Cam Or Wedge Patents (Class 403/109.5)
  • Patent number: 11923595
    Abstract: A mount main body for a parapet-hanging-type antenna is provided with a vertical support column part (or VSC part) that vertically hangs down along an outer wall surface of parapet. The antenna is installed to VSC part so as not to protrude upward from the parapet. A horizontal support column part (or HSC part) that bends and horizontally extends in a direction orthogonal to the parapet is provided at an upper end of VSC part. The mount main body is provided with a cylinder holding HSC part such that HSC part is movable frontward/backward along a central axis thereof and is rotatable about the central axis. VSC part is made pullable to an inner wall side of the parapet by rotating HSC part about the central axis, and moving HSC part to the inner wall side of the parapet along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: EXEO GROUP, INC., DAISHINSANGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeki Nakachi, Takeji Goto
  • Patent number: 11725678
    Abstract: A rail element (10, 33) for a camera slider system or, more generally, a tube joiner for a rail comprised of an expansion device (23, 30), located internally at an open end (12, 32) of a tubular body (11, 33). The expansion device is configured to fit within a male part or joiner element (16, 31) that may be inserted into the end of the tube (10, 33) and can be actuated to an expanded state where it exerts force radially outwards through the joiner (16, 31) to hold it against the open end (12, 32), thereby joining two tubular or rail element ends together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SYRP LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Thomson, Samuel Blok, James Allen
  • Patent number: 11672347
    Abstract: A chair back and seat assembly is revealed. The assembly includes a seat base having an assembly recess with two long locking hole on two side walls, and a back support which includes a connection portion on one end and a driving member at the connection portion and connected with locking bars of the connection portion. During assembly, a pull plate of the driving member is pushed by a recess opening of the assembly recess when the connection portion of the back support is mounted into the recess opening of the assembly recess. Thus the driving member is moved backward and driving the two pre-retracted locking bars to be protruding and further locked by the locking holes of the assembly recess. Thereby the assembly is completed easily and conveniently. The design also prevents the seat base and the back support from unexpected loosening while seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Comfordy Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Ling Wu
  • Patent number: 11666197
    Abstract: A hose accessory includes a handle, a shaft slidably received in the handle, and a flexible conduit located within handle and shaft. The flexible conduit may be arranged to carry fluids between a first end of the hose accessory and a second end of the hose accessory. A lock is provided to secure the shaft in a fixed position relative to the handle. The lock may include a locking pin biased towards a locked position. The shaft may include first and second channels. The first channel receives at least a portion of the locking pin when the locking pin is in a locked position. The conduit extends through the second channel that isolates and separates the conduit from the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Roemar, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Poirier
  • Patent number: 11596849
    Abstract: An end assembly for a dance exercise pole. The end assembly comprises: an end part; and a connector configured for connection to a dance pole. A first engagement element is connected to the connector; and there is a second engagement element engageable with the first engagement element. A movable element is movable between a first position and a second position to move at least one of the first engagement element or the second engagement element and thereby switch the end part respectively between: a first configuration with the first engagement element disengaged from the second engagement element, with the connector capable of rotation relative to the end part; and a second configuration with the first engagement element engaged with the second engagement element to restrict the rotation relative to the end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: X-POLE ASIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Clive Maxwell Coote, Yanwei Yuan
  • Patent number: 11458499
    Abstract: A system and adjustable apparatus for applying CO2 gas to improve Cannabis production. The system includes upstream and downstream stages or subsystems. The upstream subsystem receives and stores gas, particularly CO2 gas. It monitors the environment of the downstream subsystem, determines when and how to apply gas to plants growing in the downstream system, acquires gas stored in the upstream subsystem, and distributes it to the downstream system. It also has various monitoring, command and control, management, and reporting features. The downstream subsystem includes one or more plant growth areas or plots, gas distribution means, such as gas conduits, tubes or lines from the midstream subsystem, and the high efficiency, adjustable gas applicator, and various sensing and monitoring devices communicatively connected to the upstream subsystem. Also disclosed are systems, apparatus and methods for pest control, humidity control, and odor control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Agricultural Gas Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart E. Erickson, Christian Ahrens
  • Patent number: 11118709
