Rack And Pinion Patents (Class 74/109)
  • Patent number: 12234710
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a tubing rotator comprising: a linear force to motive force convertor including an input for receiving a linear motion drive force and an output for outputting a rotary motion drive force, an arm for receiving a linear drive force and inputting it to the linear force to motive force convertor and an actuator couplable to a polish rod and configured for transmitting a linear drive from the polish rod to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: EVOLUTION OIL TOOLS INC.
    Inventors: Vern Hult, Benjamin J Gagnon, Emery Stoesser, Bernard Lumori
  • Patent number: 12152546
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for an engine may include a remote throttle lever, a sensor, and a terminal. The remote throttle lever may be coupled physically to a user input device and operable to be moved under control of the user input device. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the remote throttle lever and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the remote throttle lever. The terminal configured to provide the output signal to a controller of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Discovery Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Terrence M. Rotter, Jonathan T. Bykowski, William D. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 11890752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex elastic unit for maximizing space utilization and elastic energy storage with a limited space and a variable gravity compensation module with the complex elastic unit and a curved lever, more particularly to variable gravity compensation apparatus with a curved lever, characterized by comprising: a housing; an interlocking cam which is installed to the housing, being rotated by a load; a curved lever which is rotated interlocked with the rotation of the interlocking cam and which provides elasticity to rotate the interlocking cam toward an initial position; an adjustment unit which adjusts a position of a pivot which is a center of rotation of the curved lever, allowing moving the pivot according to strength of load; and an elastic unit which is equipped within the housing to provide elasticity to the curved lever, wherein a driving end which is adhered to the interlocking cam is formed on one end of the curved lever with respect to the pivot, a driven end which is a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Chung Ang University Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Giuk Lee, Jehyeok Kim, Jun Young Moon, Jae Wook Ryu
  • Patent number: 11707009
    Abstract: A cultivator includes at least one cultivator row unit, each of the at least one cultivator row unit having a support assembly for securing the cultivator row unit to a tool bar, a shank, an earth working tool operatively connected to the shank, and at least one assembly for providing discrete incremental adjustment for at least one of (a) an angle of the earth working tool, (b) a depth of the earth working tool, and (c) a gauge wheel depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ACCURA FLOW, LLC
    Inventor: Isaac Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11649775
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for an engine may include a remote throttle lever, a sensor, and a terminal. The remote throttle lever may be coupled physically to a user input device and operable to be moved under control of the user input device. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the remote throttle lever and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the remote throttle lever. The terminal configured to provide the output signal to a controller of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Bykowski, Terence M. Rotter, William D. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 11504144
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Daniel H. Kim, Dong Suk Shin, Taeho Jang, Yong Man Park
  • Patent number: 11364800
    Abstract: A throttle pedal assembly comprises a base, a pedal pivotably mounted on the base, and a gear box coupled to the pedal. The gear box has a throttle wheel with a plurality of throttle cable terminal attachment locations and the gear box has a plurality of throttle cable mounting locations. A throttle cable is selectively and releasably attached to one of said plurality of throttle cable terminal attachment locations, and the throttle cable is selectively and releasably attached to one of said plurality of throttle cable mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Marine Acquisition (US) Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas F. Ward, Mark Douglas Petro-Roy, David Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10390898
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Jensen, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Bryce Edmondson, Jordan Tanner, Clayton Grames, Jason Lund
  • Patent number: 10251718
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Jensen, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Bryce Edmondson, Jordan Tanner, Clayton Grames
  • Patent number: 9878345
    Abstract: A squeeze-out dispenser for a container containing compounds is disclosed. In an embodiment, the squeeze-out dispenser features two plungers which are provided with a profile along their longitudinal extensions and a drive unit for the plungers with a drive meshing with the profile of the plungers. The profile of the plungers is formed by several through-holes spaced apart from one another at a uniform interval and passing through the plungers, into which through-holes engagements of the drive engage for advancing the plungers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Hefele, Hans Peter Lederle, Franz Heiberger
  • Patent number: 9873448
