Gear-driven Lever Patents (Class 49/341)
  • Patent number: 10676977
    Abstract: A sliding operator handle includes an actuatable brake providing at least one braking position in which the actuatable brake is configured to contact a track and restrict sliding motion of the track mount along the track and at least one sliding position in which the actuatable brake is configured to reduce contact with the track and allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track, and a handle pivotably coupled to the track mount. The handle is configured to receive a manual input force to slide the track mount in either direction along the track, and being further configured to actuate the actuatable brake in response to the manual input force. The handle includes a neutral position corresponding to the at least one braking position of the actuatable brake and actuation positions to allow sliding motion of the track mount along the track in response to manual input forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PELLA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan R. Erickson, Jason L. Jungling
  • Patent number: 10239399
    Abstract: A beltline sealing member includes a block portion that comes into contact with a glass run to assemble the beltline sealing member in a normal position in the longitudinal direction of the beltline sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuo Masumoto, Masahiro Morioka, Masaki Motodera, Daisuke Nakazato, Tatsuya Nagai, Yusuke Migaki, Hisatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9772010
    Abstract: A building closure operator includes an operator arm pivotable about an arm axis from an arm closed position to an arm open position, an arm lock actuatable to lock the arm in different locked positions and releasable to release the arm, and an articulatable lever pivotable about a lever axis parallel to the arm axis, from a lever home position corresponding to the arm closed position, to a lever actuated position corresponding to the arm open position. The lever includes a lever coupling maintainable in the lever actuated position, and a lever handle pivotable with respect to the lever coupling back to the home position to actuate the arm lock to lock the arm in one of the different locked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporation
    Inventors: Travis James Dodge, Michael Barton, Eric Baczuk
  • Patent number: 9540859
    Abstract: The tailgate drive includes a motor assembly in operable communication with a pickup tailgate that is adjustable between a manual mode of operation and an automatic mode of operation, where the motor assembly permits free rotation of the tailgate between the open and closed positions during manual mode of operation and wherein the motor assembly drives the tailgate body between the open and closed position during the automatic mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9403196
    Abstract: A treatment device for transport and storage boxes according to the invention comprises a plurality of decontamination modules (24-27) supported by a common chassis (100) and arranged in a row of at least one column (23c) of modules superposed one on top of the other. Each decontamination module (24-27) comprises its own pumping means (6) having at least a primary pump (8a) housed in a primary pumping compartment (8c) that is longitudinally offset from the decontamination chamber (5). Access to the decontamination modules (24-27) is had via side access doors which are all oriented on one and the same access side and which are acted upon by actuating means that automatically close and open them. A lateral transfer zone is provided on the access side, and comprises a robot (29) capable of moving the transport and storage boxes between a frontal loading-unloading station (23a) and the decontamination chambers (5) of each of the decontamination modules (24-27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ADIXEN VACUUM PRODUCTS
    Inventors: Sylvain Rioufrays, Erwan Godot, Arnaud Favre
  • Publication number: 20150113876
    Abstract: A door closer comprises a piston cooperating with a rotating pinion. Upon rotation of the pinion in the door opening direction, the piston moves toward the second end of the housing forcing fluid from a second variable volume chamber through a passage to a first variable volume chamber and compressing a spring assembly for storing energy. The spring assembly urges the piston toward the first end of the housing for forcing fluid from the first variable volume chamber to the second variable volume chamber and rotating the pinion in the door closing direction. A controller controls the position of a valve in the passage based on the sensed angular position of a door and the position of the valve for determining the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Charles E. Burris, Robert L. Tadlock, JR., John White, Jason Scott Gurley, Steven Michael Faes, Joseph McGinty, Wade Patterson
