Crank And Multiple Pitmans Patents (Class 74/51)
  • Patent number: 10584774
    Abstract: A transmission for an opposed-piston engine with two crankshafts includes a crankshaft gear train that combines the torque inputs from the two crankshafts and a gear arrangement coupled to the gear train that is operable to obtain various speed ratios for an output torque drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Vadiraj Kulkarni, Balazs V. Palfai, Dnyanesh T. Sapkal, Fabien G. Redon, Sumanth Kashyap
  • Patent number: 9458858
    Abstract: A mounting structure of a cooling-fan mounted in an opening formed on a Front End Module (FEM) carrier may include a locking guide fixed to the opening and along a longitudinal direction of which a guide hole is formed, a link bar along a longitudinal direction of which a sliding hole is pierced and one end of which is connected rotatively to the FEM carrier, a first pin that is slid through the respective guide hole and sliding hole and connects the link bar and the locking guide, a second pin, one end of which is connected slidingly to the sliding hole, and a motor connected to the other end of the second pin to rotate the second pin. The cooling-fan is connected to the first pin and slid through the opening by link-movement of the first pin, the second pin and the link bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yu-Seorg Jeong
  • Patent number: 8857840
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved drive system for a personal vehicle comprising: a frame with a steerable front wheel and rear wheel connected to a drive axle connected to a crank arm by a drive linkage; a roller rotatably attached to the crank arm; a pedal pivotally attached to the frame having a cavity for receiving the roller; a contoured wear bar carried by the cavity for contacting the perimeter of the roller; a major arch included in the contoured wear bar contacting the roller when the pedal is on a down stroke; a minor arch included in the contoured wear bar for providing additional power when the pedal is near the end of its down stroke; and, a major front slope included in the wear bar for contacting the roller when the pedal is in its upstroke to place the pedal at its highest most position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Zike, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Scolari, George Reiter
  • Publication number: 20140157916
    Abstract: A motion simulation system includes actuators having a planetary gearbox engaged with and driven by a servomotor engaged with a crank. A connector rod has a proximal end engaged with the crank of each actuator, and a distal end engaged with a top plate configured to attach to a platform assembly. A control system is operable with each electric servo motor of each actuator for delivering control for providing a simulated motion to the top plate. Control data is sent to the servomotors using a msec data send and receive rate, with internal processing within the nano-second range. Such update rates coupled with a real time, dynamically responsive motion controller results in a desirably smooth and accurate simulator motion. The control system includes a washout filter for transforming input forces and rotational movements. One to six degrees of freedom systems having smooth performance with high payload capability are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Dynamic Motion Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: David J. Vatcher, Simon A. James, Andrew J. Cox
  • Patent number: 8534240
    Abstract: An improvement to the Waissi type opposed piston internal combustion (IC) engine is proposed. The engine has at least one pair of aligned and opposed cylinders with one reciprocating double-headed piston assembly in each cylinder pair. The reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the driveshaft by a rotating crankdisk, which is off-centered mounted to the driveshaft. The high friction metal to metal contact between the crankdisk and the piston contact wall is replaced by a combination of a roll resistance and friction under hydrodynamic conditions resulting to a significantly reduced total resistance between the piston and the crankdisk. This is accomplished by utilizing a bearing ring assembly slidably installed on the annular perimeter surface of the crankdisk. When the crankdisk rotates the bearing ring is held in its designed place in a slot bounded laterally only by the connecting members of the integrated double-headed piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Ray Robert Waissi, Robert Waissi
  • Publication number: 20130192395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension system designed for use with optical devices, such as video cameras. The camera suspension unit includes a platform, outer and middle frames, with the orthogonal intersecting axes of rotation at the midpoint of the unit, rotating drives to rotate the unit about the X, Y and Z axes all controlled by a control unit. The middle frame of the suspension unit is designed as a mechanical parallelogram, having a movable jointed foot, a piston-rod and two cranks, as well as two mechanical links, all of which have an axis of rotation parallel to the middle frame axis of rotation, which is parallel to the Y axis. The outer end of each mechanical link is fastened to a crank while the inner end is fastened to the frame. The inner ends are fastened in a rotatable manner, allowing for the rotation about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the cranks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Lev Nikolaevich Yevstratov, Vladimir Vladimirovich Kozlov
  • Publication number: 20130098299
    Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: The GSI Group, LLC
    Inventor: The GSI Group, LLC
  • Patent number: 8347747
    Abstract: A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, Robert T. Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
  • Patent number: 7568718
    Abstract: A hitch pin and hitch cable assembly comprising a hitch pin for a tow hitch ball mount with one end of a hitch cable securely attached to the pin; the other end of the hitch cable removably attached to the pin between the ends of the pin; the pin having a lock to lock the pin in a tow hitch ball mount and to lock the second end of the hitch cable on the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Thomas
  • Patent number: 7516680
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a torque to an external member to assist in twisting or deforming the external member. In one implementation the apparatus is useful for providing a force to a torque tube to assist in rotating, bending or twisting a wing, an airfoil, or a rotorcraft blade. The apparatus includes at least one biasing member which provides a biasing force to a linkage assembly, where the linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to a torque tube. The torque tube is fixedly coupled to the structure which needs to be bent, twisted or flexed. The energy stored in the biasing member provides the great majority of mechanical force required to rotate the torque tube and bend, twist or deform the structure when the structure is urged back into an unflexed or un-deformed state, the energy stored in the structure is transferred back to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J Clingman, Robert T Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
  • Patent number: 6766554
    Abstract: A windshield wiper drive imparts overlapping butterfly oscillation to a pair of spaced wiper shafts from a rotary drive member having a crank arm. A drive link is provided having first, second, and third connection points. The first connection point is adjacent one end of the drive link and is pivotally connectable to the crank arm of the rotary drive member. The second connection point is adjacent an opposite end of the drive link, and the third connection point is interposed between the first connection point and the second connection point along the drive link. An idler pivot link is pivotable about a fixed axis and has at least three crank arms extending radially from the fixed axis and spaced from one another. A first elongate link is pivotally connected at one end to a first crank arm of the idler pivot link, and is pivotally connected at an opposite end to the second connection point of the drive link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Bruce Moote
  • Patent number: 6691366
    Abstract: The invention is based on a wiper system having a wiper motor, which via a motor crank, seated on a motor shaft, and two connecting rods drives a drive shaft of two windshields wipers, wherein a first connecting rod is pivotably connected directly to the motor crank while a second connecting rod is connected to the first connecting rod, in spaced-apart fashion from the crank joint, via a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6687947
    Abstract: Reducing manufacturing costs and weight of the wiper apparatus for the motor vehicle. A pivot-side bracket having a pivot-side supporting surface is provided in a DR-side pivot holder, and a motor-side bracket having a motor-side supporting surface which forms a pair together with the pivot-side bracket is provided in a wiper motor, and the DR-side pivot holder and the wiper motor are fixed to a pipe by the same bolts and nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Sato, Tadashi Masuda, Akira Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6564419
    Abstract: A first lever is rotatably supported by a first support shaft connected to a vehicle body. The first lever has a first connection spaced away from the first support shaft. The first lever is reciprocally swung about the first support shaft by a driving force transmitted from a motor. A second lever is rotatably supported by a second support shaft connected to the vehicle body. The second lever has a second connection. A third lever is rotatably connected to both the first connection and the second connection. The third lever has an arm support shaft arranged at an offset position offset from a line connecting between the first connection and the second connection. A wiper arm is secured to the arm support shaft. A wiper blade is connected to a distal end of the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Takashi Umeno, Tomohide Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6334423
    Abstract: A link mechanism for a reciprocating piston engine and the like is characterized in that: motions of a pair of cylinder-type pistons moving in opposite directions relative to each other are converted into an oscillating-type rotary motion through an oscillating arm provided with a right and a left portion, which portions are equal in mass and in turning radius of their oscillating-type rotary motions; and, the oscillating-type rotary motion is divided into two equal parts by connecting rod means and transmitted to the link mechanism in which the two equal parts of the oscillating-type rotary motion are converted into a rotary motion of a rotary shaft incorporated in the link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Hayami Mashimo
  • Patent number: 6101664
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for at least two windshield wipers of a vehicle, in particular of an automotive vehicle, with a driving motor (1) which includes a gear unit accommodated in a gear casing (2) which is closed by means of a cap and where, on the end of an output shaft (3) protruding from the gear casing (2), a motor crank (4) is fastened in a torsion-resisting manner for driving the wiper shafts (8) of the at least two wiper bearings (5, 11) via rods, is to be improved so that, on the one hand, it is easily adaptable to the space or installation conditions prevailing on the vehicle while, on the other hand, due to a reduced number of components, it can be manufactured at lower cost as compared to known drive mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Egner-Walter, Eckhardt Schmid
  • Patent number: 6006871
    Abstract: A device for locking and unlocking a rotor to a stator, at least parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor, includes an annular rotor flange transverse to the axis, an annular stator bearing surface transverse to the axis and at least partly axially facing the annular flange, and a mobile annular bearing surface transverse to the axis and at least partially axially facing the annular flange on the opposite side of the stator annular bearing surface. The mobile annular bearing surface is formed on a thrust ring coupled radially to a stator portion and able to move axially relative thereto. An annular inflatable airbag in the stator portion axially between a stator back and the thrust ring is provided with pneumatic fluid inlet/outlet arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle of Paris, France
    Inventors: Sylvain Leconte, Christophe Bernus, Emmanuel Truchot
  • Patent number: 5918504
    Abstract: A motion converting and transmitting mechanism included a reciprocal motion receiver, rotatable pinned to reciprocating arm. Rotatable pinned by a first pin to a first crank arm, and rotatable pinned by a second pin to a second crank arm. The first pin is spaced from the second pin. The first crank arm rotates about a first crank axis. The second crank arm rotates about a second crank axis. First crank axis is spaced from the second crank axis. At least one crank rotates on a journal for transmitting rotary motion to a power take-off point. Mechanism is driven by the reciprocating arm and motion is converted from reciprocating to rotary. Mechanism is driven by one of the crank axis and motion is converted by rotary to reciprocating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Hikmet Selcuk Baskaynak
  • Patent number: 5706547
    Abstract: A wiper device for a vehicle includes a pair of left and right pivot brackets. The pivot brackets are pivotably attached to a vehicle body through a pair of left and right elastic members at left and right mounting points, respectively. The wiper device has a connecting member for connecting the left pivot bracket with the right pivot bracket. A wiper motor unit includes a wiper motor and an unit bracket for mounting the wiper motor. The unit bracket is attached to the vehicle body through a center elastic member at a center mounting point shifted from an imaginary line passing through the left and right mounting points. Further, the unit bracket of the wiper motor unit is positioned on the connecting member so that a gravity center of the wiper motor unit rides on the imaginary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5465636
    Abstract: A variable length crank arm in a windshield wiper system provides a depressed park position for an associated wiper blade when the direction of rotation of a drive motor is reversed. The crank arm relies on an eccentric driver to vary its length between a first length and a longer second length. When the eccentric driver is rotated in a first direction to wipe the windshield, a spring loaded pin keeps the eccentric driver rotatably fixed to an output arm with the crank arm consequently at the first length. The spring loaded pin also engages a cam slot in a cam plate, the cam plate rotating freely with the output arm and the eccentric driver in the first direction. To move the blade to the depressed park position, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed. This causes the cam plate to become rotatably stopped, with the now stationary cam slot forcing the pin out of engagement with the output arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Jones, Lloyd L. R. Kuck, Frank R. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 5456276
