Ball Bearing Patents (Class 384/49)
  • Patent number: 11970339
    Abstract: A roller ball assembly is provided. The assembly includes a primary roller ball supported by a support element that is composed of a superhard material. The assembly includes a cup defining a cavity within which the support element is positioned. A cap is coupled with the cup and positioned to retain the primary roller ball within the cavity. Also, a cup is disclosed for supporting roller halls. Additionally, disclosed are system and apparatus incorporating the assembly, as well as to methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: XR Reserve LLC
    Inventors: David P. Miess, Gregory Prevost, Michael Williams, William W. King, Michael R. Reese
  • Patent number: 11884316
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The steering column includes an outer jacket located at the first end, a middle jacket telescopically connected to the outer jacket and extending towards the second end, and an inner jacket telescopically connected to the middle jacket and extending further towards the second end. The steering column assembly also includes at least one axial adjustment actuator that telescopically moves the middle jacket with respect to the outer jacket. The at least one axial adjustment actuator includes a first gear rack fixed to the outer jacket and a second gear rack fixed to the inner jacket, at least one gear located between, and in tooth meshed engagement with, the first gear rack and the second gear rack and driven to translate the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Tinnin, Zachery Schultz, Joen Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11858751
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for treating containers, having a treatment device for treating the containers, and a carrier which is arranged such that it can move linearly with respect to a holder, wherein a plurality of rolling elements being arranged between the carrier and the holder and guiding the movement of the treatment device, wherein these rolling elements at least temporarily contact both a running surface of the carrier and a running surface of the holder, wherein the rolling elements are arranged in a rolling elements cage and move in the direction of movement, wherein this rolling element cage extends in the direction of movement and has a greater length than the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hoellriegl, Nina Habenschaden, Harald Effenberger
  • Patent number: 11852284
    Abstract: A base and movable platform are connected by a linearly extendable member, so that a motor may be adjustably located at a desired distance from other machinery which receives power. A motor mounted on such a movable platform may be linearly displaced so that belts, chain, or silent chain or the like may be adjusted to operate at a desired tension. In another embodiment, a motor driving a gear train may be adjusted so that the depth of engagement of meshed teeth and the allowable backlash between a driving gear on the motor and a driven gear may be adjusted and controlled. An automatic belt tension control system may be constructed by adding a tension sensor and a control module configured to maintain operating tensions within a preferred range and optionally to emit alarms or command a shutdown if an unsafe condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Lamphere
  • Patent number: 11774170
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body provided to form a storage chamber, a storage container configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, and having a storage space, a divider configured to be movable with respect to the storage container to divide the storage space, a support shaft arranged in the storage container and configured to guide movement of the divider, and a guide device configured to movably support the divider, and having a plurality of ball bearings arranged to roll with respect to the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Ku Kang, Hyun Uk Park
  • Patent number: 11760113
    Abstract: A printing apparatus including: a first roller mechanism including: a first shaft part having a first gear; and a first roller in which the first shaft part is inserted; and a second roller mechanism including: a movable holder configured to be moved in directions coming close to and being separated from a printing medium by a displacement mechanism; a second shaft part which is rotatably supported on the movable holder and having a second gear; a second roller in which the second shaft part is inserted, tiltable with respect to a shaft center of the second shaft part, and having an engaging groove recessed in an inner peripheral surface of an intermediate part of the second roller in a shaft center direction; and a protrusion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the second shaft part and engaged with the engaging groove of the second roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota Iijima
  • Patent number: 11644066
    Abstract: A coupling device includes two coaxial shafts, namely a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft, capable of rotating about a reference axis; a wrap-around raceway formed on a first one of the coaxial shafts; an oblique raceway formed on the second coaxial shaft and a play take-up rail provided with a complementary raceway and movable relative to the second coaxial shaft parallel to a plane perpendicular to the reference axis. A row of balls is positioned to run parallel to the reference axis on the wrap-around raceway, the oblique raceway and the complementary raceway, to guide the two coaxial shafts relative to each other in translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING VENDOME SAS
    Inventors: David Capela, Remy Cluzel, Laurent Fevre
  • Patent number: 11571181
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that has a tolerance for easy assembly and reduces shaking and noise by reducing the tolerance after assembly. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a main body, a probe connected to the main body to irradiate and receive ultrasonic waves and to transmit the ultrasonic signals to the main body, a control panel configured to control the main body or the probe, and a moving device configured to connect the control panel and the main body and to move the control panel with respect to the main body in the upward and downward directions, wherein the moving device includes a housing fixed to the main body, a moving member configured to be movable with respect to the housing in the upward and downward directions, and a regulating bearing installed in the housing and configured to assist the upward and downward movement of the moving member by coming into rolling contact with the moving member and to regulate a gap with the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Jong-Moon Kim, Kyeong Gu Woo, Sim Gwan Jeong, Wan Ki Kim, Dai Un Park
  • Patent number: 11555518
    Abstract: A linear motion guide unit includes a rail having first rolling surfaces extending longitudinally parallel to each other, a movable slider fitting over the rail, second rolling surfaces opposing the first rolling surfaces, respectively, rolling elements that roll while contacting the first and second rolling surfaces, a loop path through which the rolling elements circulate composed of a load-carrying race formed with the first and second rolling surfaces, a first circulation passage formed in the slider parallel to the load-carrying race, and two second circulation passages connecting the load-carrying race and the first circulation passage. The load-carrying race has a first portion at a boundary with the second circulation passage, and a contact angle of the rolling element with the second rolling surface in the first portion is greater than a contact angle of the rolling element with the second rolling surface in a remaining portion of the load-carrying race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Yamada, Toshimichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11525583
    Abstract: The present application concerns a telescopic rail comprising a first rail element, at least one further rail element and at least one rolling body cage for positioning a plurality of rolling bodies between two rail elements, wherein the rolling body cage has at least two receiving limbs having a respective plurality of through openings, wherein the receiving limbs together have a cross-section partially enclosing an internal space, and a plurality of rolling bodies received in the through openings in the receiving limbs, wherein the rolling body cage is arranged with the rolling bodies between the first rail element and the further rail element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Laurent Tremolieres, Andreas Heffel
  • Patent number: 11492240
    Abstract: In a floating unit, a floating mechanism is provided with: a rolling portion that includes a holding portion fixed to one of a first member and a second member, a sphere held by the holding portion so as to be rotatable in all directions; and an opposing portion that is fixed to the other one of the first member and the second member, and has an abutment surface that abuts against the sphere. The abutment surface includes an inclined surface that is formed, over the entire region of the abutment surface in a circumferential direction around a reference position, so as to come close to a side, in the vertical direction, on which the sphere is arranged, while extending outward in the horizontal direction from the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamamoto, Yukichi Tamura, Hidetoshi Takahashi, Rikki Ito
  • Patent number: 11433464
    Abstract: A tile saw includes a table configured to support a workpiece, a guide rail upon which the table is supported and movable along a longitudinal axis, a saw unit for cutting the workpiece as the table moves along the longitudinal axis, and a roller assembly for coupling the table to the guide rail. The roller assembly includes an upper roller engaged with an upper portion of the guide rail, a lower roller engaged with a lower portion of the guide rail, and a resilient member biasing at least one of the upper roller or the lower roller against the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Hart, Sumithra Janardhanan
  • Patent number: 11415172
    Abstract: The invention concerns a telescopic rail comprising a first rail element with two running surfaces, a second rail element with two running surfaces, at least one rolling body cage for positioning a plurality of rolling bodies. Such telescopic rails are found to suffer from the disadvantage that the rail elements and the rolling body cages all have to be designed to be moveable relative to each other. Accordingly, the invention proposes providing a telescopic rail in which the rolling body cage is secured to the first rail element so that the rolling bodies perform a sliding movement with respect to the running surfaces of the first rail element and the rolling bodies perform a sliding movement with respect to the running surfaces of the second rail element or roll on the running surfaces of the second rail element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Neuhaus, Thomas Quirein
  • Patent number: 11293487
    Abstract: In some examples, a slider may include a an inner slider and an outer slider that are engaged with each other via a number of ball bearings. The inner slider may be longitudinally movable along the outer slider to extend the slider. At one end of the slider, the inner slider may include two first stops holding one or more end ball bearings in place. At the other end of the slider, the outer slider may include two second stops holding one or more end ball bearings in place. In such configuration, when the slider is extended in an open mode, the end of the inner slider that stays insider the outer slider will be held in place and engaged with the outer slider by the end ball bearings. This prevents the inner slider from being shaky when the slider is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Erik Jiandong Ma