  • Patent number: 8966712
    Abstract: A door operator includes an installation box, an operating mechanism, a pneumatic apparatus and a moveable sleeve. The installation box has a housing and a lid. The housing has an assembling space and an opening communicating with the assembling space; the lid is mounted in the opening and covers the assembling space. The operating mechanism is rotatably mounted in the installation box and has a gear. The pneumatic apparatus is installed in the assembling space and has a cylinder and a piston rod. The moveable sleeve is movably mounted on the cylinder and connected with the piston rod and engaged with the gear of the operating mechanism. Because a rotation axis of the gear and a central axis of the moveable sleeve are perpendicular to each other, the volume of the installation box can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Chia-Chu Yu
  • Patent number: 8800204
    Abstract: A mine door system comprising at least one mine door leaf hinged at one side thereof to a door frame defining an entry. The system includes an articulated door-moving mechanism that articulates between a first configuration in which the mechanism applies a relatively small door-moving force to the door leaf to move the door leaf at a first speed and a second configuration in which the mechanism applies a larger door-moving force to the door leaf to move the door leaf at a second speed less than the first speed. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20140151372
    Abstract: A door control system for a farm implement with a storage bin having a discharge opening and a door movable by a drive mechanism between open and dosed positions relative to the discharge opening includes a dual position door control system. The system may include an arm pivotally connected at one end to the storage bin such that the arm is rotatable between at least a first operating position and a second operating position and a controller connected to the arm and to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
  • Patent number: 8720113
    Abstract: A non-handed door operator comprising a motor connected to a mounting plate; at least one gear assembly coupled to the motor and having a driven gear and a driving gear; a gear coupled to the at least one gear assembly; a shaft fixed to the gear and rotatable around an axis in a first rotational direction, the shaft having a first end and an opposing second end; at least one cam positioned on the shaft and having a shell of revolution about the shaft axis; at least one switch intersecting the shell of revolution of the at least one cam; and an arm attachable to the first end and the second end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Jules Krivoy
  • Patent number: 8479445
    Abstract: A device for controlling a door operated by a motor includes an opening/closing mechanism that opens and closes the door, and a gear mechanism that includes a plurality of tooth units each of which has different mesh and that conveys a torque of the motor to the opening/closing mechanism. The tooth units include a low-torque tooth unit that convey a relatively low torque, and a high-torque-tooth unit that conveys a relatively high torque. The torque conveyed to the opening/closing mechanism is changed by selecting a tooth unit based on a position of the door at the time of starting an opening or closing operation of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 8448383
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a door drive for a swing door of a passenger transport vehicle, comprising a rotary post, which is arranged at the vehicle, with at least one pivot arm for arrangement at a door leaf, wherein a motor is arranged in the rotary post and is connected with the rotary post, wherein at least one planetary transmission stage is provided for stepping down the rotational speed of the motor and wherein the pinion cage of the at least one planetary transmission stage comprises a rotary element, particularly a pinion, which is fixable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tempora s.r.l.