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, an end of travel stop is provided for a steering gear assembly having a housing, a rack, and a tie rod. The end of travel stop includes an annular body comprising a plurality of segments defining a first crenellated side of the annular body and a second crenellated side of the annular body. The stop is circumscribed over the rack and is oriented between the housing and the tie rod, and is configured to absorb an impact force transferred through the tie rod and to prevent overtravel of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Mullins, James J. Shavrnoch, Andrey A. Sergeyev
  • Patent number: 9398715
    Abstract: An electronics chassis comprises an electronics module residing in the chassis and fronted by a multi-piece faceplate system. The multi-piece faceplate system includes a faceplate and a faceplate assembly. The faceplate assembly includes an ejection lever pivotally coupled to the electronics module. The ejection lever includes an ejection latch coupled to the faceplate assembly. The ejection latch is configured to facilitate retention of the electronics module within the chassis when said faceplate assembly is in a closed position. The ejection latch is further configured to facilitate ejection of the electronics module from the chassis when the faceplate assembly is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khanh Quoc Nguyen, Christopher George Reed
  • Publication number: 20150086310
    Abstract: A dump body latching system for application to a self dumping hopper having a base platform, a rotatable dump body mounted thereto and a locking pin on the rotatable dump body is provided. The dump body latching system configured to control the rotation of the rotatable dump body thereon and includes a power source, an actuator assembly configured to selectively engage the locking pin to facilitate preventing rotation of the rotatable dump body, and a linear actuator assembly having an actuator rod configured for reciprocal motion into and out of an actuator housing. A controller is configured to connect the power source with the linear actuator to extend the actuator rod into contact with the actuator assembly and thereby rotate the actuator assembly to disengage the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael David Genter, David Bryan Vinson, Joseph Anthony Frontera
  • Publication number: 20150048229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (50) for manually unlocking a holding mechanism (10) to which a load can be applied, comprising an operating element (62) which is to be operated manually for unlocking the holding mechanism (10) with an operating force becoming larger as the load increases, a conversion mechanism (64, 90) which includes a force transfer element (72) coupled to the operating element (62), and a trigger (66) coupled to the force transfer element (72), wherein in order to unlock the holding mechanism (10) the trigger is movable by the operating force transferred by the force transfer element (72) to the trigger (66) from a locked position in which the trigger (66) is operatively decoupled from the holding mechanism into an unlocked position in which the trigger (66) is operatively coupled to the holding mechanism in order to unlock said holding mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: MAQUET GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Wyslucha, Markus Singer, Reinhard Gantke, Hans-Jorg Hopfengart
  • Patent number: 8613459
    Abstract: Disclosed are a variable gear ratio type rack bar, and a steering apparatus having the same. According to the present invention, it is not required to fabricate a separate mold for processing rack-formed parts with different inter-tooth spaces, the rack-formed parts can be formed by using various processing methods, and it is possible to obtain precise tooth shapes through one step processing, whereby the number of steps for manufacturing a variable gear ratio type rack bar and its manufacturing cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Kwang Ho Yang, Ki Che Park
  • Patent number: 8570612
    Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner and an image forming apparatus including the same. The scanner may include a scanning unit; a support unit configured to support the scanning unit; a first pinion rotatably disposed on the support unit and configured to move along a first rack of a first surface of a guide member; and a second pinion rotatably disposed on the support unit and configured to move along a second rack of a second surface of the guide member such that the direction of rotation of the second pinion is opposite to the direction of rotation of the first pinion, the second surface of the guide member being different from the first surface of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8397597
    Abstract: A rack bar and a method for production thereof. The rack bar is composed of a steel pipe (10) and an embedded metal core (14) placed therein. The steel pipe has rack teeth formed thereon by forging. The embedded metal core (14) is made of a metal softer than the steel pipe (10) and has its surface wave-shaped such that the bottom (20) is wide and the top (22) is narrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kondo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20120160595
    Abstract: Provided are an electric power steering system and a vehicle steering system each including rack-and-pinion mechanisms (14A, 14B). A rack shaft (3) has a first rack (7A) and a second rack (7B) that are formed on the axially opposite sides of the axial center of the rack shaft (3). The first rack (7A) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, the second rack (7B) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, and these pitches p are equal to each other. A predetermined difference is set between the phase of gear teeth engagement between a first pinion shaft (8A) and the first rack (7A), which constitute the first rack-and-pinion mechanism (14A), and the phase of gear teeth engagement between a second pinion shaft (8B) and the second rack (7B), which constitute the second rack-and-pinion mechanism (14B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki FUJITOMI, Minoru SATO, Yoshiki MARUYAMA, Motonari ISHIZUKA
  • Publication number: 20110155785
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Laurent, Brett E. Swensgard, Bret W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100101408
    Abstract: An actuator having one or more pistons. The piston has a rack formed in a skirt of the piston, with the rack recessed within the skirt of the piston in a groove formed between a top lip and a bottom lip. The gear, also called a pinion, engages the rack between the top lip and the bottom lip. As the rack traverses the gear, the shaft that extends through the gear is rotated. The top lip and bottom lip, and the recessed rack that is present within the skirt of the piston adds strength to the piston where the piston engages the gear. The top lip and the bottom lip assist in maintaining alignment of the rack with the gear so that the rack and gear properly mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Shawn Keel
  • Patent number: 7637380
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus is provided with: a transporting device (120) having: a loading device (220) which can elongate in an elongation direction toward a side of the track portion; and an elongation mechanism (600) for elongating the loading device. The elongation mechanism is provided with: a first rack (510) fixed to the main body device (210) and a second rack (520) fixed to the loading device, the first rack and the second rack each extending in the elongation direction and facing each other with a space therebetween; and a first pinion (610) engaged with the first rack, a second pinion (620) engaged with the second rack, and an odd number of third pinions (630) engaged between the first and second pinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriyasu Fukaya
  • Patent number: 7588258
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes an attaching bracket connecting end portions of a pair of tie rods to a rack shaft. The attaching bracket includes a base which is fixed to the rack shaft and includes at least one fixing member inserting hole through which a fixing member fixing the attaching bracket to the rack shaft is provided, and a supporting stay supporting the end portions of the pair of tie rods via ball joints respectively. The supporting stay extends from an intermediate portion of the base in an axial direction of the rack shaft. A center of the ball joint supporting the end portion of each of the tie rods is positioned offset from an axial line of the fixing member by a predetermined distance when viewed along the axial direction of the rack shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Hashimoto, Masahiko Hirose, Yoshihide Ohara, Takahiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090214326
    Abstract: A tray handling apparatus comprises a plurality of guides, a chuck device, a linear movement device, and a rack and pinion device. A space defined by the erected guides is used to hold a tray stack. The chuck of the chuck device is located at the center position of the bottom area of the space. The linear movement device is used to move the chuck relative to the guides. The rack and pinion device is used to cause the guides to move symmetrically. When an operator moves any one of the guides, the other guides move symmetrically and the center of the bottom area of the space surrounded by the guides remains at the same location during the movement of the guides. The operator does not need to adjust the position of the chuck if the positions of the guides are changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: CHENG MEI INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHENG TAO TSAI
  • Patent number: 7334514
    Abstract: This invention provides a modular, efficient and self-feedback/balance, fluid-powered actuation system. This system comprises two basic modules; actuation module and positioning module, which are directly connected to each other. The actuation modules can be constructed as a triple acting actuator having a novel balanced linear-rotary mechanism converter or a double acting actuator with two novel balance guide bars. The positioning module is constructed as a two-staged, self-feedback/balance positioner with position as a variable for controlling positions of an output shaft of the actuation modules. An input shaft in the positioning module is operated by three types input signals. This system also provides a rotary force to actuate and control different rotary valves with lighter weight, superior seal and high accuracy and can be used for quick cycle, high vibration applications or other critical services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Jianchao Shu
  • Patent number: 7272984
    Abstract: An electronic appliance holding device includes two slide plates which are respectively engaged with two gear sets which are matched with each other so that the two slide plates are able to move in opposite directions to adjust the space to hold the electronic appliance. An operation member has a pawl end and a pushing end, wherein the pawl end is engaged with the first gear set to stop rotation of the first gear set and when the pushing end is pushed by the user, the pawl end is disengaged from the first gear set. A cover is mounted on top of the base and a frame is mounted on the cover with a gap defined therebetween for receiving therein a picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 7174799
    Abstract: In a hydraulic tensioner, a deairing valve unit comprising a synthetic resin ball guide, a check ball a biasing spring, a ball seat, and a retaining disc, is press-fit into a hollow plunger, and disposed adjacent the protruding end of the plunger. The ball and seat of the deairing valve unit are arranged to block flow of oil out of the tensioner when the oil is under pressure, but open to allow air to flow out of the tensioner, through a vent in the protruding end of the plunger, after a negative pressure condition occurs inside the oil chamber of the tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hiroyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6983962