  • Patent number: 11185000
    Abstract: A mounting shaft device comprises a spline shaft including a supply passage for air pressure that extends through a shaft hole in a support, a conduit in communication with a valve and allowing the air pressure from the valve to be introduced to the supply passage, a component retainer disposed at an axial end of the spline shaft and configured to hold an electronic component by using the air pressure applied through the supply passage, a spline nut connected to the spline shaft through a spline mechanism, and a bearing supporting the spline shaft in the shaft hole in the support both in a linearly movable manner in an axial direction and in a rotatable manner about an axis thereof. The bearing, the conduit, and the spline nut are arranged on an axis of the spline shaft in this order from the component retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Utsumi
  • Patent number: 11160372
    Abstract: An elongate rail (2) for use in a sliding support assembly (1), the sliding support assembly comprising a slide member (3) slidable in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongate rail and first (4a) and second locating assemblies, the elongate rail comprising a channel section defined by a first web, a first flange, and a second flange; a first wall (7a); and a second wall; wherein the first flange and the first wall (7a) define a first channel for retaining the first locating assembly (4a) and the second flange and the second wall define a second channel for retaining the second locating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Accuride International Limited
    Inventor: Michael David Harvey
  • Patent number: 11136779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seismic isolation device, including: a sliding platform (100) having a sliding surface (120) of a downwardly concave spherical shape formed on an upper surface thereof; and a sliding body (200) placed on the sliding surface (120) being capable of sliding on the sliding surface (120) by means of a sliding means, wherein the sliding body (200) slides on the sliding surface (120) in a situation where an earthquake occurs to effectively absorb vibrations applied to a structure, such that the structure can be safely protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Heung Yeol Kim, Hyun Joo Kim, Nicole Yoonjung Kim
  • Patent number: 11035402
    Abstract: A method of assembling a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes providing a solid shaft, a tubular shaft, and a wear plate. The solid shaft includes first and second ends. A tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein. The groove includes an inner surface. The wear plate includes a bottom surface that defines an axially extending channel. The wear plate is orientated in the groove of the tubular shaft with a gap defined by the wear plate and the groove of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is then inserted into the tubular shaft. At least one ball bearing is inserted within the channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Troy A. Daenzer, Daniel C. Simon, Brian J. Magnus, Patrik M. Ryne
  • Patent number: 10670079
    Abstract: A linear motor conveyor system and method for lubrication including: a linear motor track comprising a first guide rail and a second guide rail, wherein the first guide rail has a shaped profile and the second guide rail has a flat profile; at least one moving element provided to the linear motor track comprising a first bearing having a shaped profile with a first bearing surface of polymer configured to engage the first guide rail and a second bearing having a flat profile with a second bearing surface configured to engage the second guide rail; and a lubrication system provided to one of the track and the at least one moving element and configured to provide a lubricant between the first guide rail and the first bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Albert John Kleinikkink, Ryan Scott, Don Mowat
  • Patent number: 10631876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device with a machine element mounted so as to be linearly movable and at least one linear guide, comprising at least one ball bearing and defining a longitudinal axis, for guiding a linear movement of the machine element parallel to the longitudinal axis, said at least one ball bearing comprising a plurality of balls which are movably held in corresponding ball holders and which guide the machine element, wherein the plurality of ball holders are constructed in the form of elongated holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Martin Machill
  • Patent number: 10578134
    Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder is equipped with a piston rod connected coaxially with a piston and which slides linearly in the interior of a body. A cutout recess having a predetermined length along an axial direction of the piston rod is formed on a side surface of the piston rod. A planar bearing is provided, which projects toward the cutout recess from an inner surface of the body, and includes a distal end surface that abuts on the same plane with a bottom surface of the cutout recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Takeda
  • Patent number: 10570954
    Abstract: This rotation ring includes an inner ring with a first rolling element travel groove, an outer ring with a second rolling element travel groove that faces the first rolling element travel groove, and a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the first rolling element travel groove and the second rolling element travel groove. The plurality of rolling elements include a plurality of hard rolling elements disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of soft rolling elements, at least three or more of which are disposed between the hard rolling elements adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction and which are lower in rigidity than the hard rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Keisuke Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 10567558
    Abstract: A camera extending and retracting device, including: a support base configured to be mounted inside a housing of a mobile phone; a screw movably arranged on the support base; a drive unit in connection with one end of the screw; a nut arranged on the screw; a push block mounted on the nut and configured to connect with the camera module of the mobile phone. The other end of the screw is provided with a load bearing mechanism configured to bear an axial force of the screw, and the load bearing mechanism is mounted on the support base. A mobile phone, includes: a housing, a camera module arranged in the housing, and a display screen arranged on the housing, and the above camera extending and retracting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen Zhaowei Machinery & Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shangxiang Xu, Weiqun Xie, Xiaoyun Yang
  • Patent number: 10458474
    Abstract: A radial support bearing assembly for use within a steering column assembly having an outer tube and a shaft, including at least one inner ring defining an inner raceway, the inner ring being axially fixed relative to the shaft, at least one outer ring defining an outer raceway, and a plurality of roller elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring in rolling contact with the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The inner ring is in direct contact with the shaft and has a circular cross-section as taken in a plane parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Dupuis, Fabrice Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 10427200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mold fixing structure capable of easily performing work in which a mold carried into a machine is fixed to a mold mounting surface of the machine, and work in which the mold fixed to the mold mounting surface is carried out to the outside of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: DAIDO STEEL CO., LTD., SAKAMURA HOT ART CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Hayashi, Daisuke Enomoto, Masahiro Taniguchi, Minoru Enomoto
  • Patent number: 10183393
    Abstract: A device which includes a guide member which includes a first end portion and an opposing second end portion. The first end portion defines a first plane and an opening is defined by the guide member, wherein the opening extends along the guide member in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The device further includes a first bubble vial attached to the guide member wherein the first bubble vial extends within a second plane. The device further includes a second bubble vial attached to the guide member, wherein the second bubble vial extends within a third plane, the second and third planes are in angular relationship relative to one another and the first and second bubble vials are each rotationally adjustable relative to the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: David Michael Dembeck
  • Patent number: 10174789
    Abstract: An bearing assembly comprises a housing having a tapered interior bore, a ball bearing element, a ball bearing retainer disposed within the housing, wherein the ball bearing retainer has an interior bore for receiving the ball bearing element. The sides of the ball bearing retainer comprise a plurality of slots defining a plurality of fingers. The ball bearing element is disposed within the interior bore of the ball bearing retainer. A spring mechanism for maintaining a prescribed tension of the ball bearing element within the interior bore of the ball bearing retainer is disposed within the tapered interior bore of the housing. The bearing assembly may also include a locking mechanism for retaining the ball bearing element, the ball bearing retainer and the spring mechanism within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Air Ride Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bret Voelkel
  • Patent number: 10124447
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rail system for welding tables, including a base rail which is designed to be secured on or in a floor and has multiple openings corresponding to the openings of the welding tables; a connecting frame of a rail system for welding tables, said connecting frame being provided with rollers which are designed to interact with a circular rail; and a caster of a rail system for welding tables, said caster comprising a main part, rollers, and a tilting protection device. The is configured in that a circular rail is secured in a recess of the base rail. The connecting frame is configured in that a recess is provided in each base plate of the connecting frame, a rotating assembly roller being securable in the recess in different rotational positions. The caster is configured in that the rollers are designed to interact with a circular rail and the tilting protection device is designed to interact with a tilting protection recess and a tilting protection edge of a rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Bernd Siegmund
  • Patent number: 10090551
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a fuel cell stack in an enclosure or a frame includes a first mounting mechanism for fastening and mounting a first mounting part located at a first side of the fuel cell stack in a longitudinal direction of the stack, which is a cell stacking direction, to the enclosure or the frame in a completely fixing fashion, and a second mounting mechanism for mounting a second mounting part located at a second side of the fuel cell stack in the longitudinal direction of the stack to the enclosure or the frame in a state of being movable in the longitudinal direction of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jung Do Suh
  • Patent number: 9902419
    Abstract: A telescopic steering column assembly comprises an upper and a lower shroud portion able to move relatively during telescopic adjustment, a telescopic steering shaft that passes through and is supported by the shroud portions through at least one support bearing assembly that acts between an upper portion of the telescopic steering shaft and a lower portion of the shroud that move relative to one another axially during telescopic adjustment. The at least one support bearing assembly comprises a first bearing race which is separate from the shroud portions and the steering shaft, a resilient spacer that applies a biasing force that is directed in a radial direction from the axis of the shaft and that is located between the first race and an adjacent face of one of the lower shroud portion and the upper shaft portion; a set of bearings, and a cage that locates the bearings relative to the first bearing race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TRW LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Appleyard
  • Patent number: 9869350
    Abstract: A device and approach to ensure acceptable alignment of internal mechanical components requiring bushings. Over wide ranges of temperature, some bushings experience sufficient thermal dimensional change as to misalign or to interfere with other mechanical components. Such bushings may be reduced in size or include a plurality of outer surfaces to avoid interference, and employ ball nose assemblies to maintain acceptable alignment. At full thermal expansion of such a bushing, the ball nose assembly inter-relates with the bushing so as to maintain alignment without interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: Bürkert Contromatic Corp., Bürkert Werke GMBH
    Inventor: Daniel L. Foster
  • Patent number: 9757301
    Abstract: An automatic massage apparatus may include a main body, a massaging unit, at least two first belts and at least two second belts. The main body has a guiding rail that is hollow to provide a space for a driving unit of the massaging unit, and a long groove is formed on both sides of the guiding rail. The massaging unit has a driving unit that has a driving shaft extending towards both sides of the driving unit. Both ends of the driving shaft have a plurality of wheels disposed against the rail of the main body, and these wheels are appropriately spaced. Both sides of the massaging unit have at least one compartment and a second compartment. One end of the first belt is secured on the first end of the positioning unit, and the other end is wrapping the driving shaft in the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 9623588
    Abstract: A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly having a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg L. Sheddy, James D. Schroeder, Peter Chaikowsky, Darren B. Moss, Warren A. Ceroll, Stuart J. Wright, William D. Spencer, Jiangang Zhao, William S. Taylor, Frank A. Mannarino
  • Patent number: 9535369
    Abstract: A developer supply container and a developer supplying system include a feeding portion 2c for feeding a developer T in a developer accommodating portion 2 toward a developer discharging portion 4c in accordance with rotation, a gear portion 2d for receiving a rotational force for rotating a feeding portion 2c, a pump portion 3a provided to act at least toward the developer discharging portion 4c and having a volume with changes with reciprocation, a drive converting portion for converting the rotational force inputted to the gear portion 2d into a force for operating the pump portion 3a, a reciprocating member 3b provided at the drive converting portion and reciprocable to convert to the rotational force into a force for operating the pump portion 3a, a rotation regulating portion 3f for regulating movement in a direction crossing with a direction in which the reciprocating member 3b reciprocates, an elastically deformable urging portion 3g1, 3g2, provided on the reciprocating member 3b, for urging the recip
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Kamura, Ayatomo Okino
  • Patent number: 9535447
    Abstract: A rotary/push operating device (10) for a man-machine interface, in particular for an operating unit of a vehicle, comprises a manually operable rotary/push element (12) which can be rotated about a rotational axis (15) and which can be pushed down in the direction of the rotational axis (15), and a rolling-body bearing (14) which defines the rotational axis (15) and which comprises a immobile bearing ring (18), a movable bearing ring (20), and a rolling-body cage (22) arranged between said bearing rings. The rotary/push element (12) is coupled to the movable bearing ring (20) in such a manner that the rotary/push element (12) will move together with the movable bearing ring (20) when, during rotation of the rotary/push element (12), the movable bearing ring (20) rotates or is axially moved in the direction of the rotational axis (15). The rolling-body cage (22) comprises a plurality of rolling bodies (24) arranged in at least one radial plane of the rolling-body cage (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Vogt
  • Patent number: 9517707
    Abstract: Provided is a seat slide device for a vehicle capable of enhancing the degree of design freedom in an interior height of a vehicle cabin, light-weighting the vehicle, and enhancing comfort in use when a seat is moved forward and rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soichi Sasaki, Masashi Konomoto
  • Patent number: 9434182
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit which performs recording on a recording medium; and a movable body which includes a support portion that supports the recording medium and which moves along a guide shaft, in which the movable body includes a bearing which is supported by the guide shaft and is movable in an opposite direction from gravity in relation to the guide shaft, and a load center which receives the moving force for the movement and is positioned on a straight line along a movement direction, where the straight line intersects a straight line in a gravity direction which passes through a center of gravity of the movable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Moriya, Kenji Yanagishita
  • Patent number: 9388853
    Abstract: A bearing element for two spatial directions, including a series of first rolling bodies (1), which roll on a first side (2) of an intermediate part (3) in a first direction, and a series of second rolling bodies (4), which roll on a second side (5) of the intermediate part and on a fastening part (6) in a second direction that differs to the first direction, the fastening part having a shaft (7), and a spring element (8) being arranged around the shaft. This bearing element addresses the problem of providing a bearing element for two spatial directions, which can absorb great forces perpendicularly to the two spatial directions and which is of compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jorg Bauer, Peter Siebke, Armin Bender, Stefan Ruhl
  • Patent number: 9357843
    Abstract: A pull-out guide for furniture parts which can move relative to one another includes at least two pull-out rails, between which at least one first roller body and at least one second roller body are disposed, which are held in a rotatable manner in at least one roller body cage, the at least one first roller body having a greater nominal diameter and a lower modulus of elasticity than the at least one second roller body of the roller body cage. The pull-out guide is characterized in that a difference in diameter (?d) between a first nominal diameter of the first roller body and a second nominal diameter of the second roller body is greater than a lower limit which is at least as great as a manufacturing tolerance (?d1) in the diameter of the first roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Jährling, Alexander Hemminger, Sebastian Bastkowski
  • Patent number: 9314791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-fluidic system including a lower substrate, an upper substrate formed opposite to the lower substrate and formed with an air injection path, and a micro-fluidic device interposed between the upper and lower substrates, wherein the micro-fluidic chamber includes a fluid chamber filled with a fluid and the fluidic chamber is physically connected to the air injection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ji Tae Kim, Gyoung Soo Kim, Seok Jung Hyun, Guei Sam Lim, Youn Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9145702
    Abstract: A system includes a structure configured to undergo oscillatory movement. The system also includes a friction damping clamp coupled to the structure. The friction damping clamp includes a housing having a groove. The friction damping clamp also includes a roller positioned at least partially within the groove, where the groove has first and second ramps. The roller is configured to move up each ramp of the groove so that more compression is applied on the structure and to move down each ramp of the groove so that less compression is applied on the structure. The roller may be configured to apply more compression on the structure to increase friction between portions of the structure, to apply less compression on the structure to decrease friction between the portions of the structure, and to apply substantially no compression on the structure when the roller is located at a center of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Terry M. Sanderson, Frederick B. Koehler, Thomas P. McCreery
  • Patent number: 9126623
    Abstract: A steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner shaft mounted axially displaceably in a hollow shaft, wherein a rolling bearing having multiple metallic rolling elements, which are disposed axially in at least two rows, is disposed between the hollow shaft and the inner shaft. Previously known steering shafts cannot reliably present vibrations from being transmitted from the inner shaft to the hollow shaft. Therefore, the diameters of the metallic rolling elements decreases proceeding from the center of the rolling bearing toward the end faces thereof, wherein multiple mutually adjacent metallic rolling elements have identical and/or different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Linde, Jutta Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9103377
    Abstract: A bearing lubricating housing (100) comprising a lubricating housing body (110). The bearing housing (100) is designed to retain a rolling element bearing assembly (200) while providing axial motion when the housing (100) is assembled within an interior of a guiding tube (310). The bearing housing (100) includes a series of channels (118) and/or passageways (114, 116) forming a lubrication matrix for collecting a lubricant from an interior surface (312) of the guiding tube (310) to the rolling element bearing assembly (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Marcus Hong Yeow Lee, Jerome Dubus, Sebastien Lecluse, Frans Grove, Parveen Chandila, Christian Boch
  • Patent number: 9051733
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for suppressing vibrations of a structure includes: a slide body mechanism having a concave slide body and a convex slide body which are fixed to the structure and are arranged so as to be slidable relative to each other in a reciprocating manner; and a biasing means which pushes the slide bodies to each other. Each slide body has: a first slide surface having a shape which increases a height of the slide body mechanism 2 along with the increase of a displacement amount of the slide body in one sliding direction from a neutral position relative to the counterpart slide body; and a second slide surface having a shape by which the height of the slide body mechanism is increased along with the increase of the displacement of the slide body in the other sliding direction from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: National University Corporation Kumamoto University, Kimigafuchi Gakuen
    Inventors: Toshitaka Yamao, Takuro Katayama, Koji Azuma
  • Publication number: 20150147009
    Abstract: A pull-out guide for furniture parts which can move relative to one another includes at least two pull-out rails, between which at least one first roller body and at least one second roller body are disposed, which are held in a rotatable manner in at least one roller body cage, the at least one first roller body having a greater nominal diameter and a lower modulus of elasticity than the at least one second roller body of the roller body cage. The pull-out guide is characterised in that a difference in diameter (?d) between a first nominal diameter of the first roller body and a second nominal diameter of the second roller body is greater than a lower limit which is at least as great as a manufacturing tolerance (?d1) in the diameter of the first roller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Jährling, Alexander Hemminger, Sebastian Bastkowski
  • Publication number: 20150139572
    Abstract: A modular bearing segment is disclosed. The modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end and can include a retainer defining at least one bearing track having an open load bearing portion; a plurality of bearings positioned within the at least one bearing track; a bearing plate in load bearing communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer, and a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer and defining a rocker element retaining hole positioned above the bearing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Alison Ng, Juan Pablo Geraldo Romero, Pablo Alfonso Olachea Quiñones
  • Patent number: 9004764
    Abstract: A linear guide assembly has a bar device, multiple partitions, multiple containing spaces and multiple rolling balls. The partitions are mounted between two bars of the bar device at intervals to form the containing spaces. The rolling balls are respectively and rotatably mounted in the containing spaces. Each partition has multiple first protrusions and multiple second protrusions. Each rolling ball is in point-contact with the first protrusions and the second protrusions of adjacent two of the partitions. With the point-contact configuration, an outer surface of each rolling ball is lubricated by much oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Precision Motion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng-Yi Chen, Wayne Cheng
  • Patent number: 8998491
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a guide mechanism and a retainer. On a guide block of the guide mechanism, a pair of ball-circulating grooves is formed on the lower surface that faces a cylinder body. Multiple balls are loaded in the ball-circulating grooves. Paired cover blocks are respectively mounted on the two ends of the guide block. The retainer has the form of paired ball clips, which are formed as arms to engage with the cover blocks when the clips are inserted in the ball-circulating grooves to hold the balls. Paired cover plates are respectively mounted on the end faces of the cover blocks, and arm-shaped cover clips are mounted so as to hold the cover plates. The cover plates, the cover blocks, and the guide block are thereby integrally linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Ishibashi, Seiji Takanashi, Motohiro Sato, Toshio Sato
  • Patent number: 8998490
    Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a rolling element retainer structure and an outer housing sleeve enclosing substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of said rolling element retainer structure. A bearing block effective to enclose substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of the outer housing sleeve, the bearing block including a first bearing block segment effective to enclose a first part of the outer housing sleeve; and a second bearing block segment effective to enclose a second part of the outer housing sleeve, wherein the first bearing block segment and the second bearing block segment include first elements and second elements effective to interlock with each other when the bearing block encloses the outer housing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thomson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison Ng, Ryan Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150043842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide, comprising a first (1) and a second (2) guide profile, each guide profile having a longitudinal direction, where the first guide profile extends at least partly within the second guide profile, the longitudinal direction of the guide profiles being parallel to each other, wherein on two opposite sides, parallel to the longitudinal directions guide tracks (9) are formed between wall parts of the first and second guide profiles, a ball guide strip (13) being included in each of the guide tracks, each guide strip comprising a strip having a longitudinal direction and a series of openings (22) spaced apart in said longitudinal direction of the strip, balls (8) being provided in the openings which run on said wall parts forming the tracks, wherein at least one bridge part (14) is provided between the two guide strips, connecting the guide strips such that they are prevented from movement relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Petronella Maria Stijns, Johannes Egbertus Gerardus Welten