    Inventor: Christian Bode
  • Patent number: 8407937
    Abstract: A door operator for selectively opening and closing a side hinge door. The door operator may include a motor with a drive shaft, an operator arm assembly, a door position sensor, and a controller. The operator arm assembly may include an output shaft operatively coupled to the drive shaft, an operator arm, and a clutch assembly mounted to the output shaft. The door position sensor, which may be electro-magnetic, signals the controller when the door is not closed. If the door has been manually pushed open, the controller signals the motor to rotate the drive shaft in the closing direction. In automatic mode, the output shaft and the operator arm are operatively engaged, but manual force to open the door overcomes static friction between the operator arm and friction discs in the clutch assembly, operatively disengaging the operator arm and output shaft until the manual force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: Blue Houser
  • Patent number: 8365470
    Abstract: A lead screw window operator (100) utilizes a lead screw (110) that is in tension whether the operator is being used to open or close a window assembly (10). The lead screw window operator (100) may include a nut (170) that has edges sufficiently close to first and second support surfaces to prevent excess rotation of the nut (170). Also, the lead screw (110) may have a splined end to operatively connect to a first gear that has a splined profile to allow the gear to slide along the lead screw along a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Frank W. Campbell, John J. Micinski
  • Patent number: 8291644
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (100) for use with a pneumatic cylinder/differential engine for a power-operated door including a locking rod (20), a plunger (24) associated with the locking rod (20) to cause extension and retraction of the locking rod (20) with respect to a door opening/closing gear (46), and a spring member (34) associated with the plunger (24) for maintaining the plunger (24) and the locking rod (20) in an extended position during a door closed position. An aperture (46a) is located through a sidewall portion of the gear hub (46b) which is capable of receiving an end (20a) of the locking rod (20) when the locking rod is in an extended position to lock the door in a door closed position. The invention also includes an emergency door opening mechanism enabling manual opening of the doors in case of an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Gennady Plavnik, Frank Golemis, Michael O'Neill, David C. Griffis, Peter Heidrich
  • Patent number: 8225458
    Abstract: A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Steven M. Hoffberg
  • Patent number: 8171673
    Abstract: A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door's rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ibis Tek, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Helms
  • Patent number: 8109038
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Blue Houser, Sidney J. Lampley, Robert Tadlock, Tom Harris, John Presley, Jeff Schoener, Lana Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 8074401
    Abstract: A mechanical arm system for opening a door includes an actuator assembly having an output shaft and an arm driven by the output shaft so as to move the door from a closed position toward an open position. The arm is free from contact with the door when the door moves from the open position to the closed position. The actuator assembly is mounted to a support member adjacent the door. The arm extends between the output shaft and the door. The arm may be moveable between a position in which the arm contacts the door in the open position and a retracted position in which the arm is free from contact with the door in the closed position. The arm may be moved to the retracted position before the door reaches the open position so as to abort the opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventor: Booker T. Brown
  • Patent number: 8037639
    Abstract: In a door opening/closing device having a motor base and a sensor case, a rotation sensor is provided. The rotation sensor includes a magnetic member provided adjacent an end of a rotation shaft and a detecting element that is arranged so as to detect a magnetic flux that is generated from the magnetic member in a direction crossing a magnetic flux that is generated from an electromagnetic clutch arranged around the rotation shaft. The motor base is attached to the sensor case such that the end of the rotation shaft extends outside of the motor base and the rotation sensor is arranged adjacent the end of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsu Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Takuya Kakumae, Kazuhito Yokomori, Nobuo Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8033055
    Abstract: A guide rail assembly for moving a closure panel of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position includes a guide rail fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A slide mechanism slidably engages the guide rail. A rod has one end coupled to the slide mechanism and an opposing end coupled to the closure panel to move the closure panel as the slide mechanism slides along the guide rail. A drive is fixedly secured to the guide rail for selectively driving the slide mechanism along the guide rail. A clasp is operatively secured to the slide mechanism for selectively coupling the drive to the slide mechanism such that the drive moves the slide mechanism along the guide rail to move the closure panel between the open and closed positions when the slide mechanism is coupled with the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: G. Clarke Oberheide, Paul F. Couture, Gregory A. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7959204
