Worm Patents (Class 74/425)
  • Patent number: 6247376
    Abstract: A drive gear engages a driven gear with non-intersecting axes of rotation making an angle of approximately 90° with respect to one another. A shaft has a first portion with a predetermined diameter, and a second portion has an enveloped worm gear with at least one roll-formed helical tooth formed thereon with an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the first portion of the shaft. The extra envelopment achieves an overall smaller package size for competitive advantage. When the shaft is rolled, the outside teeth exceed the shaft diameter by a predetermined amount allowing more teeth to be in contact with the driven gear. An outer bearing can be placed at the end of the shaft to allow the teeth to be of a larger diameter than the shaft. The pitch of the teeth can vary. Preferably, the bearing groove is roll formed simultaneously with the teeth of the worm gear since the centroid of the enveloped teeth must be located with the gear center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Shixiang Zhou, Harry Charles Buchanan, Jr., Ralph John Unterborn
  • Patent number: 6237863
    Abstract: A sealed worm wheel gearbox is provided having a worm disposed on a driveshaft. The worm engages a bull gear within the gearbox. Eccentric rotatable driveshaft mounts are mounted on opposite sides of the gearbox to support the driveshaft. The driveshaft axis of rotation is offset from the eccentric rotatable driveshaft mount axis of rotation. Thus, when the eccentric shaft mounts are rotated, the driveshaft moves linearly within the gearbox. In this way, rotation of the eccentric shaft mounts enables engagement and disengagement of the worm and bull gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: William F. Smith
  • Patent number: 6223614
    Abstract: A drive unit, for moving up and down a vehicular window pane, including a drive motor, a worm wheel, a bracket, an elastic body, and a shaft member. The drive motor includes a motor shaft fixed to a worm. The worm wheel is rotated by the driving force of the drive motor rotatably engaged through the worm. The bracket, on which the worm wheel is mounted, includes an engaging portion, bent and raised transmitting leaves pressed by the elastic body, cutout portions, and closure portions closing the respective cutout portions. The elastic body is provided between the worm wheel and the bracket, and is rotated together with the worm. The shaft member engages with the engaging portion of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takiguchi, Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 6223615
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an electric motor-driven servo-drive for use in technical means, especially motor vehicles, with a small electric drive motor (2) with a motor shaft (4) which is provided with a gear form-fit element (3) at at least one location, proceeding especially from the end, with a worm (5) of a worm gear pair, the worm (5) slipped onto the motor shaft (4), and with a worm wheel (6) of the worm gear pair, the wheel (6) consisting preferably of plastic and coupled to the worm (5) via teeth which engage one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huck
  • Patent number: 6206157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drive for a tool holding device with a shaft for bearing the holding device where the rotary drive performs both machining and milling using a common tool changing device. The inventor has a first hollow shaft (7) arranged concentrically to a shaft (1), the hollow shaft being driven by means of a drive device. Between the shaft (1) and the hollow shaft (7) and engageable and disengageable coupling (15 and 16) is arranged, which can. be operated by relative movement of the shaft (1) and the first hollow shaft (7). Between the shaft (1) and the first hollow shaft (7) a second hollow shaft (12) is arranged to cause such relative axial movement and rotatably bear the shaft (1). The first hollow shaft (7) is rotatably supported in a housing (5). Between the first hollow shaft (7) and the second hollow shaft (12) a gripping device is arranged, which couples with the second hollow shaft (12) when hollow shaft (7) is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Berthold Hermle AG
    Inventor: Werner Kutschka
  • Patent number: 6199438
    Abstract: In a drive mechanism for a windshield wiper, a switch disk for realizing a park position switch is supported so as to be independently rotatable relative to an output gear of a gear unit. The output gear and the switch disk are coupled with each other via a coupling device, with the coupling device acting as an engaging device carrying the switch disk along, in one direction of rotation only. In order to lower an axial dimension of the gear unit, the disk is rotatably supported on a sleeve, through which an output shaft extends so that the end of the shaft can support itself directly on a housing lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Ade, Hubert Scheele, Bernd Walther, Martin Csermak
  • Patent number: 6196507
