Detents Patents (Class 74/527)
  • Patent number: 5680797
    Abstract: A manual control appliance with includes a control lever mounted in a bearing for pivotal movement about a fixed point, converter devices coupled to the lever for converting deflections of the lever with respect to two orthogonal axes into electrical output signals proportional to the deflection of the lever with respect to each of the axes, and a preshaped part having a surface in the form of a spherical section and provided with a plurality of detent grooves which cooperate with a slider at a lower end of the lever. The slider cooperates with the detent grooves in such a manner as to transmit to a user a tactily perceivable sensation each time said lower tip moves across a detent groove in order to provide tactile information about stepped portions of said control lever without affecting operation of said converter means and without limiting pivotal movement of said control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: NBB Machrichtentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fabian Elsasser
  • Patent number: 5676020
    Abstract: A hand-operated shift actuator (16) displaces a derailleur control cable (22). The actuator (16) includes a stationary member (60) that is affixed relative to a bicycle handlebar (44). Rotation of the rotating member (62) causes the control cable (22) to be displaced, thus actuating the derailleur (24) to which the control cable (22) is attached. A plurality of detent positions (104-115) each correspond to a derailleur overshift position. The rotating member (62) is rotatable in a first direction to any of these detent positions (104-114). A spring-loaded overshift corrector (90, 142) urges the rotating member (62) from an overshift position in a second direction to a respective new desired sprocket center position when the rotating member (62) is released by the hand of the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Sam Patterson
  • Patent number: 5666859
    Abstract: This invention relates to a latching shifter for bicycle transmissions, such as hub transmissions or derailleurs, with a housing, a latch element with notches, a latching spring with a latching lug and two projections, as well as a slide with different bias stages which interact with the projections of the latching spring. By changing the position of the slide, the projections of the latching spring are brought together with different bias stages of the slide, whereupon the latching spring is pressed with varying degrees of pressure by means of its latching lug into the notches of the latching element. The advantage of the externally adjustable bias is that the shifter can be individually adjusted in terms of the retention force which prevents unintentional shifting when the bicycle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Markus Arbeiter, Klaus Neumann
  • Patent number: 5662000
    Abstract: A detent spring for use in a rotatable grip actuating system for a Bowden tube motion translation system used to actuate a derailleur gear shifting system on a bicycle. The detent spring, which is formed of spring type metal has a U-shape, with one leg positioned in an elongated arcuate slot in a first member which rotates within a second member having notches on an inner surface which are engaged by a detent formed on the second leg of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Patterson, John David Cheever, Michael W. Larson, Tymme A. Laun, William M. Yaney
  • Patent number: 5657669
    Abstract: In a walk-behind, powered lawnmower, a cable control apparatus is provided for supporting at least two different cable assemblies. The apparatus includes a housing for supporting the outer conduits of the cables at a fixed position on the handlebar of the mower and a fastener for fastening the housing to the handlebar. A throttle lever is supported on the housing for pivotal movement, the free end of the first cable being connected to the throttle lever so that movement of the lever is transmitted to the motor by the first cable, adjusting the speed of the motor. The free end of the second cable extends beyond the cable control apparatus and is connected to a separate ground drive lever so that movement of the ground drive lever is transmitted to the ground drive assembly by the second cable, actuating the ground drive assembly. The control apparatus includes an adjustment apparatus for removing slack from the second cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Wescon Products Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Barnard
  • Patent number: 5653135
    Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a mechanical linkage assembly is driven by the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. The mechanical linkage assembly includes a low inertia pivoting cam which interacts with a lock lever of the locking mechanism to move it to an unlocking state. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: C & M Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Michael Harvey, James L. Taylor, Thomas Clark, Gerry Dawson
  • Patent number: 5647465
    Abstract: A transmission shift control lever assembly includes a shift detent gate in which a portion of the shift lever is disposed. A latch member is pivotally mounted relative to the gate and is selectively positionable to open and close a path between a "Park" position and other operating positions. The latch is responsive to a spring, an electro-magnetic element or assembly, the lever and a bias spring to establish its position. A one-way device is disposed between the electro-magnet and the latch member such that the shift lever bias spring will urge the shift lever to pivot the latch member into the "Park" position even when the electro-magnet is operating to hold the latch member in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Harley David Burkhard, Frederick Henry Kleinfeld