    Abstract: An electric opening/closing device for vehicle, which has good layout characteristic of the vehicle and is provided with a highly-rigid attachment part, is provided. The vehicle electric opening/closing device comprises: a worm wheel meshed with a worm provided on a motor shaft of an electric motor; a planetary gear mechanism disposed coaxially with the worm wheel and decelerating rotation of the worm wheel to transmits it to an output gear; a gear case housing the worm wheel etc. and assembled to the electric motor; and a swing arm rotatably supported by the gear case between an output end linked to a back door and an input end linked to an output gear. An attachment plate for mounting the vehicle electric opening/closing device on the vehicle is sandwiched between the first case body and the second case body which constitute the gear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7938473
    Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Andrew Paton, Stephen A. G. Mitchell, Dragan Mrkovic, Krzysztof Groszkowski, Borys M. Shchokin, Victor Gusev
  • Patent number: 7931327
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one tailgate defining a door plane, wherein the tailgate is attached to the vehicle chassis in a jointed fashion by at least one multiple hinge having at least three pivot axes offset from one another and at least two pairs of pivotally connected hinge arms, of which a first hinge arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle chassis and a second hinge arm is pivotally connected to the tailgate. The multiple hinge is associated with a drivetrain controlling the motion of the hinge arms in the pivot axes. The door plane is moved along a predetermined motion path when the tailgate travels from a closed position, in which the tailgate spans a closed plane, to an open position, in which the tailgate spans an opening plane. The motion path of the door plane includes rotary and translational components, and the closed plane forms an angle to the opening plane in the range from 70° to 110°, preferably about 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Cadea Gesellschaft für Anwendung und Realisierung Computerunterstützter Systeme mbH
    Inventor: Harald Ertl
  • Patent number: 7810280
    Abstract: The force from a drive rod driven by an electric motor is transmitted via a link arm pivotally linked to the drive rod and a back door. When the back door is operated in an open direction, the link arm is supported by an open-side support slider and the acting direction of the force applied to the link arm by the drive rod is shifted to the opening direction of the back door. When the back door is operated in a closing direction, the link arm is supported by a closed-side support slider and a closed-side support roller and the acting direction of the force applied to the link arm by the drive rod is shifted to the closing-direction of the back door. The open-side and closed-side support sliders are pressed against the link arm by leaf spring members so that the link arm is prevented from oscillating between the sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hattori, Ryoji Araki, Osamu Sera, Masashi Shimizu, Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7785220
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a power operated lift-gate that is opened and closed by two drive units. The typical drive unit has a guide channel, an attachment assembly that is disposed in the guide channel, a flexible drive member that is attached to the attachment assembly and formed in a loop for moving the attachment assembly in the guide channel. The flexible drive member is trained solely around two pulleys at the respective opposite ends of the guide channel to form the flexible drive member in a narrow loop. One of the pulleys is an idler pulley that is part of an adjustable pulley assembly and the other pulley is driven by a power unit that is attached to the guide channel. The adjustable pulley assembly adjusts the distance between the pulleys to take up slack in the flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr., Howard W. Kuhlman, Brian N. Orr, Eric R. Hansen, John R. Rice, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7774984
    Abstract: A concentric cross mechanism for transiting torsion includes a main body unit of a concentric cross mechanism, a main body unit of the torsion-driven mechanism, a main body unit of the force-generating mechanism, and a restriction device. A center point is defined by crossing a vertical concentric axis and a horizontal concentric axis. The axle of the driven bevel gear and the scroll springs spin reversely with the axle of the torsion-generating bevel gear. The first bevel gear is provided for outputting the torsion on the upper and bottom ends thereof. Furthermore, when the rotary rod connected with one side of the torsion output axle is disposed between the positioning block and the positioning post, the door is driven by the other side of the torsion output axle to swing in a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Eledyna Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Pu Hsu
  • Patent number: 7774983
