Hand Patents (Class 74/523)
  • Publication number: 20140137696
    Abstract: An electric control device for a bicycle that includes a clamp member adapted to be mounted to a bicycle handlebar, a bracket member adjustably mounted to the clamp member, and a first electric user interface member operatively coupled to the bracket member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro KOSAKA, Yoshimitsu MIKI
  • Patent number: 8720303
    Abstract: A pivoting structure for a brake lever includes a connector having one end connected to a handle of a bicycle and another end having a assembling space opened thereon; a brake lever having one end which is assembled to the assembling space; and a pivoting set having a horizontal shaft and a vertical shaft, one end of the horizontal shaft inserted through a wall of the assembling space, the vertical shaft passing through one end of the brake lever, another end of the horizontal shaft connected to the vertical shaft. Therefore, the brake lever is vertically and horizontally pivotable on the connector via the pivoting set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Judy Wu
  • Publication number: 20140116194
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling positioning of flaps in an aircraft includes a shift lever movable to each of a plurality of shift lever positions to control positioning of the flaps of the aircraft to each of a respective plurality of associated flap positions. A shift lever indexing plate includes a plurality of engagement positions associated with the plurality of shift lever positions, respectively, the shift lever being coupled to an engagement member, the engagement member moving with the shift lever and being biased to selectively engage a selected one of the plurality of the engagement positions associated with a selected one of the shift lever positions to command the aircraft flaps to the flap position associated with the selected one of the shift lever positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
    Inventor: Ronald J. Nieman
  • Publication number: 20140109718
    Abstract: A bicycle control device is provided that basically includes a support structure, a control unit, a first operating lever, a first gear and a second gear. The control unit is mounted on the support structure. The first operating lever is operatively connected to the control unit to operate the control unit. The first gear is rotatably mounted on the support structure about a first axis. The second gear is engaged with the first gear, and is rotatably mounted on the support structure about a second axis. The second gear includes indicia indicative of a plurality of states of a bicycle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Liang Steve TAN
  • Publication number: 20140076084
    Abstract: A multi-piece gear shift knob and a gear shift lever assembly including the same are disclosed. The multi-piece gear shift knob includes a grip portion and a lock portion. The grip portion includes an installation opening that extends through at least one face of the grip portion, and a partial thread form. The lock portion includes a partial thread form. The grip portion and the lock portion include corresponding attachment features such that when the lock portion is installed into the installation opening, the attachment features of the grip portion and the lock portion couple the lock portion to the grip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140053675
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes a base member, an operating member and a force sensor. The operating member is movably mounted relative to the base member from a rest position along an operating path. The force sensor is operated by physical contact by movement of the operating member along the operating path. The force sensor is configured to output at least one control signal based upon an operation force of the operating member acting on the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio TETSUKA
  • Publication number: 20140053678
    Abstract: A pivot lever actuation unit including an actuating handle which can be folded out of a recess and then swiveled, and an adapter part which can be screwed on under the recess. The actuation unit has a modular construction allowing certain external component parts to be exchanged, and also enables a flexible rebuild.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Reinhard Gottschling, Markus Schulte, Sebastian Koch
  • Publication number: 20140013896
    Abstract: A control device for a crawler vehicle comprises a control lever activated by an operator about a fulcrum and having a free end, the control lever being displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a proximal position closer to the operator and a distal position further from the operator in order to control a main clutch of the vehicle, the control device further comprising a support element suitable for being fixed to a body of the vehicle in order to support an operator's hand when the hand acts on the control lever, the control lever having an intermediate portion interposed between the free end and the fulcrum, the intermediate portion being so shaped as to partially embrace the support element in the proximal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Enrico Conti, Sergio Magrini, Franco Pertusi, Lorenzo Sghedoni, Ivano Resca
  • Patent number: 8622181
    Abstract: A brake operating device of an electric bicycle is provided with a brake lever including a projecting plate at one end, and a bifurcated cable anchoring member pivotably secured to the projecting plate; a magnetic member adhered to one side of the cable anchoring member; a housing pivotably secured to the brake lever and including a hydraulic cylinder and a cylindrical socket including an opening distal the brake lever, and internal threads proximate the opening; a spring depressible sensor including a sensing member disposed in the socket, and an electric wire extending from the sensing member; a hollow threaded fastener adjustably threadedly secured to the internal threads of the socket to engage the sensing member; and a cylindrical member releasably mounted proximate to the opening and secured to the fastener. The electric wire passes the fastener and leaves the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140000410
    Abstract: A lever device in which a lid is mounted to an opening portion of a lever member without dropping down therefrom and with a good visual quality is disclosed. The lever device comprises a lever member swingably supported in a fixed system, an opening portion provided in the lever member to open in a radial direction, and a lid that is engaged to the opening portion to cover the opening portion therewith, wherein the lid is provided with a thin portion. Deflections are generated in such a manner as to concentrate on the thin portion of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Yo Aoki, Hidekazu Wakita
  • Patent number: 8613238
    Abstract: A control knob for a vehicle has an improved outward appearance by forming a boundary line between two different materials in a portion that is not visible and preventing abrupt differences in color due to light refraction. The control knob is produced by dual injection molding of two different materials, is installed on one end of a shift lever, and functions as a handgrip. The control knob includes an portion of opaque and transparent materials, an overlapping portion opaque and transparent materials, and a coated portion formed of paint applied to portions of the transparent portion that do not overlap with the opaque portion. A boundary surface between the opaque and transparent portions is such that a refractive index of light passing through the transparent portion from the overlapping portion is close to a refractive index of light passing through the transparent portion from the coated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joon Young Park, Chang Hyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20130319167
    Abstract: A handle adjuster assembly for a seat track locking mechanism. The handle adjuster assembly includes a seat member and a lever pivotally attached to the seat member. The lever has a first end and a second end adapted to engage with the seat track locking mechanism. A handle is pivotally attached to the first end of the lever at a pivot such that the handle is free to rotate in a first rotational direction relative to the lever about the pivot, and wherein the handle is prevented from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction about the pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Harvey, Thomas Lee Rorabacher
  • Patent number: 8578813
    Abstract: In a parking brake system, a locking tooth of a ratchet plate includes a first area for contacting and retaining a locking claw of a ratchet pawl in an equilibrium state when a parking brake lever is pulled up; and a second area in which the locking claw remains in a state of halfway engagement of tooth tips when a pressing force of a release rod is released. When the locking claw comes into contact with a portion closer to a tip of the locking tooth beyond the first area, a line of force is maintained due to the pressing force of the release rod. The system is configured such that even if an occupant erroneously pulls up the parking brake lever while the release rod is pressed, it is possible to reliably prevent halfway engagement of tooth tips in a ratchet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Otsuka Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Azumi, Naoto Shibui, Satoru Masuda
  • Publication number: 20130283962
    Abstract: A faucet handle extender includes an attachment member configured to selectively couple with a faucet handle. The faucet handle extender also includes an extension member coupled with the attachment member. Movement of the extension member causes movement of the faucet handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Peachy LLC
    Inventor: Susanna Lee
  • Patent number: 8556216
    Abstract: A support assembly for helicopter control sticks has a supporting structure; an instrument panel fixed to the supporting structure; and a connecting device for connecting the sticks to the supporting structure. The connecting device has a longitudinally elongated arm fitted on one end with the sticks; and the arm slides to move the sticks to/from the supporting structure, and rotates about a horizontal axis to adjust the height of the sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Agusta S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gian Luigi Bandera
  • Publication number: 20130255434
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle system facilitates operator control over electric power generation and use. The system features a motor/generator that can be mounted to an output of a transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Albert W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130255433
    Abstract: An actuating lever for a binding mechanism includes a body formed of a first molded material. The body defines oppositely-facing surfaces, with at least one of the surfaces having a recess formed therein. The actuating lever further includes a grip member formed of a second molded material that is different from the first molded material. The grip member is molded at least partially into the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen P. Corr, Adam Smith, Michael R. Seskauskas, Christopher H. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20130241173
    Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame, front and rear wheels supporting the frame, and a brake lever assembly including a brake lever and an end cap. The brake lever has a pivot portion, a gripping portion defining a gripping length, and a free end defining an end width. The end cap is detachably secured to the free end and defines a cap width larger than the end width. The end cap has a maximum dimension that is less than the gripping length and is preferably substantially symmetrical (e.g., spherical) around the free end. The brake lever assembly can include a fastener securing the end cap to the free end. For example, the fastener can thread through the end cap and engage the brake lever. In order to enhance securing the end cap to the free end, the end cap can include a recess that is dimensioned to receive the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Talavasek
  • Patent number: 8528446
    Abstract: A parking lever cover for a vehicle can be easily and firmly attached to a parking lever frame having a large bend angle, easily manufactured, and provide the parking lever with an aesthetically elegant external appearance, thereby increasing commercial appeal of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jaewan Jin, Hayun Jung
  • Publication number: 20130220064
    Abstract: An actuator mounting, in particular, a clutch or brake mounting for a vehicle, includes a mounting housing (3) with an attachment shell (2) for attaching the mounting to a handlebar or a similar steering element, a hand lever (8) supported to rotate on the mounting housing (3), and a mechanical or hydraulic force transmission device arranged on the mounting housing (3). The actuator mounting includes a carrier plate (9) supported on the rotational bearing (7) in common with the hand lever (8) as an intermediate transmission element with multiple functions. The carrier plate (9) has contact points (16, 32, 34) for applying force to or tensioning the hand lever (8), the force transmission device, and the mounting housing stop (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130220062
    Abstract: An actuation device for bar-end bicycle gearshift comprises a mount adapted to be mounted to the end of handlebars facing forwards in the direction of travel. An actuation part is mounted on the mount in a neutral position with respect to the mount when no gearshifting is commanded. An adjuster is provided for adjusting the neutral position of the actuation part with respect to the mount. A cyclist can adjust the neutral position based on personal physical characteristics and preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio VALLE, Massimo DAL POZZO
  • Publication number: 20130220063
    Abstract: A switch device has a container that contains a contact therein, a rectangular frame-like cylinder disposed at an upper portion of the container, an operating knob that closes an opening formed at an upper end of the cylinder, is pivotally supported by the cylinder via a shaft, and is pivotally operated to open or close the contact, and plungers disposed on both side walls of the cylinder, vertical to a pivotal surface of the operating knob, across the lateral width of the side walls. Each of the plungers projects from one out of the side wall of the cylinder and the side wall of the operating knob, corresponding to the side wall of the cylinder, so as to be linearly brought into elastic contact with the other side wall across the lateral width irrespective of a pivotal state of the operating knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Mori, Yuichi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130213178
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame structure between an operator-side space adjacent to the operator and a device-side space adjacent controlled devices. The control lever system for the work vehicle comprises a pivotal shaft mounted in the vicinity of a lever opening formed in the frame structure; a boss portion supported to the pivotal shaft to be rotatable about the pivotal shaft; a control lever portion radially extending from the boss portion to the operator-side space; a controlled lever portion radially extending from the boss portion to the device-side space; and a seal member for closing a gap between the boss portion and an area of the frame structure where the lever opening is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Masumoto, Manabu Togo
  • Publication number: 20130206900
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a hand rest. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The grip is positioned at least partially above the post and is movable along at least one arc. The hand rest is coupled to the top and comprises an upper surface having a profile corresponding to the at least one arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Texton Inc.
  • Patent number: 8468909
    Abstract: An electric lever device includes a detent mechanism 6 between the rotational center shaft 3 and the handgrip 2. The detent mechanism 6 includes a pressing unit 10 including a through hole 11 formed in an axis C1 direction of the operation lever 1, an extension coil spring 12 inserted into the through hole 11 and balls 13a and 13b provided on both ends of the extension coil spring 12 for generating pressing force in the axis C 1 direction, and a guide unit 20 for guiding movement in a circumferential direction of the axis C 1 and changing the pressing force by changing a guide width in the axis C1 direction to apply a load to the movement of the operation lever 1 together with pulling force of a twisted coil spring 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuji Hori, Mitsumasa Akashi, Hiroyuki Chikugo
  • Patent number: 8464606
    Abstract: A shift operation device that has a simple structure and is provided with a lever knob that can absorb impact load that acts on the lever shaft in the axial direction. A core 11 is provided on the inside of the lever knob, and formed on the core 11 are screw cramps 11b, comprising cylindrical bosses, inside which are inserted screws that fix the core 11 to the lever shaft. V-shaped cut-out grooves 110 formed in the height direction of the cylindrical bosses are provided on the cylindrical parts 11b1 of the screw cramps 11b to reduce the thickness of the cylindrical parts 11b1, providing weak sites with response to the load that acts on the lever shaft in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hanjono, Hiroto Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 8464605
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for a parking brake of a motor vehicle, with at least one lever which is operatively connected to the parking brake via traction means and which is mounted such that it can pivot between a rest position and a brake application position about a first pivot axis which is positionally fixed with respect to the vehicle body. A rod is coupled to the lever such that it can pivot about a second pivot axis which is moveable with respect to the vehicle body and is parallel to the first pivot axis, the rod bearing a handle element and being mounted on the vehicle body such that it can pivot about a third pivot axis, which is positionally fixed with respect to the vehicle body, and such that it can be displaced along its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Otto
  • Publication number: 20130146385
    Abstract: A control system for a saddle-type vehicle is provided. The control system includes a reverse lever, a hand brake lever, a throttle lever and at least one mount bracket. Each of the reverse lever, the hand brake lever and the throttle lever are pivotably coupled to the at least one mount bracket and the at least one mount bracket is configured to be connected to a first one of a right handlebar and a left handlebar of a saddle-type vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20130144273
    Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a housing, a drive element, an actuator, a spring arm, and a biasing element. At least a partial actuation of the actuator distally translates the drive element from a proximal position where a portion of the drive element is in contact with the spring arm to a distal position where the drive element is not in contact with the spring arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams
  • Publication number: 20130139639
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device is provided with a base member, a brake operating lever and a shift operating lever. The shift operating lever moves from a rest position in a second direction to perform a gear shift operation in response to operation of the shift operating lever by the user. The shift operating lever has a handlebar engagement portion that is moved by a handlebar of the bicycle relative to the brake operating lever in a third direction toward the brake operating lever to move closer to the brake operating lever when the brake operating lever is pivoted in the first direction by the user. The third direction is a non-shifting direction that is different from the first and second directions. The shift operating lever does not perform the gear shifting operation when moved in the third direction by the handlebar of the bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Shimano Inc.
  • Patent number: 8448538
    Abstract: A parking brake lever apparatus for a vehicle may include a lever operably activated by a driver, a connecting member rotatably coupled to a support bracket which is fixed to a vehicle body and configured to support the connecting member, first and second rods, one ends of which are pivotally coupled to the lever with a predetermined distance therebetween and the other ends of which are connected to the connecting member, wherein the other end of the first rod is fixedly connected to rotation axis of the connecting member and the other end of the second rod is pivotally coupled to the connecting member and disposed with a predetermined distance from the rotation axis of the connecting member, and a position control unit to selectively hold the connecting member to a rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Wook Kim
  • Publication number: 20130098195
    Abstract: The invention provides a finger-actuated accelerator for small motor-vehicles. The accelerator has an actuation path that remains in the planar region of maximum finger-tip mobility. Rotational motion of an input mechanism is used to approximate a natural finger motion. An arrangement that includes a brake lever and a finger-actuated accelerator for operation by the same hand is provided. Several techniques are discussed for transforming the motion of an index finger into control inputs to a vehicle engine, including both mechanical and electronic techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Gordon Thielvoldt, Marvin Gordon Thielvoldt
  • Publication number: 20130092207