  • Patent number: 5640886
    Abstract: An ascending/descending structure including an engaging strip, a mating board, an engaging button, a U-shaped block, a receiving member and an ascending/descending bar. The ascending/descending bar is a rectangular hollow member formed with multiple pairs of opposite inner arch dents spaced by such a distance as to snugly receive the bottom end of the engaging button. The ascending/descending bar can be smoothly pulled upward and located for adjusting the height without slippage or loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Yu-Shan Lai
  • Patent number: 5634375
    Abstract: A locking device for a positional fixing of a displaceable adjusting element for a selector shaft of a mechanical gear transmission of a motor vehicle comprising an outer housing (2) and, displaceably guided therein, a locking pin (8) loaded at one end by a compression spring (14) which is supported on a bottom (15) and causes a stroke movement of the locking pin (8), the selector shaft comprising a recess which is engaged by a spherical locking element (11) retained in an end of the locking pin (8) facing away from the compression spring, the locking device further comprising an electric switching element (25) which can be activated by an actuating element arranged on the locking pin (8), characterized in that the actuating element is an compensation element (16a to 16d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Schnapp, Reinhart Malik, Klaus Kramer
  • Patent number: 5622083
    Abstract: The present invention includes a disk shaped base member which has a notched central aperture extending therethrough and a cable shield retaining portion. A shaft member is formed with notched ends, one end of the shaft member extending thought the notched central aperture. A gear member is formed with gear teeth on an inner circumferencial surface and a notched central aperture. The other end of the shaft member extends into the gear member notched central aperture and is fixed thereto. The gear member and the base member confine a lever handle therebetween, but allow the lever handle to rotate. A pawl member retained within a recess in the lever handle, engages the gear teeth on the gear member restricting movement of the lever handle to predetermined arcuate steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Kirimoto, Mitsuo Oka
  • Patent number: 5613733
    Abstract: An auxiliary release device for a seat assembly is disclosed providing a release device which is operated by an activator located in a readily accessible position for the operator. The release device includes a hydraulic power supply for activating the mechanical release lever to enable fore and aft adjustment of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: USSC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Miller, Sr., Joseph M. Nichols, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5606893
    Abstract: A rotary detent mechanism comprises a first wheel having a plurality of radially extending lobes circumferentially spaced about its axis of rotation. Second and third wheels each having outwardly extending ribs spaced for driving engagement with the lobes of the first wheel are positioned on opposite sides thereof. The ribs of the second and third wheels are related to the lobes of the first wheel such that driving rotation between the first wheel and the second and third wheels requires relative movement of the wheels toward and away from one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first wheel. A drive member is provided for selectively rotating one of the wheels and a spring assembly is provided for biasing the wheels toward one another in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Shifflett
  • Patent number: 5598740
    Abstract: In an automatic gear shift operating mechanism, the foremost cam groove as viewed in the longitudinal direction of a motor vehicle has a side wall on the front side of the motor vehicle, which is formed erectly for preventing overshifting of a roller of a check spring roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Itoh
  • Patent number: 5590564
    Abstract: A bicycle control device wherein a base member is provided for attachment to a structural member of the bicycle, and a control member is mounted for movement relative to the base member. A relay cable has a first end secured relative to the base member and a second end secured relative to the control member so that movement of the control member relative to the base member causes the first end of the cable to move relative to the second end of the cable. A linking member is disposed between the first end of the cable and the second end of the cable for movement with the cable. The linking member has an attachment location for attaching a control element of the bicycle to the linking member. The device may then operate according to the principle of a ruunning block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 5589671
    Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its face. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into electric contact with a stationary electrical contact that is connected to a source of electric potential or, in the alternative, to relieve one of the contacts from being pressed onto the stationary contact. An index wheel mounts to the shaft and has equiangularly spaced grooves. A plastic spring having parallel legs is mounted on the base of the switch. The legs have convex detents which register in successive grooves as the rotor is indexed rotationally in a stepwise fashion. The radius of the detents is greater than the radius of the grooves between the teeth of the index wheel. The legs of the spring are prohibited from moving longitudinally and tension is maintained in the spring legs at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: US Controls Corp.
