Gear Patents (Class 74/530)
  • Patent number: 11708870
    Abstract: A reverse input blocking clutch has a pressed member having a pressed surface on the inner circumferential surface; an input member having an input-side engaging portion arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the pressed surface and coaxially arranged with the pressed surface; an output member having an output-side engaging portion arranged further on the inner side in the radial direction than the input-side engaging portion and coaxially arranged with the pressed surface; an engaging element arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the pressed surface so as to move in a first direction which is a far-near direction with respect to the pressed surface; and an elastic member arranged at a position overlapping the output-side engaging portion with respect to the first direction so as to be elastically stretched between the output-side engaging portion and the engaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nagao Dohi, Yuya Daikoku
  • Patent number: 10704672
    Abstract: An actively restorable gear shifting device and a gear shifting method using the same are provided. The gear shifting device includes a gear shifting lever unit that is moved from an initial position to an operating position by external operating force and is connected to a restoring mechanism to be restored to the initial position when the operating force is eliminated. A driving gear is connected to the gear shifting lever unit to be rotated by a motion of the gear shifting lever unit. A driven gear engages with an outer tooth portion of the driving gear, connects to a gear shifting cable, and implements gear shifting by pushing or pulling the gear shifting cable by a rotation of the driving gear. The gear shifting lever unit is connected to the driving gear by a pawl, and the pawl has a first joining position and a second joining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chao Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150054681
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rotatable device having two arms rotatably connected about a hollow hub wherein the arms include a cable extending through a passageway and the hub so as to minimize bending of the cables about each other when the arms are in a compact position. In particular this invention relates to a foldable GPS compass and a method relating thereto to present a compact folded device that is easier to install with minimal bending of the cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Kenneth Clifford, Mark Frischman, Michael Robb Main
  • Patent number: 8574715
    Abstract: A laminated film is provided which exhibits excellent durability even when formed over a surface of a member (in particular, sliding member) to be used under a high pressure of contacted surface of 2.0 GPa or more. The laminated film includes an intermediate layer which contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a boride, and a boron carbide compound of a metal element, and which has a hardness measured by a nanoindentation method (hereinafter referred to as a “nanoindentation hardness”) of not less than 20 GPa nor more than 35 GPa and a thickness of not less than 5 ?m nor more than 10 ?m, and a diamond-like carbon film which is formed over the intermediate layer, and which has a nanoindentation hardness of not less than 25 GPa nor more than 35 GPa and a thickness of not less than 0.3 ?m nor more than 1.0 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ito, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7926385
    Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, James Joseph Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Marcus Edward Merideth, Bhupendra Patel
  • Publication number: 20110069431
    Abstract: A rotating shaft structure for a screen is used for a foldable portable electronic device. The rotating shaft structure comprises a fixing element, a first pivot element, and a second pivot element. The fixing element comprises a fixing base and a pivot hole; the fixing base is connected to the foldable portable electronic device. The first pivot element can be pivoted in relation to the fixing element via the pivot hole. The second pivot element is disposed on the fixing element and adjacent to the first pivot element. When the pivoting angle is in a specific pivoting angle range, the first pivot element is pivoted to drive the second pivot element to increase the torsion of the rotating shaft structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Li-Hau Hu
  • Patent number: 7811059
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for desired angle of an oscillating electric fan is disclosed. The adjusting knob is conveniently located about the top rear portion of the fan motor, adjacent the clutch knob. Adjusting the oscillating angle may be made when the fan is at rest, when it is running and oscillating at the same time, or when it is running at a fixed direction. Adjusting is fast and simple, only one hand is needed and no tools and mechanical know-how is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Esteban Nacapuy Sagucio
  • Publication number: 20100175498
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism is provided and includes a main body having a first ratchet portion, a slider movably connected to the main body, a button having a second ratchet portion, and an elastic member connecting the slider and the button. When the elastic member exerts a spring force on the button with the first and second ratchet portions engaged with each other, the slider is movable relative to the main body only in a first direction. When the button is pressed along a second direction, the second ratchet portion disengages from the first ratchet portion, so that the slider is movable relative to the main body in the first direction or in the other direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Jung-Wen Chang, Wen-Ji Tsai, Wan-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 7631575