    Abstract: A contact lens cleaning apparatus having a clockwork controlled by a rotary knob to turn a ratchet wheel against a pawl, causing the lens cage to oscillate in the cleaning solution in the container, wherein the lens cage consists of two symmetrical semispherical gratings hinged together and retained in the closed position by a fastener for carrying the left eye contact lens and the right eye contact lens respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Wang Shun-Hsien
  • Patent number: 5435232
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston (2) without any skirt is stabilized throughout its reciprocating motion by two or more connecting rods (4) connected between parallel spaced apart small ends (10) and parallel spaced apart crankshafts (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Ian R. Hammerton
  • Patent number: 5419212
    Abstract: A control moment gyroscope including a rotor extending along a rotor axis. The rotor includes a first and second rotor end. A gimbal housing includes a magnetic suspension system for magnetically suspending the rotor within the gimbal housing to allow rotation of the rotor about the rotor axis. A first and second conical clutch positioned adjacent to the first and second rotor end, respectively, and connected to the gimbal housing couples the rotor to the gimbal housing if the magnetic suspension system is inoperative. The gyroscope also includes an apparatus for forcing the first and second clutches to couple the rotor to the gimbal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5359908
    Abstract: This system for reversibly transforming rotary motion into self-guided rectilinear motion has the characteristic of being achieved by symmetrically coupling at least two connecting rod-crank (108A, 108B, 107A, 107B) mechanisms, which are mutually associated by the pivots (111) of their connecting rod small ends (110) and by the engagement of identical toothed wheels (112A, 112B) fixed symmetrically into the two specific cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Rolando Poeta
  • Patent number: 5309779
    Abstract: A crank mechanism for the transformation of a rotary movement of a crank supported in a crankcase into reciprocating movement of a piston in a cylinder, includes an open kinematic chain composed of three pivotally connected rods with the ends of the chain being pivotally connected to the crankcase. The piston is connected to one of the intermediate pivotal connections of the three rods by another rod and a crank pin of the crank mechanism is connected to the other intermediate pivotal connection of the three rods by still another rod. Four dead centers can be obtained with the crank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Cosimo Sarno
  • Patent number: 5287728
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a press machine comprises a connection link connected to a crankshaft of the press machine and reciprocated in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft, a first slider provided in a frame of the press machine so as to be reciprocated in a first direction, and pivotally connected to the connection link, a first link mechanism provided with a pair of first links pivotally connected to each other, wherein one of the first links is pivotally connected to either the connection link or the first slider so as to be folded and extended while following up the reciprocating movement of the connection link, a second slider provided in the frame displaceably in the first direction and pivotally connected to the other first link, and a mechanism for adjusting the position of the second slider in the first direction, whereby the bottom dead center position and the stroke length of a slide can be adjusted by a common mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yamada Dobby
    Inventor: Akihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5261286
    Abstract: In connecting brackets using a frame member for a wiper device, the frame member being of linear structure providing sufficient mechanical intensity, the brackets are formed of die cast employing a general purpose die referenced to the axes of sleeves for pivotal shafts. An axis A of the frame member is so arranged that it is contained in the third imaginary plane which is parallel with first and second imaginary planes, wherein the first and second imaginary planes are selected respectively from imaginary planes which contain an axis B of a first pivotal shaft and from imaginary planes which contain an axis C of a second pivotal shaft 6, so that the first and second imaginary planes are parallel with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5253541
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism particularly adapted for coupling a rotating prime mover to the sucker rod of an oil well lift pump is disclosed. A linkage assembly comprised of a V-shaped floating link and two grounded links provides straight line, reciprocating motion from a rotary input, without the massive horsehead cam and flexible cable employed by conventional oil well pumping units. A driving dyad coupled to the floating link connects the linkage assembly to the prime mover, and a counterweight is carried by one of the grounded links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Kevin L. Mangle, Arthur G. Erdman
  • Patent number: 5216927
    Abstract: An improved connecting rod assembly for a reciprocating internal combustion engine provides essentially simple harmonic linear motion of a piston, thereby eliminating forces and moments caused by non-simple harmonic linear motion of a piston. The connecting rod assembly of the present invention maintains a uniform distance between a crank pin and a piston. Essentially simple harmonic piston motion also increases engine efficiency by reducing the amount of negative work which results from detonation before top dead center. The connecting rod assembly may include a first member rotatably connected to a crankshaft and having two connection points each spaced a distance A/2 from the crankshaft connection, and second and third members having a length C, arranged in a crossing relationship, and connecting respective ones of the connection points of the first member to respective ones of two connection points on a piston, the piston connection points being spaced apart by a distance B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Mandelia
  • Patent number: 5211065
    Abstract: An improved connecting rod assembly for a reciprocating internal combustion engine provides essentially simple harmonic linear motion of a piston, thereby eliminating forces and moments caused by non-simple harmonic linear motion of a piston. The connecting rod assembly of the present invention maintains a uniform distance between a crank pin and a piston. Essentially simple harmonic piston motion also increases engine efficiency by reducing the amount of negative work which results from detonation before top dead center. The connecting rod assembly may include a first member rotatably connected to a crankshaft and having two connection points each spaced a distance A/2 from the crankshaft connection, and second and third members having a length C, arranged in a crossing relationship, and connecting respective ones of the connection points of the first member to respective ones of two connection points on a piston, the piston connection points being spaced apart by a distance B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Mandella
  • Patent number: 5184521
    Abstract: A gyroscopically stabilized apparatus for aiming an instrument at a target object. An external yoke is attached to the ends of a hub assembly which supports the gyro and camera platforms for rotation about pan, tilt and roll axes. The yoke is associated with an externally located vibration damping system interposed between the yoke and the support arm attached to the helicopter or other transporting vehicle. This makes possible a greater degree of helicopter pitch and roll without having any support structure impact the gyro and camera. In one embodiment the platforms are associated with separately rotatable hemispheres joined to provide a spherical fairing. In another embodiment the hemispheres are attached together for common rotation about pan and tilt axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Nelson Tyler
  • Patent number: 5142729
    Abstract: A windshield wiper apparatus for a vehicle having a pivot lever, a linkage, and a rotating mechanism which is operative to move windshield wipers to and from storage and operating positions is provided. The pivot lever is secured at an end thereof to a pivot shaft which supports a wiper arm, and is coupled at the other end thereof to a link rod connected to a wiper motor which pivotally drives the wiper arm. The linkage includes a first link which is coaxially connected to the pivot shaft, a second link which is connected to the link rod and is substantially parallel to the first link, and a third link which is connected at an end thereof to the first link and connected at the other end thereof to the second link and the link rod to reciprocally rotate the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Imamura
  • Patent number: 5093952
    Abstract: A wiper device including a wiper motor and two wiper blades for wiping a vehicle windshield comprises a reciprocally actuating coupling rod connected to the wiper motor by a crank arm, a swinging lever which is connected to the coupling rod so as to swing, a first wiper arm which is fixedly connected with one of the wiper blades and is swung with the swinging lever, a second wiper arm which is fixedly connected with another of the wiper blades and swings in tandem with the first wiper arm according to reciprocal movement of a link rod connected to the swinging lever, and a mechanism for enabling movement of linkage positions relative to the swinging lever, the coupling rod and the link rod, accompanied by a snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakatsukasa, Yoshiyuki Koumo, Isao Ito, Nobuyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 5088883
    Abstract: An apparatus has on each side of a conveyor (12) a rotating conveying segment (16, 17) for lifting packs from the conveyor (12) to form a stack (13) of packs (11). An oscillating holding segment (18, 19) oscillates about a common axis with each conveying segment (16, 17) but at a lesser radial distance from the axis then the conveying segment. The holding segments hold the stack (13), but separate to permit a new pack (11) to be added to the bottom of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Uwe Dreyer
  • Patent number: 5031265
    Abstract: A wiper device including a wiper motor and two wiper blades for wiping a vehicle windshield comprises a reciprocally actuating coupling rod connected to the wiper motor by a crank arm, a swinging lever which is connected to the coupling rod so as to swing, a first wiper arm which is fixedly connected with one of the wiper blades and is swung with the swinging lever, a second wiper arm which is fixedly connected with another of the wiper blades and swings in tandem with the first wiper arm according to reciprocal movement of a link rod connected to the swinging lever, and a mechanism or enabling movement of linkage positions relative to the swinging lever, the coupling rod and the link rod, accompanied by a snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakatsukasa, Yoshiyuki Koumo, Isao Ito, Nobuyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 5013175
    Abstract: A modified ball and socket connection is provided between links of a windshield wiper linkage system to resist rolling motion of the links with respect to the ball. A pin extends from the ball into sliding and rotating engagement with a slot formed adjacent the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: William L. Hayden
  • Patent number: 5003832
    Abstract: A motion transmitting mechanism for heat engines, refrigerating machines and heat pumps which are hermetically sealed or provided with rotary shaft seals and have reciprocating pistons connected to the motion transmitting mechanism (11) by means of connecting rods (33, 34, 23, 24), is provided with two counterrotating crank systems which are centered along a single center line, whereby the lateral forces of the pistons counteract each other so as to be eliminated and allow the use of permanent grease-lubricated and sealed rolling bearings (22, 25, 26, 35, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Stig G. Carlqvist Motor Consultant, (C.M.C.) Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Stig G. Carlqvist
  • Patent number: 4872357
    Abstract: A device for temporarily locking onto a stator a rotor that normally rotates on the stator on magnetic bearings (such as an inertia wheel in a space satellite) includes a frustoconical bearing surface near the periphery of the rotor and a complementary frustoconical bearing surface on the stator. The rotor bearing surface is axially engaged with the stator bearing surface by a cable forming an annular loop in a transverse plane. A device is provided for releasing this cable. A plurality of radially mobile elementary bearing surfaces are coupled to the stator and there is a second bearing surface at the periphery of the rotor. These elementary bearing surfaces are axially engaged with the second bearing surface on the rotor, against the action of a return spring arrangement, in the direction opposite that in which the conical bearing surface on the stator applies an axial engagement force to the frustoconical bearing surface on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Hubert Vaillant De Guelis, Jean-Louis Joly
  • Patent number: 4843898
    Abstract: A wiper linkage of the cross arm type is provided with a driving rod, an oscillation arm, two cross arms interlinking the driving rod and the oscillation arm, and restrictive alignment-free couplings connecting the cross arms between the driving rod and oscillation arm. In this linkage, it is possible to connect the coupling parts easily and to absorb dimensional errors in the coupling parts, and to also make the coupling waterproof by a sealing member. Furthermore, a smooth and noiseless action of the linkage can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4833932
    Abstract: A stabilised mount (e.g. for an antenna) has two gyroscopic rotors mounted in such a way that they can pivot about orthogonal axes. Rewinding of the antenna (to avoid undue twisting of the electrical cables) is liable to cause a voilent destabilisation of the mount because of the gyroscopic action of the rotors. To prevent this destabilisation the rotors are locked against the aforementioned pivoting action during the rewinding procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: The General Electric Company, p.l.c.
    Inventor: Neville Rogers
  • Patent number: 4807485
    Abstract: A motor driven caging system for free gyros which cages both the inner and outer gimbals thereof and locks in both the caging and uncaging positions by an over center mechanism is disclosed. The motor drives a crank which in turn drives a somewhat compliant linkage which actuates a cam to first cage the outer gimbal and a fork to then cage the inner gimbal. The crank moves through an angle somewhat over 180 degrees between the caged and uncaged positions, with the caging mechanism having a maximum motion slightly less than that encouraged by the crank extreme, whereby the compliant linkage is elastically deflected as the crank moves past the maximum excursion point to a positive stop soon thereafter. Control of the motor is provided by a switch actuated by the caging mechanism drive as it approaches either the caging position stop or the uncaging position stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kirkos Development, Ltd.
    Inventor: William E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4787114
    Abstract: A wiper driving system for a vehicle having a wiper link reciprocated by a crank of a motor, and a lever for rotating a driving shaft of a wiper arm fixed to one end of the wiper link by rotating at a predetermined angle with the one end of the wiper link as a fulcrum by the reciprocation of the wiper link which comprises:an intermediate link interposed between the other end of a first lever of the above-said lever and the wiper link to be pivotally supported to each other,a second lever pivotally supported at its one end to a pivotal shaft for coupling the wiper link to the intermediate link,a switching lever for switching the second lever and the other link connected to the second lever between two positions, said switching lever disposed in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the second lever to be pivotally supported to an automotive body, the other end of the second lever being pivotally supported to one end of the switching lever, anda turn-over spring provided at the switching lever for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Soichiro Okudaira
  • Patent number: 4784347
    Abstract: The spinning reel of the present invention pertains to a sliding mechanism which allows for the reduction in size and weight of the reel and an increase in the reciprocation stroke of the spool without a decrease in the winding force of the reel on the turning force of the rotor. That is, the sliding pin of the invention is located closer to the master gear than the conventional sliding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Ryobi Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Kobayashi, Kikuo Tsunoda, Hideo Murakami
  • Patent number: 4606239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking and unlocking device for a gyroscopic rotor which is mounted through the intermediary of an internal cardan (5) placed at the end of a shaft (4) which receives a screwthreaded bushing (10) which is capable of being screwed onto this shaft and into the rotor (3) in order to make the assembly of rotor (3), shaft (4) and bushing (10) integral and hence to isolate the internal cardan (5) from the forces exerted upon the rotor when the latter is in the "locked" position. The bushing (10) is caused to unscrew by a spiral spring (15) to place the rotor (3) in the "unlocked" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Societe d'Etudes et de Realisations Electroniques
    Inventor: Jacques C. Guerin
  • Patent number: 4586492
    Abstract: A therapeutic bed for treating medical complications of immobility oscillates in a circular rhythmic fashion, an upper frame being caused to pivot about its central longitudinal axis with respect to an intermediate frame which is caused to pivot about its central lateral axis with respect to a base frame. Independent mechanical means having variable speed controls each employ a rotating eccentric arm which oscillates the respective pivoting frame. Shock absorbers provide smooth motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: Antonio P. Manahan
  • Patent number: 4570507
    Abstract: A gyro bearing and caging mechanism in which a spherical gyro rotor is driven by an induction motor with bearing surfaces between the rotor and stator having a magnetic fluid that is held in place at discrete positions around the circumference of the rotor by permanent magnets imbedded in the spherical rotor and a movable caging plate with magnets in a surface thereof and magnetic fluid between surfaces of the caging plate and a top surface of the rotor for caging the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Joe S. Hunter, Lawrence J. Little
  • Patent number: 4532819
    Abstract: A crankdrive mechanism for the two piston Stirling engine which greatly reduces engine size and weight without increasing complexity or decreasing mechanical efficiency. A single throw crankshaft is located between the cylinders and within the reciprocation limits of at least one of the pistons. An inverted triangular yoke connects the single crankpin with the two connecting rods, which are in turn connected with the respective pistons. A rocking lever connects the yoke with the engine housing and absorbs any side loads associated with the crankdrive mechanism. Extensive clearance provided between the cylinders and in the pistons permits the engine parts to be arranged in a very compact manner with ample running clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: M. Andrew Ross
  • Patent number: 4491029
    Abstract: The present positional gyroscope is used for stabilizing and steering a fng body, especially a secondary flying body ejected from a primary or carrier flying body which is rotating or rolling about its longitudinal or roll axis. Such gyroscopes are supposed to sense and take over the rolling position information from the gyroscope of the carrier flying body. For this purpose it is necessary that the gyroscope of the secondary flying body avoids course deviations. Hence, the gyroscope is supported in a first locked frame (3, 8) which in turn is suspended in an auxiliary rolling frame (4). A drive mechanism or motor (2) is connected to the rolling frame (4). The driving motor (2) may be switched on for rotating the auxiliary rolling frame (4) prior to activating or ejecting the secondary flying body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Ernst Gruber, Wolfgang von Hoessle
  • Patent number: 4483207
    Abstract: A caging mechanism for caging the inner gimbal of a directional gyroscope to a horizontal position. Depression of an actuator rod turns a caging disc which is simultaneously moved linearly toward the inner gimbal by an angled ramp surface. A pair of pins pushed by the disc have enlarged heads that act against cams on the inner gimbal to provide the caging action. The actuator rod is equipped with an override spring that cushions the caging force and permits additional depression of the rod for caging of the outer gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: James N. Harrington
  • Patent number: 4399714
    Abstract: Destabilization of a gyro-stabilized platform (such as employed for mounting an antenna on-board a ship) resulting from uncompensated yaw or rotation of the platform in azimuth from a fixed reference orientation is prevented by employing a pair of counter-rotating gyros for each stabilized axis and caging gyros having a spin direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Navidyne Corporation
    Inventor: A. Clifford Barker