    Abstract: Detent actuators may comprise an elongate arm member, a detent button actuating surface, a receiving region, and a mounting structure. The detent button actuating surface may be sized and configured to actuate a detent button. The receiving region may be sized and configured to receive at least one of a finger and a thumb. The mounting structure may be sized and configured to facilitate mounting of the elongate arm to a structure that is selectively slidable relative to a structure comprising the detent button. Additionally, foldable apparatus may comprise a post comprising a detent button, a fitting slidably coupled to the post, and a detent button actuator coupled to the fitting. Methods of operating a detent button may comprise applying a force to a receiving region of a detent button actuator and depressing the detent button with a detent button actuating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: BRAVO SPORTS
    Inventors: Jack Lovley, II, Mark Groenhuyzen, Ron Sy-Facunda
  • Publication number: 20130074645
    Abstract: A control lever is provided for operating a working machine. The control lever includes a base portion intended to be mounted to a working machine, and a top portion which is pivotally connected to the base portion for pivoting about a geometrical X-axis. The top portion is further adapted to be gripped and pivoted by an operator in order to operate the working machine, and the top portion has an outer gripping surface for receiving the palm of the hand of an operator. At least a part of the gripping surface is arranged adjacent to the geometrical X-axis in such a way that the geometrical X-axis is situated inside the hand and adjacent to the center part of the palm of the operator when the top portion is properly gripped by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jon HÃ¥kansson, Jonny Lindblom
  • Publication number: 20130061712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a knob assembly adapted to be secured to a top portion of a shaft (4) of a gearshift lever, the knob assembly comprising a knob (2) having a generally cylindrical bore adapted to fit over an end portion of the shaft (4), the knob assembly further having engaging members (6) connected to the knob and adapted to engage the shaft for securing the knob on the shaft (4), wherein the knob assembly is provided with at least two engaging members (6), a locking ring (30), and a compression ring (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB
    Inventor: Bengt HERMANSSON
  • Patent number: 8387485
    Abstract: Parking brake actuator is an overrunning single directional clutch which provides for infinite locking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ross Gresley
  • Publication number: 20130047774
    Abstract: A shift and brake lever assembly including a brake lever having a first surface facing a handlebar and a second surface facing away from a handlebar. A shift lever may be mounted to the second surface of the brake lever using mounting components. Complementary apertures of the various mounting components may lie on a common longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: RETRO SHIFT LLC
    Inventor: Adam John CLEMENT
  • Patent number: 8381614
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a linkage having an axis of rotation, a handle member being linked to the linkage, a stop member connected to the handle member, and a guide member defining an engagement region aligned with the stop member such that a portion of the stop member engages the engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veeresh Somalingayya, Sachin Tulsidas Thakkar
  • Patent number: 8381613
    Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Revelis, Simon Chan, Mark Van Ryswyck
  • Patent number: 8380400
    Abstract: An HV-ECU performs a program including the steps of: determining whether or not the HV-ECU is in an auto-P execution state; determining whether or not a predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since an auto-P was requested; and permitting determination of the shifting operation if the HV-ECU is in the auto-P execution state and if it is determined that the predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since the auto-P was requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kanai, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Ichiro Kitaori
  • Publication number: 20130036853
    Abstract: A faucet control handle structure, which can be used in different water control bases with different sizes, including a control handle and a adjustable device, wherein the control handle has a receiving space that has two positioning ribs cross each other to engage with the adjustable device. The adjustable device has an adjustable base, a clamping piece and an adjustable unit, wherein the adjustable base has a sleeve hole, one end of which has a plurality of wedging edges formed at the opening end thereof. A clamping piece that can be adjusted to move back and forth is then formed in an opposing direction of the wedging edge. According to the above structure, since the adjustable device is located at the receiving space of the control handle, it can be used for water control sticks with different sizes of the water control base to enhance the practicability of the faucet handle and increase the convenience during the assembly process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALEXANDER YEH INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Huang
  • Publication number: 20130031998
    Abstract: A bicycle component control device basically includes a bracket and a bicycle component operating unit. The bicycle component operating unit is disposed in an interior space of the bracket. The bicycle component operating unit includes an operating member protruding toward outside of the interior space. The bracket includes a plurality of bracket parts being separate pieces from each other and non-movably fixed to at least one adjacent one of the plurality of bracket parts that define the interior space. The plurality of bracket parts is further configured relative to each other such that a connecting seam formed on the bracket extends along at least three of a mounting surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface and a second side surface of the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20120313853
    Abstract: An ergonomic control instrument for an operator's hand is provided to be disposable on a platform and communicate with a processor. The instrument includes a base for mounting to the platform, a pistol-grip handle disposed on the base to tilt from perpendicular to the platform, a head unit disposed on the handle, a deck within the head unit connecting to the handle, and a plurality of input devices disposed on at least one of the head unit and the handle, each device of the plurality for receiving a command from the operator's hand. Also, an ergonomic control station for an operator is provided, with the station including a platform in front of the operator, a first hand-held instrument mountable to the platform, a second hand-held instrument mountable to the platform, and a processor having a plurality of connections to the first and second pluralities of input devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Justin R. Helton
  • Publication number: 20120304801
    Abstract: A lever mountable to a handle bar of a vehicle, manipulated by at least one finger of a rider and having an arm with a distal end and a proximal end. The arm extends away from the handle bar, and the proximal end connects to the handle bar. At least one finger contour is located on the arm between the distal and proximal ends, and follows at least one finger to allow the at least one finger of the user to manipulate the arm. The lever also has a retainer located near at least one finger contour, and retains the fingers on the arm. The finger contour can contour at least two fingers. The retainer projects away from the arm and can be curved so as to secure the fingers to the arm. A handlebar of a vehicle having a lever as described is also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jean L'ECUYER
  • Publication number: 20120297921
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a cutting blade clutch for a riding mower enabled to disconnect the power of a mowing machine instantaneously in an emergency by disposing a clutch lever of the mowing machine directly under a steering wheel of an operator's seat of the riding mower. [Solution] A riding mower is provided with a clutch lever 12 for the cutting blade, the clutch lever 12 being disposed directly under a steering wheel 7 of the operator's seat. Power is connected by lifting the clutch lever 12 and the power is disconnected by lowering the clutch lever 12. The clutch lever 12 is constituted of a U-shaped lever mounted below the steering wheel and which is freely rotatable in an up and down direction, the clutch lever 12 droops below the steering wheel 7 when the power is disconnected, and a tip of the U-shaped lever is positioned directly under an outer edge of the round steering wheel 7 on a side of the operator's seat when the power is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Yukihiko Gondou, Katuhisa Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8312790
    Abstract: A one touch combination structure of a knob for an automatic transmission may include the knob which is provided with an operation button, an insert which is interposed inside the knob, a lever pipe which is housed in the insert and a lower end portion of which is hingedly supported to regulate shift speeds, and an operation rod which is slidably inserted into the lever pipe and elastically supported therein so as to vertically move according to an operation of the operation button, wherein a first fitting protrusion and a second fitting protrusion having different width and length are provided at an inner circumference of the insert, and a first cut groove and a second cut groove respectively responding to the first fitting protrusion and the second fitting protrusion are formed at an upper end portion of the lever pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Il Lee
  • Publication number: 20120272783
    Abstract: A manual control device including a handle configured to be grasped by a hand with a thumb, and a trigger configured to be subjected to a pressure from the distal phalanx of the thumb. The trigger is placed relative to the handle so as to be able to be subjected to a pressure from the distal phalanx while the proximal phalanx from the thumb is resting along the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Frederic VELLUTINI
  • Patent number: 8276684
    Abstract: A machine tool with an auxiliary cushion structure includes a machine tool having a grip portion and a trigger switch mounted on the grip portion. The grip portion has a control lever pivotally mounted thereon to enable the control lever to rotate against the grip portion, so as to press the trigger switch during rotation and drive the machine tool to operate. The grip portion further has an auxiliary cushion mounted thereon and a gap is formed between the auxiliary cushion and the control lever. The auxiliary cushion has a supporting surface which is tilted upwards from one end close to the control lever to the other end. Thus no matter the control lever is pressed by the operator or released, the operator's hand can rest on the supporting surface to alleviate or ease the fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: X'Pole Precision Tools Inc.
    Inventor: Bach Pangho Chen
  • Publication number: 20120240718
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a door adapted to lift and slide. The apparatus includes a base connected to the door and a lever hingedly connected to the base for maneuvering the door. The lever is positioned within the base such that the lever is fully recessed in the base. In use, the lever may be extended away from the base and folded into an operating position for moving the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Goetze
  • Patent number: 8256324
    Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a shift lever, and a knob with attachment clip that mechanically locks the knob atop the lever with a single assembly motion. The clip is located inside a hole in the select knob, and the lever includes a notch near its top. The clip is positioned to flex to facilitate assembly as the lever is inserted into the hole, but then unflex to engage the notch and lock the knob to the lever. To remove the knob from the lever, a removal tool is used to depress the clip, pushing it out of the way and allowing the select knob to be pulled off the lever. The illustrated shifters include a mechanically-actuated pawl actuator system and an electrically-actuated pawl actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GHSP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Laming, Scott Ebenstein