    Abstract: An improved adjustable rotary locking and unlocking device that utilizes a pushbutton to unlock teeth on a spring loaded hub drive that mesh within a swivel member. Once the hub drive and swivel member are disengaged by pressure on the pushbutton, the swivel member is freely moveable to any other position. Release of pressure on the pushbutton allows the teeth of the spring loaded hub to re-engage the teeth of the swivel member, thereby rigidly locking the device in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Paul D. Gard, Barton Brett Davis
  • Publication number: 20080303260
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring operation of a ratchet-based locking mechanism. The apparatus includes a ratchet and a pawl with a protrusion for engaging the ratchet during contact between the pawl and the ratchet teeth. The apparatus includes an elongated member or amplification arm extending from the pawl. The elongated member includes a base linked to the pawl and a tip spaced apart from the base. The elongated member is linked to the pawl to move when the pawl is displaced relative to the ratchet. The apparatus includes a sensor sensing displacement of the tip of the elongated member, which is greater than the pawl displacement, and the apparatus includes a processor monitoring displacement of the elongated member to indirectly monitor movement of the pawl protrusion during forward motion of the ratchet to verify the locking mechanism is working properly and the pawl will engage the ratchet to block reverse motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES K. JASKOL, JASON C. TOMLIN, KRISTIN LYNN ATHANS, KWOK WAH JAMES WONG
  • Patent number: 7270029
    Abstract: A vehicle passive entry side door latch release system engageable with a release cable connected a door latch includes a moveable linkage assembly engageable with the cable, and a motor including an output shaft engaged with a tensioning gear for driving a ratcheting gearwheel rotatably affixed to a coil spring, with the gearwheel including external teeth engageable with a rack affixed to the linkage to move the cable to unlatch the door latch. A pivotable ratcheting pawl may be engageable with the gearwheel to allow or prevent rotation of the gearwheel. Operation of the motor may drive the gear to drive the gearwheel in a rotary direction to energize the spring, and disengagement of the pawl from the gearwheel may allow stored energy in the spring to drive the gearwheel in an opposite rotary direction to thereby drive the rack to move the cable to unlatch the door latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, James Joseph Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Marcus Edward Merideth, Bhupandra Patel
  • Patent number: 7028573
    Abstract: An opening and closing device for moving a movable member which includes a drive gear connected to a power source, a driven gear geared with the drive gear, an immovable portion supporting the drive gear and the driven gear, and a dynamic transmission mechanism connected to the driven gear so that the driven gear and the dynamic transmission mechanism rotate together as a unit. The dynamic transmission mechanism transmits a drive force of the power source from the driven gear to the movable member. A direction of a rotational force affecting the driven gear via the dynamic transmission mechanism in accordance with a state of the movable member fluctuates. The opening and closing device further includes a friction member located at least at one position between relatively movable facing surfaces of the immovable portion, the drive gear, the driven gear, and the dynamic power transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Inaba, Katsuaki Kadoike, Masumi Nishikawa, Satoshi Isobe, Hideyuki Nagai, Masahiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 6964213
    Abstract: A smart actuator and method includes an actuating device adapted to deliver a selected driving torque to a geartrain that is coupled to an output shaft and adapted to selectively convey the driving torque from the actuating device to the output shaft to achieve a selected shaft position. At least one logic and control device operates the various aspects of the smart actuator. The geartrain includes at least one locking gear including locking features defining a plurality of gear positions. A position lock solenoid is adapted to engage the locking gear at a selected gear position once the geartrain has achieved the selected shaft position on the output shaft. The position lock solenoid then holds the gear at the selected gear position. The actuating device is shut off after the position lock solenoid has engaged the locking gear thereby achieving and holding a high torque without driving a lot of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Newman, Thomas E. Gyoergy, Jeffrey Jean Stege, Chris D. Robinson, Lawrence Dean Hazelton
  • Patent number: 6592163