    Abstract: A door is pivotally secured to the back of a vehicle. A door opening device comprises a connecting rod including an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the connecting rod is pivotally mounted to the door. The door opening device further comprises a guide member having a guide slit, a rack bar which slides up and down in the guide slit, a connecting shaft that pivotally connects the lower end of the connecting rod to an upper end of the rack bar and a driving unit for opening and closing the door via the connecting rod. The lower end of the connecting rod is pivotally coupled to the upper end of the rack bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Shimura, Hidemasa Hirakui
  • Publication number: 20100037527
    Abstract: A driving device for a hatch in a motor vehicle includes a first fastening element which can be connected to a stationary structural component, a second fastening element which can be connected to a movable structural component, a spindle drive including a threaded spindle having an axis of rotation and a spindle nut arranged on the threaded spindle, and a rotary drive having a driveshaft for rotating spindle to move the first fastening element axially relative to the second fastening element. A stroke detection sensor for continuously detecting the position of the movable structural component includes a rotatable sensor element driven in rotation by the driveshaft and a stationary sensor element for continuously detecting the rotational position of the rotatable sensor element. A gear reduction unit is provided between the driveshaft and the rotatable sensor element so the revolutions of the sensor element are reduced by about 14:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Marian Bochen
  • Patent number: 7637057
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for an open/close object comprising a driving device for driving and opening the open/close object, a position detecting device for detecting an open position of the open/close object (1), and a fully open position storage device for storing a fully open position of the open/close object, wherein, when the driving device drives and opens the open/close object, the driving device is stopped in a fully open recognition position stored in the fully open position storage device or a position a fixed amount short of the fully open recognition position. When a current position of the open/close object after completion of the opening drive by the driving device is different from the fully open recognition position (#1), the fully open position storage device sets a new fully open recognition position (#2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seika Matsui, Hideharu Kato, Tsutomu Tanoi, Tomonori Suzuki, Mizuho Morimitsu
  • Patent number: 7578094
    Abstract: A drive unit for a power operated vehicle closure has a track, a guide moveable along the track, a link attached to the guide at one end and adapted to be attached to the vehicle closure at the opposite end, and a motor assembly for moving the guide along the track. The motor assembly has an electric motor and a speed reducer driven by the electric motor that has a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a belt drive and the second stage is a spur gear set. Alternatively the first stage is a worm gear and a mating helical gear. The worm gear preferably has a high lead angle and a high number of leads. The speed of the electric motor is reduced to about 1000 rpm or less in the first stage permitting the use of spur gears in the second stage while retaining quiet operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Rogers, Jeffrey S. Hamminga, Joseph D. Long, Joseph M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7573171
    Abstract: A rotation control motor comprises a shaft, an armature having an armature core of which teeth are wound by wires to form coils, a commutator, and a field magnet. The armature core has a plurality of teeth, the commutator has a plurality of commutator segments corresponding to the number of teeth, and the coils comprise a normal coil and a brake coil. When the motor rotates faster than expected, the brake coil brakes the motor by magnetic flux, and the motor can rotate within a stable speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Igarashi Electric Works Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Sesita, Katuyuki Tanaka, Yusuke Mizukoshi, Hiroyuki Kurihara, Yoshihisa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090165387
    Abstract: An actuator adapted to actuate an element of an automobile, the actuator comprising at least one gear adapted to rotate eccentrically about a central axis during operation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Goldstein, Dan Raz
  • Publication number: 20090120002
    Abstract: A door opener system for opening and closing a door relative to a structure includes a rack gear that is hinged on one end to the structure. The door opener system also includes a pinion drive mechanism that is fixed to the door. The door opener system further includes a pinion gear that is engaged with the rack gear and that is rotationally driven by the pinion drive mechanism. In addition, the door opener system includes a retention assembly supporting at least one guide bearing that is engaged with the rack gear. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Norman L. Domholt
  • Patent number: 7484333
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Blue Houser, Sidney J. Lampley, Robert Tadlock, Tom Harris, John Presely, Jeff Schoener, Lana Kirkpatrick
  • Publication number: 20090025297