    Inventors: David G. Hackbarth, Kenyon A. Hapke, Spencer C. Schantz
  • Patent number: 5564315
    Abstract: A locking system for vehicular seats, in particular motor vehicle seats, is described and includes a rail (9), having a row of identically designed snap-in holes (11), which are separated by identically long, web-like material members (13), and a part having with a pair of bolts (1, 7), which can be moved relative to the rail. The bolts (1, 7) of the pair of bolts can be moved independently of each other at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the rail. In each position along the rail (9) at least one bolt (1, 7) can fall into a snap-in hole (11). One of the bolts (1) has a segment (3), which tapers away from the basic body (1') and includes an end which has a smaller cross section and which adjoins an end segment (5), that faces the rail. The largest width of the pair of bolts (1, 7) exceeds the length of the snap-in holes (11). The smallest distance between the bolts (1) and (7) is larger than the width of the web-like material parts (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Schuler, Udo Orzech, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Patent number: 5560262
    Abstract: A locking system for adjustable car seats, in particular seats of motor vehicles. The system includes: a first row of notches (2), which extends in the direction of adjustment of the car seat and all of whose notches are designed the same and are spaced at equal intervals; a second row of notches (4), which extends parallel to the first row and all of whose notches are designed the same, have in the direction of adjustment of the car seat the dimension and the same distance from each other, like the notches (2) of the first row, and are offset in the direction of adjustment relative to the notches of the first row; and at least first and second locking bodies (6, 7), each of which in its locking position engages with a notch (2, 4) of the first or second row; all notches (2, 4) are designed as oblong holes extending in the direction of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Udo Orzech
  • Patent number: 5560254
    Abstract: A neutral-reverse shift control actuator is provided in a countershaft transmission. The actuator is operatively connected through a resilient detent mechanism to a forward shift control mechanism. During a neutral-reverse shift maneuver, the drive connection partially manipulates the forward synchronizer, such that synchronization between the input and output shaft is achieved during a reverse shift maneuver. During a five-six or six-five shift, a detent structure is available to reduce the 3-4 neutral force of the centering spring in the shift control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventor: Cesar F. Certeza
  • Patent number: 5560263
    Abstract: An actuating assembly in particular for a vehicle seat has an elongate carrier member and brackets projecting from the carrier member. The brackets carry a pivot bar and actuating elements are mounted pivotably on the pivot bar. To afford user-specific flexibility in regard to the arrangement of the actuating elements in the actuating assembly, the carrier member has spaced-apart, transversely extending openings having a cross-sectional profile with an undercut configuration and each bracket is fitted into a corresponding opening with a fitting portion whose cross-sectional profile is matched to that of the corresponding opening to mount the bracket to the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Johann Grassl, Armin Krahn
  • Patent number: 5542150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a push button type pull rod control structure, i.e. to locate an adjustable length pull rod of a trunk. The control structure has a push button, a pull rod, a push rod, an outer rod, a sleeve, a control body, and a spring. A distal end of the pull rod has the sleeve, which includes an extensible control body. The control body, the push rod and it push button are connected to one another. Pushing the push button enables locating balls to move back into control body groove seat so as not to project into location holes of the outer rod to enable the length of the pull rod to be adjusted until the locating balls are aligned with other location holes on the outer rod. Releasing the push button enables the locating balls to project into other location holes, to hold the pull rod in its adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: A-Shih Tu
  • Patent number: 5542891
    Abstract: Apparatus for interlocking independent control handles for throttle action, dynamic brake action and reverser action, within a control stand for a railway locomotive to permit controlled removal of a reverser control handle in which a first and second cam disks are mounted to a first and second axle for rotation with a throttle handle and a dynamic brake handle such that the disks will interlock with each other so that neither the throttle or dynamic handle can be rotated unless the other is in an "off" position, and having a pivotal lock member secured to the reverser axle, with a member thereon adapted to pivotally lock the reverser lever handle in place when it is secured to the reverser axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Ralph Santoro, Jr., Vincent Ferri
  • Patent number: 5537892
    Abstract: In the mounting of a control lever utilized to manipulate a machine or implements of a machine, complex designs are often required to provide lever positioning stops and operational detents. The mounting apparatus of the present invention provides a control lever that is mounted within a housing by a plurality of non-metallic bearing members. At least one side portion of the bearing member bears against the control lever. Integrally formed in this side portion is a mounting apparatus for maintaining the position of the control handle in a preselected position. In addition, a recess is integrally formed in the bearing member for resisting the movement of the control lever and indicates when the control lever is approaching a point at which a functional change in the implement, controlled by the control lever, is about to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Wiechman