    Abstract: A deadlocking assembly for use in locks that includes a rack supporting a bolt and a driving or pinion gear that drives the rack. Both the rack and the pinion gear have teeth that intermesh. The pinion gear further includes two arms, one of which acts as a stop when extending the bolt and the other that acts as a deadlock. When in the deadlocked position, forcing of the bolt is prevented by the other arm since the pinion gear teeth and the rack gear teeth at that position do not intermesh. A tab is further used to limit further rotation of the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Inovec Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Kym John Keightley
  • Patent number: 6925899
    Abstract: Described is a steering rack bar which is low in costs, which is hollowed in overall length, and for use in steering equipment for automobiles. A rack is formed on a first steel tube by plastic working, wherein the first steel tube has good plastic workability by low carbon content, and has high strength after hardening. The above first steel tube and a second steel tube are joined to complete a hollow steering rack bar, wherein the second steel tube has a higher carbon content and is lower in cost than the first steel tube. Moreover, the second steel tube which has a margin of the strength can be thinner than the first steel tube for reduction of weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Neturen Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Ozeki
  • Patent number: 6910397
    Abstract: The axis of a gear is to follow a trajectory having a salient point. To this end, the gear rolls along two stationary toothed racks. A change-over toothing is provided between these two toothed racks. This change-over toothing extends non-smoothly with respect to the toothed racks. Such change-over toothing permits the gear to roll, without jamming, from one of the toothed racks to the other one, with its axis following a trajectory having a salient point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventors: Boris Schapiro, Naum Kruk, Lev Levitin
  • Patent number: 6837642
    Abstract: The length adjustment of an expandable rod is attained by a drive gear and a driven gear which is engaged with the drive gear and gear slots of an inner tube of the expandable rod. The inner tube is located inside an outer tube of the expandable rod by a locating member which is provided with a locating projection capable of locating in one of the gear slots of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Chia-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6443426
    Abstract: An improved slide lock mechanism for a vacuum valve (10) including an end plate or bonnet (42) mounted to an end flange (46) and a pair of slide lock plates (14). An elongated drive shaft pinion (36) drives a rack (52)connected to slide lock plates (14), to linearly shift the slide lock plates into clamping engagement with guide screws (20), thus achieving a tight seal at upper flange (46) and bonnet (42). Elongated drive shaft pinion (36) provides access from above vacuum valve for disengaging, or unclamping, the valve plate and its actuator for repair or maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Arthur Brenes
  • Publication number: 20020104396
    Abstract: A lever system deploys a pinion gear that engages a pinion gear receiving portion. A handle is attached to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear between a retain position and a release position. The pinion gear receiving portion is attached to a first object and the pinion gear is pivotably mounted to a second object that may be moved with respect to the first object. The design of the pinion gear receiving portion and the pinion gear ensure linear travel of the second object as the pinion gear is rotated between the retain position and the release position. Additionally, the pinion gear and the receiving portion include contours that prevent relative linear motion in all directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: George D. Megason, Brett Dwayne Roscoe, Christian H. Post
  • Patent number: 6354164
    Abstract: A lever system deploys a pinion gear that engages a pinion gear receiving portion. A handle is attached to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear between a retain position and a release position. The pinion gear receiving portion is attached to a first object and the pinion gear is pivotably mounted to a second object that may be moved with respect to the first object. The design of the pinion gear receiving portion and the pinion gear ensure linear travel of the second object as the pinion gear is rotated between the retain position and the release position. Additionally, the pinion gear and the receiving portion include contours that prevent relative linear motion in all directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: George D. Megason, Brett Dwayne Roscoe, Christian H. Post
  • Patent number: 6347782
    Abstract: An axial actuator for actuating a valve by rotating the shaft of the valve includes an outer enclosure forming an interior space having an inner enclosure therein. A piston is linearly moveable within the interior space of the outer housing to divide such interior space into two chambers, one of which includes the inner enclosure. A rotation device is positioned at least partially within the inner enclosure and is interconnected with the piston for rotating the valve shaft in response to linear movement of the piston. The rotation device preferably includes a rotation bevel gear having a hub adapted to receive the valve shaft to be rotated and compound pinion gears each with a bevel pinion gear which mates with the rotation bevel gear and a spur pinion gear which mates with racks which extend from the piston. Movement of the piston causes movement of the racks which rotate the compound pinion gears. This, in turn, rotates the rotation pinion gear and the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Ajit Singh Gill
  • Patent number: 6312052
    Abstract: An adjustable seat including a seat frame and a rack mounted to a substrate. First and second pinions are rotatably carried by the frame and meshingly engage the rack for relative movement of the rack. The second pinion is movable between an open position allowing rotation of the pinions, and an engaged position wherein the pinions are mutually engaged with each other and the rack, preventing relative movement of the rack and rotation of the pinions. A cam engages the second pinion for moving it between the open position and the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Elio
  • Patent number: 6199446
    Abstract: An indicator is provided for engaging a first control cable connected to a first bicycle shift control device and for engaging a second control cable connected to a second bicycle shift control device. The indicator includes a housing; a handlebar attachment member for attaching the housing to a handlebar; a first intermediate member; a first coupling member coupled to the first intermediate member for coupling the first intermediate member for movement with the first control cable; and a separate first indicating member viewable from outside the housing, wherein the first indicating member engages the first intermediate member so that movement of the first intermediate member causes movement of the first indicating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6158940
    Abstract: A device for the back rounding of book blocks in a book binding machine cooperating with a conveyor device. The device includes a driving arrangement and rounding elements driven in rotation by the driving arrangement. The rounding elements taking up the book block following release of the book block by the conveyor device. The rounding elements acting on both sides of the book block through pressurized rotational movement thereof. When the book blocks are gripped by the rounding elements, the rounding elements may selectively travel in a lifting movement which is separate from the rotational movement into preselectable, defined vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Nehring
  • Patent number: 6142495
    Abstract: A stabilizer for a vehicle including an automotive suspension having a lower control arm connecting a wheel to a sub-frame. The stabilizer includes a rotating member for rotating together with a pivotal motion of the lower control arm, a reciprocating member for converting the rotating motion of the rotating member into a reciprocating motion, and an elastic member for suppressing the reciprocation motion of the reciprocating member, thereby minimizing the pivotal motion of the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Keun-bae Kim
  • Patent number: 6116984
    Abstract: A pop-out toy including a housing with an opening through a central portion thereof. A bottom wall of the housing has a gear mounted on a rod extending upwardly from the inner surface interiorly thereof. A figurine is provided and is mounted on a platform positioned within the opening in the housing. The platform is secured to a support rod extending rearwardly therefrom interiorly of the housing. The support rod has teeth extending along a side edge thereof. The teeth engage an upper portion of the gear. A release mechanism is provided that is comprised of a handle extending inwardly of the housing interiorly thereof. The handle has teeth disposed along a side edge thereof. The teeth engage a lower portion of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: Armando Munoz, Bonnie Munoz
  • Patent number: 5988005
    Abstract: An electric power steering unit comprises a rack-shaft 2 to be coupled to the guiding wheels of a vehicle, a housing A for slidably containing the rack-shaft 2 and holding therein a coupling section 6 for causing the teeth of the rack-shaft 2 to engage those of a pinion arranged on the steering column 5 linked to the steering handle of the vehicle and an electric motor 1 coaxially arranged around the rack-shaft 2, which the rotary force is transmitted to the rack-shaft 2 by way of a ball screw mechanism 3 as the steering assisting power. A nut section 19 of the ball-screw mechanism 3 is rotatably supported by a housing B separately formed from the housing A, in a state of supporting the armature shaft 11 of the electric motor 1. The rack-shaft 2 is axially movable and supported by two points of support, one at the coupling section and the other at the nut section supported by the housing B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Tsugio Onodera, Tadao Kodaira, Yoshiaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 5909935
    Abstract: A device for guiding, driving, and locking a slot-in module of electrical or electronic equipment in a cabinet, wherein the circuits of the slot-in module are connected to those of the cabinet by coupling the connectors of the slot-in module to those of the cabinet or a rack in the cabinet, wherein the cabinet is secured to a slide with which a slideway secured to the slot-in module can engage, wherein a system of pinions and of racks cause their relative travel under the action of a rotary control member in a manner such that, at the end of travel, an input pinion is automatically blocked by a spring that can be unblocked from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Eurocopter France
    Inventors: Jean Guy Esperandieu, Robert Paul JoseSotiriou
  • Patent number: 5842598
    Abstract: An ejection apparatus for dispensing an item from a stack of items, for example, in a vending machine, includes an ejector member mounted for reciprocal movement. A movable member is connected to the ejector member and can be relatively rigid when transmitting force to the ejector member during an ejection stroke but can be bent during a return stroke to enable a compact storage configuration. A tube member can receive the movable member and bend it during its return stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamotsu Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 5829818
    Abstract: A device for covering and uncovering an opening of a container for a truck or trailer has a pair of pivotal arms that are mounted along opposite sides of the container with each arm having an outer and inner end. A cross-member is mounted between the outer ends of the pivotal arms so that the pivotal arms are coupled together. The inner end of each arm is mounted to the truck or trailer at a pivot point so that arms can be pivoted between a starting position and an end position. A flexible covering is coupled to the outer ends of the arms and is drawn or withdrawn over the opening when the arms are moved to the end and starting positions. The arms are moved by providing a convex arcuate contact portion located about the pivot point of the arm. A piston rod and cylinder are mounted adjacent the contact portion. An arm engagement member is coupled to the piston rod and cylinder and engages the contact portion of the arm so that linear movement of the arm engagement member causes the arms to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Harold W. O'Daniel
  • Patent number: 5694810
    Abstract: An annular stopper (22) made of synthetic resin is inserted into a housing (5). The housing (5) contains a rack (4) meshing with a pinion which rotates according to steering operation. A reaction force acts on the stopper (22) so that the inward movement of the stopper (22) into the housing (5) is restrained. At least part of the reaction force acts on an end face (22c) of the stopper (22) when the stopper (22) restrains the rack (4) from moving into one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichi Iwasa, Yasuaki Tsuji, Toru Hashimoto, Kouji Kitahata, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5689983
    Abstract: An improved ignition rack and an improved sector gear for a steering column in a vehicle inhibits theft of the vehicle. The ignition rack is used to operate an electrical switch mounted in the vehicle. The vehicle has a key receiving assembly rotatably mounted in the steering column and a shaft with a first end joined to the key receiving assembly for rotation therewith. A second end of the shaft is joined to the sector gear, the sector gear having teeth located on a portion of an outer perimeter. In a first embodiment, the ignition rack includes a guard flange for inhibiting removal of the sector gear from the shaft. The sector gear also includes a guard flange that forms a recess which opens to a surface opposite the guard flange of the ignition rack. The sector gear with the guard flange formed thereon protect a spring connected to the sector gear and a locking bolt from attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Omaha Auto Safety, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. McCoolidge
  • Patent number: 5664457
    Abstract: A machine element in the form of a screw gear having a threaded circumferential portion adapted to be engaged by a standard thread screw used as a worm is disclosed. Relative rotation of the standard thread screw with respect to the threaded portion of the screw gear causes the screw gear to also relatively rotate. Additionally, linear motions of the screw are possible wherein the screw gear acts as a pinion while the standard thread screw acts as a rack. This screw gear and its associated standard thread screw can be operated as either a worm and gear or as a rack and pinion. The screw gear and/or standard thread screw engaged therewith may be manually or power operated. The screw gear can be made by cutting or forming a threaded circumferential portion on the screw gear blank with a standard screw tap of the same size as the standard thread screw with which the screw gear is to be used. Additionally the screw gear can be formed in other conventional manner such as by molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Amir Nejati
    Inventor: Amir G. Nejati
  • Patent number: 5620301
    Abstract: A power turbine includes a stage of pivotable nozzle vanes. The individual vanes are pivoted by connecting them to a toothed unison ring via actuating levers in the form of gear segments. The gear segments only have sufficient teeth to enable pivoting of the vanes between normal maximum and minimum operating angles. If an emergency closure of the nozzle is required, the unison ring pivots the gear therewith, whereupon pins on the unison ring engage projections on each segment, thus causing the segments to continue pivoting the vanes to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Steven D. Lawer
  • Patent number: 5599177
    Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 5586003
    Abstract: A computer device carrier door and bay filler panel combination for sealing a bay in a computer chassis. The door and filler combination includes a door having a mount attached thereto, and a mounting rail for engaging the mount. The rail has an arcuate alignment channel with one open end and an attached rack. The mount includes a pinion gear to rotatably engage the rack as the door is opened and closed and a guide pin which enters the open end of the channel when the door is open and travels within the channel as the door is opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Ty Schmitt, Jerry Gandre
  • Patent number: 5582067
    Abstract: A gear and a rack attached to the gear periphery are molded in one piece. A housing recess contains the gear and a channel accommodates the rack so that, as the gear is turned by a knob, the rack is driven by the gear so that it wraps or unwraps about the gear and a free end of the rack moves along the channel. The channel is linear or curved to determine the direction of motion of the free end. A cable or other device is controlled by the free end of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chris R. Snider