    Abstract: A tube clamp may include a tube body, an abutting block, and a clamping member, and a pivot connecting portion is formed at a lateral edge of the tube body. A through hole penetrates through a lateral surface of the tube body, and each of two lateral edges of the through hole has a first locating protrude having a stepped surface. The abutting block is slidably installed in the through hole, and each of two lateral sides of the abutting block comprises a second locating protrude, and the two second locating protrudes are respectively coupled with the two first locating protrudes. The clamping member has a protruding portion and a pulling portion. Through pulling the pulling portion, the protruding portion is adapted to press the abutting block into an inner space of the tube body so as to achieve the clamping effect of the tube clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Yen-Huang Hsu
  • Patent number: 10743632
    Abstract: An extendable tow handle for a luggage article is provided. The tow handle may include at least one tube structure each including first and second tubes, a rotational mechanism, and a hand grip coupled to one of the first and second tubes for gripping the tow handle by a user. The first tube may be slidably received within the second tube and selectively rotatable thereto. The rotational mechanism may be operable to rotate the first tube relative to the second tube. Rotation of the first tube relative to the second tube may cause at least a portion of the first tube to couple with a portion of the second tube to selectively frictionally lock axial movement of the first tube relative to the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventor: Reinhard Meersschaert
  • Patent number: 10368707
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tube assembly includes an outer tube defining a vacuum passage extending from a first end to a second end and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the vacuum passage and connected to the outer tube for telescopic adjustment. The inner tube includes a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The vacuum tube assembly further includes an adjustment clamp connected to the second end of the outer tube. The adjustment clamp includes a clamp body with an inner diameter connected to the second end of the outer tube. The adjustment clamp also includes a lever connected to the clamp body and moveable between a first, latched position and a second, unlatched position to permit selective adjustment of the inner diameter of the clamp body and selective clamping between the clamp body and the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Lutz, Jason Hill, Matthew A. Williams, Nicholas James Cooley, Douglas C. Schultz, Jeremy Sanders
  • Patent number: 10094456
    Abstract: In one aspect of this invention, an actuator includes a motor having an output worm shaft, a transmission mechanism operatively coupled to the output worm shaft of the motor for converting a rotating motion of the motor into a linear reciprocating motion, a housing and mounting means for mounting the motor in the housing, where the transmission mechanism is devoid of a coil spring, and the mounting means is devoid of a foam plastic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JIECANG LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renchang Hu, Zhanhui Huang
  • Patent number: 10052751
    Abstract: A height adjustment lock system is disclosed. The system allows one to easily adjust the length of a pole or a handle. Such adjustment is useful with cleaning and maintenance devices as well as with tools and other implements. The height adjustment lock system has a locking handle that is movably attached to a braking cylinder. A multi section pole or handle is engaged with the braking cylinder. Movement of the locking handle causes the braking cylinder to frictionally retain the sections in a selected position, and further movement of the locking handle in an opposing direction causes the braking cylinder to release the sections for further height or length adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Bradshaw International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Sampaio
  • Patent number: 10030889
    Abstract: The present concept is a patio heater assembly. The patio heater assembly includes a base and at least one support platform spaced from the base that is supported and attached to a vertically extending rear upright and at least one vertically extending forward upright. The uprights are attached at one end to the base and the other end to the at least one support platform. There is a pole moveable between a collapsed position and a raised assembled position that includes at least one pole flange at a bottom end of the pole. The pole flange rigidly connects to the support platform when in the raised assembled position, thereby maintaining the patio heater assembly in the raised assembled position. While in the collapsed position the pole flange rests on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew Merritt
  • Patent number: 9919727
    Abstract: A shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle may comprise an outer tube and an inner tube that can be telescoped relative to the outer tube. The inner tube may be guided fixedly in the outer tube so as to rotate with the outer tube in order to transmit torque. An inner end of the inner tube may be received in the outer tube. The shaft may further include a pull-out protection mechanism for impeding the inner tube from being pulled out of the outer tube. The pull-out protection mechanism may be disposed at the inner end of the inner tube and may include at least one sprung blocking element for impeding the pulling of the inner tube out of the outer tube in a positively locking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Jäger, Janick Durot, Marius Breuer
  • Patent number: 9248257
    Abstract: A tunneler device is provided. The tunneler device includes a handle formed on a proximal end thereof configured for operable engagement by a user, a shaft extending distally from the handle, a collet supported on the distal end of the shaft, the collet including a plurality of distally extending fingers defining a longitudinal opening, the opening being configured to receive an end of a catheter tube and a connector configured for operable engagement with the collet, wherein the connector is configured to bias the fingers of the collet radially inward upon engagement of the connector with the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Peter Martin, Steven B. Cote, Dillon Burgess