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a drive train with a drive gear and an output gear. An electric motor is connected to the drive gear. A drive shaft is slidably received through a center hole in the output gear so as to be longitudinally movable relative to the output gear. A clutch operates to engage the drive shaft with the output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a first direction and to disengage the drive shaft from said output gear as the drive shaft is moved in a second direction. A drive member connected to a first end of the drive shaft is engageable with a room actuation mechanism, and a crank handle is removably connectable to a second end of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20020162415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, comprising a drive gear (8) that can be rotated around its drive axis (9); a driven gear (10) that can be rotated around its driven axis (11), whereby the perimeter of the driven gear (10) can be drive-connected to the perimeter of the drive gear (8); a drive surface (17) that is drive-connected in a fixed manner to the drive gear (8) and whose displacement path relative to the drive gear (8) can be translated into a rotation thereof (8). The invention aims at providing a simply constructed locking device enabling reliable, low-noise locking. This is achieved in that a lifting device (12, 20) is provided for the driven gear (10) by means of which the driven gear (10) and the drive surface (17) can be disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 6415675
    Abstract: A gear driven slide-out system has a radially fixed gear rack which can be slid axially into or out of engagement with a gear in a manual gearbox which is in driving engagement with the drive shaft. The fixed gear rack is biased into engagement so as to lock the drive shaft and is disengaged by a hand operated rotary cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Schneider, Jeffrey N. Ashbeck
  • Publication number: 20020077214
    Abstract: This invention provides a pinion carrier assembly for an automatic transmission, which comprises a pinion carrier body and a pinion shaft fixed to the pinion carrier body for rotatably supporting a pinion gear, wherein the pinion shaft is fixed to the pinion carrier body by calking. The pinion carrier assembly according to this invention can be effectively manufactured under automation and thereby the quality of the carrier assembly can be uniformly maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Tae-Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 6312052
    Abstract: An adjustable seat including a seat frame and a rack mounted to a substrate. First and second pinions are rotatably carried by the frame and meshingly engage the rack for relative movement of the rack. The second pinion is movable between an open position allowing rotation of the pinions, and an engaged position wherein the pinions are mutually engaged with each other and the rack, preventing relative movement of the rack and rotation of the pinions. A cam engages the second pinion for moving it between the open position and the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Elio
  • Patent number: 6189405
    Abstract: Horizontal slots and vertical slots in a fixed bracket and a movable bracket of a steering device provide a simple and compact structure for the adjustment of a steering wheel. A tightening shaft passes through both the horizontal and vertical slots. The operator adjusts the tightening shaft to provide either for free movement of the steering wheel, or for locking of the steering wheel in an operator selected position. This structure provides for the simultaneous adjustment of not only the tilting and telescoping of the steering wheel, but also for the inclination of the rotation plane of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yamada Seisa Kusho
    Inventor: Shigeru Yazane
  • Patent number: 6188030
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotationally adjusting a cam, that includes an adjustment pinion having a number of missing teeth that couple to an integral gear formed on a rotatable cam. The adjustment pinion is used to manually adjust the angular position of the rotatable cam relative to the rotatable cam's axis of rotation. When the missing teeth of the adjustment pinion disengage from the gear integral to the cam, rotation of the adjustment pinion ceases. The adjustment apparatus may be readily incorporated into a programmer/timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: James D. Livers, Jr., Robert Towe
  • Patent number: 6131935
    Abstract: An upper torso support for riders on vehicles such as motorcycles or bicycles has a padded surface for contact with the upper torso or the chest of a seated rider. The support is fixed to the vehicle framework and positioned forward of a vehicle seat. The angle of the support relative to the vehicle framework is adjustable to accommodate and provide support for riders of various statures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: James H. Judkins
  • Patent number: 6070938
    Abstract: Adjustable support apparatus comprising a support structure including a first seating element and a pivotally attached second seating element each for receiving a selected portion of a body of a user thereon, a rack and pinion adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for reciprocally adjusting the support structure and a belt and drum adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for pivotally adjusting the second seating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Elio Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Elio
  • Patent number: 6058798
    Abstract: With a device for the infinite adjustment of a telescopic rod for fixing pivotable elements into an open position and returning them into a closed position, and for raising and lowering adjustable head and leg parts of a bed, a couch and an armchair, the invention is directed to making infinite raising possible while retaining the return from the upper dead center position into the lower dead center position after the former has been reached. This is achieved by a toothed rack, a cage-like element and two toothed wheels which run along the toothed rack, are guided in the cage-like element and whose spacing can be moved by the rod from a position locking the teeth of the toothed wheels against one another into a position which disengages the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Recticel Internationale Bettsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Lantzsch
  • Patent number: 6023994
    Abstract: A double-sided reclining apparatus comprises outside and inside reclining devices, each comprising a base and an arm having an inner toothed portion, a pivotal shaft through which the arm is rotatably supported on the base, and a set of cam and toothed block in cam-connection. The cam and the toothed block cooperate with each other to cause meshing/unmeshing action of the reclining apparatus. The cam has a locking-action cam-profile surface portion and an unlocking-action cam-profile surface portion, whereas the toothed block has a locking-action cam-contour surface portion and an unlocking-action cam-contour surface respectively brought into cam-connection with the locking-action cam-profile surface portion and the unlocking-action cam-profile surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd,
    Inventor: Tomonori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5918849
    Abstract: A base forms a receptacle for insertion of a tree trunk therein. A ring assembly is connected to a mouth of the base. A plurality of grabbing arms each have a pivoting end connected to the ring assembly and a free end. The grabbing arms are configured to pivot in such a manner as to move the free ends inward and outward. An elongated gripping member is connected to each of the grabbing arms at the free end. The gripping member is oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the grabbing arm. A lever arm includes a pivotal connection to the ring assembly. A locking arm is rotatably connected to the pivotal connection. The lever arm is configured to cause the grabbing arms to pivot when the lever arm is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Jon P. Bliss
  • Patent number: 5901609
    Abstract: A safelock system for removable gears is provided having a self-seating gear segment rotatably mounted on a helical ball spline for bi-directional axial movement with respect to the gear teeth to be locked. A relubrication structure is provided to service the interior of the ball spline. The interlocking teeth are two-dimensionally tapered from the point of initial engagement. Diverse biasing structures are employed to facilitate the axial self-seating reaction of the gear segment after initial engagement with the gear to be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Neil L. Brown, Gary L. Voss
  • Patent number: 5884533
    Abstract: A device for holding and adjusting the opening angle of a door includes a first lever having a forked end with two generally parallel lugs which are respectively provided with substantially aligned first and second pivot holes, and a second lever which has a journal member for insertion into the first pivot hole, the journal member having a threaded hole and a first engagement surface. A first detent member is inserted between the parallel lugs and has a pivot slot aligned with the first and second pivot holes. The first detent member further includes a second engagement surface for engagement with the first engagement surface, and a detent face. A resilient second detent member is mounted inside the first lever inwardly of the forked end to engage the detent face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Gen Shyu, Wen-Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 5685180
    Abstract: An anti-theft security arrangement for the steering column of a motor vehicle includes a clutch which is adapted to resist turning of the steering up to a certain torque but thereafter to slip to avoid damage to the parts while still making control of the vehicle impractical. The clutch is arranged on a parallel axis to the steering column and is connected to the column through a high-ratio gear train comprising a gear wheel fast with the steering column and a pinion fast with the clutch. It is engaged and disengaged by sliding the assembly of clutch and pinion into and out of mesh with the other gear wheel. The clutch includes a rotatable shaft with teeth engaging between spring steel rods so as to turn in a series of discrete jerks if the limiting torque is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: C. E. Marshall (Wolverhamption) (Limited)
    Inventors: Michael G. Qualters, Derek H. Poole
  • Patent number: 5575323
    Abstract: In a vertical blind track of the type incorporating a sprocket gear within an end control housing to rotate a fluted pinion gear and vanes carried thereby under action of a pull-chain, and wherein the end control housing includes a first gear and a pair of second gears, one of which is driven by the sprocket gear when rotated, the apparatus of the invention secures the vanes in closed position, against inadvertent "bounce back" to a partially opened position, by utilizing the sprocket gear to effect rotation between the first gear and the pair of second gears, but with a filled recess between a pair of adjacent teeth on the first gear to prevent meshing with the second gears, and causing a binding of the rotating mechanism at a predetermined point which defines the closed position of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Lawrence Smuckler
  • Patent number: 5436792
    Abstract: A docking station for use with a notepad computer is disclosed. The main electronic housing of the docking station is pivotably mounted with a receiving tray to provide a number of positions for the notepad computer between an upright position and a low angle position. The more upright positions are useful when using the internal display of the notepad computer, particularly if an external keyboard and pointing device are used. The low angle position is useful when an external monitor is used and the overlay of the notepad computer is used for input. The receiving tray is removably mounted to the docking station and may be replaced with another receiving tray of a different size for use with a different notepad computer of a different size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Michael V. Leman, Michael E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5184525
    Abstract: A mobile component carrier in an instrument includes a disk with a scalloped periphery. A larger bearing and a smaller bearing are mounted on a support structure. The larger bearing has a radius greater, and the smaller bearing has a radius less than that of each of the scallops. The disk is urged into the bearings which have a relative spacing such that the larger bearing seats against two adjacent intersections of the scallops, and the smaller bearing seats against a dished surface between two other adjacent intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Brantingham, Timothy P. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5167166
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) of the type for transmitting motion along a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element (12) movably supported within a flexible conduit (14). The assembly (10) includes an adjustment member (18) for adjusting the length of the core element (12). The adjustment member (18) includes a housing (20) having a slot (26) therein and a further includes a rack (28) movably disposed in the slot (26). A lockable roller (40) having a periphery (42) tangentially in rolling engagement with the rack (28) interconnects the housing (20) and rack (28). A lock member (48) is movably engageable with the rack (28) or roller (40) for preventing movement therebetween thereby locking the roller (40) in a selected position along the rack (28) to maintain an adjusted core element (12) length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: David L. Ruhlman
  • Patent number: 5157983
    Abstract: A gear train locking device is inserted into an opening in the housing adjacent to the gear to be locked. The device is made in a two-piece assembly to permit the device to be threaded into the opening while maintaining the proper orientation of the engaging slot on the forward end of the device which engages the teeth of the gear. To assist in determining that the proper orientation has been maintained, alignment indicating means, preferably in the form of a notch, are provided in the rearward end of the device. The device allows a gear to be locked without the need of disassembling the actuator or motor in which the gear train is located. With the gear on the input shaft locked, torque can be applied to the output shaft to easily accomplish the tests of gear train performance, minimizing the time and complexity of the tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Sankovic
  • Patent number: 5150632
    Abstract: A self adjusting eccentric pivot mechanism is disclosed in a seat back recliner assembly which eliminates backlash between the gears of the recliner mechanism to prevent vibration and rattle of a seat back when the seat is unoccupied. The self adjusting pivot includes a pivot pin with an eccentric member rotatable thereon upon which one gear of the recliner mechanism is mounted. A biasing spring rotates the eccentric member to move the gears toward one another such that back lash between the gear teeth is eliminated. The use of a biasing spring provides a self adjusting feature which enables the position of the eccentric member to move as the seat back is adjusted over its range of motion to accommodate variation in the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Hein
  • Patent number: 5114197
    Abstract: A mechanism designed to ensure that actuators used for automatically locking and unlocking automobile doors have no load at the end of their movement run.In this invention, the rack that is moved in order to lock or unlock the door in question, permanently engages with a pinion moulded in a single piece with a circular cup whose rim has a section that is detached from the base plate and has an internal prong at its end, so that it is able to move outwards under pressure from a wedge that projects radially from a drive gear and engages and rotates the aforementioned prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: SO.GE.MI. - S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Persiani
  • Patent number: 5109728
    Abstract: There is disclosed a camming apparatus for a work station that provides for relative rotational motion between a cam and a cam follower connected to the work station, e.g., a liquid dispenser. The cam follower is movable on a carrier that frictionally engages the cam, unless the carrier is restricted. The cam is rotated by a gear. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the carrier against inadvertent rotation, and the improvement resides in the locking mechanism comprising a gear segment on the cam follower positioned to engage the gear during a portion of the engagement by the drive gear of the gear segment on the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Martin F. Muszak
  • Patent number: 4984645
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a main frame, a pair of front wheels and at least a rear wheel operably associated with the frame for engagement with the ground, a steering mechanism, a seat associated with the frame for an operator, an engine including a drive shaft, a device for mounting the engine to the main frame, and a torque converter operably associated with the drive shaft and the rear wheel. The mounting device has a first position whereby the drive shaft is in driving engagement with the torque converter and a second position whereby the drive shaft is in disengagement from the torque converter. The mounting device includes a brake mechanism for stopping the vehicle and having operative and non-operative positions such that when the brake mechanism is in the non-operative position, the drive shaft is in the first position and when the brake mechanism is in the operative position, the drive shaft is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: John A. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4896559
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting vehicle handlebars includes a lower hub intergral with a vehicle steering column, and an upper hub formed as an integral part of the handlebars. Two opposed diamond-shaped plates rotationally receive both hubs. Two locking gears, one integral with each hub, form various interlocking engagement with one of the plates, corresponding to different handlebar position settings. A release lever, pivotally attached to one of the plates, is pivotable to urge the plates away from one another to release the locking engagment of the gears and projection groove, enabling movement of the handlebars to different settings. A spring loaded detent prevents inadvertent release of the mechanism, and must be moved against the force of a torsion spring prior to the pivoting of the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Gregory J. Marier, Tommy O. Moats
  • Patent number: 4892172
    Abstract: A shaft lock assembly has a stator and a plurality of radially disposed, reciprocating lock vanes that are moved on the stator to lock and release a shaft. The vanes are held in their locked position by a rotatable cam ring. A rotatable cam scroll lifts the vanes from their locked position and positions the vanes in their released position. The vanes and shaft have coacting surfaces to produce a regenerative separating force on the vanes from a locked shaft which is under torque as the shaft is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Cadillac Gage Textron Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Hobson
  • Patent number: 4881420
    Abstract: An improved power actuator with lost motion arrester for coupled use in accomplishing remote control, set, and set hold of rotary flow control valve adjustments wherein the lost motion arrester component is comprised of a circular rack and pinion timing gear assembly that functions to allow smooth mechanical operation during displacement of the power actuator to accomplish valve adjustment, but upon any valve adjustment set stop instantaneously provides in coupled combination with the power actuator assembly a positive mechanical lock and hold function in arresting the lost motion action by which operational adjustment and set of the power actuator mechanism is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Herman L. Paul, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4823633
    Abstract: A gear lock is moved between a free movement position, at which the gear is freely rotatable, and a locking position, at which the gear and gear lock become self-locking. The gear lock has two locking faces facing one another which fit around one or more teeth with the locking faces adjacent the sides of the gear teeth. The locking faces and the gear sides define tangent contact planes at the positions of contact. The tangent of the angle between the direction of movement of the gear tooth at the contact region and the contact plane is less than the coefficient of friction between the gear and the gear lock. Doing so makes the gear lock self-locking since the component of the gear force parallel to the contact plane does not exceed the frictional force between the two surfaces. The gear lock also provides any final positioning of the gear as it moves into the locking position with the gear teeth opposite the locking faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: f.m.e. Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy D. Pike
  • Patent number: 4811619
    Abstract: A motorized control and automatic braking system for adjusting mirror mount apparatus is disclosed. The motor control includes a planetary gear arrangement to provide improved pitch adjustment capability while permitting a small packaged design. The motor control for mirror mount adjustment is suitable for laser beam propagation applications. The brake is a system of constant contact, floating detents which engage the planetary gear at selected between-teeth increments to stop rotation instantaneously when the drive motor stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Ronald W. Cutburth
  • Patent number: 4771655
    Abstract: A rotary actuator has a first rotor rotatable around a first axis and having a plurality of first projections circumferentially spaced and axially projecting from one end surface thereof, a second rotor rotatable around a second axis which is eccentric to the first axis and having at least a second projection circumferentially spaced and axially projecting from one end surface thereof, a rotating mechanism connected to the second rotor to rotate the second rotor, the first and second rotors being arranged such that their end surfaces face each other so that the second projection may engage with either one of the first projections to rotate the first rotor through a predetermined angle when the second rotor is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignees: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokico Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4770057
    Abstract: This lever element comprises a hollow lever body of polymeric material ending at one end with a handgrip, and at another end with an upturned U-shaped end portion surounding and partially containing a rigid support of polymeric material, having a circular portion with a first front teeth formation. The upturned U-shaped end portion of the lever is rotatively rigid with a disc having a second front teeth formation facing the first teeth formation of the support for retaining the lever; elastic means being provided for pushing the disc into frontal contact engagement with the support, and mutually engaging the first and second front teeth formations. Furthermore release means, controlled by a pushbutton on the lever, are interposed between the support and the disc for controlled release of their frontal contact engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Foggini Progetti SRL
    Inventor: Paolo Foggini
  • Patent number: 4766962
    Abstract: A furrow forming apparatus for a seed planter is disclosed wherein the construction facilitates convenient adjustment of spring-biasing exerted on furrow forming disks of the assembly. The apparatus includes a parallel linkage which permits relative vertical movement of the disks. Springs operatively associated with the linkage are positionable for creating either downward or upward pressure on the disks. Adjustment of the springs is accommodated by the provision of an upper support rod which receives upper ends of the springs, with the support rod selectively positionable along upper links of the parallel linkage by the provision of an adjustable rack and pinion mounting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Roland J. Frase
  • Patent number: 4765680
    Abstract: A seat reclining device comprises a base plate which is fixed to the seat cushion side; an arm plate which is rotatably attached to the said base plate and is also fixed to the seat back side; a pair of upper plates, each having meshing teeth which extend over a certain area, which are fixed to the arm plate through the same shaft; a pair of lower pawls, each having meshing teeth which can engage to the meshing teeth on the upper plates without interfering with each other, and which are supported on the base plate and coaxially provided; a cam plate which is associated with said lower pawl placed in engagement and can rotate so as to hold the pawl in control or to release it. A release control section is coupled to the said cam plate to control its action so as to either hold the said cam plate in control or release it; such that the pitches of the respective meshing teeth of the said upper plates are mutually displaced by 1/2 tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hatsuo Kawashima
  • Patent number: 4671133
    Abstract: A parking lock system for a vehicle having an automatic transmission, a cover being secured to a case of the automatic transmission. The system comprises a shaft bridging to the case and the cover, a parking pawl rotatably mounted on the shaft, a cam for rotating the parking pawl to engage it with a parking gear secured to an output shaft of the transmission, and a spring for biasing the parking pawl to disengage it from the parking gear. A guide plate is engaged with the shaft at an end thereof and engaged with the case of the transmission at the other end. The spring is so arranged to bias the parking pawl toward a stopper of the guide plate to hold the parking pawl in disengagement from the parking gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 4666210
    Abstract: The device comprises inside a housing (14) a gear pinion (10) connected to rotate solely with a control rod (12) and engaged with a rack carried by a U-section rod (6) connected to the element to be displaced. A bolt (18), formed by two yokes which are pivotable relative to each other, comprises a set of teeth (20) engaged in the locking position with the rack and is retained in its lower part in the housing, so that the axial displacement of the control rod (12) folds it in its central part and releases the rack which can be displaced with the gear pinion. The bolt is resiliently biased to the locking position as soon as the pressure exerted by the rod (12) ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Cycles Peugeot
    Inventors: Francois Bianchi, Denis Busa, Francois Fourrey
  • Patent number: 4607654
    Abstract: An awning assembly for a travel trailer or a mobile home which includes a flexible awning covering wound on a roller which is rotatable on a fixed shaft carried by a supporting frame, includes a latch apparatus comprising a cylindrical end plate rotatable with the roller and closing one end thereof, and a cap disposed adjacent to the end plate and fixed to the frame and the shaft. The end plate has a cylindrical portion coaxial with the shaft which projects toward the cap and defines a cavity having a plurality of equiangularly spaced-apart keeper recesses around the perimeter thereof. A latch handle pivots on the cap about an axis parallel to the shaft and carries a latch pin which extends parallel to the shaft for movement with the handle between a latching position disposed in one of the keeper recesses to latch the roller against rotation and an unlatching position disposed in the cavity but out of the recesses to accommodate free rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Randall Equipment Company
    Inventor: Henry J. Duda
  • Patent number: 4573658
    Abstract: A sterile intravenous flow valve includes in-line valve mechanism which is maintained sterile in all of its positions. The valve also includes an adjustment member and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the adjustment member in place to thereby assure accurate flow rate settings. Sterility is achieved by providing a sealed chamber formed by a snap-fit engagement between the adjustment member and the main body member of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Whitman Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Marvin Gordon, Joseph Lichtenstein