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for releasably securing a cab or other truck toppers to a pick-up truck box includes master and slave assemblies mounted to a transverse section of the sidewall of the cab and spaced-apart from each other. Each assembly has an engagement member pivotable between an operative position in which the engagement member extends beneath an inwardly extending flange of the sidewall of the truck box and abuts the undersurface of the flange, and an inoperative position in which the engagement member clears the flange. A set of worm and worm gear is provided in the master assembly and a worm gear shaft extends through the master and slave assemblies to drive the engagement members in the pivotal movement. The clamp assembly is operated using a rotating tool from inside of the cab so that unauthorized removal of the cab from the truck is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Yvon Morin, Kenneth J. Morey
  • Patent number: 6193014
    Abstract: An apparatus for a ball bearing or needle bearing enclosure having an outside hardened raceway that accommodates two separate compliments of ball bearings located at each end of the raceway to engage with and support a central pin that protrudes in a cone shape out of the bearing enclosure at the front end to make contact with and engage a screw thread. The total bearing and pin assembly is secure in a pocket in the worm wheel having a slip fit mating that allows the total bearing enclosure to move forward and back for a controlled distance against a spring washer of calculated pressure to accept the pressure generated from the cone shaped pin and screw thrust. The central pin is cored out to accept a spiral shaped object for the purpose of pre-spinning the central pin with a jet of pressurized air prior to engaging with the screw thread to eliminate any skidding action between the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory W. Brackett
  • Patent number: 6182523
    Abstract: A motor unit for operating a functional member of a vehicle includes a motor portion and a gearing portion. The gear portion includes a wheel gear intermeshed with a worm gear driven by a shaft. The shaft is supported by a plurality of mounts. At least one of the mounts and the shaft defines a complementary contacting surface having a bowed cross section. The bowed cross section minimizes any misalignment problems of the shaft and reduces deformation of the shaft when torque is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventor: Hervé Marcel Nomerange
  • Patent number: 6176148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable tooth worm of worm gear sets used for a gear transmission mechanism. It comprises a shaft body with thread teeth. Its tip surface is a cylinder or a crowning surface, and the reference circle of the tooth flank is a revolution of a curved line. The worm product is made with variable tooth thickness and variable tooth height. During the meshing period, its loading capacity and transmission efficiency are increased and the transmission performance approaches a more ideal state because it has a greater number of simultaneously-meshing teeth than a cylindrical worm and also gradually gets into and out of mesh. It has a lower number of simultaneously-meshing teeth than a toroidal worm during the transmission period so that it has the advantages of lower heat value, lower oil-agitating loss, lower requirements for center distance and adjustment of axial position, easier manufacture as well as better economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Tianjin Everbest Gear Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaxiong Zhang, Lin Qi
  • Patent number: 6170350
    Abstract: A combined worm/spur gear reducer drive assembly for rotating an upper support plate, for example, the boom plate of an aerial lift truck with respect to a stationary lower support, for example, the bed of the truck. The drive assembly includes a one-piece member forming a housing section containing the primary and secondary gear sets and a securing ring mounted between the inner race of a turntable bearing and fixed to one of the upper or lower plates, the outer race of the bearing being secured to the other plate. Spur gear teeth are provided on the external surface of the outer race and the secondary set includes a spur pinion engaging the gear teeth. The one-piece casting and the gear sets housed therein are mounted in the space between the boom plate and the bed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Perfection Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip H. Behm
  • Patent number: 6167770
    Abstract: A drive for a door bolt of a motor-vehicle door latch has a pivot shaft fixed on the bolt offset from the bolt, a motor having a rotary output, a transmission having an input connected to the motor output and an output shaft, and a coupling directly joining the output shaft of the transmission to the pivot shaft for rotation of the bolt by the motor. The transmission output shaft and the pivot shaft are coaxial. The shafts have confronting ends formed with respective sets of axially projecting teeth that axially overlap, engage in each other, and form the coupling. These teeth are of generally triangular cross section and the teeth of the bolt shaft are angularly interleaved with the teeth of the transmission shaft. In addition a star-section element centered on the axes is formed with a plurality of radially open pockets each receiving a respective one of the teeth. This star element is elastomeric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Nass
  • Patent number: 6148683
    Abstract: A worm/worm gear transmission, particularly for use in a helicopter, and which includes an enveloping-type worm gear (3) having less than 24 teeth which are generated by an enveloping thread (1). The angle of one revolution of the thread has more than 15 degree. Different profiles of the worm gear are generated by a modified worm thread (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6134986
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly generally comprises a hub having a bore for receiving an outer end of a steering column shaft. A gear is disposed within the upper end of the bore. The gear includes circumferentially spaced teeth extending radially outwardly from an annular collar. The annular collar defines an axial bore having internal threads complementary to threads on an outer end of the steering column shaft. The gear includes an axial inner end, an opposite axial outer end and an axial mid-point. A web-flange tapers radially outwardly from the axial mid-point on the collar toward the inner end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheryar Durrani
  • Patent number: 6135889
    Abstract: A device for subjecting a shaft to a combined simple rotation and alternating rotation of limited extent about its own axis, the device including two supporting plates which rotate with the shaft coupled to a vibration generator and, between the plates, a part of a gear system which rotates freely with respect to the shaft and is associated with rotation actuation motor. Two first slotted holes are formed in each one of the plates so that they are diametrically opposite with respect to the shaft, the first slotted holes being arranged, upon assembly, at second slotted holes formed in the gear system, elastic compression springs being rigidly coupled between the first and the second slotted holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: HOLMAC S.a.s. di Gastaldi Christian & C.
    Inventor: Tiziano Salviato
  • Patent number: 6128969
    Abstract: A hybrid gear drive suitable for the transformation of motion and power between an involute worm and a face gear wherein the axis of the face gear and the worm may be crossed or intersected. The gear drive includes a multi-thread involute worm in meshing engagement with a face gear having helical teeth. The multi-thread involute worm threads each have a driving surface and a coasting surface formed in the profiles of the involutes of a pair of base circles having different radii. The gear drive allows practical gear ratios up to about ten for high speed, high load applications such as helicopter or automobile gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Faydor L. Litvin, Aleksandar Egelja, Inhwan Seol
  • Patent number: 6129337
    Abstract: A valve actuating device comprising a lower housing seat, a first transmission member, a main shaft, a second transmission member, a fifth transmission member, and an upper housing body; the second transmission member is fastened pivotally at the lower segment thereof with the outer periphery of the ring portion of the first transmission member and is provided on the outer periphery of the midsegment thereof with a worm gear portion engaging a horizontal worm rod, the second transmission member is provided in the inner periphery of the midsegment thereof with a second engagement portion, the third transmission member is fastened pivotally with the main shaft and is provided on the outer periphery of the top segment thereof with a third engagement portion and is further provided at the lower segment thereof with an eccentric shaft portion, the fourth transmission member is fastened pivotally with the eccentric shaft portion and is provided in the outer periphery thereof with a fourth engagement portion which i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Chiou-Mei Wu
  • Patent number: 6099430
    Abstract: A clutched actuator for use in a transfer case is disclosed which may be used in conjunction with electronic traction control systems and anti-lock braking systems where the clutched actuator system is required to quickly disengage the four-wheel drive of the vehicle. The clutched actuator is operably coupled to the transfer case of the vehicle drive system through a sector plate. The clutched actuator includes a worm drive motor assembly providing the base driving mechanism, a clutching mechanism, and a gear reduction mechanism for reducing the torque capacity required of the clutch mechanism. When the clutching mechanism is engaged, power is transmitted from the worm drive through the gear reduction mechanism to the output shaft to selectively engage the mode of operation of the transfer case, i.e., two-wheel or four-wheel drive mode, and the drive torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. The worm gear is non-backdrivable such that the motor need not provide a holding torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Winks
  • Patent number: 6098480
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly for a vehicle receives input torque from an engine via an input shaft. The input shaft drives a worm which in turn drives a worm gear. The worm gear includes teeth which engage and drive an axle shaft which in turn drives a vehicle wheel. The teeth of the worm gear are defined by a tooth profile which has two pressure angles, one on each side of the tooth. The worm includes a thread with a thread profile that also has two pressure angles, one on each side of the thread. One of the pressure angles on the thread of the worm is greater than its other pressure angle and one of the pressure angles on the worm gear teeth is greater than its other pressure angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6093126