    Abstract: A concentric cross mechanism for transiting torsion includes a main body unit of a concentric cross mechanism, a main body unit of the torsion-driven mechanism, a main body unit of the force-generating mechanism, and a restriction device. A center point is defined by crossing a vertical concentric axis and a horizontal concentric axis. The axle of the driven bevel gear and the scroll springs spin reversely with the axle of the torsion-generating bevel gear. The first bevel gear is provided for outputting the torsion on the upper and bottom ends thereof. Furthermore, when the rotary rod connected with one side of the torsion output axle is disposed between the positioning block and the positioning post, the door is driven by the other side of the torsion output axle to swing in a predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: ELEDYNA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Pu HSU
  • Patent number: 7377075
    Abstract: A guide rail assembly for moving a closure panel of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position includes a guide rail fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A slide mechanism slidably engages the guide rail. A rod has one end coupled to the slide mechanism and an opposing end coupled to the closure panel to move the closure panel as the slide mechanism slides along the guide rail. A drive is fixedly secured to the guide rail for selectively driving the slide mechanism along the guide rail. A clasp is operatively secured to the slide mechanism for selectively coupling the drive to the slide mechanism such that the drive moves the slide mechanism along the guide rail to move the closure panel between the open and closed positions when the slide mechanism is coupled with the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
  • Patent number: 7373756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, more particularly to “no touch” door openers for public washrooms and households. The system has a motor with a gear chain where the high gear is generally semicircularly shaped engaged with a swinging arm coupled with the door through the roller and a pilot plate. The unit is activated upon receipt of the signal from overhead passive infrared or hand proximity detecting sensors and has a controlling system to provide for opening and closing the door, as well as retraction of the arm in the event of door encountering an obstacle or in an overload condition of the motor. The arm and a gear are linked pivotally with each other and with the unit housing. They are coupled through a spring suspension system and have a clutch mechanism preventing overloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: 4378580 Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Okulov, Amir Zouak
  • Patent number: 7316096
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Blue Houser, Sidney J. Lampley, Robert Tadlock, Tom Harris, John Presely, Jeff Schoener, Lana Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 7296380
    Abstract: A device for opening and closing a pivotally mounted door leaf including an actuator, which is displaceably and/or rotatingly arranged in a housing and connected to the door leaf and which, during displacement/rotation, actuates the door leaf, and a drive motor which is connected to the actuator for providing displacement/rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Besam International HP
    Inventor: Eric Bäckman
  • Publication number: 20070234642
    Abstract: A casement window assembly has a sash window pivotally connected to a window frame. A window operator has a housing connected to the frame, including an upper and lower piece connected together. The housing has an offset countersink hole receiving a fastener. A spindle extends into the housing and has a groove therein. An arm is operably connected to the spindle and to the sash window to open and close the sash window. A resilient seal member is received within the groove in the spindle. A first gasket is positioned between the upper piece and the lower piece of the housing. A second gasket is positioned between the housing and the window frame. When the fastener is driven into the countersink hole, the housing is forced in a generally horizontal direction to compress the second gasket between the housing and the window frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Bildahl, Dean Pettit, Thomas J. Hansel
  • Patent number: 7243976
    Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle. The opening and closing apparatus includes a reciprocating member connected at its connecting portion to a motor so as to be moved to reciprocate along a plane perpendicular to a hinge shaft, the reciprocating member having a side surface parallel with the plane perpendicular to the hinge shaft. A connecting member is provided having a first end section pivotally attached to an end portion of the reciprocating member, and a second end section fixed to the opening and closing body. A deflection-suppressing device is provided to a stationary body connected to the vehicle body. A part of the side surface of the reciprocating member is slidably contacted with the deflection-suppressing device and is located between the connecting portion of the reciprocating member and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Nao Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 7174674
    Abstract: The invention improves accuracy of engagement of a pinion and a rack with each other in an automatic opening/closing device for a vehicle. In the automatic opening/closing device for the vehicle and for automatically opening and closing an opening/closing member provided to a vehicle body, the device includes a motor for generating a driving force for driving a pinion for rotation, a sliding member having a rack engaged with the pinion, and a rail member for positioning the sliding member and for guiding the sliding member in a predetermined direction. The sliding member and the opening/closing member are connected through a connecting rod. A base member is integrally formed with a motor fixing portion and a rail fixing portion. The motor and the rail member are fixed to the base member. As a result, it is easy to improve accuracy of positioning of the pinion and the rack and to improve accuracy of engagement of the pinion and the rack with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hattori, Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7144066
    Abstract: A power tailgate apparatus of the present invention includes: a curved arm of which one end side is connected to a tailgate; a rod of which one end side is connected to another end side of the curved arm; a rectilinearly moving rack connected to another end side of the rod; a driving power source arranged at a position adjacent to the rectilinearly moving rack; a driving force transfer part which transfers a driving power of the driving power source to the rectilinearly moving rack; and a guide having a curve that is concentric with the curved arm, which guides the curved arm along the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Omori, Yoshitomo Ihashi
  • Patent number: 7107722
    Abstract: An operator assembly for shifting a movable barrier between open and closed positions thereof, wherein the operator assembly can be configured to function with a variety of different barrier sizes and orientations. The operator assembly may include one or more interchangeable transmission components for adapting the operator for use with different gate sizes and installations. The operator assembly may also comprise a substantially linear drive train for permitting use with different barrier orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: The ChamberLain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Celestino Casali, David Schuda
  • Patent number: 7104589
    Abstract: A door driving unit includes a driving mechanism rotatable in a reciprocating manner within a predetermined operational angle range, a body portion fixed to a vehicle body, a first member driven by the driving mechanism, and a second member driven by the first member by being in contact with the first member. The first member and the second member are supported by a common shaft. The door driving unit further includes an engaging mechanism for engaging the first member and the second member with each other so that the first member and the second member rotate as a unit with each other within a first predetermined angle range when the first member drives to rotate the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Takeda, Bunshi Ohta, Yasutaka Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7069695
    Abstract: An automatically opening/closing apparatus for vehicle of rack-and-pinion type is reduced in size and weight. The automatically opening/closing apparatus for vehicle is automatically opened/closed, by transmitting rotation of an electric motor to a back door through a drive power transmitting mechanism comprising a pinion and a rack. The rack is supported linearly reciprocably by a slide mechanism comprising a slide block and a guide rail. The slide block is formed to be sufficiently short to the entire length of the rack and the guide rail is accordingly formed to be short. Further, the rack is provided with a groove portion, and a holding member contacting with a holding face is disposed in the groove portion. Then, an interval between the rack and the opinion is maintained by the holding member, whereby engagement of the pinion therewith is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hattori, Tomofumi Ichinose, Yoshitomo Ihashi, Toshihisa Omori, Yasushi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7013604
    Abstract: A window operator for moving a window sash in a window frame (F) between open and closed positions. The window operator has a mounting plate (14), an elongate threaded member (16) mounted with the mounting plate (14). A drive handle (11) enables a rotational movement to be applied to the elongate threaded member (16). A threaded element (66) is located on the elongate threaded member (16). A hinge (26) with which a window sash can be mounted is attached to a coupling (23) moveable in response to movement of the threaded element (66) on the elongate threaded member (16). The hinge (26) has one arm (28) pivotally coupled to the mounting plate (14). Because arms (24 and 25) of the hinge (26) is attached to the coupling (23), movement of the coupling (23) results in movement of the hinge (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Assa Abloy Financial Services AB
    Inventors: Roy Malcolm Moody, Robert Efstratiou, Malcolm David Boosey
  • Patent number: 7014248
    Abstract: A rear gate is constructed to be opened and closed by a driving unit installed on a vehicle body side, and the driving unit is constructed to have a motor which can rotate both in normal and reverse directions, a gearbox to which a pinion is pivotally attached for reducing the rotating speed of the motor for output, and a rack adapted to reciprocate in directions normal to an axial direction of a hinge shaft by virtue of the rotation of the pinion and connected to the rear gate at one end thereof. An electromagnetic clutch for connecting and disconnecting a power transmission path between an output shaft of the motor and the pinion is provided in the interior of the gearbox, so that the rack is disposed above or below the gearbox at a position directly above or below the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignees: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokota, Masahiro Tanigawa, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Patent number: 6962023
    Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengagable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler