outer diameter of the largest one of transmission driven gears of the transmission output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Arakawa, Kohei Kato, Tomoyuki Oda
  • Publication number: 20090010689
    Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image bearing body, a rotating body disposed in contact with or disposed facing the image bearing body, a supporting member that supports a rotation shaft of the rotating body, an insertion hole provided on the supporting member, a bearing inserted into the insertion hole and supporting the rotation shaft of the rotating body, and three or more contact portions provided on the bearing or the insertion hole. The contact portions contact the insertion hole or the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsu Koyama
  • Patent number: 7275872
    Abstract: A bearing that can be reoriented to move its center is disclosed. The center of the bearing is offset from the center of its outer housing. Should the shaft extending through the bearing need to be raised or lowered the outer housing is simply rotated in its receptacle and its position is fixed. Reconfiguring the bearing receptacle or using shims is eliminated and the alignment process is rendered shorter and more reliable future operation is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Abrahamian
  • Patent number: 7217037
    Abstract: An adjustable eccentric bracket assembly for a bicycle provided with at least two wedge surfaces in a body member designed to co-act with at least one wedge member having a wedge surface, where upon axial displacement of the wedge member relative to the body member, the wedge member is laterally displaced so as to selectively engage with an inner surface of a shell in which the body member is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Cannondale Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Dodman, James Gardner, Curt Davis
  • Patent number: 7008108
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bearing of a rapidly rotating shaft, whose end supports a tool, in particular to a gas bearing of a rapidly rotating shaft, whose end supports a polygon mirror (27) for a spindle of an optical application. To provide radial support along the shaft (3), gas bearings are arranged in a housing (5), whereby a first gas bearing (9) and a third gas bearing (8) are positioned concentrically in relation to one another and a second gas bearing (2), which is located midway between the first gas bearing (9) and the third gas bearing (8), is mounted in an eccentrically offset manner to the first gas bearing (9) and the third gas bearing (8). The invention is also provided with an adjusting device (1) for increasing the eccentric offset of the second gas bearing (2) as the rotational speed of the shaft (3) increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Gerhard Wanger
  • Patent number: 6938514
    Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching an implement to a prime mover having spaced connecting pins, the connector assembly including a pair of spaced plates, each of the plates carrying a first receiver to receive a first of the connecting pins and a second receiver adapted to receive the second of the connecting pins, wherein at least one of the first and second receivers is an adjustable receiver rotatable about an axis and having a transverse bore spaced radially from the axis and rotatable relative thereto, whereby rotation of the adaptable receiver about the axis changes the relative spacing between the first and second pin receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kent Demolition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Crane, Danny Grznar
  • Patent number: 6715925
    Abstract: An annular element for a rolling bearing comprises a cylindrical surface around the circumference of which a groove, the radial and axial depth of which are variable around the circumference, is formed. The cylindrical surface is suitable for being over-molded with a plastics material to form a body which is fixed firmly for rotation with the annular element and has a plastics projection complementary with the groove. The projection can cooperate with the groove to prevent relative rotation between the annular element and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Pairone, Francesco Gallucci
  • Patent number: 6662681
    Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching an implement to a prime mover having spaced connecting pins, the connector assembly including a pair of spaced plates, each of the plates carrying a first receiver defining a transverse adapted to receive a first of the connecting pins and a second receiver adapted to receive the second of the connecting pins, wherein at least one of the first and second receivers is an adjustable receiver rotatable about an axis and having the transverse bore spaced radially from the axis and rotatable relative thereto, whereby rotation of the adaptable receiver about the axis changes the relative spacing between the first and second pin receiving bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kent Demolition, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Crane, Danny Grznar
  • Patent number: 6663288
    Abstract: A bearing structure includes a pivot shaft and an elastomer for connecting to a pivot device formed from a first and a second connection member. The pivot shaft includes a connecting portion pivotally connected to the first connection member, an eccentric middle portion, and a bearing portion fixedly connected to the second connection member. The elastomer is mounted on the first connection member to contact with the eccentric middle portion of the pivot shaft, such that a tightness of contact between the elastomer and the eccentric middle portion is adjustable via an adjusting screw to locate the first and second connection members in place after they have been turned relative to each other. An elastic element is held between the pivot shaft and the first connection member to adjust a torsional force of the pivot device when the second connection member is turned relative to the first connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-pao Chang
  • Patent number: 6622877
    Abstract: An overhead crane having an adjustable bearing assembly to adjust a wheel and axle of the crane in a horizontal direction in order to minimize skewing of the crane on a pair of parallel rails. A bearing retainer includes an outer surface sized to fit into an associated bore in an end truck of the crane, and an eccentric inner surface which engages the outer surface of a bearing. When the bearing retainer is rotated, the wheel and axle extending therethrough are moved in a horizontal direction. The bearing retainer includes a closed end having a surface which is engageable by a tool to allow for the rotation of the bearing retainer. A locking ring releasably fixes the bearing retainer and therefore the bearing to the frame of the crane as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Plass
  • Patent number: 6550971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radial piston pump which is equipped with at least one operating piston, the said operating piston being driven by a shaft, wherein the shaft on its output end is provided with an eccentric ring accommodating a roller bearing, the bearing bushing of which encompasses the roll bodies and the eccentric ring. The design of the bearing bushing of the eccentric bearing ensures that motion of the eccentric bearing in an axial direction is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: Peter Volz
  • Patent number: 6533461
    Abstract: A thrust washer formed from metal sheet has a flat, ring-shaped thrust portion oriented radially, and at least one tab extending from an outer or inner perimeter of the thrust portion. The tab includes a radially oriented mid-portion and at least one wing-portion extending perpendicular to the mid-portion and parallel to the axis of the thrust portion such that a flat surface of the wing-portion can engage a recess of a backup member to prevent rotation of the thrust washer relative to the backup member. The tab is not symmetrical about a line along a diameter of the thrust portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Russell B. Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 6393938
    Abstract: Cam follower includes a cantilevered stud, and a bearing unit mounted on a head portion of the stud and having rollers and an outer ring. The outer peripheral surface of the outer ring constitutes a cam-driven surface. The cam-driven surface includes a central load-bearing region substantially parallel to the axis of the cantilevered stud, and a couple of load-reducing bearing regions indented radially inward from the central load-bearing region and located on opposite sides of the central load-bearing region axially symmetrically to each other. Mechanical stress acting on the inner surface of the outer ring, outer surface of the roller and outer surface of the stud's head portion presents a maximum intensity level at their respective points corresponding to a point of the outer ring which is subjected to maximum mechanical contact stress from a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sahara, Tatsuo Maeno, Futoshi Kosugi
  • Patent number: 6390700
    Abstract: A bearing for an imaging apparatus includes a first bearing flank including a first bearing surface having a shape in cross-section defined by a first arc having a first radius extending from a first surface axis. The bearing further includes a second bearing flank including a second bearing surface having a shape in cross-section defined by a second arc having a second radius extending from a second surface axis. The first bearing flank and the second bearing flank are structured and adapted such that the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface together in cross-section form a concave shape, and such that the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface are non-concentric. Alternatively, the first and second bearing flanks can be replaced by roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc
    Inventors: Larry Steven Foster, Darin M. Gettelfinger, John Paul Spicer
  • Patent number: 6357313
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing the backlash and free-play present between a worm (8) and worm wheel (10) in the gearbox of an electric power assisted steering system is disclosed. The worm (8) is provided on an output shaft (6) from an electric motor (4) and the wheel is provided on another separate shaft (9) (possibly the steering column). The wheel is fixed relative to a housing (1), and the worm is fixed relative to the housing through at least a first and a second support assembly (100, 200). The first support assembly (100) is provided at the end of the output shaft (8) distal from the motor (4) and comprises an eccentric bush (101) which can be rotated to adjust the radial position of the output shaft and hence worm gear. The second support assembly (200) allows for angular movement of the output shaft (6). The first support assembly (100) may be manually rotated or may automatically rotate under a spring force to adjust the amount of free-play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TRW LucasVarity Electric Steering Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Appleyard
  • Patent number: 6312235
    Abstract: A thrust ball bearing provided in an open scroll-type compressor can withstand a large compressive load on the bearing and prevents wear of the mating surfaces. The thrust ball bearing has a first thrust plate 9a for performing spiral revolution; a second thrust plate 4a opposing the first thrust plate 9a; and a retaining device 40 disposed between the thrust plates 4a, 9a and provided with retaining cavities 42 for retaining a ball 41 in each cavity where a radius &rgr; of spiral revolution of the first plate, a diameter d of the ball and a diameter D of the retaining cavity are related by an expression D≧d×&rgr;.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Takeuchi, Tetsuzou Ukai, Shigeki Miura, Kazuhide Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6120189
    Abstract: A wrist pin is provided with a plurality of offset cylindrical segments which are centered on one of two parallel axes. The segments are of reducing diameter in going from one end to the other and the reduction in diameter between segments is at least equal to their offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne P. Beagle, John F. Booker
  • Patent number: 6055884
    Abstract: A light-weight bearing cap for attaching a connecting rod to a journal of a crankshaft pin has two longitudinally extending shoulders separated by an arcuate span conforming to the shape of the journal The shoulders are adapted to receive fasteners which connect mating surfaces of the connecting rod to those of the bearing cap. Mass is conserved by ensuring that the inner and outer arcuate surfaces are shaped as arcs of non-concentric circles such that the maximum thickness of the span occurs at the bisecting points of the respective arcs and the minimum thickness of the span occurs in the region between the shoulders and the maximum thickness. The thickness where the machined surface on the shoulder is located is greater than in the region between the shoulder and the region of maximum thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Lantz, Jason L. Toffolo
  • Patent number: 6042270
    Abstract: Bearing arrangement for the support of a rotor (6) relative to a machine. Bearings (8) are disposed in circular openings (9) of circular disks (10) eccentrically with respect to the circular opening center (12) and is fastenable in the circular opening (9) about the circular opening center (12) in different angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Renk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Meyer
  • Patent number: 5984526
    Abstract: A rotor 16 rotatably installed on a casing 10 is in contact with a container hole 11 of the casing 10, and the rotor 16 is equipped with a rotating shaft 17 which rotates around a rotation center O.sub.2 at a position deviated from a reference axis O.sub.0 of a container chamber by a distance E. An eccentric bearing 25 is rotatably attached to the casing 10, and has a rotation center O.sub.1 at a position deviated from both the rotation center O.sub.2 and the reference axis O.sub.0 by a predetermined distance. The eccentric bearing 25 rotates in accordance with rotation of the rotating shaft 17, and the rotor 16 is thereby brought into contact with the sliding contact portion 11a with a predetermined stress. As a result, it is possible to set large tolerances of processing precision of components of a driving device having a rotating member and a casing containing the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Tooru Imai, Akira Imai, Yutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 5857396
    Abstract: A slitting machine includes a pair of parallel arbors structured to support a plurality of cutting knives. The arbors are mounted to a head stock and tail stock on the slitting machine. The head stock and tail stock each rotatably support eccentrics which support the end portions of the arbors. Angular contact bearings, such as tapered roller bearings or ball bearings with inclined races, are positioned between the head stock and tail stock and the respective eccentrics and also within the eccentrics between the arbors and the eccentrics. Mechanisms are provided for providing an axial load across all of these bearings to eliminate play and so to accurately position the arbors so that cutting accuracy can be maintained. One such mechanism is a collet/piston supporting the operator's end of the arbors. The collet piston is received in a cylinder to which hydraulic pressure can be applied through a rotary coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph M. Strouse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5809610
    Abstract: A motor vehicle window wiper device with a wiper arm at the top end of a drive shaft rotatably mounted in a fixed bearing by means of two ball joints of which at least one is off-center relative to the axis of the drive shaft so that the angle of the drive shaft axis to the plane of the window varies when said shaft is rotated about said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Systems d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Eustache
  • Patent number: 5785433
    Abstract: An eccentric groove 10 is formed in an outer peripheral surface of an outer ring 5 and an outer peripheral surface of an eccentric ring 1a shaped like a segmentary ring is engaged with an inner peripheral surface of a housing 3 by friction. An elastic deformation part having a predetermined length dimension in the circumferential direction is formed in a part of the eccentric ring 1a. The elastic deformation part projects between a bottom face 11 of the eccentric groove 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 3 in the mounting state in the housing 3. Resultantly, the rotation prevention effect of the outer ring 5 with respect to the housing 3 is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Takahashi, Koichi Goto
  • Patent number: 5778731
    Abstract: In order to specify a rack-and-pinion gear having a gearbox case, in a drill hole of which is guided a steering rack (6) making contact via a pinion arranged in a pinion housing area (3), which is economical and simple to construct, does not have a tendency to chatter and guarantees an improved sealing with simultaneous simplification of the housing construction, it is proposed that the drill hole (7) be enlarged in an eccentric sense in the area where the pinion and steering rack mesh and for a wedge bearing element (10), substantially in the form of a sleeve, having at least two sleeve sections (11,12) located in succession in an axial sense and developed to be eccentric to each other, to be inserted in the meshing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Theo Heep
  • Patent number: 5762422
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for use in an floppy disc drive device motor having a sleeve bearing and a thrust bearing is provided which is characterized in that there is provided a thrust bearing having such a convex portion, a projection, or a concave portion that makes the rotation shaft of the motor inclined with respect to the center axis of the sleeve bearing. Therefore, the rotation shaft ofa motor can be forcibly inclined with the rotation shaft and the sleeve bearing being kept in contact with each other. In addition, it is possible to reduce deviation in inclination of the motor rotation shaft and to ensure electric conductance between the motor rotation shaft and the motor body. These advantages are attained by a specific structure in which a projection, a convex portion, or a concave portion is provided at the thrust bearing, and therefore, the structure is simple and requires low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Sakae Fujitani, Naoyuki Harada
  • Patent number: 5683185
    Abstract: A bearing retainer system includes a hollow cylindrical bearing casing having a casing bore with a first axis for holding a bearing sleeve; an annular outer element rotationally secured to the casing, disposed within the casing bore, and having a circumferential first periphery circumscribed about a second axis which substantially coincides with the first axis; a bearing sleeve mounted in the casing bore and having a cylindrical sleeve periphery circumscribed about a third axis which substantially coincides with the first axis; and an eccentric cylindrical locking apparatus for locking the bearing sleeve to the outer element. The locking apparatus includes cylindrical male and female eccentric annular elements that are eccentric annular in shape and axially disposed at opposite ends of an annular outer element. The male element has an eccentric cylindrical male outer surface which mates with an eccentric cylindrical female inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Company
    Inventor: Frederic W. Buse
  • Patent number: 5678931
    Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated assembly is disclosed for adjustably and rotatably supporting the journals of work roll pairs in the housing of a roll stand in a rolling mill. The assembly includes a pair of eccentric sleeves journalled for rotation in the housing. Inner sleeves containing journal bearings are rotatably received in the eccentric sleeves, and the work roll journals are rotatably received in the journal bearings. Hydrodynamic and optionally also hydrostatic fluid supply networks communicate with the journal/bearing interfaces via radial conduits in the inner sleeves and journal bearings. The inner sleeves are anchored against rotation, and the eccentric sleeves are rotatable to adjust the parting between the work rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Morgan Construction Company
    Inventors: Harold E. Woodrow, Terence M. Shore