  • Patent number: 5530990
    Abstract: A handle for a suitcase includes a housing having a cavity for slidably receiving a plate and a hand grip. A spring member may bias the plate and the hand grip outward of the cavity. The housing includes a recess for receiving a catch which has a projection for engaging with the hand grip. The projection of the catch is engaged with the hand grip so as to retain the hand grip in the cavity of the housing and the spring member biases the hand grip and the plate outward of the cavity when the projection is disengaged from the hand grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Shou-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 5524504
    Abstract: A device for longitudinally adjusting motor vehicle seats, of the type comprising a pair of fixed guides (10) rigid with the vehicle floor and a pair of mobile guides (12) rigid with the seat and slidable along the fixed guides. Between at least one fixed guide and the respective mobile guide there is interposed a spring (44) rigidly fixed to the mobile guide and configured such that under normal operating conditions it engages in toothing (48) on the fixed guide to lock the mobile guide in position. A manually operated lever (54) is provided which acts on the spring (44) to disengage it from the toothing (48) on the fixed guide and release the mobile guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Elcat S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Brandoli, Damiano Siviero, Dorino Cariola, Claudio Rondonotti
  • Patent number: 5524501
    Abstract: A detent spring for use in a rotatable grip actuating system for a Bowden tube motion translation system used to actuate a derailleur gear shifting system on a bicycle. The detent spring, which is formed of spring type metal has a U-shape, with one leg positioned in an elongated arcuate slot in a first member which rotates within a second member having notches on an inner surface which are engaged by a detent formed on the second leg of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Patterson, John D. Cheever, Michael W. Larson, Tymme A. Laun, William M. Yaney
  • Patent number: 5520070
    Abstract: A remote valve control assembly broadly includes a lever assembly, a control plunger operably coupled with the lever assembly, and a case structure having a pair of case halves. The lever assembly includes a lever and a control handle having a detent pin. The case structure includes interior structure presenting a pivot and a plunger channel. The case structure also includes a single position detent slide mounted on one case half, and a double position detent slide on the other case half. The lever is retained in the case structure on the pivot for relative pivotal movement of the lever assembly between forward and aft positions. The detent pin is adapted to engage at least one of the detent slides for retaining the lever assembly in a desired position. The control handle is configured to selectively disengage the detent pin from the detent slides for movement of the lever assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Wescon Products Company
    Inventors: Anthony F. Beugelsdyk, Ed Eater, Michael A. Barnard
  • Patent number: 5513543
    Abstract: A detent assembly and control lever assembly in which the tactile resistance to movement at the detent, and in the overall movement of the control arm, are concurrently increased or decreased. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a control lever arm assembly, a variable resistance detent assembly, and a control lever friction assembly whose movement is linked to that of the detent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: MPC Products
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, David Treadwell
  • Patent number: 5503042
    Abstract: An antifriction force transmission, especially useful in torque wrenches comprises a freely rotatable cylindrical roller, opposed interface reaction surfaces in cooperative relation with the roller, and the roller and the reaction surfaces cooperating for effecting relative separating movement of the reaction surfaces when at least one of the reaction surfaces is caused to move transversely relative to the other of the reaction surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Precision Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Larson, Talmage O. Green, John K. Larson
  • Patent number: 5496139
    Abstract: An improved collet lock arrangement for a hand-held power tool having a housing is provided. The collet lock arrangement includes a powered rotatable shaft including a base portion and distal end portion defining a collet for adaptably connecting a driver tool attachment thereto and a locking structure for securely locking the shaft to the housing to selectively prevent the shaft from rotating when in a locked position while allowing the shaft to freely rotate in an unlocked position. The locking structure has a locking sleeve coaxially coupled around the shaft for axial movement relative thereto between the locked and unlocked positions, a clamp nut fixedly connected to the housing, and a sleeve guide non-rotatably coupling the locking sleeve to the clamp nut. The clamp nut and sleeve guide are coaxially arranged for coaxially receiving therethrough the shaft and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Anil P. Ghode, Martin S. Scolaro, Gordon A. Putney, Steven R. Wente
  • Patent number: 5487290
    Abstract: A safe locking mechanism has an engagement element movable from a disengaged position to an engageable position in response to a small amount of electrical power. When in its engageable position a manually operated element moves the engagement element to unlock a lock-bolt. In one embodiment, the engagement element is connected to the rotor of a low power, low-friction electric motor having magnetic detents corresponding to the disengaged and engageable positions. Electrical power is generated solely while the user manually inputs a combination code, and a microprocessor controls storage and delivery of this power to put the engagement element into its engageable position. Once the desired engagement is obtained, the lock-bolt is moved from its locking to its unlocking position manually. Subsequent unlocking requires another entry of the code input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: C & M Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Michael Harvey, James L. Taylor, Thomas Clark, Gerry Dawson
  • Patent number: 5487316
    Abstract: A control includes a shaft rotatable between a plurality of positions. The base of a spring is fixed relative to the shaft and arms extend from the base parallel to the shaft. Each arm includes a resilient finger and a nose projects from each finger toward the shaft. The noses are 180 angular degrees apart and at different positions longitudinally of the shaft. A cam rotates with the shaft and the noses are biased against the outer surface of the cam. A plurality of recesses are angularly spaced apart around the outer surface of the cam in pairs which are spaced 180 angular degrees apart. One of each pair of recesses is longitudinally aligned with one nose and the other of that pair is longitudinally aligned with the other nose. The noses and recesses provide a detent when the recesses of a pair are angularly aligned with the noses with which they are longitudinally aligned and do not form a detent when the shaft is substantially 180 angular degrees removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Hornung, Patrick C. Luken
  • Patent number: 5477742
    Abstract: A gear-shift device for a change-speed gear box having a selector shaft that acts via inclined surfaces and reaction balls on a reaction sleeve acted upon by an orientation spring. This arrangement makes it possible to feel a working point when a first shift gate is selected and to allow the spring force to be supported directly on the housing via the reaction balls when a second shift gate is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Hans Burger
  • Patent number: 5476021
    Abstract: A shift device for a toothed change transmission of a motor vehicle has a resilient pressure point which is made capable of being felt on the manual-shift lever during the selection of a specific shift slot. More specifically, a shift finger and a pressure pin are movable relative to one another. An abutment sleeve is operatively arranged between the abutment and the associated spring end of the pressure-point spring and is arranged displaceably in the directions of the main axis both relative to the housing part and relative to the pressure pin. The abutment sleeve has a first axial stop in bearing contact on the abutment when the shift finger is located in the second shift plane and a second axial stop. The pressure pin has a corresponding axial stop. The two axial stops are in mutual bearing contact when the shift finger is in a first region of the selection plane limited by the first and the third shift plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Hans Burger
  • Patent number: 5465991
    Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a hitch bar for mounting to the vehicle and a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. A pair of spring bars are mounted to the ball mount head. These spring bars distribute the weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Each spring bar is substantially L-shaped and includes a turned groove at a proximal end received in a cooperating aperture in the ball mount head. A retainer of spring steel engages in the grooves to hold the spring bars in position. The relative tilt angle of the ball mount head is adjusted by means of an eccentric angle adjusting element in the form of a washer. This washer is fixed to one of the ball mount head or hitch bar and includes a cam surface for engaging the other of the two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Kass, Philip K. Hoopes, Wayne E. Sously, Graeme H. Aspinall
  • Patent number: 5461937
    Abstract: A position control apparatus for an adjustable motor vehicle steering column including a clamp having a first jaw element and a second jaw element shiftable axially relative to each other, a control lever pivotable through an angular stroke in opening and closing directions, a primary cam means for converting pivotal movement of the control lever in the closing direction to a uniform axial stroke of the first jaw element relative to the second jaw element, and a secondary cam means for converting pivotal movement of the control lever in the opening direction to a snap-action axial stroke of the first jaw element relative to the second jaw element at a terminal end of the angular stroke of the control lever in the opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William D. Cymbal
  • Patent number: 5458020
    Abstract: A pull rod structure of a baggage cart, comprising a handle body, a controlling mechanism, a lower cover, a transmission mechanism, a linking mechanism, two hollow tube members and two sleeve members. The handle body is formed with two through holes at two ends and two insert holes formed beside the through holes. A locking channel is formed under the insert hole for receiving a locking block. A pull lever is disposed on one side of the handle body, having two ends inserted in the insert holes thereof to couple with the locking block. The locking block receives a spring and the pull lever. A long pin fixedly connects the pull lever with the locking block and a short pin is inserted into a pin hole of the locking block, a pin hole of the pull lever and the spring so as to fix the pull lever with the locking block. The long pin partially protrudes outside the locking block to press a pressing lever of the transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Chien-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 5450735
    Abstract: A door locking handle assembly of pull-out and side-swinging lever-action type, including a locking shaft 11, to which a catch plate 36 is fixed, is inserted in a cylindrical portion 2 of a casing 1, a retractable handle 19 received in the casing 1 is pivoted to the shaft 11 through a pivot 35, a spring-support plate 29 is axially slidably mounted on the shaft 11 but not rotatable relative to the shaft 11, a spring 37 urges the plate 29 toward a front-end of the shaft 11, wherein a cross-shaped click concave 23 is provided in a bearing surface 22 of the handle 19, and engaged with a corresponding cross-shaped click convex 31 provided in a bearing surface 30 on a front surface of the plate 29 when the handle 19 is projected from the casing 1 and side-swing, so that the handle 19 is held in a position in which a front end 36a of the plate 36 is retracted behind a rear surface 53b of the door 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Esaki, Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5445046
    Abstract: A detent mechanism includes a single piece pivotal connecting unit on which a shift lever, a detent arm and a spring for urging a detent arm in a predetermined direction are installed to constitute a subassembly prior to installation on a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kataumi, Yasuyuki Ikegami
  • Patent number: 5440947
    Abstract: Timing pin apparatus for locking a fly wheel of a diesel engine in place for timing purposes includes a housing securable to a bell housing of a diesel engine and a timing pin movable in the housing and into the bell housing to engage a detent in the diesel engine flywheel. The timing pin is spring loaded to engage the flywheel and to retract from the flywheel. A sleeve disposed about the housing loads and unloads a spring for urging the timing pin into the detent in the flywheel when loaded, and when unloaded allows a second spring to automatically retract the pin from flywheel engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Robert J. Manganelli
  • Patent number: 5438889
    Abstract: With an object of providing a bicycle speed change operation assembly capable of providing an overshifting function only at a speed step requiring thereof as well as generating no unnecessary engaging sound, the following technical means are provided: The bicycle speed change operation assembly includes a retaining member (34) rotatable integrally with a speed change operation member (14), an engaging member (34) engagable with the retaining member for retaining the speed change operation member at a predetermined rotational position, and a regulating member (33b) juxtaposed to one of the retaining member and the engaging member with a predetermined play relative thereto while being engagable with the other of the retaining member and the engaging member for retaining the speed change operation member at a predetermined rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Mory Suntour Inc.
    Inventor: Koichi Tagawa
  • Patent number: 5435203
    Abstract: A device (26) for adjusting the length of either the core element (14) or the conduit (12) in a motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) includes an elongated member (28) and a housing (30) for axially movably receiving the elongated member (28). A thumb-controlled locking device (32, 68) locks and unlocks the elongated member (28) within the housing (30). A latch (34) holds the locking device (32, 68) in position. The latch (34) forms a spring-loaded cover (92) surrounding the locking device (32). An operator must manually displace the cover (92) before actuating the locking device (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur L. Spease, Joseph M. Laperriere, III, Hubert J. Bung
  • Patent number: 5421180
    Abstract: A collapsible locking crank for use in locking burial caskets including a body pivotally housing a crank key arm and crank handle. The crank key arm includes a hexagonal key head on its free end for engaging the locking mechanism of the casket. The arm and handle may be pivoted away from the body to an open, operative position and toward the body to a closed, inoperative position. Rotation of the crank key arm about its longitudinal axis is had by rotation of the crank handle through the crank body when the crank is configured into a generally Z-shape. The crank is compact and lightweight for discrete and dignified use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilija Rojdev
  • Patent number: 5415254
    Abstract: A tripod head comprises a panning braking device having a plurality of braking units with different braking forces which is supported on a panning shaft, and a torque switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over torque on the side of said braking units; a weight balancer having a plurality of spring units, in which one or a plurality of spiral springs with different elastic forces are incorporated, supported on a tilting shaft and a righting moment switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over a righting moment against the tilting on the sides of the spring units; a tilting braking device having a plurality of braking units with different braking forces which is supported on said tilting shaft, and a torque switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over torque on the sides of the braking units; and a sliding plate device having a set spring capable of freely floating and sinking, said set spring being in contact with one of the side end surfaces of the sliding plate for securing a device suc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Heiwa Seiki Kagya Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5415059
    Abstract: An improved double-roller traction lever lock mechanism is provided which allows for operator positioning of the turf machine traction levers in a locked brake position in addition to a neutral or drive position. Positioning of the traction levers in the brake, neutral or drive positions is assured through the use two rolling element bearings associated with a traction lever lock plate to provide positive operator noticeable detent. In the drive position, the traction levers may be freely moved to operate the turf machine in either drive, neutral or brake at the operator's command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Ransomes American Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Hein, Mark J. Wegner
  • Patent number: 5403155
    Abstract: An engine control system for a helicopter having at least one engine is provided, including an electronic engine control unit for each engine and further including a manually operated system for backing up each electronic engine control unit in the event of a failure thereof or for permitting optional manual engine operation. The engine control system includes at least one collective pitch stick and at least one twist grip rotatably mounted on the collective pitch stick. Each twist grip includes a normal (NORM) position within the range of the operating arc which is coincident with a detent. The system includes means for electronically actuating the detent to retract when the twist grip is rotated out of the NORM position into a manual operating mode, so that the electronic disablement of the detent permits an operator to smoothly operate the twist grip through the operating arc when the engine control system is in a manual control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Head, Channing S. Morse, Thomas G. Ashe
  • Patent number: 5398567
    Abstract: A handle mounted trigger lever which is utilized as a solution release mechanism in an extractor is provided. The trigger switch as an `off` position and two `on` positions with the second `on` position obtainable by the depression of a release button, the release button being in a normally obstructing relationship with the trigger switch's movement in its first position. The release button includes a deformable obstructing portion which abuts with the trigger lever and limits trigger lever swing at the first `on` position. This obstructing portion may then be moved to a non-interfering relationship be deformation of the obstructing portion of the release button so that the trigger lever may then be moved to the second `on` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Glenn E. Specht
  • Patent number: 5385070
    Abstract: The two-staged brake handle includes two axle bushes, a brake handle and a positioning stand. Two bolts are screwed on the axle bushes, respectively. The positioning stand has an axle center hole wherein an arc gutter is provided around the rim for matching the protuberant rim of the two rotating axle bushes. The top rotating axle bush has a penetrating hole and a bolt hole, and the bottom rotating axle bush has a penetrating hole and a round hole in the corresponding positions. An arc hole and a round hole are provided in the front part of the brake handle. Two bolts are respectively inserted into the positioning stand to interlock into the penetrating holes and bolt hole of the top and bottom rotating axle bushes. A twisting spring is installed in the space between the bolt in the arc hole and the bottom axle bush. Two end hooks of the spring are fixed in the bottom of the positioning stand and against a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 5385597
    Abstract: The safety device for a drive unit of a vibration roller has a locking bar displaceable between a switch-off position and a locking position and is biased into its switch-off position. The drive unit is forcibly switched off when the locking bar is in its switch-off position. A switch lever is provided for manually operating the drive unit and can be coupled to a toothed rack with a coupling. The toothed rack is connected with a control cable to the drive unit and is biased into a position in which the drive unit is inoperative. A spring biases the coupling into a disengaged position in which the switch lever is disengaged from the toothed rack. The coupling is switchable from the disengaged position into an engaged position for operatively connecting the switch lever and the toothed rack and further into a locked engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Wacker-Werke GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Manfred Polacek
  • Patent number: 5379872
    Abstract: A locking arrangement for the selector lever 1 of an automatic transmission locks the selector lever in the neutral positions P and N by the form-locking engagement of a selector-lever-fixed locking member in indentations of a rotatable pawl. An actuating force, which is applied to the selector lever in the locked condition, by way of curved contact surfaces of the locking member, at a contact point, is introduced into steep flanks bounding the indentations. A resulting low supporting force exercises so little stress on two rollers supporting the pawl that, by means of a lifting magnet, one roller, despite the acting actuating force, can easily be displaced in a position which releases the pawl and unlocks the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Konrad Dorr, Albrecht Reustle, Alfred Jozefiak
  • Patent number: 5377555
    Abstract: A rake and reach adjustable steering column is secured in its desired location by means of a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a cam on camming surfaces on which rollers held in a body freely run. A bolt extends from the cam and roller arrangement through a mounting bracket for the steering column and through a member fixed to the steering column. The body is rotatable by a handle which, through the cam and roller arrangement, causes thrust washers and other parts to release and clamp the steering column in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Michael T. Hancock