Drum And Cable Patents (Class 74/506)
  • Patent number: 10920807
    Abstract: A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CRYSTAPHASE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John N. Glover, Peter Gregory Ham, Austin Schneider
  • Patent number: 8584551
    Abstract: Chain tension sensing device includes a hollow enclosure, a sensor mounted in a stationary position within enclosure and a member mounted for a reciprocal movement in a substantially linear direction relative to the sensor. The member includes a chain engaging first portion, a second portion mounted for reciprocal movement and a sensor target disposed on a distal end of the second portion. A compressible resilient member is mounted in abutting engagement with at least a rear surface of the first portion. Chain take-up attains tension thereon generating force and moving the member towards the sensor so as to position the sensor target in operative sensing alignment therewith. Chain let-up causes the compressible resilient member to move the member in an opposite direction, removing the sensor target from the operative sensing alignment with the sensor. Sensor generates a control signal in response to sensing or not sensing the sensor target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp
    Inventors: Peter Gregar, Jonathon Marlow
  • Patent number: 8459593
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a drogue deployment system that may be removably attached to a non-tanker aircraft to modify the aircraft for providing aerial refueling operations. Aspects of the disclosure provide a drum unit that may be secured in a cargo area of the non-tanker aircraft and connected to the fuel system of the aircraft. A drogue deployment unit may be removably attached to an external surface of the aircraft fuselage and includes a drogue extension tube that may be selectively deployed outward from the fuselage to provide separation between a refueling drogue and the aircraft. The drogue and corresponding refueling hose may be deployed from a drogue container attached to the drogue extension tube and extended rearward for providing fuel to a receiving aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Forrest Eugene Richardson
  • Patent number: 8042429
    Abstract: A control switch includes a rotary shaft rotatably mounted therein. A switching knob is mounted to the rotary shaft and a surface of the control switch. Also, a stationary shaft is arranged beside the rotary shaft. A driving control disk and a locking control disk are sequentially and rotatably fit onto the stationary shaft so that when the switching knob on the surface is actuated, the rotary shaft is rotated to selectively drive cables through the driving control disk or the locking control disk to thereby effect switching of transmission modes and the function of locking. Thus, the amount of space required for installation is reduced and the chance of malfunctioning is also reduced and further, the costs are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Golden Bee Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Chen Hung
  • Patent number: 8028601
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided with a support structure, a take-up unit and a shift positioning mechanism. The support structure has an inner wire fixing part. The take-up unit includes a rotating body mounted on the support structure to rotate about a first axis, and an inner wire routing pulley mounted on the rotating body to move with the rotating body about the first axis and to rotate independently of the rotating body about a second axis that is offset from the first axis of the rotating body. The shift positioning mechanism is operatively coupled to the take-up unit to selectively hold the take-up unit in one of a plurality of shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Miki
  • Patent number: 7967237
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Peckham, Thomas E. Gay, Keith Lepine, John A. Zahoruiko, John J. Devlin, Scott Colby
  • Publication number: 20100012908
    Abstract: A winch is provided for taking or winding ropes, cables, and the like. The winch has a drum, a lower crown, a rope groove and an upper crown having a socket which has a fluted cavity. The fluted cavity is configured to cooperate with a pin of a winch handle, which when turned rotates the drum. In an embodiment, the fluted cavity has a groove having a canted coil spring positioned therein. The pin on the winch handle has a groove placed to correspond with the depth of the groove when placed into the socket. The combination allows the winch handle to latch to the winch and to resist unintended separation between the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Rob Sjostedt
  • Patent number: 7487695
    Abstract: A hand brake having mechanism for retaining the hand brake in a substantially released and hold position to prevent unwanted application of the railway car brakes due to vibration or other energy sources during railway car motion. Such mechanism includes at least one spring mounted to the hand brake housing substantially engaging a release lever disposed within a quick release mechanism so as to prevent reverse rotation of the release lever causing an unintended take-up of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Howard Sommerfeld, Scott Natschke
  • Patent number: 7302874
    Abstract: A handlebar gear shifter for a bicycle includes a tabular handlebar having a support plate extending from an end of the handlebar at the top of the peripheral thereof. A sleeve is rotatably mounted to the handlebar. A fan-shaped mediate member has an end pivotally connected onto the support plate. A first cable has one end thereof engaged with a recess in the sleeve and the other end of the first cable is engaged with the mediate member. A second cable connects between the mediate member and a derailleur mechanism. A C-shaped member having notches is connected to the handlebar. A spring member is engaged with the sleeve. An index member is biased by the spring member and removably engaged with one of the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Po-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7150205
