Multiple Controlled Elements Patents (Class 74/471R)
  • Patent number: 4898045
    Abstract: A control device for a boat engine, capable of controlling both clutch and throttle with a single lever. The control device has a supporting shaft installed within a housing. A clutch arm, an operating disk and a throttle arm are rotatably mounted on the supporting shaft in such order. The root portion of the operating lever radially extending through a slit of a peripheral portion of the housing is fixed to the periphery of the operating disk. The control device has a gear mechanism and a cam-link mechanism. The gear mechanism changes the first stage turning of the operating disk to a swing movement of the clutch arm, and then, locks the clutch arm after the clutch arm has been swung to an end position. The cam-link mechanism prevents swing movement of the throttle arm during the first turning stage of the operating disk and also provides a swing movement of the throttle arm during the latter turning stage of the operating disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System Inc.
    Inventor: Masanao Baba
  • Patent number: 4892360
    Abstract: The brake activation apparatus comprises first and second brake devices capable of being selectively applied, a shifting mechanism for selectively applying either the first or second brake device and not the other, a mechanism for overriding the shifting mechanism for applying both of the first and second brake devices, and a mechanism for releasing the override during both normal and manual operation. The apparatus is useful in a power drive unit comprising a carrier having first and second planetary gears rotatably mounted on the carrier, first and second rotatably mounted sun gears in meshing engagement with the respective planetary gears, the sun gears each having a drive output portion for driving respective devices and a braking portion for cooperation with the first and second brake devices to control the output of the power drive unit by selectively braking the respective sun gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Tysver
  • Patent number: 4887782
    Abstract: A means for controlling a rotor of a helicopter utilizes cyclic pitch chas to its rotor blades, accomplished with a cyclic control stick. Cyclic control sticks have been a matter of concern in crashing situations. Prior art cyclic sticks are hinged to that they can be pulled out of the way of a pilot thrown forward and down by an impact. A lanyard actuated by the movement of the pilot's seat pulls the cyclic stick away from the pilot. Since such systems require various mechanisms and pulleys there is a need for an improved cyclic stick. A crashworthy cyclic control stick which is pilot actuated to overcome these difficulties is provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of American as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Brian L. Carnell, John D. Fansler, Mukunda B. Pramanik
  • Patent number: 4875384
    Abstract: A throttle lever mechanism in which both ends of a wire cable arranged in a curved manner are connected to a throttle valve opening/closing member of a carburetor and a first throttle lever, respectively, one end portion of an outer tube covering the wire cable is held in a stationary manner, the other end portion of the outer tube is coupled to a link member supported rotatably, and the link member is connected to a second throttle lever through a connecting rod movable within an elongated slot formed in the link member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hirayama, Fumihiko Aiyama
  • Patent number: 4850241
    Abstract: A lever operated brake actuator for an all terrain vehicle, the actuator including a housing and a lever arm pivotally mounted in the housing, the lever arm including an arcuate curved groove, a cable equalizer in the form of a unitary member having a spherical or ball shaped center section and a pair of prongs forming a slot at each end of the equalizer, a connecting member is provided on the end of each cable, the connecting members being positioned in the slots between the prongs, the connecting members being free to pivot in the slots in the equalizer to maintain equal tension on the brake cables and the equalizer being able to pivot in the bath of motion of the lever arm to maintain a straight line connection of the cables to the equalizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. V. Buckley, Allan E. Prusak
  • Patent number: 4844292
    Abstract: A valve actuating device for a hopper is comprised of two spherical shaped shutters or registers which pivot about common suspension axles. Each of the registers is carried by two pairs of arms located on either side of the bottom of the hopper and is capable of pivoting about two axles mounted respectively on brackets fastened to the bottom on either side of the hopper. The supporting arms of one of the registers are connected respectively to the piston rods of two hydraulic jacks mounted pivotally on the brackets; and the first pair of supporting arms experiencing the action of the hydraulic jacks are connected respectively to the second pair of supporting arms by use of a linkage articulated on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Pierre Mailliet
  • Patent number: 4831752
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for the control switches that control the height and angle of a vehicle mounted snowplow blade. A bracket on which the switches are mounted is attached to the gearshift lever of the vehicle so that the switches are conveniently accessible to the driver of the vehicle. The bracket has a main plate on which the switches are mounted and a flange which is connected to the shift lever by an angle member on the flange and an opposing U-bolt. By tightening nuts on the U-bolt legs, the bracket is rigidly clamped on the shift lever. The angle member resists twisting of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis L. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 4821998
    Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, the entire mechanism is adapted to pivot as a whole about the pivot axis of the registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Edouard Legille, Emile Lonardi
  • Patent number: 4815696
    Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, one of the connecting rods acting on the axis of the registers is adjustable in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Paul Wurth, S.A.
    Inventor: Emile Lonardi
  • Patent number: 4811620
    Abstract: A combined hand and foot control for a prime mover throttle member 10 including a hand control 12, a foot control 13, and a combining device 14 for combining the hand and foot controls. The combining device includes a plastics support housing 14a,14b and a combining member 34 slidable within the housing in first and second opposite directions. A first cable linkage 17 connects the combining member 34 with the throttle member 10 so that movement of the combining member in the first direction moves the throttle member towards a fully open position. A spring 38 act to bias the throttle member towards an idle position and hence bias the said combining member 34 in the second direction via the first cable linkage 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Services N.V.
    Inventors: John L. Old, Harry Summers
  • Patent number: 4795002
    Abstract: An electrically operated parking brake actuator for use with vehicles includes a motor operated driver member and an associated driven member. Each of the driver member and driven member is mounted for rotation about the same pivot pin and each is connected to a cable. Each cable is associated with a parking brake member. The motor operates the driver to drive the driven member which, in turn, tensions its associated cable to apply its associated parking brake member. This cable tension reacts through the actuator and drives the driver member in the opposite direction to tension the other cable and apply its associated brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Russel J. Burgei, William W. Schap
  • Patent number: 4787673
    Abstract: The chair support comprises a supporting structure, a seat holder and a backrest holder. The seat holder is connected by means of a first swivel joint with the supporting structure and by means of a second swivel joint with the backrest holder. At an arm or arm structure of the backrest holder extending in a direction towards the front end of the chair support where the seat user's legs will fit, a guide rod or link and the piston rod of a spring element are rotatably mounted by means of a third swivel joint, while at the other end of the chair support, the spring element is mounted by means of a holding bracket at a swivel joint supported in the supporting structure. At the spring element, there is provided an operating slide tappet or plunger for alternately blocking and allowing free movement of the spring element, which is operable by means of an operating or actuating mechanism composed of a rod and a two-armed angle lever mounted in the holding bracket and by means of an adjusting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Giroflex Entwicklungs AG
    Inventor: Hermann Locher
  • Patent number: 4785683
    Abstract: A brake actuator for an all-terrain vehicle, the actuator including a housing and a cover, a hand-operated lever arm pivotally mounted in the housing and projecting outwardly from the housing through said cover, the lever arm being operatively connected to the brake cables for the wheels, a locking segment mounted for pivotal movement in the housing, a ratchet-type cam surface on the segment, the segment being biased to move into locking engagement with the lever arm, the ratchet-type cam surface being spaced at progressively greater distances from the pivot axis to block the lever arm at increasing distances from the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Hayes Industrial Brake, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. V. Buckley, Donald D. Brown
  • Patent number: 4771856
    Abstract: An improved vehicle control system for a vehicle having an engine which produces output torque through an output sheave and a transaxle mounted to the vehicle's frame, the transaxle being selectively operational in forward, neutral and reverse modes in response to a mode selection link operatively connected to the transaxle. The transaxle functions as a gear box having a single gear ratio between the input sheave and the drive axles in both the forward and reverse operating modes, a transaxle and a brake. The output sheave of the engine is in communication with the input sheave through a first and second belt drivingly mounted to a plurality of sheaves and a variator such that an increase in tension on a first belt causes the variator to increase the rate of rotation of a second belt. A speed range sheave mounted to an arm is operatively connected to the first belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Wayne R. Hutchison, John B. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4755100
    Abstract: An operating control system for a lift truck controlled from a single multi-function operator hand control which is located and designed for improved operator comfort, convenience, simplicity and to reduce operator fatigue. The sole hand control for directional and speed control and the operation of all hydraulic functions of the truck related to the handling of loads is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and supported from a control shaft which extends forwardly, leftwardly and downwardly and along which the control handle may be pushed or pulled linearly to control all such hydraulic truck functions. The grip handle is rotatable to control direction and speed of the truck. Switch controls are located conveniently adjacent the one end of the rotatable grip handle for selecting a variety of hydraulic functions by the same movements forwardly and rearwardly of the operator control handle along the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Schultz, Louis A. Haddock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4736647
    Abstract: A valve control structure for a working vehicle comprising a control lever rockable crosswise, a first input rod pushed and pulled by rocking movements in a first direction of the control lever, a second input rod pushed and pulled by rocking movements in a second direction of the control lever, a first output rod connected to a first valve, a second output rod connected to a second valve, and an interlock switching device including bellcranks provided between the input rods and the output rods. The interlock switching device is operable to switch interlocking relationship between the input and output rods through the bellcranks. In one interlocking relationship, the first valve is controlled by rocking movements in the first direction of the control lever and the second valve by rocking movements in the second direction of the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Shimoie, Kazuhiko Tsuji, Masahiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4724715
    Abstract: A control mechanism for generation of a pair of analog signals wherein the mechanism includes a support and an analog element mounted on the support for rotation and translation relative thereto. The support includes an elongated guide member, and the analog element is rotatably mounted on the guide member and is movable relative to and longitudinally of the guide member. A first encoder is coupled to the analog element for sensing rotation thereof relative to the support. A second encoder is coupled with the analog element for sensing translation of the analog element relative to the support. Several embodiments of the control mechanism are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Craig F. Culver
  • Patent number: 4702117
    Abstract: A vehicle use-lock actuator is proposed comprising a stationary housing and a reversible drive motor for locking and unlocking successively two remotely positioned locks. In this actuator, the drive motor is mounted within the housing in a hidden position. There is a single control slide for keeping normally respective wire cables at their neutral position for keeping in turn the locks in their locked position. There is provided within the housing a three stage reduction and reversely accelerating gearing between the drive motor and the control slide. The first stage includes a crown gear, while the third stage includes rack teeth which is united rigidly with the control slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Kokusan Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sunsaku Tsutsumi, Takurou Ozawa
  • Patent number: 4698971
    Abstract: Control device (10) for a twin master cylinder (18) of the type with two master cylinders situated side by side and parallel to each another; the device (10) being capable of being positioned between an actuating pedal (12) and pistons (26, 26') of the master cylinders. According to the invention the device (10) incorporates a twin beam (36) ensuring balancing of the forces applied to each of the pistons (26, 26') while ensuring the rigidity of the control device (10), and the twin beam (36) incorporates a device for maintaining the separation of the points of application (32, 32') of the forces on the pistons (26, 26').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Bendix France
    Inventor: Serge Sansone
  • Patent number: 4697661
    Abstract: A control system for providing power to independently driven wheels of a power driven cart for transporting medical diagnostic equipment. A manually engageable handle is mounted to the cart in a position allowing a person to exert a manual force on the handle in a direction in which it is desired for the cart to move. Force sensors are coupled to the handle to sense the manual force applied to it in a plane parallel to the plane on which the cart is to be moved. The force sensors provide signals representative of the magnitude and direction of the manual force applied to the handle in forward, reverse and turning directions. Electronic circuits are coupled to the force sensors for providing control signals to motors driving the wheels of the cart for independently controlling direction and velocity of movement of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Pajerski, Steven J. Gray, Gerald K. Flakas, Dennis J. Cotic
  • Patent number: 4691581
    Abstract: A gearmotor for the alternate drive of two operations has a housing which receives a drive pinion, mounted on the output shaft of the reduction gear. The drive pinion is able to engage alternately with a first rack cable A and a second rack cable B, both mounted parallel in a sliding guide that can move in the housing in a plane perpendicular to the shaft of the drive pinion between two end positions in each of which one of the two cables is engaged with the drive pinion while the other cable is in a disengaged position. A device is provided for actuating the sliding guide. Application is particularly for electrical equipment of a motor vehicle side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventor: Jacques Bascou
  • Patent number: 4691584
    Abstract: In order to render an actuator which is capable of selectively operating two remotely arranged latches or the like devices highly compact, the device is provided with a reversible motor, a reduction gear and a clutch arrangement which includes a solenoid coil. In some embodiments the clutch includes a two stage arrangement which permits a small power economical solenoid arrangement to be used. The invention further features the use of a compact reduction gear which includes two ring gears and stepped pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Takaishi, Fumio Kobayashi, Keizaburo Usui, Tsutomu Kagiyama
  • Patent number: 4688444
    Abstract: A control device for producing electrical signals which correspond to manual movements of a stick part and which are used for adjustment of a controlled element has a relatively stationary body part with a hand supporting surface and a stick projecting outward from that surface to be embraced by an operator's hand. The stick comprises a laterally swingable outer stick part end-to-end with an inner stick part fixed to the body. A rod-like spring element in a chamber in the stick has an end portion fixed to each stick part to swingably connect the outer stick part of the inner one and bias the outer one to a neutral position. A signal emitting device in the chamber is mounted alongside the spring element and is operatively connected with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Saab-Scania Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Lennart Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 4681198
    Abstract: Integral accelerator-brake control for motorcycles, characterized in that the handle grip which is rotatable, is provided with an anatomically shaped radial extension to act as a lever aid for the turning of the handle grip, and has a conical end including a section having teeth along approximately one-third of its perimeter, the remainder being smooth, while tangentially and diametrically opposite, there are two additional toothed sectors, carried by corresponding cylinders, having axes of rotation perpendicular to that of the handle grip, to each of which cylinders correspondingly the accelerator operating cable and the brake operating cable, respectively, are attachable so that operation of the handle grip effects, depending on the direction of its rotation, the meshing of the teeth of the conical end of the handle grip alternatively individually with one toothed sector or the other, of the two additional toothed sectors for alternatively individually controlling accelerating or braking operation of the mo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Miguel-Angel Costa Mas
  • Patent number: 4667880
    Abstract: A spraying system having a plurality of separate pressurized fluid supply sources, a spray gun having a discharge nozzle and a plurality of fluid inlet ports corresponding to the number of supply sources and each communicating with the discharge nozzle, lines coupling each supply source to a respective one of the inlet ports, and a selectively operable discharge control associated with the spray gun for permitting passage of fluid through the discharge nozzle from any one of the plurality of supply sources, for enabling the simultaneous passage of fluids through the nozzle from a plurality of the supply sources, and for preventing the passage of fluids through the nozzle from all of the supply sources. The discharge control includes an individual spring biased valve assembly in each inlet port and a single control lever that is movable between an operative position for actuating selective of the valve assemblies and an inoperative position in which none of the valve assemblies are actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Gary Paulsen, Lawrence Thomas
  • Patent number: 4656926
    Abstract: A control unit for setting heating, air conditioning and/or ventilation in otor vehicles is provided. The control unit comprises a body adaptable for insertion into the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, said body having a front panel and a rear carrier member. At least one control knob, by means of which a driving bevel gear connected with it drives at least one driven bevel gear, is rotatably mounted in the front panel. An elongated adjusting lever which swings over a limited range cooperates with the driven bevel to actuate a Bowden cable, which in turn is capable of controlling heating, air conditioning or ventilation systems, particularly flaps in the system which control air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh, Nachf. GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Reinhold Moret
  • Patent number: 4653807