    Abstract: Transmission device utilizes a self-locking enveloping worm (1) and enveloping type worm gear (2) in combination with differentials. The worm gear has less than 24 teeth and enveloping angle one revolution of worm thread more than 15 degrees. Mechanical motion from the input of one member (4) of the differential is transmitted to the output (5) of another member of the differential. Control member of the differential connected to the worm gear. Unlocking motion of worm gear (2) controlling by rotation of enveloping worm, connected to auxiliary motor (17). The transmission device for transmitting an oscillating input (4) to a single directional output (5) incorporates some of the worm and worm gear combinations with spider or bevel differentials. The usage of this invention not only transmits the rotation utilizing an oscillating input but also transmits the torque for the conventional power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6085368
    Abstract: A device is provided for a system for displacing (e.g. lifting, transporting, lowering, etc.) persons between various positions or areas such as for example between a bed and a chair, a bed and a bathroom etc. The device comprises a winch assembly whereby a reel component and a motor may be decoupled so as to allow for the manual paying out of an elongated flexible support member to facilitate the attachment thereto of a harness holding a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: BHM Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Robert, Michel Corriveau, Martin Faucher
  • Patent number: 6079442
    Abstract: There is disclosed an actuator for a rotary valve, such as a butterfly valve which rotates a quarter of a turn between open and closed positions. The actuator includes a drive mechanism releasably attachable to the stem of the valve for rotating it in response to operation of a reversible electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Jo Raymond, Jr., Michael John Bertoja, Francis William Johnston, David Wayne Gent
  • Patent number: 6076266
    Abstract: A theodolite that includes a stand, a telescope, a friction gear and a worm gear. The telescope is pivotally secured to the stand. The clutch plate is secured to the telescope for at least limited rotational movement upon pivoting of the telescope. The friction gear is mounted for rotation about substantially the same axis as rotation of the clutch plate. The worm gear is mounted to the stand and is in constant mesh with the friction gear so that rotation of the worm gear causes rotation of the friction gear. A device engages the friction gear with the clutch plate with a frictional force. The frictional force is adjustable to allow for adjustment of the telescope separately from the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Michael Beckingham, Michael C. Detro
  • Patent number: 6074322
    Abstract: A new type of apparatus for transmitting rotation utilizing an oscillating input utilizes a self-locking worm (1) and worm gear (3) combination with different types of means for rotating said worm about its axis of rotation relative to said worm gear described. An input to the worm gear (3) is transmitted without relative movement to the thread of the worm (1) to cause the thread and hence the rotor to rotate about an axis of the worm gear. The means preferably rotates the worm thread relative to the worm gear teeth under certain conditions when it is not desired to transmit rotation. A system for transmitting an oscillating input (4) to a single directional output (5) incorporates some of the worm and worm gear combinations with spider or bevel differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 6054785
    Abstract: A compact miniature motor includes a DC motor, a worm gear, a pinion transfer gear, at least one cluster gear, an output gear, and an output shaft. A socket may be used to accept the output shaft. The gears form a gear train that wraps tightly around the DC motor in the shape of a capital letter J. Inverted trunnions stabilize the pinion transfer gear by extending longitudinally inside thereof. Acoustical chambers packed with grease suppress noise generated by the gear train. A PC board is also provided and has components for rectifying, filtering for constant DC, and modifying AC voltage before passing it to energize the DC motor. The output shaft may drive a product mover for beverage cans inside a vending machine or another type of electromechanical unit requiring the application of high torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Molon Motor & Coil Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed Kerdjoudj, A.N. (Tom) Tsergas
  • Patent number: 6053061
    Abstract: An improved sliding feed mechanism having a worm gear is disclosed can prevent a locking state from occurring between the worm and the worm wheel. The sliding feed mechanism includes a motor having a rotational shaft with an output end, a worm fixedly mounted to the rotational shaft and formed with a left-hand thread, a worm wheel which meshes with the worm, a driven member which is adapted to slidably move according to the rotation of the worm wheel. In this connection, the lead angle of the worm wheel is set so as to be larger than the lead angle of the worm, and the motor is mounted so that the output end of the rotational shaft is upwardly tilted so as to provide a proper engagement between the worm and the worm wheel having said lead angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Furukawa, Kouji Teranishi, Satoru Manabe
  • Patent number: 6044723
    Abstract: An electric power assisting steering apparatus comprises a housing, a motor mounted on the housing to generate auxiliary steering power in a rotating shaft, an output shaft to transmit the steering power for steering the wheels, a bearing for supporting the output shaft to be freely rotatable, and a worm gear mechanism having a worm connected to the rotating shaft and a worm wheel connected to the output shaft, to transmit the auxiliary steering power of the motor to the output shaft. An elastic body is provided between at least one of the rotating shaft and the housing and the bearing, so that when a tooth surface of the worm and that of the worm wheel are brought into contact with each other, the rotating shaft is moved in at least one of the axial direction and the radial direction relative to the housing by deforming the elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eda, Yuji Kawaike, Masuji Machida
  • Patent number: 6032550
    Abstract: A right angle drive gearbox (10) having a housing (12) defined by a pair of housing members (14, 16). The housing has a first opposed pair of cylindrical openings that are formed by opposed semi-cylindrical recesses (42, 46) in opposed side walls of one of the housing members and a second opposed pair of cylindrical openings that are formed by opposed semi-cylindrical recesses (44, 48) in opposed side walls of the other of the housing members. A first shaft (24) is rotatingly supported in the first opposed pair of cylindrical openings, and a second shaft (20) is rotatingly supported in the second opposed pair of cylindrical openings, the longitudinal central axes of the first and second shafts being spaced apart from one another and otherwise extending perpendicularly with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Rugh
  • Patent number: 6029763
    Abstract: A worm gear assembly for a medical mobility apparatus, such as a motorized wheelchair or scooter, comprises a worm and a worm gear. The worm is operatively coupled to a motor shaft of a drive motor of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear, which is disposed on an intermediate shaft, is adapted for being driven by the worm and is adapted for driving a drive wheel of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear and the worm have a gear ratio of less than 10:1 and the worm has a lead angle in the range of about 20-30.degree.. This arrangement permits the worm gear to selectively drive the worm and permits manual reverse mobility of the medical mobility apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Maurice E. Swisher
  • Patent number: 6016716
    Abstract: In a rotary stage, driven by a conventional multi-tooth rotary worm wheel, interacting with a rotationally powered worm gear, a housing functions as a base mount for the worm wheel. The housing has a bore disposed within a cylinder positioned perpendicular to the worm wheel axis. A rotational power source, such as a motor, is mounted on an elongate support which is mounted along an elongate edge to a base of the housing. The support extends parallel to the motor axis and, along with a biasing spring, biases the motor and worm gear toward the worm wheel. Adjustable screw are provided to vary the pressure load of the bias of the worm gear against the worm wheel, or providing a selectable anti-backlash pressure between the worm wheel and the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: George Mauro
  • Patent number: 6003397
    Abstract: A slidable washer (30) has a cylindrical part and a plane part joined thereto. The cylindrical part is placed between an inner circumferential face of a gear wheel (24) and an outer circumferential face of a boss part (23) of a gear housing (22) in order to reduce the frictional force caused during sliding movement therebetween. Further, the plane part joined to the cylindrical part is placed between a side (24b) of the gear wheel (24) and a base (22a) of the gear housing (22) so that the sliding frictional force therebetween is reduced and the cylindrical part of the slidable washer (30) is prevented from inclining toward the axial direction of the boss part (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Yasuhira
  • Patent number: 6003837
    Abstract: There is disclosed an actuator for a rotary valve, such as a butterfly valve which rotates a quarter of a turn between open and closed positions. The actuator includes a drive mechanism releasably attachable to the stem of the valve for rotating it in response to operation of a reversible electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Jo Raymond, Jr., Michael John Bertoja, Francis William Johnston, David Wayne Gent
  • Patent number: 5992259
    Abstract: A new type of worm/wormgear transmission with number of wormgear teeth 11 and less described. The worm gear is a split-worm gear. The ratio of worm gear teeth to worm thread less than 11. A unique transmission utilizes a self-locking worm and worm gear combination. The worm (3) is journaled in a rotor (8) such that upon rotation of the worm about an axis of the worm gear (1), the rotor is also rotated. The worm is preferably driven by an auxiliary motor (3) about its own axis under certain conditions. An input to the worm gear (1) is transmitted without relative movement to the thread of the worm to cause the thread and hence the rotor to rotate about an axis of the worm gear. The auxiliary motor preferably rotates the worm thread relative to the worm gear teeth under certain conditions when it is not desired to transmit rotation. A system for transmitting an oscillating input (4) to a single directional output (9) incorporates some of the worm and worm gear combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 5993095
    Abstract: An apparatus to drive a ribbon carrying a printing medium in an impact printer is implemented. The apparatus accommodates manual tightening of the ribbon by decoupling the drive motor from the ribbon cartridge without use of a clutch mechanism. A gear train effecting the required speed reductions between a drive motor and the ribbon cartridge spool also implements the decoupling. Reliability of the ribbon drive is improved thereby, and manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced over ribbon drives now used in impact printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Hunter Harris
  • Patent number: 5988006
    Abstract: A method of moving of moving objects with a self-locking mechanical transmission including a driving element and a driven element with a controlling element selected from the driving element and the driven element, the method comprises steps of moving the controlling element until a contact between the driving element and the driven element is established, applying to one of elements a power action so as to push the one element and simultaneously and jointly move the driving element and the driven element in the direction of the established contact between the driving element and the driven element; unloading of the controlling element so as to interrupt a power interaction between the driving element and the driven element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Patent number: 5985145
    Abstract: A drive system for a filtration apparatus includes a housing, a motor, an input gear driven by the motor, a ring gear, an eccentric gear assembly, an internal gear assembly, and an output gear. The ring gear is driven by the input gear about a central axis. The eccentric gear assembly includes an eccentric plate rotatable about the central axis, concentric rollers, and eccentric rollers. The eccentric plate is fastened to the ring gear to rotate therewith. The concentric rollers are interposed between the eccentric plate and the housing to enable rotation therebetween. The eccentric plate is eccentrically movable about the central axis within a bore of the housing. The internal gear assembly has an eccentric plate rotatable about the central axis and circular bores extending through the eccentric plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Henry Filters, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. McEwen
  • Patent number: 5970813
    Abstract: A flat plate drive system for controlling the axial rotational motion of a drive shaft for raising and lowering a load, that optimizes frictional engagement while maximizing heat dissipation away from the moving parts of the drive system. The drive system can be generally used for raising and lowering many types of heavy loads, and is particularly suited for loads that are supported by a cable attached to one end of the drive shaft, with the cable extending through a cradle beam which supports a heavy object, such as a boat. The drive system comprises a worm connected to a source of rotational power. The worm frictionally engages a worm gear wheel that axially rotates a drive shaft. The worm and worm gear wheel are connected to a backplate support. The system maximizes the friction between the worm and worm gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: ABL Boat Lifts
    Inventors: David G. Parkins, John D. Meehan
  • Patent number: 5956998
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members joined by a stress dissipating structure. The stress dissipating structure can be employed in a gear, sprocket, clutch or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, anti-buckling plates generally spanning between a hub and rim define a hollow cavity. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a specifically configured sets of nodules moving the hub and rim. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a stress dissipating structure employing various anti-buckling plate attachment constructions. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a uniquely sized and packaged gear, gear housing and/or motor are employed in order to maximize output force per pound of material efficiencies. Another embodiment employs a stress dissipation member in a door lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5957000
    Abstract: A worm gear driven slewing bearing for use with boom lifts, utility cranes, light turning devices and medium duty cranes wherein the worm gear and the teeth of the bearing are totally enclosed from the outside elements and a cavity formed by the housing is filled with lubricant to lubricate the worm and gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Paul A. Pecorari
  • Patent number: 5953957
    Abstract: This invention deals with a system and method for manufacturing a drive gear having a plurality of teeth in cross section where the teeth are situated on a drive shaft in a substantially parallel manner. The drive gear is characterized in that the teeth are substantially parallel to each other and contact mating driven teeth at points which define an arc which is not concentric about an axis of the driven gear. The drive gear is characterized in that it has multi-tooth contact points which do not contact the teeth of the mating gear at exactly the same contact point on the mating teeth, thereby lengthening the life of the driven gear as well as distributing the torque load to a plurality of teeth. A method and procedure for generating a drive gear having the features of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Ham, William R. Mack, Ralph J. Unterborn, Jeffrey T. Weller, Peter S. Zhou
  • Patent number: 5937986
    Abstract: The friction clutch, for a motor vehicle, includes a friction disc, a pressure plate (201), a cover plate (202) fixed on the reaction plate, and an axially acting spring (203) working between the cover plate (202) and the pressure plate (201), the pressure plate (201) being fixed to the cover plate (202) for rotation with the latter while being displaceable axially with respect to it, the clutch further including a wear compensating device comprising ramps (211) disposed circumferentially and adapted to be driven in rotation by a set of teeth (218) which they carry at the periphery, and with which a worm (213) cooperates; for driving the worm (213) in rotation, there is provided a ratchet wheel (220) fixed to the worm (213) for rotation with the latter, the worm (213) and the ratchet wheel (220) being formed in one piece: the teeth (221) of the ratchet wheel (220) are formed at the outer periphery of the thread of the worm (213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Florian Schubert
  • Patent number: 5913937
    Abstract: A worm gear reducer includes a worm fixedly mounted on a drive shaft rotatably mounted in a housing, a driven shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and including a first end portion formed with an outer thread, a mediate portion with a worm wheel mounted thereon meshing with the worm, and a second end portion. A torsion damping device includes two friction washers each mounted on the driven shaft and each urged on one side of the worm wheel, two abutting rings each securely mounted on the driven shaft and each urged on a corresponding one of the two friction washers, a biasing member mounted on the first end portion of the driven shaft and urged on one of the abutting rings, a sleeve mounted on the first end portion of the driven shaft and urged on the biasing member, and a compression nut engaged on the outer thread of the driven shaft and urged on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Yu-Hsing Lin
  • Patent number: 5901611
    Abstract: An apparatus for a ball bearing or needle bearing enclosure having an outside hardened raceway that accommodates two separate compliments of ball bearings located at each end of the raceway to engage with and support a central pin that protrudes cone shape out of the bearing enclosure at the front end to engage in contact with a screw thread. The total bearing and pin assembly is secure in a pocket in the worm wheel having a slip fit mating that allows the total bearing enclosure to move forward and back for a controlled distance against a spring washer of calculated pressure to accept the pressure generated from the cone shaped pin and screw thrust. The central pin is cored out to accept a spiral shaped object for the purpose of pre-spinning the central pin with a jet of pressurized air prior to engaging with the screw thread to eliminate any skidding action between the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Gregory W. Brackett
  • Patent number: 5887353
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a telescope of a theodolite. The mechanism includes a worm gear that is coupled to a friction gear of the theodolite. The friction gear is coupled to the telescope so that any rotation of the gear will induce a corresponding movement of the scope. The worm gear is coupled to a linear screw and an outer sleeve. The linear screw has a shaft that can push the worm gear and rotate the friction gear to provide a fine movement of the telescope. The linear screw also has a stop that engages an arm of the sleeve. Continued rotation of the linear screw rotates the engaged sleeve and the worm gear to provide a coarse movement of the telescope. The linear screw is connected to a knob which can be rotated by an operator. The operator can induce a coarse movement of the telescope by turning the linear screw so that the stop engages the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael Beckingham
  • Patent number: 5886437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit (10) having an electric drive motor (12) and a subsequent connected worm gear (14), which serves for instance to drive the wiper system of a motor vehicle. The drive unit (10) has a drive shaft (16), which includes both the motor armature shaft (18) and the worm shaft (20) of the gear. A unit housing (22), which receives the electric motor (12) and the worm gear (14), is provided with spring means (26) that to overcome the axial play of the drive shaft (16) press in prestressed fashion against the free end face of the worm shaft (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Bohn, Ewald Becker
  • Patent number: 5839320
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator, comprising a casing prepared by integrally bonding a first case member and a second case member which are separated from each other in an axial direction of the casing, bracket holding portions formed to provide a pair on the inner surfaces of the first and second case members, a motor having a mounting bracket and housed in the casing with the mounting bracket held by the bracket holding portions, a worm gear mounted to a rotary shaft of the motor, and an operating section including a worm wheel which is rotated in mesh with the worm gear so as to impart a predetermined driving force to an adjustment section of an apparatus to be controlled, wherein the bracket holding portion of the first case member includes a groove formed along an inner peripheral portion of the holding portion for receiving one peripheral portion of the mounting bracket of the motor, and the bracket holding portion of the second case member includes a pushing portion formed along an inner peripheral portion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Harada Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Komachi
  • Patent number: 5836076
    Abstract: A method for assembling a double enveloping speed reducer assembly includes predetermining the thickness of the shims required to properly position a worm assembly and a worm gear assembly in the speed reducer such that the double enveloping worm spiral and the worm gear mesh at their centers of curvature. By predetermining the thickness of the shims, the speed reducer can be assembled without guesswork. The shim thicknesses are determined, in part, by determining the distance the center of curvature of both the worm spiral and the worm gear to preselected surfaces of the worm assembly and worm gear assembly. The method also includes placing the speed reducer housing and at least one of the bearing brackets for both the worm assembly and the worm gear assembly in gauges to determine various dimensions of the housing and brackets. The measured dimensions are then used to calculate the appropriate shim thicknesses, the shims are placed adjacent a surface of the brackets, and the speed reducer is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Oprea Duta, Randy R. Prom
  • Patent number: 5836219
    Abstract: In a motor-gear drive unit, particularly for automobile window lifters and the like, a moisture-tight closure of the gear case (2) is provided by a gear case cover (4). The cover (4) is preferably injection-molded from plastic and can be connected to the gear case (2) nonpositively by a press-fitted, insertable clamp fastening. Specifically, the clamp fastening takes the form of a peripheral web (4.1) capable of being pressed into a peripheral channel-like groove (2.2), where the peripheral web (4.1) and the peripheral channel-like groove (2.2) are provided, respectively, on either the case (2) or the cover (4). If the peripheral web (4.1) is provided on the cover (4), a peripheral scraping rib (4.11) is molded on the inside surface of the web (4.1). An elastic gasket layer (5) having a static sealing edge (5.1) is applied, e.g., injection-molded onto an outer surface of the peripheral web (4.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellshcaft
    Inventors: Peter Klingler, Thomas Luckas
  • Patent number: 5832780
    Abstract: A reduction gear with two reduction stages including a first reduction stage consisting of a wheel and worm screw system. The system has a screw and a first wheel. A second stage includes a pinion meshing with a second toothed wheel. The wheel of the wheel and worm screw system includes two lateral parts spaced axially and equipped with teeth adapted to mate with the thread of the screw. A center part is located between the lateral parts, and includes teeth with an outside diameter less than the diameter of the teeth of the first wheel, this center part forming the pinion of the second reduction stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements S.A.
    Inventor: Didier Gallienne
  • Patent number: 5834662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the rotary actuation of an apparatus, for example of a crane, on a chassis or a foundation wherein a worm gear (1) and a housing (2) are secured on the foundation, a worm (3) is rotationally displaceable manually, or by a drive motor, and a worm wheel (4) is rotationally mounted to the housing (2). The worm wheel (4) is provided at both sides (6a, 6b) of its gearing (6) with a separate rolling bearing (10, 11, 12). Advantageously, housing (2) is formed with a base part (2a) and a cover part (2b) which can be flatly fixed on top of the base part (2a), and at least one end side of the worm wheel comprises a connection attachment which intersperses the base and/or the cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: IMO-Industrie-Momentenlager Stoll & Russ GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stoll, Erich Russ