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member; an operating member structured to be mounted around a handlebar so as to rotate in first and second directions around the handlebar; a transmission control member coupled to the operating member and rotatably mounted relative to the base member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element; a first position setting member; a second position setting member structured to rotate with the operating member and to move axially, wherein the second position setting member moves between an engagement position in which the second position setting member engages the first position setting member and a disengagement position in which the second position setting member is disengaged from the first position setting member; a first coupling member that moves in response to rotation of the operating member; a second coupling member coupled to the second position setting member for engaging the first coupling member so that rotation of the operating member cau
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Takachi
  • Patent number: 7028580
    Abstract: A rotational cable shortening system for shortening the effective length of a cable by bending a section of the cable. The shortening system comprises a rotatable bridged channel through which the cable is threaded. Upon rotation of the bridged channel, the cable is deflected and effectively shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse J. Brumberger, James Markovitz, Richard J. Milillo, Joseph P. Cavalieri
  • Patent number: 6957596
    Abstract: A braking actuator for an ergonomic support is connected thereto by a Bowden cable. The actuator has a housing with pin slots, friction surfaces and a mount for a disk axle. A disk has frictional surfaces, holes with pin load edges, a Bowden cable wire seat that holds the Bowden cable end and an axle that is supported by the mount in the housing. The friction surfaces of the disk and housing engage each other to brake the actuator and the ergonomic support. A lever having pins is disposed on the housing such that the pins extend through the pin slots to engage the holes in the disk. Turning the lever disengages the friction surfaces and rotates the disk, thereby moving the ergonomic support. Releasing the lever engages the frictional surfaces such that movement of the ergonomic support is braked at a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Robert Kopetzky, Richard Frank
  • Patent number: 6877393
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member; an operating member structured to be mounted around a handlebar so as to rotate in first and second directions around the handlebar; a transmission control member coupled to the operating member and rotatably mounted relative to the base member for pulling and releasing a transmission control element; a first position setting member; a second position setting member structured to rotate with the operating member and to move axially, wherein the second position setting member moves between an engagement position in which the second position setting member engages the first position setting member and a disengagement position in which the second position setting member is disengaged from the first position setting member; a first coupling member that moves in response to rotation of the operating member; a second coupling member coupled to the second position setting member for engaging the first coupling member so that rotation of the operating member cau
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Takachi
  • Patent number: 6877347
    Abstract: A tool for remotely turning a key includes a key unit including an engagement assembly adapted to engage the key and an operator unit including a control assembly. At least one cable segment is provided linking the key unit and the operator unit such that the engagement assembly can be mechanically rotated via the cable segment by manipulation of the control assembly to thereby rotate the key when the key is engaged by the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Product Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Elliason
  • Patent number: 6848336
    Abstract: A shift control device is provided for controlling a transmission control member coupled to a bicycle transmission. The device comprises an actuating component that is manually operated by a rider, wherein the actuating component moves to an actuating component neutral position, to an actuating component upshift position and to an actuating component downshift position. A first biasing component biases the actuating component toward one of the upshift position and the downshift position, and a neutral positioning component positions the actuating component in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 6827365
    Abstract: A single-handed remote controller is disclosed. Such a controller is installed at the handle of an accordion frame and is connected to a lock mechanism of the frame through a flexible element. As the remote controller rotates relative to the handle, the flexible element is coiled around the handle, changing the relative position between the lock mechanism and the handle. The frame is thus changed to make the folding much easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Link Treasure Limited
    Inventor: Chuan-Ming Yeh
  • Patent number: 6755490
