Hand Patents (Class 74/523)
  • Patent number: 7475615
    Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions. A self-adjustment assembly connects to the lever and includes a rack, a pinion, and a clutch. The toothed rack mounts to the lever for movement relative to the lever along a longitudinal direction of the rack. The rack connects to a brake cable and is resiliently biased in a tensioning direction. The rotatable pinion continuously meshes with the toothed rack. The clutch engages to prevent the pinion from rotating when the brake lever is in its brake-applied position, and disengages to allow the spring-biased rack to take up slack in the brake cable when the lever is in its brake-released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Revelis
  • Patent number: 7472623
    Abstract: A detachable operator assembly for a recliner chair including a handle, a drive rod and a threaded fastener. The handle is configured to operably connect with the drive rod without requiring a metal insert or reinforcement. The threaded fastener is inserted into a counterbore formed in the handle such that the shank freely passes through the handle and threadingly engages the drive rod. The shank extends through the drive rod to threadingly engage the handle. The operator assembly is configured so that the fastener fails before the plastic handle fails, and more specifically, so the fastener breaks between the fastener head and the drive rod, thereby allowing easy removal of the broken fastener without disassembly of the drive rod from the reclining chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20080307922
    Abstract: A brake handle having a supporting frame, a handle and a push unit; wherein: the supporting frame has a receiving space; a piston is installed in the receiving space; the handle has a first sliding groove; the push unit has a second sliding groove; the second sliding groove is installed with an adjusting unit; the handle and push unit are pivoted to the supporting frame; the handle and push unit are pivoted to the supporting frame; the push unit resists against the piston; the adjusting unit passes through the first sliding groove and second sliding groove so as to pivotally install the handle and the push unit; and a screw rod is screwed to the adjusting unit. The screwing operation of the screw rod with respect to the adjusting unit will adjust an elevation of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Chester Wen
  • Publication number: 20080202869
    Abstract: A linkage interconnecting a brake rod with a brake lever in a brake system of a railroad freight car. A length of chain extends from an end of the brake rod, and a monolithic connecting link interconnects an opposite end of the length of chain with a brake lever, so that the brake lever can be moved by pulling the rod, and yet the brake lever is free to move toward the rod if the handbrake system is not in use to keep the brakes applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Kris M. Heitmeyer
  • Publication number: 20080184837
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus for an automatic transmission includes: a lever main body including a rod insertion hole provided thereto and a receiving member insertion hole, and swingably supported by a shifter main body; a compression rod inserted in the rod insertion hole from a lower end of the lever main body; a spring, inserted into the rod insertion hole from the lower end of the lever main body, for pressing the compression rod toward an upper end of the lever main body; and a spring receiving member inserted into the receiving member insertion hole, and including a concave portion for holding a lower end of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI KIKO Co., LtD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takikawa
  • Publication number: 20080155982
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake master cylinder is provided that is compact and light in weight. The master cylinder has a reservoir shape that provides increased reservoir expansion volume. The master cylinder also provides gear shifter operation clearance and a comfortable lever that allows easy adjustment without the use of tools. The lever has defined increments of adjustment which make it easy to use. The invention also includes a method of bleeding air from the system without requiring reorientation of the master cylinder. The retention methods for the various lever embodiments shown allow for easy and inexpensive retention of the lever and also provide for reduced overall weight and cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher S. Jones, Jason Schuelke, John L. Thomas, Richard Travis
  • Patent number: 7373855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a parking brake, especially a commercial-vehicle parking brake, with a handle that can be moved between a pulled position for engaging the parking brake and a pushed position for releasing the parking brake, and to such a parking brake. The handle is subjected to a preload force toward a central position when it is in the pulled or pushed position. Depending on the position of the handle, an evaluation device outputs different control signals for an actuating device of the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Heiko Claussen, Jürgen Eickhoff, Helmut Kortschakowski, Klaus Pape
  • Publication number: 20080098849
    Abstract: A shifter mechanism includes a housing, a yoke assembly having a shifter lever and pivotably secured to the housing along a shift path, and a gate cover secured to the housing and forming a slot. The shifter lever extends through the slot to define the shift path. The gate cover is a unitary component formed separate from the housing. The gate cover provides a gate profile and a secondary detent profile. By changing the gate cover alone, a shifter mechanism with different shifter lever travel or a different type of shifter mechanism can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20080087132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake booster intended to transmit handbrake commands. This booster essentially comprises a plunger (3) able to move axially under the command of the control rod (1). An enclosure (2) contains a working chamber (21) and a vacuum chamber (20) which are separated by a wall (22) able to move axially under the effect of the plunger (3) and/or of a difference in pressure between the vacuum chamber and the working chamber. A three-way valve (4) controlled by the plunger (3) allows the working chamber (21) to be connected either to the vacuum chamber or to atmospheric air. Finally, a bearing piece (17) controlled by the moving wall (22) allows the control rod (1) to be driven along.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bruno Beylerian, Aleksander Hurwic
  • Patent number: 7357050
    Abstract: In the lever apparatus, a cover part (19) including a spherical-shaped outer surface and two thickness-reducing recessed portions (18) formed on the inner surface side thereof is disposed on the base end portion of a lever upper (12) and fitting recessed portions (21), instead of the rotatably-supporting shaft portions which are used in the conventional lever apparatus, are formed in the mounting part (20) of the lever upper. When molding the lever upper, molds for molding the thickness-reducing recessed portions can be slided in the projecting direction of the mounting part, thereby being able to facilitate the manufacture of the lever upper and thus lever (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takafumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7347298
    Abstract: This automobile anti-theft device comprises a removable stick gear shifter, release mechanism, and possibly a second level safety release mechanism, steel ball bearing, an exclusive shaft key lock component, and electrical connections depending on the type of transmission in use. These components are designed to function in unison to allow a car operator to remove a gear shifter to prevent automobile theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Alvin Perry
  • Patent number: 7337693
    Abstract: An actuating lever (1), in particular for adjusting a vehicle seat, has an axle receptacle (2), an articulation device (4) for force delivery and a grip piece (3). The actuating lever (1) is manufactured in one piece from plastic, a core (5) which comprises the axle receptacle (2) and the articulation device (4) is manufactured from a material having higher strength than the grip piece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Wolff, Johann-Georg Werner
  • Publication number: 20080047387
    Abstract: A shift lock device for controlling transmission gear changes with an automatic transmission shift lever can include an elongate shaft and a twist-lock release mechanism. The elongate shaft can define at least a portion of an automatic transmission shift lever. The elongate shaft can be arcuately pivotable about a transverse axis with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft for changing transmission gears. The twist lock-release mechanism can be pivotable about the longitudinally extending axis of the elongate shaft for releasing the shift lever from an arcuate pivotal position associated with at least one transmission-gear-select position. A biasing member can urge the twist lock release mechanism toward a locked position for releasibly retaining the shift lever in an arcuate pivotal position associated with at least one transmission-gear-select position. Rotation of the knob can move a shift-lever-lock member between a locked position and a released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan P. Sussman
  • Publication number: 20070295149
    Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions. A self-adjustment assembly connects to the lever and includes a rack, a pinion, and a clutch. The toothed rack mounts to the lever for movement relative to the lever along a longitudinal direction of the rack. The rack connects to a brake cable and is resiliently biased in a tensioning direction. The rotatable pinion continuously meshes with the toothed rack. The clutch engages to prevent the pinion from rotating when the brake lever is in its brake-applied position, and disengages to allow the spring-biased rack to take up slack in the brake cable when the lever is in its brake-released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Revelis
  • Publication number: 20070261511
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gearshift fork assembly mounted on a shaft for gearshift fork in a gearbox of a motor vehicle and comprising a hollow body, a gearshift fork, a sleeve and a resilient member. The hollow body is put on the shaft and comprises a first engagement section formed on its outer surface. The gearshift fork comprises a ring at one end, the ring is put on one end of the hollow body and includes a second engagement section on its inner surface, the second engagement section is adapted to mesh with the first engagement section. The sleeve is put on the other end of the hollow body and comprises a third engagement section formed on its inner surface, the third engagement section is adapted to mesh with the first engagement section. The resilient member is biased between the ring and the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chang Ho
  • Publication number: 20070234843
    Abstract: Method and device for selecting a driving program in motor vehicles having an automatic transmission, in which at least two different driving programs, in particular an economy mode and a sport mode, can be selected by the driver. The driving program selection according to the invention is made here by briefly tipping the selector lever laterally and releasing it again. For this purpose, the selector lever is pressed briefly to the side counter to a spring force, i.e. transversely with respect to the direction of movement within the shifting gate alley, suitable means, such as position sensors or force sensors, respectively generating corresponding signals both when the selector lever is tipped and when it is released again, and said signals are analyzed in a control unit such as the transmission controller or a central vehicle electronic system in terms of their time interval, and as a result trigger a driving program changeover by means of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Ingolf Knabe
  • Publication number: 20070234844
    Abstract: A mode of the invention is the device which installs a solenoid near the shift lever, and operates an electric switch with it when the back support topples over back and by it the shift lever locks with the mobile object of the solenoid overhanging. To control a solenoid, it communicates it using the electric wiring or the remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Shigeo Hamano
  • Patent number: 7272988
    Abstract: A shift knob (1) for a gearshift lever (3) of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle has a locking bar (5) guided axially in the gearshift lever (3) and a release button (2) which can be actuated manually for actuating the locking bar (5) in relation to the gearshift lever (3). The release button (2) is arranged in the shift knob (1) at the top end of the gearshift lever (3). The release button (2) is connected to the shift knob (1) by means of at least one lever arm (16) via a mounting site (17). The length of the lever arm (16) of the release button (2) is selected such in relation to the path traveled by the release button (2) during the actuation that the release button (2) performs an essentially linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Jörg Meyer, Klemens Meyer, Jan Szekeres-Kriselius
  • Publication number: 20070209469
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Martin Otto
  • Patent number: 7194929
    Abstract: A pole for a hand pallet truck that includes a pole bar which is linked to a support for a steerable wheel at its lower end and connected to a loop-shaped handle at the other end. An operating device is disposed within the space defined by the handle. The operating device is attached to a holding extension projecting into the handle in prolongation of the bar, and is connectable to a lifting apparatus of the hand pallet truck via a traction and/or pushing element. If applicable, it is connectable via a second traction and/or pushing element to a brake of the hand pallet truck, wherein an operating lever is disposed on either side of the extension. The operating levers are pivotally mounted on the holding extension in a plane essentially defined by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin von Werder
  • Patent number: 7174805
    Abstract: A cross-racing bike brake lever has on its contact surface external to the grip of the brake lever provided with multiple recesses for the fingers of the rider to hold against while executing a hand brake on the inner side of the grip so that the rider comfortably moves his or her fingers to rest flushed on the recesses and holds against the inner side of the grip with fingers at where close to their joint of the fingertips to execute an easy, sure and comfortable hand brake for improved safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tektro Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7165472
    Abstract: A control lever safety apparatus for a heavy equipment which is capable of preventing an operation of a work apparatus when a control lever is operated or touched in a state that an equipment is started, in such a manner that a safety lever is tilted in a lower direction in the case that a consol box installed in a side surface of a driver's seat is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: Chun Ho Jo, Chun Jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 7152499