  • Patent number: 9046117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology relate generally to item support apparatus. Although a focus of the inventive technology may, in some embodiments, be on support of musical related items such as a microphone, the scope of the inventive technology and its applicability is not necessarily limited as such. In various embodiments of the telescoping tube position lock apparatus, certain inventive technology provides enhanced functionality (e.g., stand adjustability), enhanced performance and/or improved ease of control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Swift Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Belitz, Robin R. Slaton
  • Publication number: 20150139717
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for inner and outer telescoping members includes a housing fixedly attached to the axial outer end of the outer telescoping member. A cam member is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging a pressure pad in a radial through opening in the housing against the outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Richard K. Bukovitz, John L. Scott, SR., Scott A. Melegari
  • Patent number: 8960456
    Abstract: A tension rod mechanism for a tension rod having a second inner shaft slideably received by a first outer shaft and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tension rod. An expandable collar is threadingly engaged with a tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the first outer shaft for rotational movement therewith and slidable axial movement relative thereto. A second attachment shaft fixedly connected to the tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the second inner shaft for rotational and slidable axial movement therewith. When the expandable collar is in the first outer shaft and the second attachment shaft is fixedly received in the second inner shaft, a first rotation of the first outer shaft relative to the second inner shaft expands a diameter of the collar fixedly attaching the expandable collar to the first outer shaft for axial movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zenith Products Corporation
    Inventor: Kaveh Didehvar
  • Patent number: 8926215
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for attaching a switch control shaft to a switch pipe shaft, where the control shaft is mounted partly in the switch pipe shaft and tightened to the switch pipe shaft by a screw. The arrangement comprises a tightening piece. The screw is arranged to act on the control shaft through the tightening piece so that when the screw is turned, the tightening piece is arranged to press the control shaft against the pipe shaft so that the control shaft tightens fast between the tightening piece and the pipe shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Abb Oy
    Inventors: Harri Mattlar, Rainer Kolmonen, Jarkko Alanen
  • Patent number: 8915667
    Abstract: An exercise device including at least one positionable component configured to be positioned by a user. The exercise device includes a frame to which a collar is mounted. The positionable component includes a member that is slidably received within the collar and may be positioned by sliding the member to a selected position. A locking assembly is coupled to the collar and is operable to lock the member in a selected position within the collar, to release the member from the locked position, and when released, to allow the member to slide within the collar. The locking assembly includes a cam pivotably mounted to the collar and a cam follower assembly selectively biased by the cam against a portion of the member disposed inside the collar. The locking assembly also includes a pair of engagement members disposed inside the collar opposite the cam against which the cam biases the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Bingham, Jr., Ryan P. Selby, Neil P. Everson, Paul A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8899288
    Abstract: A coupling capable of adjustably cantilever-mounting a machine such as a labeling machine to a mounting structure, wherein the attitude or inclination of the machine to other machinery such as a conveyor can be precisely adjusted. Also, there is a method a mounting a machine to mounting structure with the capability to adjust the inclination of the machine that requires only one person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Lenkl
  • Publication number: 20140301770
    Abstract: An extendable pole mechanism may be used with a pair of poles that are longitudinally movable to adjust the overall length of both poles. The mechanism may include a housing that receives the poles and a trigger that is moveable with respect to the housing to adjust the mechanism between a use condition, where the poles are held in a longitudinally relative fixed position, and an adjustment condition, where the poles are longitudinally moveable with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
    Inventor: The Sherwin-Williams Company
  • Patent number: 8851784
    Abstract: An extension pole. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include a first tubular member telescoped within a second tubular member. A first locking system is disposed within the internal volume of the first tubular member, and a second locking system is disposed at least partially on an outside diameter of the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: James K. Donohue
  • Patent number: 8746417
    Abstract: A roller lock device has a shaft and a housing configured over the shaft for selective relative movement thereto. A plurality of rollers is configured between the housing and the shaft, at least some of which are substantially conically shaped. A cage is configured between the housing and the shaft and adjacent the rollers such that the rollers are at least partially constrained from movement by the cage. A control is configured to move the rollers axially thereby engaging and disengaging the roller lock. The housing has ramps configured to receive the rollers, the ramps having a curved contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Reell Precision Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Triebold, John Nutter, George D Larson
  • Patent number: 8747247
    Abstract: An adjustable length golf club shaft having a grip portion with an end point is disclosed. A locking element is located within the grip portion and a lower shaft having an inner surface that is in frictional contact with the locking element is also disclosed. The locking element is configured to engage the inner surface of the lower shaft. A total length of the golf club shaft is adjustable by a distance of at least one inch and a total weight of the golf club shaft in a weight zone is less than 110 g. The weight zone is defined as a region of the golf club shaft extending from the end point of the grip portion up to 11? along a central axis of the golf club shaft toward a tip portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Drew T. DeShiell, John Francis Lorentzen
  • Patent number: 8702339
    Abstract: A clamp is for clamping a first member to a second member. The clamp comprises a lever that is rotatably coupled to the first member and a plunger. The lever comprises a handle and a cam that rotate together about a rotational axis. Rotation of the lever about the axis in a first direction cams the plunger towards the second member to couple the first and second members together and wherein rotation of the lever about the axis in a second, opposite direction cams the plunger away from the second member to uncouple the first and second members from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Manic Nomad, LLC
    Inventor: Trent Ballentine
  • Patent number: 8696229
    Abstract: A hood prop is adjustable by rotation and without tools. A base rod 33 fits into a hollow friction rod 34 and may be twisted in a first direction to lock in place and in a second opposite direction to loosen for adjustment. A base screw 32 secures a free floating friction piece 31 and a threaded base piece 30 to a threaded base rod 33. The treaded base rod 33 may be inserted into the hollow friction rod 34 and then twisted. The rotation causes the free floating friction piece to press upon the inside wall of the hollow friction rod. The slant surfaces of the free floating friction piece and threaded base piece help move an extended section 40 of the friction piece into the inner wall of the hollow friction rod. The use of two slant surfaces 61 on the threaded base piece 30 facilitates quick response to rotation in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Kien Chi Tran
  • Patent number: 8641714
    Abstract: A clamping pin is provided for mounting in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises an axially extending screw, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to a longitudinal screw axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Publication number: 20130328285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device (5) for locking together a first tube (2) and a second tube (3), the first tube being slidably received in the second tube, the locking device comprising at least one rod (10) mounted to move into two positions and a cam system made up of at least two cams (6, 7, 8, 9) that are mounted on the first tube to pivot either into a first position in which the cams are not in contact with the second tube and allow the first tube to slide inside the second tube, or into a second position in which each of the cams exerts pressure on the inside face of the second tube and prevents the first tube from sliding inside the second tube. The rod is assembled with the cam system and is configured so that it at least moves the cams into their first position, a repositioning system being configured to return said cams into their second position. The invention also relates to a bicycle (1) equipped with such a locking device (5) arranged between a saddle post (2) and a saddle tube (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Fabien Frohlicher, Tony Marais, Pierre-Louis Bassetti
  • Publication number: 20130324938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detent mechanism for controlling translation between two components in a longitudinal direction, the detent mechanism comprising a resilient beam on one of the components and a rhomboid ramp member on the other component, the resilient beam being essentially straight when relaxed and having a first beam head and arranged to interact in a ramped engagement with respectively one of two ramps, each ramp on one longitudinal side of the rhomboid ramp member in such a manner that application of a translative force between the components in one longitudinal direction with the first beam head engaged to one of the ramps in a first state deflects the resilient beam in one transversal direction when a predetermined value of the translative force, at least depending on the resilience of the resilient beam, is overcome so as to allow the first beam head to travel along one transversal side of the rhomboid ramp member on continued relative translation of the components, wherein the resilient bea
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Simon Francis Brereton, Thomas Kemp, Rosie Burnell, Matthew Ekman
  • Publication number: 20130322957
    Abstract: A cam locking device comprising a male construct and a female construct the female construct for installation in a smaller tube, and the male construct for contacting an interior of a larger tube for impermanently fixing the relative position of the smaller and larger tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: James R. Conrad
  • Patent number: 8522387
    Abstract: A swiveling locking mechanism of a telescopic rod of a mop, including: an internal clamping sleeve, an external clamping cylinder, and a U-shaped locking arm. The external clamping cylinder is mounted on the internal clamping sleeve and the lower portion of the external clamping cylinder is constructed as a trumpet-shaped opening mounted from top to bottom on the conic body. The U-shaped locking arm includes an eccentric cam is provided with a mounting hole corresponding to the axle hole of the internal clamping sleeve. Thus, when moving downward the U-shaped locking arm, the external clamping cylinder rises, and the trumpet-shaped opening of the external clamping cylinder is brought in a loosened position. As a result, the indentation is loosened and the internal rod and the external rod are brought into the unlocked and telescopic state and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tuo Shen International Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20130223920
    Abstract: Quick connector assembly. At least some of the illustrative embodiments involve coupling an implement that has a stem member to the distal end of a pole that defines a long axis. The coupling comprising: inserting the stem member that defines a cross-sectional shape into an exposed aperture of a connector where the exposed aperture defines a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the stem member; and then locking the implement into the connector such that the both rotational movement of the implement, and movement parallel to the long axis, is restrained, the locking by turning a cam member associated with the connector less than a full rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: James K. DONOHUE
  • Patent number: 8506200
    Abstract: A rapid locking hand knob construct includes a fixed threaded sleeve having an inner groove around its outer diameter that is mated to a rubber sleeve. One end of a first tube is connected to an inside diameter of one end of a fixed ring. The fixed ring has a groove provided around an outside diameter at an end thereof and an inner conical surface provided around an inside diameter at another end thereof. The tube hole at the end of a second tube is mated to a locking lining, wherein one end thereof includes an outer tapered surface that is inserted into an inner tapered surface of the fixed ring. A hole on the fixed threaded sleeve is secured into the groove of the fixed ring by a screw. A rotary rubber sleeve drives the movable thread sleeve up and down horizontally in the direction of the tube fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Qi Lu
  • Patent number: 8479932
    Abstract: A tension rod comprising in its preferred form an outer tube and an inner tube in a telescoping arrangement. The outer tube has an expansion joint structure which can engage the inner surface of the outer tube to hold it in place. A spring stem-wedge-rod structure has a wedge portion with a threaded rod extending therefrom for being threaded through a nut held in the expansion rod structure. The spring stem-wedge-rod structure has a stem extending through a coil spring, and a spring retainer is fixed both to the stem and to the inner tube. Twisting of the inner tube causes the wedge portion to effect the expansion joint structure to be fixed in the outer tube, and the coil spring provides the tension to mount the tension rod between a pair of opposing wall surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Interdesign, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Carney
  • Patent number: 8474085
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handpiece and a mountable attachment. The attachment includes a working head and a coupling member which is joined to the working head and connectable to the toothbrush handpiece by positive and/or frictional engagement. The attachment can be an attachment brush for dental cleansing, or for interproximal cleaning devices, such as gum massage heads or other attachment tools for performing similar tasks in the oral cavity. The coupling member is braced against the toothbrush handpiece, to provide a low to zero-play connection which accommodates production tolerances. At least one pivot lever or toggle joint is provided for clamping the coupling member upon the toothbrush handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kreβner
  • Patent number: 8474206
    Abstract: The present disclosure resides in a post, configured to be removably securable in an aperture and having a predetermined first cross-sectional area. The post includes an end portion having an angled face and a wedge, having a complementary angled face arranged against the angled face of the end portion. The wedge is configured to be slidably movable at the end portion to adjust a second cross-sectional area, defined by the wedge and the end portion. The angled face of the wedge is slidably movable relative to the angled face of the end portion to increase the second cross-sectional area relative to the first cross-sectional area to tightly secure the end portion (14) within an aperture. The post may further comprise a mechanism connected to the wedge for slidably moving the angled face of the wedge relative to the angled face of the end portion to increase the second cross-sectional area relative to the first cross-sectional area to tightly secure the end portion within an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Steeldeck Industries Limited
    Inventor: Giles Favell
  • Patent number: 8422716
    Abstract: A telescoping boom pole for an electrical conductor is disclosed. The boom pole includes at least a top cylindrical conduit slidably assembled within a second cylindrical conduit. A top clamping means is included for selectively clamping the top conduit to the second conduit. The top clamping means includes an annular cylindrical collar having a threaded portion proximate a bottom edge on an inside surface thereof, and a collet restraining means proximate a top edge thereof. An annular, compressible collet is resiliently captured by the collet restraining means of the collar at a cooperative restraining means of an outside surface of the collet. The collet further includes an inclined lower portion on an outside surface thereof. The top clamping means further includes an annular sleeve fixed to a top end of the second conduit, and has an outside surface that includes a threaded portion that cooperates with the threaded portion of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Donald E. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 8381611
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an all-terrain or utility-terrain vehicle, includes a telescoping, adjustable, steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering device that is coupled to the steering assembly, which can be adjusted to increase or decrease the height of the steering device. The steering assembly may include a detent member, a steering post, a yoke, a collar, and a biasing member. The steering post includes axially spaced arcuate grooves where a detent member is seated and held in place with a collar. The collar includes a tapered internal surface for applying lateral pressure to the detent member to lock the yoke in place relative to the steering post. Without the use of tools, the collar may be moved to release the lateral pressure on the detent member, which in turn permits the yoke to be moved relative to the steering post—resulting in adjustment of the steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schindler, Andrew Beavis
  • Patent number: 8297870
    Abstract: An adjustable-length pole (10) for sticks, having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (11) that can be inserted telescope-like into the outer tube (12) for adjusting the length of the tube, and having a spreading device (15) that is supported at the insertion end of the inner tube (11), the spreading device being able to clamp the inner tube (11) axially in the outer tube (12) and having a spreading element (16) that can be radially pressed apart and that is furnished with an inner cone (27), an interior element (17) that is provided with a reverse-oriented outer cone (22) and that is accommodated in the spreading element (16) so as to be axially movable, and an adjusting screw (18) that is axially oriented and is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the inner tube (11), the adjusting screw having an operational connection to an internally threaded bore (21) in the interior element (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Leki Lenhart GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Lenhart
  • Patent number: 8257231
    Abstract: An exercise device including at least one positionable component configured to be positioned by a user. The exercise device includes a frame to which a collar is mounted. The positionable component includes a member slidably received within the collar that may be positioned therein by sliding. A locking assembly is coupled to the collar and operable to lock the member in a selected position within the collar, release the member from the locked position, and when released, allow the member to slide within the collar. The locking assembly includes a cam pivotably mounted to the collar and a cam follower assembly selectively biased by the cam against a portion of the member disposed inside the collar. The locking assembly also includes a pair of engagement members disposed inside the collar opposite the cam. The engagement members are moveable relative to one another and biased by the cam against member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lemond Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Bingham, Jr., Ryan P. Selby, Neil P. Everson, Paul A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8257004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread clamping device including a plurality of movable nut segments around a threaded rod, and spring members flexibly holding the segments against the rod. The thread clamping device has a structure adapted to accommodate substantially planar outer surfaces of the segments engaging planar surfaces of the end housing of the device, leading to a more robust device and improved performance. Such a thread clamping device can advantageously be used as a component of a self-adjusting shrinkage compensation device, a coupler for threaded rods, hold-downs, among other uses. Various embodiments of the thread clamping device include a multi nut configuration, a quick release, and including mechanical or magnetic clip attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8215201
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an all-terrain or utility-terrain vehicle, includes a telescoping, adjustable, steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering device that is coupled to the steering assembly, which can be adjusted to increase or decrease the height of the steering device. The steering assembly may include a detent member, a steering post, a yoke, a collar, and a biasing member. The steering post includes axially spaced arcuate grooves where a detent member is seated and held in place with a collar. The collar includes a tapered internal surface for applying lateral pressure to the detent member to lock the yoke in place relative to the steering post. Without the use of tools, the collar may be moved to release the lateral pressure on the detent member, which in turn permits the yoke to be moved relative to the steering post—resulting in adjustment of the steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schindler, Andrew Beavis
  • Patent number: 8215863
    Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a support rod, inserted into a first unit shaft at a first end thereof and locked to a second unit shaft at a second end thereof, with threads formed around the outer circumferential surface thereof; and a pressure locking unit movably engaged with the threads of the support rod and having longitudinal slits formed to open in one direction and at least two pressure parts formed in a longitudinal direction. The locking pressure of the pressure locking unit is imposed on the unit shafts at multiple longitudinally spaced points, thus dispersing or distributing the locking strength in the longitudinal direction and increasing both the locking strength and the resistance against both longitudinal compressive force and longitudinal tensile force, thereby preventing the locked unit shafts from suddenly slipping towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Dae Up Sohn