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided with an adjustable rack that can be moved upwardly and downwardly within the washing chamber to accommodate different sized objects to be washed. The lift mechanism for the rack is housed within the sidewalls of the dishwasher. The lift mechanism employs a cable system to raise both sides of the rack simultaneously, with the rack positioned within or outside the washing chamber and with the rack either loaded or unloaded. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is manually actuated by turning a handle. In another embodiment, the lift mechanism includes an electric motor with a switch on the control panel for raising and lowering the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney M. Welch, Robin K. Phifer, Wayne M. VanLandingham, Tiffany H. Shellabarger
  • Patent number: 6729203
    Abstract: A shifting device including first and second shift control members, a takeup element, a holding member, and a release member. The takeup element configured for winding and unwinding a tensioned control cable. The first control member is rotatable about a handlebar and configured to rotate the takeup to at least pull or wind the control cable onto the takeup. The second control member is a return-to-neutral member for rotating the takeup to release the. The holding member is rotatable with the takeup and retains the takeup in select angular positions. The release member is operable for disengaging the holding member in response to the actuation or return stroke of the second control member for allowing the takeup to unwind the cable a sufficient amount to enable a single gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Wesling, Christopher A. Shipman, John D. Cheever, James P. Orrico, Danny R. Smith, Jr., Georg K. Blaschke
  • Patent number: 6718844
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member for attachment to the bicycle, a operating member rotatably supported relative to the base member for rotating in first and second directions, a transmission control member rotatably mounted relative to the base member for controlling the pulling and releasing of a transmission control element, a bracket for supporting a transmission control element diverting surface, and an intermediate member coupled for rotation with the transmission control member. The intermediate member rotates around a first axis, and the intermediate member can move in the direction of the first axis between an engagement position, in which the intermediate member engages the bracket, and a disengagement position, in which the intermediate member is disengaged from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hanatani
  • Patent number: 6705179
    Abstract: A rope tensioner sets the tension of a rope operated switch assembly actuable to switch between first and second conditions on a change in tension of the rope. The tensioner comprises a body, a rotatable member which engages the rope, a shaft for rotating the member relative to the body to adjust tension in the rope by winding the rope around the member, and a lock to lock the member in position relative to the body. The rope opperated switch assembly is much simpler to install than previous assemblies, as the tensioner may be simply threaded or otherwise installed onto the rope without the rope having to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: EJA Limited
    Inventor: Mehdi Mohtasham
  • Patent number: 6701760
    Abstract: A tool for remotely turning a key includes a key unit including an engagement assembly adapted to engage the key and an operator unit including a control assembly. At least one cable segment is provided linking the key unit and the operator unit such that the engagement assembly can be mechanically rotated via the cable segment by manipulation of the control assembly to thereby rotate the key when the key is engaged by the engagement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Universal Product Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Elliason
  • Patent number: 6675672
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle is provided to change gears of the bicycle. The shift operating device is coupled to the front or rear derailleur via a shift cable. The shift operating device is also coupled to a gear indicator device via an indicator cable. The shift operating device has an attachment portion, a hand operating portion, and a take up member. The attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a handlebar of the bicycle. The hand operating portion is coupled to the attachment portion to move between a plurality of shifting positions. The take up member is operatively coupled to the hand operating portion to move in response to movement of the hand operating portion. The take up member has a peripheral winding surface, a first cable attachment point and a second cable attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6668679
    Abstract: A tensioning cable actuator has a housing with a nut held in the housing. The nut has threads which engage a lead screw that has corresponding threads. A pulley cradle is fixed to the lead screw. The pulley cradle is disposed within the housing to translate axially with the lead screw upon rotation of the nut. A pulley is disposed in the pulley cradle. A Bowden cable wire wraps around the pulley and is anchored to the housing so that the wire moves into or out of the Bowden cable sleeve twice far as the lead screw moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Robert McMillen
  • Patent number: 6668958