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly which comprises a seat bottom and a seat back, a reclining mechanism for connecting the seat back to the seat bottom for the adjustment of the tilt of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, a slide mechanism for mounting the seat bottom on a support surface for the adjustment of the position of the seat in a direction along the support surface, and a multifunctional handle supported for movement in at least first and second directions for controlling the reclining and slide mechanisms, respectively. Where the seat assembly further comprises a seat lifting mechanism for the adjustment of the height of the seat above the support surface, the handle may be rendered movable also in a third direction, in which case the first and second are opposite to each other and the third direction is perpendicular to any one of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Hirose, Yutaka Shimazu
  • Patent number: 4649769
    Abstract: A steering column comprises a pair of steering column members. One of the steering column members is movable axially relative to the other. Structure is also provided for supporting the pair of steering column members for tilting movement about a tilt axis which extends transverse to the direction of relative axial movement of the steering column members. A first locking device locks the steering column members in any one of a plurality of relative axial positions, and a second locking device locks the steering column members in any one of a plurality of tilt positions. A control lever is movable to release the first and second locking devices. A linkage is connected with the control lever and the first and second locking devices to release the first and second locking devices upon movement of the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Venable
  • Patent number: 4646778
    Abstract: There is disposed a valve control structure for a working vehicle for operating two control valves by means of a control lever rockable crosswise, wherein one of the valves is operable by a rocking movement in a first direction of the control lever and the other valve is operable by a rocking movement in a second direction of the control lever. A connection switching mechanism is provided between the control lever and the valves to switch interlocking relations of the two control valves with respect to the rocking directions of control lever. This switching is readily carried out by operating a single switch lever permits the operator to use the vehicle after selecting the interlocking relations to which he is accustomed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsuji, Youji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 4644816
    Abstract: A brake actuator for a bicycle having a front and rear brake assembly, the actuator includes a pivotally mounted handle within which is located a braking force division member, said division member being pivotally mounted and having cables extending from it which operate the brake assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Acrow Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Paul A. Cockburn
  • Patent number: 4635802
    Abstract: A one-hand-operable control unit for a bridge crane. A cam, rotated by pointing a control handle in the direction toward which it is desired for the bridge crane hoist to be moved, operates switches which connect power to the appropriate motors of the bridge crane to move the hoist longitudinally, laterally, or diagonally when a thumb-operated traverse power control switch, located on the control unit handle, is closed. Switches are conveniently located on the front of the control handle to control load-raising and lowering operation of the hoist motor. A flexible hollow shaft connecting the control handle with the cam rotates the direction-controlling cam in response to pointing the handle toward the direction of traverse movement desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas W. Hylton
  • Patent number: 4635761
    Abstract: The disc brake (10) includes a parking cartridge device (28) which transfers reaction forces of the mechanical parking actuator (36) directly to the caliper housing (12) and also provides support and guidance for a cable (90) attached to lever arms (70) of the mechanical parking actuator (36). The mechanical parking actuator (36) is disposed within an opening (34) of the parking cartridge housing (30), the parking cartridge housing (30) having a plurality of through openings (42) so that bolts (50) may be secured at one end to the caliper housing (12) and at the other end to a bracket (60) which abuts an end (33) of the parking cartridge housing (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Roger L. Smith, Daniel L. Bolenbaugh
  • Patent number: 4635395
    Abstract: A louver assembly particularly useful for air-conditioning units and other like appliances comprises a frame defining an opening; a first group of slats extending along one coordinate axis mounted to the frame within the opening and pivotable about that axis; a second group of slats extending along a second coordinate axis mounted on the first group of slats within the opening and pivotable about that axis; and a manipulatable knob coupled to both groups of slats such that moving the knob in a direction parallel to the second coordinate axis pivots the first group of slats about the first coordinate axis, and rotating the knob about the second coordinate axis pivots the second group of slats about the second coordinate axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Amcor Ltd.
    Inventors: Avner Movshovitz, Joel Shwarzman
  • Patent number: 4633724
    Abstract: A push-pull cable arrangement for selectively transmitting longitudinal motion to two separate destinations has an inner wire having a front end, a rear end and an intermediate node between the front and the rear ends. The inner wire is enclosed with a first outer casing between the front end and the intermediate node, and with a second outer casing between the intermediate node and the rear end. Front and rear ends of the first outer casing are held stationary. A front end of the second outer casing facing the intermediate node of the inner wire is movable, and a rear end of the second outer casing facing the rear end of the inner wire is held stationary. When the front end of the inner wire is pulled, a longitudinal motion of the inner wire is transmitted to the rear end of the inner wire, by which a first receiving unit is moved. When the front end of the inner wire is pushed, the intermediate node of the inner wire pushes the front end of the second outer casing, by which a second receiving unit is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4631034
    Abstract: A portable outboard motor foot control device of the pull-pull cable type characterized by a cable house adjacent to the control pedal which, in highly embodiments, contains a pulley system for each of two cables and a pulley-bearing lever arm to move the cables. The lever arm is moved on a pivot shaft turned by the pedal to impart movement to the cables, providing considerable ease of operation. Some preferred embodiments include a pedal having a foot-contact surface well spaced from the pivot axis of the pedal, preferably above the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Johnson Fishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene P. Menne, William B. Lagerquist, Del P. Decko
  • Patent number: 4605304
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an angle-measuring instrument such as a theodolite, tacheometer or the like having a coarse-fine drive arrangement for presetting a circle part of a graduated circle to a predetermined read-out value. In a preferred embodiment, a coaxial coarse-fine drive arrangement is actuated by a single control knob which is part of an adjustable drive which can be operated in two positions. In the first position, the adjustable drive functions as a coarse drive and includes a spur gear that meshes with a gear on the carrier of the graduated circle to permit adjusting the circle part to obtain a coarse setting thereof. When the control knob and adjustable drive are moved into the second position, the drive becomes completely disengaged from the carrier and functions as a fine drive that operates on a plane-parallel plate pivotally mounted in the read-out optical transmission path of the instrument to finely adjust the light rays passing therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Helmut Leitz, Gunter Rometsch
  • Patent number: 4583754
    Abstract: A transmission for muscle-operated vehicles or appliances for converting forward and backward movements into rotational movement having a constant direction of rotation by means of two freewheeling devices which are driven alternately in opposite directions and act on a shaft in identical directions, wherein at least one additional freewheeling device is driven at the same time, though it operates in the opposite direction, a clutch mechanism either permitting the freewheeling devices to act in the same direction on the shaft for forward motion, or permitting the freewheeling devices to act in opposite directions on the shaft for reverse motion, or permitting none of the freewheeling devices to act on the shaft during idling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: Klaus Seeliger
  • Patent number: 4574286
    Abstract: A position sensor for producing a variable electrical output signal in response to manipulation of a quadrant lever or the like. A pair of tubes of equal length made of magnetically saturable material are secured to a frame in parallel proximity to a sheet-like permanent magnet which is mounted on a carrier. The magnet has a pair of active angled edges and the tubes are oriented to transversely intersect the respective angled edges, being so spaced from one another that the tubes are magnetically saturated over complementary fractions of their length. Each tube is engaged by at least one turn of wire and a detector circuit is provided having its input connected to the turns of wire for producing an electrical output signal in accordance with the differential magnetic saturation of the tubes. Each tube is angled generally transversely with respect to the direction of relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Herman J. Andresen
  • Patent number: 4570900
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a proportioning valve is presented. The valve consists of a pair of registers, each register having a cut-out portion defining a variable area orifice which is generally symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis through the orifice. The registers are respectively connected to a first and second drive shaft, the drive shafts being mounted about a common axis and being mounted in bearings in a frame such that by pivoting about the common axis, the drive shafts will urge the registers to simultaneously move in opposite directions. Each of the two drive shafts are provided with an arm which are pivotably connected to a tilting lever via a connecting rod. The two tilting levers are mounted on a pivot shaft which is parallel to the common axis of the two drive shafts. The tilting levers are also connected to a driving device, i.e., a hydraulic jack which acts to pivot them about their pivot shaft so that the registers are simultaneously actuated in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Victor Kremer
  • Patent number: 4559844
    Abstract: A straight-line motion device is described for controlling hydraulic control devices, which is activated by a single lever.The above straight-line motion device is supported by the piloting device body 22 of the said hydraulic control by means of the fork 20. The body 22 contains the operating system parts, including four pushers 25, 26, 27 and 28, protruding from the body 22 to then come into contact with cams 16 and 17. These cams operate pushers 26 and 27 and pushers 25 and 28 respectively.The main feature of the invention is that cams 15 and 16 are operated by a straight-line motion device controlled by a single lever 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Hidroben S.p.A. Componenti ed Impianti Oleodinamici
    Inventor: Pietro Mor
  • Patent number: 4554751
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing control over both a transmission of a vehicle and an implement (e.g. a snow plow) mounted to that vehicle is disclosed. Specifically, this apparatus is comprised of both a lever, illustratively a shift lever, for choosing a pre-defined one of a plurality of gears in the transmission, and a selector mounted on the lever for causing the implement (snow plow) to perform a desired function (e.g. move in a desired direction). One end of the lever is adapted to be grasped by a driver of the vehicle. The selector is situated in sufficient proximity to this end so that the driver is not required to substantially release his grasp of this end of the lever in order to actuate the selector and evoke the desired function. As a result, the driver advantageously saves considerable time and effort in using a vehicular mounted implement and thus experiences far less fatigue than in the past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventors: Carl T. Nicolosi, Thomas F. Nicolosi, Ryan D. McCreedy
  • Patent number: 4553446
    Abstract: A control device capable of selectively controlling either one of two controlled members with the use of one control means.The control device incorporates a link and a lock member. The pivot structure of an arm between the link and the control means is improved, thereby to provide a smooth swing of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Matsubara
  • Patent number: 4541497
    Abstract: A control mechanism (14) associated with a tractor operators seat (110) and an arm rest (112) is disclosed which includes a steering selector apparatus (116) having an upstanding member (134) and a tiller arm (118) extending outwardly therefrom. The tiller arm (118) is advantageously located immediately forwardly of the arm rest (112) and has a mounting portion (142) and hand grip portion (144) that can be easily grasped by an operator's downwardly facing hand palm. A support assembly (136) pivotally supports the upstanding member (134) for movement about a fixed upstanding axis (140) and a control device (46,50,52,54,184) steers the tractor in response to the swinging movement of the tiller arm (118). In response to rotation of the hand grip portion (144) about the axis (158) of the tiller arm (118) a second control device (38,42,174) effects a change in the gear condition of an associated transmission (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Craig W. Riediger, Ervin E. Mangus, Gerald P. Simmons, Anthony J. Knock
  • Patent number: 4533096
    Abstract: A control assembly (50) for deployment of aircraft wing flaps is comprised of an input cam mechanism (54), a feedback cam mechanism (56) and a summing lever member (58) operatively interconnecting the cam mechanisms for mechanically summing independent inputs therefrom to yield a mechanical output signal for actuating flap deployment drives, wherein the input cam mechanism is comprised of a cam (64) rotationally operable in response to a command input signal and a cam follower (68) in mating engagement therewith for cammed movement with rotation thereof to provide a first input signal to the summing lever characteristic of a predetermined flap configuration, the feedback cam mechanism is comprised of a cam (94) rotationally operable in response to movement of the flaps and a cam follower (100) in mating engagement therewith for cammed movement in response to movement of the flaps to provide a second input signal to the summing lever characteristic of the existing flap configuration; and further wherein the su
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Baker, Thomas M. Baker
  • Patent number: 4526204
    Abstract: A two lever, three function control apparatus for hydraulic control valves wherein a first control lever end is connected by a first cable to a first hydraulic valve operator, a link perpendicular to the first cable interconnects the first control lever and one leg of a bellcrank rotatable about on axis parallel to the first control lever. A second leg of the bellcrank disposed at right angles to the first leg is connected to a second cable parallel to the first cable which in turn connects to a second hydraulic operator. Fore-and-aft movement of the first control lever actuate only the first cable and hydraulic valve and transverse movement of the first control lever actuates only the second cable and hydraulic valve. To physically differentiate between the two function, the second bellcrank leg is twice the length of the first leg and a detent mechanism acting on the bellcrank hub is also provided. A second control lever is connected by a third cable to a third hydraulic control valve operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Primdahl
  • Patent number: 4526057
    Abstract: A push-pull cable arrangement for selectively transmitting longitudinal motion to two separate destinations has an inner wire having a front end, a rear end and an intermediate node between the front and rear ends. The inner wire is enclosed with a first outer casing between the front end and the intermediate node, and with a second outer casing between the intermediate node and the rear end. A front end of the first casing facing the front end of the wire is stationary, and a rear end of the second casing facing the rear end of the inner wire is also stationary. There is further provided an intermediate unit having a first member to which a rear end of the first casing is fixed, and a second member to which a front end of the second casing is fixed. One of the first and second members is a stationary housing, and the other is a sliding member slidably contained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Mochida, Yoshio Watanuki
  • Patent number: 4524632
    Abstract: Selecting mechanism which provides for alternate connection as desired between a selected device or clutch of a plurality of devices or clutches (32, 33) with an actuator or dead-man lever (16), by sliding a bar member (21) carried in a block member (17) operatively connected to the actuator or dead-man lever (16) so as to interlock the bar member (21) with only one of a plurality of engaging members (24, 25) each of which is independently connected with one of said devices or clutches (32, 33) selected to be controlled by movement of the actuator or dead-man lever 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: Louis F. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4524338
    Abstract: A ganged, multiple pole circuit breaker in which the multiple poles of each circuit breaker are mechanically related to a single operating point on the associated breaker. Their single operating points are pivotally related to a first common pivot point, which is fixed in relation to a common frame which supports both circuit breakers. Their single operating pivot points are additionally pivotally related to a second common pivot point. A guide arrangement, fixed to the common frame, guides the second common pivot point in a predetermined rectilinear path when actuated by an operating mechanism which includes a shaft arranged to extend through a transformer tank wall to a master operating handle. The guide arrangement prevents any motion of the second common pivot point in a direction lateral to the rectilinear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: John F. Cotton
  • Patent number: 4512206
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism is rotatably and pivotably mounted to a rotatable adjusting mechanism of an instrument. The rotatable mechanism includes a bearing surface and a friction surface. The actuating mechanism includes a pivot and friction means. By pivoting the actuating mechanism about the pivot against the bearing surface, the friction means engages the friction surface. The actuating mechanism and adjusting mechanism are thereby locked together and can be rotated in unison. The rotatable mechanism may include a second bearing surface and a second friction surface and the actuating mechanism may include a second pivot and a second friction means. The second bearing surface and the second pivot are adjacent each other, as are the second friction surface and the second friction means. Pivoting the actuating mechanism in a second direction will engage the second pivot to the second bearing surface and the second friction means to the second friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: James A. Clark, Alfred P. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 4482115
    Abstract: The invention is an improved flight control system for aircraft. The improved flight control system mixes or blends several flight control movements into a unified operation. The flight control mixing system of this invention combines the functions of standard ailerons (a roll and lateral control device) with standard flaps (a lift control device) on aircraft into a single control device, referred to herein as flaperons. The improved system can also be used on tailess or flying wing type aircraft to combine the functions of standard ailerons with the elevator functions (a nose up or down pitch control device) into a single control device, referred herein as elevons. The improved system is also applicative to V-tail type aircraft for controlling the elevators in a similar single control operation, herein referred to as ruddervators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: John Lassiter, Jr.