    Abstract: Ribs (19) are provided in a lattice pattern on an inner surface of an inclined portion (8) of a level upper (2) making up a first lever component, while first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting whose cross sections are L-shaped are provided on an inner surface of an inclined portion (12) of a lever lower (3) making up a second lever component. The arrangement provided is such that the first and second projecting portions (28, 29) for press fitting are respectively inserted into first and second inserting portions (22, 23) formed by the ribs (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hitoshi Koide
  • Patent number: 7124661
    Abstract: A parking lever of a vehicle includes a slider of a predetermined length mounted to a lower area of a lever assembly. Also, a guide rail into which the slider is inserted is formed in a casing. The slider undergoes a sliding movement within the guide rail such that when the lever assembly is operated, the slider covers exposed areas of the guide opening of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kap Bae Jeon
  • Patent number: 7111912
    Abstract: A control handle for electro-mechanical devices, such as the brakes of a train or other vehicle, is disclosed. The control handle incorporates elements for electrical switching as well as elements for measuring the angle of rotation between the control handle's rotating portion and its stationary portion. Some of the switching elements and measuring elements are combined onto a single printed circuit board in order to reduce size, complexity, and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Ticola
  • Patent number: 7096796
    Abstract: A brake handle for a train or other vehicle has a grip that may be grasped by a human operator, a shaft that is fastened to the grip, a hub that is fastened to the shaft and is rotated by the shaft, a mounting block that is supported by the hub for rotating movement, and a switch. The switch has a switch operator (such as a board provided with metal traces) supported by the hub and a switch contact supported by the mounting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Rosencrantz, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 7032473
    Abstract: A two-stage, bi-directional shift lever vibration isolator. A shift lever has a sleeve whereinside is a lever vibration isolator which includes a damping body having an axial bore and an outer surface characterized by an hour-glass cross-section composed of convex and concave surfaces; a transmission shift shaft attachment housing located in the bore; an upper washer connected to the housing and abutting an upper end of the damping body; and a lower washer connected to the housing and abutting a lower end of the damping body. The upper and lower washers are sized to provide a predetermined perimeter separation with respect to the sleeve. The hour-glass cross-section of the damping body provides bi-directional natural frequency of vibration and stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew M. Ply, Steven M. Kline
  • Patent number: 7032474
    Abstract: A mechanical attachment for a two-stage, bi-directional shift lever vibration isolator. A shift lever has a sleeve which receives thereinside a lever vibration isolator which includes a damping body having an outer surface characterized by an hour-glass cross-section; an attachment housing within the damping body; and upper and lower washers connected to the housing. An attachment bore passes laterally through the housing and is lined by a layer of the damping body. The attachment bore is disposed in the center of recessed surfaces of the hour-glass cross-section. An attachment pin passes through the attachment bore and the sleeve. The shift lever vibration isolator is freely slidable on the attachment pin, facilitated by a clearance between the attachment pin and the bore lining layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Brian R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6973852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking brake lever of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Myung Shin, Moon-Hyuk Im, Jae-Cheon Lee, Tae-Ho Park, Kyung-Hee Cho, Byung-Hae Kim
  • Patent number: 6973850
    Abstract: The transmission gear shift lever device has a variable select lever ratio adapted to accommodate most of the operating mechanisms of the conventional transmission gear shift (TGS) lever device without major design changes. The select lever ratio is a ratio of rotating angle of a select lever relative to the rotating angle of the TGS lever and can be varied during the select manipulation of the TGS lever, such that all shift stages in a 6-speed transmission can be controlled while the rotating angle of the TGS lever during the select manipulation is maintained at the same size as that of a conventional TGS lever device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 6971279
    Abstract: A control lever safety apparatus for preventing operation of a work apparatus when a control lever is operated or touched in an equipment started state has a safety lever and consol box tilting lever rotatably fixed to a first support in which a consol box is fixed, an operation switch assembly connected with the consol box tilting lever on a link movement method to support the safety lever in a horizontal direction and tilt the safety lever in a lower direction when the consol box tilting lever is rotated for thereby disconnecting power, and a latch assembly connected with the operation switch assembly on a link movement method to tilt the consol box in an upper direction when the consol box tilting lever is rotated for also thereby disconnecting the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: Chun Ho Jo, Chun Jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 6971278
    Abstract: A tension applying device including a housing in which are mounted a primary shaft, a main shaft, a pinion shaft, and a load-member sheave shaft. A ratchet handle is associated with the primary shaft for imparting rotation thereto when pumped by a user. Rotation of the primary shaft causes rotation of the main shaft which, in turn, is imparted to the pinion shaft and to a load-member sheave mounted on the load-chain sheave shaft. Rotation of the load-member sheave then applies tension to the load member which, in turn, is connected to a desired application. The tension applying device further includes a plurality of drive mechanisms for achieving different mechanical advantages between the ratchet handle and the load-member sheave, thereby allowing a desired input force to attain a desired output force. Further, the load on the tension member may be used for automatically switching between the plurality of drive mechanisms and for a load limit lock-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: ALSTOM Transportation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Robbins, Robert J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6931963
    Abstract: A stick shift handle assembly has a stick shift handle and an actuator for releasing the stick shift handle for movement between a plurality of gear positions. The actuator has a housing. A sleeve is disposed between the actuator and the housing. The sleeve and the housing are made of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammer Jarjoura, Byron A. Spencer, Emily Curtin, Calum Beattie
  • Patent number: 6925906
    Abstract: The vehicular shift lever has rubber bushes tightly fastened to the external surface of a lever axle and a cover pressed over the external side of the rubber bush. The shift lever includes: first and second rubber bushes fastened to the top and bottom of the lever axle with a preset interval therebetween; a plurality of protruders formed radially at the external circumferential surface of one or more rubber bushes; and a third rubber bush installed at the external side of the protruder with the internal and external sides thereof being attached to the external surface of the protruder and the internal surface of the cover, respectively. This reduces the amount of material required for the rubber bushes, and effectively absorbes vibration and decreases noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeong-Cheol Kwag
  • Patent number: 6926034
    Abstract: A hydraulic spool lock with a hydraulic spool housing, first and second hydraulic spools mounted within the hydraulic spool housing for independent selective movement with respect to the hydraulic spool housing, and a lock plunger movable mounted to the hydraulic spool housing. The present invention allows independent movement of the spools with respect to the hydraulic spool housing when the hydraulic spool lock is in the unlocked position. The present inventions prevents movement of the spools with respect to the hydraulic spool housing when the hydraulic spool lock is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Prince Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Otterby
  • Patent number: 6904827
    Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever which includes a knob with a switch, a lever member and a conducting wire wired in the knob to send a signal from the switch. The lever member includes a rod to be inserted into the knob and a lever base having an end face to which the rod is connected. An insertion hole is provided on an end face, and the conducting wire is inserted thereto. A guide path communicates with the insertion hole and guides the conducting wire in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arakawa, Ryoichi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6871564
    Abstract: A control lever system for a parking brake includes a control lever for a parking brake attached to an interior equipment of a vehicle, the control lever moving between an operating position B and a releasing position A, and a recess provided for accommodating the control lever in the releasing position A. A releasing knob, operated for returning the control lever from the operating position B to the releasing position A, is disposed on a side face of a grip of the control lever, the side face corresponding to an opened face of the recess, so that the gap g between an inner wall of the recess and a head of the grip can be narrowed without being interfered with by the releasing knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Komatsubara, Masahiro Imamachi, Hiroshi Inakazu, Tsutomu Tomimitsu
  • Patent number: 6857335
    Abstract: A manipulation lever can be manipulated to select a first mode for automatically changing the drive range of an automatic transmission or a second mode for changing the drive range by manually manipulating the manipulation lever. The manipulation lever is shifted between the first mode in which a control lever moves mechanically with the manipulation lever and the second mode in which the control lever does not move with the manipulation lever. A first guide portion guides the manipulation lever and a second guide portion guides the clutch lever. When the manipulation lever is arranged at the drive position, the first and second guide portions permit the manipulation lever to be disengaged from the clutch lever. When the manipulation lever is arranged at positions other than the drive position, the first and second guide portions keep the manipulation lever to be engaged with the clutch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Keiji Kahara
  • Patent number: 6843150
    Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a vehicle has a mounting bracket, a handle assembly and a clutching mechanism. The mounting bracket has a stop. The handle assembly is pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket for rotation about a first axis. The handle is moveable between a brake applied position and a brake release position. The handle has an actuator. A cam is pivotally mounted on the handle about a second axis offset from the first axis. The cam has a cam surface which varies radially from the second axis. The cam is biased to engage the stop. A clutch spring frictionally engages the cam and is operably connected to the actuator. Movement of the actuator in response to manual manipulation responsively moves the clutch spring to decrease the frictional engagement, thereby enabling the cam to engage with the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Nebojsa Djordjevic
  • Patent number: 6837124
    Abstract: A directly driven power swing rod device without dead points includes a control rod provided with a coordinate rod base, two L-shaped frames respectively provided with a hole base having a bearing fixed therein, two motors respectively provided with a position detecting coder for receiving a coordinate message and transmitting it to a control device which is able to control the rotating angles of the motor shafts respectively connected with the two L-shaped frames, a first interacting member inserted through a guide hole of the coordinate rod base and secured with the first L-shaped frame, and a second interacting member having one end inserted in a positioning hole of said coordinate rod base and the other end connected with the second L-shaped frame. Then the control rod may be deflected by the motors for driving a high speed, sensitive response system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Tonic Fitness Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mi-Ching Tsai, Bor-Jeng Lin, Jia-Sheng Hu, Cason Wu, Andy Wu, Joseph Wu
  • Patent number: 6829964
    Abstract: An actuation lever is provided that comprises a lever having a first end configured to engage and support a knob, a second end configured for connection to a lever-actuated device and a longitudinal axis. The mating knob includes at least one pocket having at least one inner peripheral surface. The first end of the lever includes a resiliently deflectable retaining member having a tine that includes a barb-like tip that engages the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. As the knob is inserted onto the first end of the lever, the tine deflects inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. The spring force generated by the deflected tine causes the retaining member to exert oppositely directed forces against the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. The barb-like tip on the end of the tine imbeds into an inner peripheral surface of the pocket to retain the knob on the first end of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Darl T. Dufendach
  • Publication number: 20040221678
    Abstract: The present invention is a luminous gear shifter assembly for a car. The assembly consists of a shifter housing having a cavity and a rim circumferentially surrounding the cavity. A light source is contained inside the cavity and the cavity is covered by a shifter boot having a peripheral edge and a centrally disposed shifter aperture, the peripheral edge of the shifter boot being mounted to the rim of the shifter boot. The assembly further includes a shifter lever having an end, said end passing through the shifter cavity and a shifter knob mounted to the end of the shifter lever. The shifter boot is made of a translucent material having light pipe properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Troy Galway, Irma Cicconetti
  • Patent number: 6786307
    Abstract: A parking brake device which can not only better the safety, but also reduce the cost by simplifying the construction. A shock absorbing portion 35, 36 which resists an operating force in pulling a brake lever 30 toward the compartment and which is deformed by an impact force in the direction which is approximately opposite to the direction of pulling the brake lever 30 toward the compartment, absorbing the impact force is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo K.K., Otsuka Koki K.K.
    Inventors: Masahiko Komatsubara, Hiroki Ishikawa, Masahiro Imamachi, Satoru Masuda, Shingo Hori, Hiroshi Tsukamoto, Tomoya Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6776066
    Abstract: A hand lever includes a sleeve-shaped member having an inwardly protruding projection, a fastening element having a stop interacting with the projection, wherein the fastening element is mounted in the sleeve-shaped member so as to be longitudinally slidable to a limited extent, and coupling elements for axially coupling the hand lever and fastening element so as to be nonrotatable relative to each other. A spring is mounted in the sleeve-shaped member for an axially engageable and disengageable coupling of the hand lever and the fastening element. The fastening element has an integrally formed extension part extending past the projection of the sleeve-shaped member into the sleeve-shaped member. A second support is provided for the spring and the stop of the fastening element or the extension part. At least one of the sleeve-shaped member and the extension part is of a resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Heinrich Kipp Werk Spanntechnik + Normelemente
    Inventors: Otto Braun, Sascha Fischer
  • Patent number: 6732608
    Abstract: A lever (60) is for operation via a grip (40). Lever (60) has a transmission member (61) incorporated therein. A mechanism (M1) is for the operation of transmission member (61) via grip (40). A connecting member (10) is assembled with mechanism (M1). Connecting member (10) is fixed to lever (60), having transmission member (61) incorporated therein. Connecting member (10) is mounted to grip (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20040074331
    Abstract: The present application discloses a brake actuator for applying tension to a brake cable. The actuator includes: a mounting bracket; a brake actuator lever mounted for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket in brake applying and brake releasing directions; and a cam-and-drum member mounted for rotation relative to relative to the brake actuator lever. The cam-and-drum member is formed as one integral part including a protruding drum portion and a cam portion integral with the drum portion. The present application also discloses a brake actuator with a one-piece cam member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: VENTRA GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sykes, Steven Demoe, Bob Bunker
  • Publication number: 20040065166
    Abstract: An automobile gearshift lock includes a fixing base and a protective cover. The fixing base is secured with the gear lever, provided with an insert groove and a lock core holder for receiving a lock core with a resilient projection. The protective cover is fixed with the fixing base, provided with a protruding-out portion and a shielding plate extending downward to be inserted in the insert groove. The shielding plate has an engage slot for the resilient projection to be engaged therein. In locking, the protective cover has its protruding-out portion exactly covering the knob of the gearshift and its shielding plate is inserted into the insert groove of the fixing base, convenient in operating. Besides, the screwed portion of the fixing base and the gear lever are shielded by the shielding plate, having excellent effect of anti-theft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Hua Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6705180
    Abstract: An automatic transmission operating lever which includes a knob with a switch, a lever member and a conducting wire wired in the knob to send a signal from the switch. The lever member includes a rod to be inserted into the knob and a lever base having an end face to which the rod is connected. An insertion hole is provided on an end face, and the conducting wire is inserted thereto. A guide path communicates with the insertion hole and guides the conducting wire in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arakawa, Ryoichi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20040040405
    Abstract: The vehicular shift lever has rubber bushes tightly fastened to the external surface of a lever axle and a cover pressed over the external side of the rubber bush. The shift lever includes: first and second rubber bushes fastened to the top and bottom of the lever axle with a preset interval therebetween; a plurality of protruders formed radially at the external circumferential surface of one or more rubber bushes; and a third rubber bush installed at the external side of the protruder with the internal and external sides thereof being attached to the external surface of the protruder and the internal surface of the cover, respectively. This reduces the amount of material required for the rubber bushes, and effectively absorbes vibration and decreases noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Byeong-Cheol Kwag
  • Patent number: 6698310
    Abstract: A sleeve for a vehicle handbrake lever has a stationary tube (21) adapted to mount on the handbrake with a button and a movable tube (22) rotatably and slidably mounted on the stationary tube (21). The movable tube (22) has a limit block (222) protruding to the stationary tube (21). The stationary tube (21) has an L-shaped cutout (214) composed of a transversal slot (216) and a longitudinal slot (215) to movably receive the limit block (222). By locating the limit block (222) in the longitudinal slot (215) or the transversal slot (216), the movable tube (22) selectively releases or presses the button to keep the handbrake locked or unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Lung Yeh