    Abstract: A cruise control device with adjustable traveling distance of pulling cord reel, which is installed in a motor vehicle, and the motor vehicle is driven by an internal combustion engine having a speed control mechanism; the cruise control device of the motor vehicle comprising a running gear, a clutch, a pulling cord reel, and a pulling cord, characterized in that said pulling cord reel comprises: two side walls for forming a groove to accommodate the pulling cord; a middle section having at least two arcs with different radii; wherein the running gear of the cruise control device of the motor vehicle can detach the pulling cord reel by the clutch; an end of the pulling cord is coupled to the pulling cord reel, and the other end to the speed control mechanism; such that the installation of such pulling cord reel can be reversed, and the traveling distance for the cruise control device of the motor vehicle can be changed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lite-On Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Charlie Hsu
  • Patent number: 6604440
    Abstract: A switch for actuating a gear on a bicycle includes a housing with an inner toothing formation, a grip part and a rotary part with a cable drum for a fraction cable. The grip part having an integrally formed section for actuating an elastic element on the rotary part so that when the grip part is rotated in a switching direction which releases the traction cable the elastic element is pretensioned until a disengagement member on the grip part disengages a pawl on the rotary part which interacts with the inner tooting formation in the housing. Both the pawl and the elastic element are connected integrally to the rotary part resulting in advantage in terms of the production and assembly of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wessel, Georg Blaschke
  • Patent number: 6557435
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle is provided to change gears of the bicycle. The shift operating device is coupled to the front or rear derailleur via a shift cable. The shift operating device is also coupled to a gear indicator device via an indicator cable. The shift operating device has an attachment portion, a hand operating portion, and a take up member. The attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a handlebar of the bicycle. The hand operating portion is coupled to the attachment portion to move between a plurality of shifting positions. The take up member is operatively coupled to the hand operating portion to move in response to movement of the hand operating portion. The take up member has a peripheral winding surface, a first cable attachment point and a second cable attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6510757
    Abstract: A shift lever is used to remotely operate the change of gear in a set of bicycle gears. The shift lever comprises a housing part and a cable winder with a cable guide which the bicycle user can operate in a winding rotational direction to wind a cable, or in a releasing rotational direction to release the cable. One end of the cable connects interactively with the cable winder, at least in one of the two rotational directions. The housing part has a bar with a guiding edge which together with the cable guide form a cable channel for the cable, from which the cable cannot deviate, if the cable winder is actuated in the releasing rotational directional this occurs if the other end of the cable is not pulled or taken up by the set of gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sram Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Wessel
  • Patent number: 6487928
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle is provided to change gears of the bicycle. The shift operating device is coupled to the front or rear derailleur via a shift cable. The shift operating device is also coupled to a gear indicator device via an indicator cable. The shift operating device has an attachment portion, a hand operating portion, and a take up member. The attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a handlebar of the bicycle. The hand operating portion is coupled to the attachment portion to move between a plurality of shifting positions. The take up member is operatively coupled to the hand operating portion to move in response to movement of the hand operating portion. The take up member has a peripheral winding surface, a first cable attachment point and a second cable attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6488130
    Abstract: An apparatus for the application of a braking force to a wheel of a wheelbarrow, hand cart or other type of a cargo portage device includes a twist grip mechanism with a latching type of a ratchet attached to the handlebar of the device. As the twist grip mechanism is rotated a progressive braking force is applied to the wheel by tightening a brake band that extends around a drum that is attached to the wheel. A cable is attached at one end to the twist grip mechanism and to the brake band at its remaining end. The ratchet maintains the braking force that is applied until a thumb release lever is depressed which disengages a ratchet dog from contact with any of a plurality of ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: John Karl Bermel
  • Patent number: 6484604
    Abstract: Easy cord-passing structure of shift handle of a bicycle, including a fixing casing fixed around the bicycle handle and having an annular inner cavity. A rotary member is rotatably disposed in the inner cavity for pulling and releasing a steel cord. A cord-guiding link is disposed between the fixing casing and the rotary member. When the cord-guiding link is positioned in a maximum cord-loosening position, two ends of the cord-guiding link are respectively right aimed at the steel cord inlet and outlet of the fixing casing. Therefore, the steel cord can be nearly linearly smoothly passed from the steel cord inlet through the cord-guiding passage to the steel cord outlet and conducted out of the fixing casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Chi-Hsyan Feng
  • Patent number: 6467368
    Abstract: A hand operated bicycle gear transmission device. The device includes a handle bar fixing base, a cover fixing base, a rubber cover, a positioning plate, positioning protuberances, saucer shaped springs, a circular fixing hole for a steel cable head, a steel cable guide groove and a stroke compensating device. The device utilizes cooperative function of positioning recessed slots formed around a rigid positioning plate. The positioning protuberances are provided at the rear of the cover fixing base and the saucer shaped springs are adjacent to the positioning plate to provide mutual engagement force therebetween so as to achieve an excellent positioning effect of gear transmission even under the worst riding environment. As a result, the device can be conveniently operable with a small applied force to perform speed change smoothly, the device having a simplified and easy looking appearance constructed with a small number of components, and being able to easily be assembled and repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: National Science Council of Republic of China
    Inventors: Chan-Hua Feng, Chun-Yu Li
  • Patent number: 6453766
    Abstract: A force transfer unit is provided for engaging a control cable connected to a hand operated shift control unit. The force transfer unit includes a handlebar attachment member and a cable diverting member for changing a direction of the control cable, wherein the force transfer unit is separate from the shift control unit. A gear indicator may be formed with the force transfer unit or instead of the force transfer unit so that the gear indicator may be located remotely from the shift control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6443027
    Abstract: A brake operating device (30) is configured such that actuation of the brake lever (34) around the lever pivot (36) displaces the cable (38) in a direction transverse to the cable length toward the lever pivot (36), as the user is actuating the brake lever (34). This provides at least a 33% increase in mechanical advantage over the actuation range of the brake lever (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Cheever, Michael W. Larson, Andrew J. Caron, Scott A. McLaughlin, David Zimberoff
  • Patent number: 6389920
    Abstract: A control mechanism of a bicycle gearshifting device is composed essentially of a body set provided with a hollow cylindrical portion over which a cable-locating wheel set and a rotator set are fitted. The cable-locating wheel set is provided with a fastening seat for fastening the cable head of a gearshifting cable, and a control arcuate segment for disposing the elastomer. The rotator set is provided with an arcuate protrusion for actuating the cable-locating wheel set to turn at the time when the bicycle handlebar is rotated, thereby activating the gearshifting cable and a derailleur of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: AD
    Inventor: Chieh-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6389925
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle is provided to change gears of the bicycle. The shift operating device is coupled to the front or rear derailleur via a shift cable. The shift operating device is also coupled to a gear indicator device via an indicator cable. The shift operating device has an attachment portion, a hand operating portion, and a take up member. The attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a handlebar of the bicycle. The hand operating portion is coupled to the attachment portion to move between a plurality of shifting positions. The take up member is operatively coupled to the hand operating portion to move in response to movement of the hand operating portion. The take up member has a peripheral winding surface, a first cable attachment point and a second cable attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6367347
    Abstract: A shift device for actuating at least one gear mechanism on a bicycle, comprising a housing for securing the shift device on the bicycle, a grip element for actuating the shift device, a rotary element and a cable storage device, in particular a spool for winding up a cable to actuate the gear mechanism where the rotary element is connected to the spool and has at least one detent pawl which engages in detent toothing of the housing. It is advantageous that the drive feature on the grip element takes the rotary element along directly in one direction of rotation, whereas the movement of the rotary element in the opposite direction of rotation is effected by release of the detent pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sram Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Blaschke, Robert Wessel
  • Patent number: 6363811
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively applying tension to a parking brake cable that includes a pulley for coupling to the cable and having a cable groove that is non-circular about an axis of the pulley. A lever is coupled to the pulley for rotating the pulley in one direction about its axis, and thereby winding the cable into the groove to apply tension to the cable. A clutch is coupled to the pulley to prevent reverse rotation of the pulley, and a release mechanism is coupled to the clutch for releasing the clutch and thereby releasing tension in the cable. The non-circular groove has a maximum radius where the cable is wound into the groove upon initial operation of the lever, and a decreasing radius thereafter. In this way, force is applied to the parking brake cable at maximum rate of change upon initial actuation of the lever, increasing at a lower rate as the lever is further depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ficosa North American Corp.
    Inventor: Sergio Saldaña
  • Patent number: 6276227
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for a shifting control device includes a clamping unit and a housing attached to the clamping unit. The clamping unit includes a clamp member structured to mount to a handlebar around a first axis coaxial with the handlebar, a clamp arm member coupled to the clamp member and extending in a radial direction from the clamping member, and a housing mounting member disposed on the clamp arm member and spaced apart from the clamp member. The housing includes a base member structured to mount to the handlebar around the first axis, a housing arm member coupled to the base member and extending in the direction of the clamp arm member, and a pulley coupling member disposed on the housing arm member and spaced apart from the base member, wherein the pulley coupling member is fixed to the housing mounting member. A pulley is coupled to the pulley coupling member for rotation around a second axis that usually is oriented differently from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6234036
    Abstract: A roller mechanism that uses a differential spool arrangement to convert a small linear motion into a large rolling motion. The simplest embodiment comprises two spools that are rigidly connected together and are preferably of slightly different diameters. The flexible members such as string, tape, sheet, are rolled around the spools in opposite directions and extend from the spools in opposite directions. When tension is applied to the flexible members, a torque is created which acts to turn the spools so as to roll up the flexible member that is wrapped around the spool with the smaller diameter. The result is that a small movement of the flexible members results in large movement of the spools. Various embodiments of this mechanism are ideal for use in dampers, sunshades, toys, and exercise equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: William Leslie Kopko
  • Patent number: 6182524
    Abstract: A hand lever apparatus is mountable on a working machine for controlling operation of the working machine. The hand lever apparatus includes a main lever and a magnitude-magnifying mechanism. The magnitude-magnifying mechanism includes a pivot pin, a lever member pivotal about the pivot pin, a pulley, and a connecting cable. The lever member has a shorter arm portion and a longer arm portion, which opposes the shorter arm portion and is operatively connected to a throttle cable of a throttle valve of the working machine. The shorter arm portion is operatively connected to the main lever via the connecting cable so that actuation of the finger-manipulable portion pivots the lever member about the pivot pin and causes the longer arm portion to pull the throttle cable away from the throttle valve and open the throttle valve of the working machine from a minimum-opening idling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6164152
    Abstract: A column tilt actuator assembly for use on an automotive vehicle. The column tilt actuator assembly including a bracket member connected to a steering column. The column tilt actuator assembly further including a swing arm housing having a swing arm rotatably connected thereto. The swing arm housing and the swing arm are connected to the bracket with integrated fasteners. The swing arm also includes a swing arm knob for use in activating a tilt steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Nagle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Van Zanten, J. Martin Nagle, Michael J. Konn
  • Patent number: 6098490
    Abstract: A trunk lid has an externally operated key lock cylinder that operates a latch mechanism inside the trunk by a cable assembly. The key lock cylinder is connected to the cable assembly by a universal actuator assembly including a housing having a ferrule for attachment to a sheath of the cable assembly. The universal actuator assembly further includes an attachment sleeve that is attached to the key lock cylinder in a predetermined angular orientation. The attachment sleeve has one end disposed in the chamber of the housing, with the one end having a plurality of radial teeth that engage radial lugs in the housing to index the sleeve with respect to the housing in a selected angular orientation to reduce the length of the cable assembly that is required. A rotor rotatably disposed in the housing has a central drive aperture for being driven by the key lock cylinder and an eccentric connector aperture for driving the cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Kowalewski, Matthew John Karl, Thomas Grzanka, Robert Milne, Eric Michael Fischer, Vasanth Suratkal
  • Patent number: 5916331
    Abstract: A hand lever device is disclosed which enables a miniaturized compact hand lever device to be realized, which is capable of providing a hand lever device that is assembled with ease, which is capable of reducing amount of movement of a main lever to improve operability, and which enables fine adjustment of operation. The hand lever device (10) comprises: a main lever (30) for drawing a cable (17) connected to a driven member (CV), said main lever (30) being integrally provided with a draw amount magnifying mechanism (40) having a pulley (41) around which the cable (17) is reeved, said main lever (30) controlling the cable (17) via the pulley (41). The hand lever device (10) further comprises a turnaround member (45), and the turnaround member (45) guides the cable (17) from the pulley (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5845537