  • Patent number: 8187109
    Abstract: An intermediate shaft to adjust the height of a steering wheel to match a driver's measurements, to absorb vibrations which may be generated by the wheels and suspension up to the steering wheel, and to act as a safety measure to collapse in the event of an accident. The shaft utilizes corresponding screw/nut mechanisms comprising a nut rigidly connected to the intermediate shaft on one of the flat surfaces of a female shaft and a screw which turns to tighten a male shaft via an adjustment strip to allow adjustment of the sliding load and the torsional rigidity and hysteresis of the sliding intermediate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Melchor Daumal Castellon
  • Patent number: 8128306
    Abstract: A regulating device for gymnastic machines and the like, includes at least a lever (2) for manual selective lock and release, associated with a first member (3), at least a toothed rod (4), associated with a second member (5) slidable relative to said first member (3), and a pawl (6) mechanically interlocked with the lever (2) and selectively engageable in one of the teeth (7) of the toothed rod (4) to block rigidly the second member (5) with respect to the first member (3) in any position by a user the lever (2) being selectively movable from at least a first position of sliding of the second member (5) relative to the first member (3), wherein said pawl (6) can be released from said toothed rod (4), to at least a second position of blocking said second member (5) relative to said first member (3), wherein the pawl (6) is rigidly engaged in one of the teeth (7) of the toothed rod (4), to at least a third position of substantial clearing of the mechanical backlashes between the second member (5) and the first
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Technogym S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Gorza
  • Patent number: 8117787
    Abstract: Provided is a construction support, a length of which can be precisely and easily adjusted to a floor-to-floor height between upper and lower floor slabs, capable of supporting the load of the upper floor slab in a more stable and firm manner and performing dismantlement in a more convenient manner. The construction support includes a first pipe, a second pipe, an inner stopper, an outer stopper, and an outer cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Sei-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8114077
    Abstract: A clamping pin is intended to be inserted into and held in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements are in contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages in one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 8043020
    Abstract: A coupling structure of a telescopic rod includes an inner tube, an outer tuber, and a positioning device. The positioning device includes a rotatable lid, a resilient sleeve, a metallic ring, and a C-shaped sleeve. The C-shaped sleeve has a plurality of mini-ribs formed on an inner wall thereof. The mini-ribs are attached to the inner tube for providing a non-slip effect. The mini-ribs have less resistance with respect to the inner tube to provide a fine adjustment when the inner tube is extended or retracted with respect to the outer tube. An enlarged portion formed at a distal end of the inner tube is adapted to keep a proper gap between the inner tube and the outer tube for enhancing the steadiness of the telescopic rod. The rotatable lid is turned clockwise or counterclockwise for controlling the resilient sleeve, the metallic ring and the C-shaped sleeve to switch the inner tube in an adjustable state or in a fixed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: I-Sin Peng
  • Patent number: 8021070
    Abstract: An exercise device including at least one positionable component configured to be positioned by a user. The exercise device includes a frame to which a collar is mounted. The positionable component includes a member that is slidably received within the collar and may be positioned by sliding the member to a selected position. A locking assembly is coupled to the collar and is operable to lock the member in a selected position within the collar, to release the member from the locked position, and when released, to allow the member to slide within the collar. The locking assembly includes a cam pivotably mounted to the collar and a cam follower assembly selectively biased by the cam against a portion of the member disposed inside the collar. The locking assembly also includes a pair of engagement members disposed inside the collar opposite the cam against which the cam biases the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: LeMond Fitness Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Bingham, Ryan P. Selby, Neil P. Everson, Paul A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7967261
    Abstract: A locking device for multiple-section telescoping tubes wherein a smaller tube is telescopically retractable into or extensible from within a larger tube includes a pair of opposing blocks, disposed within the telescoping tubes, one block being attached to the smaller tube, the other block being configured to move laterally with respect to the first block when the blocks are moved longitudinally with respect to each other. Depending on the direction of longitudinal movement of the blocks, one block may be caused to bear against an inner side of the larger tube to resist retraction of the smaller tube, or the blocks may be allowed to move away from the inner side of the larger tube to allow free sliding extension of the smaller tube. The device also includes means for selectively longitudinally moving one of the blocks with respect to the other, so as to allow free sliding retraction of the smaller tube, when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: James F. Wilcox