    Abstract: A device for controlling a bicycle derailleur comprises a control member which is rotatably mounted on the handlebar adjacent to a fixed handgrip. The various operative positions of the rotatable control member are defined by indexing means comprising a toothed wheel which is rigidly connected to said rotatable control member and a plurality of resilient engagement members carried by said supporting body and able to selectively engage the vanes between the teeth of the toothed wheel. The supporting body has a C-shaped configuration with two wings which can be clamped by a screw which is also used to rotatably support a pulley on which the flexible control cable actuated by the rotatable control member is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
  • Patent number: 5823058
    Abstract: A twist-grip shifter for bicycles having a twist grip or grip part which is actuated by the rider's hand to change the gears of the bicycle, and a cable winding mechanism or coil wind-up mechanism. The twist grip and the cable winding mechanism of the twist-grip shifter can be connected to one another by providing claws or projections on a tubular extension of the cable winding mechanism, and by providing corresponding recesses inside the twist grip, in which recesses the claws can be engaged. One of the claws and one of the recesses can be configured differently from the other claws and recesses, in order to simplify the assembly of the two parts with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Markus Arbeiter
  • Patent number: 5813282
    Abstract: A powered sliding-door system of an automobile with a sliding-door drive device A and an automatic door closer B. The sliding-door drive device A has a box-like case body 1 opening downward, a case cover 2 covering the opening of the case body 1. A pair of guide pulleys are rotatably supported by axes, and each axis stands on the front end and the rear end of the case in slanting posture. A loop of cable is arranged between the pair of guide pulleys so that a working side is arranged outside of the case body and a return side is arranged in the case body. The loop of cable is driven by an motor driven actuator 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System Inc.
    Inventor: Chiharu Azuma
  • Patent number: 5758546
    Abstract: A hand lever device is adapted so that a throttle valve as a driven member can be adjusted appropriately in its degree of opening via a cable and kept at a desired degree of opening and yet immediately returned to the minimum degree of opening. The throttle valve can be brought to the degree of opening at which it had stood before it was returned to the minimum opening degree without the necessity of readjustment. The hand lever device comprises a main lever (30) and a sub-lever (60) which ice pivotally operated, wherein the sub-lever (60) is adapted to draw a cable (20) connected to a driven member (CV) via a pulley (50), and wherein the pulley (50) is moved by the main lever (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Taomo, Hisato Ohsawa, Hirofumi Yamami, Fumihiko Aiyama
  • Patent number: 5724854
    Abstract: A transmitting device for an automobile electric window consists of a housing, a motor, a worm gear, a cap, an elastic shaft connector, a lower chain protector, and an upper chain protector combined together. The motor has a worm on its shaft to rotate the worm gear placed in the housing, and the worm gear is connected with the elastic shaft connector connected with a leaf shaft of the lower chain protector. An endless chain extends around the leaf shaft and a gear in the upper chain protector, which is rotated by the chain through the motor, the worm gear, the elastic shaft connector, the leaf shafts so as to lower and lift an electric window of an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Ching-Yun Huang
    Inventor: Kun Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 5685198
    Abstract: A derailleur activating device attachable to the handlebar of a bicycle also having a frame and a derailleur with a gear cable, wherein the device has a bracket tube secured to the handlebar of the bicycle, a shifting sleeve rotatably mounted on the bracket member, a pulley rotatably mounted on the shifting sleeve and a gear cable with an end of the gear cable attached to the bracket tube. The cable is wrapped partially around the pulley such that, when the shifting sleeve is rotated, the pulley is displaced causing the gear cable to be pulled such as to shift the gears of the derailleur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Tranel W. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5678455
    Abstract: A shifting device includes a generally cylindrical main body part having a first end portion and a second end portion. An attachment part is fixed to the first end portion of the main body part, and the main body part includes an opening for receiving the cable therethrough. The attachment part may extend at a selected angle from the main body part for fixing the main body part to the free end of the handlebar. A winding member is disposed within the main body part, wherein the winding member has a winding surface for winding the shifter cable. A first end region of a connecting member is fixed to the winding member, and a partition member is disposed about the connecting member for positioning the connecting member within the main body part. An operating member is disposed at the second end portion of the main body part and is fixed to a second end region of the connecting member so that rotation of the operating member causes rotation of the winding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai