Slot Closers And Lever Guards Patents (Class 74/566)
  • Patent number: 9541178
    Abstract: An actuator comprises: a housing which is provided with an opening; a slider which is installed so as to be movable relative to the housing; a drive means which is installed in the housing and which moves the slider; at least a pair of seal members which is disposed at the opening of the housing so as to face each other and which exhibits dust-proof and drip-proof functions by engaging with each other; and move-through members which are mounted to both sides of the slider in the movement direction thereof and which move through the pair of seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: IAI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukiharu Otsuka, Katsuhito Nagai
  • Patent number: 9483070
    Abstract: To provide a pedal guide system device for preventing an erroneous operation of a driver for the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal of a vehicle. A pedal guide system device for preventing an erroneous operation of a driver for a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal of a vehicle is provided with a plate-shaped, bellows-shaped, belt-shaped, or curtain-shaped guide component, which can be attached to the vehicle with a predetermined gap of 0.5-10 cm beside the brake pedal and/or the accelerator pedal and has the similar height as the height from the lower surface of a dashboard to the floor. The pedal guide system device enables a pedal operation in a space enclosed by four surfaces including a floor surface, an inner panel, and the dashboard, thereby enabling simple and easy to understand pedal position confirmation, enabling beginners and elderly people to get easily accustomed thereto, and enabling prevention of the erroneous operation for the pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Teruo Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 9463724
    Abstract: A headrest structure and a headrest device, including a bottom plate provided at a lower face of a headrest, and provided with an elongated hole extending in a seat front-rear direction through which a stay is inserted, a guide sheet having the same width as that of the elongated hole, that is longer in length than the elongated hole, whose both end portions are slidably supported by the bottom plate, and that is provided with an elongated guide hole smaller than the elongated hole, a concealing sheet provided with an attachment hole to which the stay is attached, and that is overlapped slidably on an upper face of the guide sheet so as to cover the elongated guide hole, and a wall portion that is formed at the bottom plate, and that restricts movement of the guide sheet and the concealing sheet in a seat width direction, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sunaga, Takahiro Yajima
  • Patent number: 8939700
    Abstract: A loader for a work vehicle comprises a lift arm, a bucket, a bucket linkage, and a hydraulic bucket cylinder. The bucket and the linkage are pivotally attached to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a first link and a second link, which are pivotally attached to the bucket. The bucket cylinder is pivotally attached to the first and second links and the bucket and operable to pivot the bucket relative to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a debris guard substantially obstructing a space defined between the first and second links and between the bucket cylinder and the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Cate, Dennis A. Brimeyer, Jessica A. Hill
  • Patent number: 8931369
    Abstract: A cover for an aperture in a vehicle wall for a handbrake lever includes various elements. For example, the cover might include an opening region with an opening through which the force-transmitting means can pass and a support region for supporting the cover on the wall. In addition, the opening region might slidably attach to the handbrake lever, such that the opening region slides when the handbrake lever is adjusted. A flexible wall element at least partially attaches over the opening region and the support region, and spring devices are attached to the opening region and the support region to provide tension to the flexible wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Beyer, Simon Higgins
  • Patent number: 8739650
    Abstract: A control lever device for a work vehicle. The control lever device comprises a plurality of control levers to be movable along paths arranged in parallel with each other, a vertical limit member including lever openings formed therein for the plurality of control levers and extending to allow the movement of the control levers, dust-proof members movable along the back surface of the vertical limit member following the movement of the control levers to close the lever openings, lateral limit members for limiting displacement of the dust-proof members in a lateral direction relative to the moving direction of the control levers, and a base defining a movable surface for the dust-proof members. The vertical limit member and the lateral limit members are formed as a single cover to cover the dust-proof members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Masumoto
  • Patent number: 8585125
    Abstract: A tailgate for an automotive vehicle. The tailgate is coupled via a rod to a motor within the automotive vehicle to open and close the tailgate. The tailgate comprises a metal frame including a point of attachment to the rod. A garnish covers at least a portion of the frame and includes a passage through which the rod extends. A cover having a cupped body fills the passage and includes a hole through which the rod extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan V. Larcom, Hiroaki Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20130239740
    Abstract: A shutter member has a shutter with a substantially rigid wall, which has a side profile with a substantially arc of a circle shape and is provided with a hole adapted to be engaged by a motor vehicle control lever; the substantially rigid wall is supported by a fastening device, fixing the shutter member to the control lever; the shutter is provided with a tab, which defines a longitudinal extension of the substantially rigid wall and is elastically flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tommaso VICENZO
  • Patent number: 8122784
    Abstract: It comprises a shifter bezel (3) movable between two end positions relative to a base (2) fixed to the vehicle and biasing means for biasing the shifter bezel (3) to one of said end positions and locking means (10) for locking the shifter bezel (3) at any position between said two end positions with respect to the base (2). The shifter bezel (3) may be automatically self-adjusted in the vehicle console through the biasing means. Once the shifter bezel has been properly fitted, its relative position may be easily fixed by the locking means (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fico Triad, S.A.
    Inventors: Sergi Estévez Álvarez, Toni Boada Cristòfol
  • Publication number: 20110017011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover 1 for an aperture in a wall, in particular a vehicle wall, for a rod-like force-transmitting means, in particular a handbrake lever. The cover has an opening region 2 with a through-opening 3 through which the force-transmitting means can pass and a support region 4 for supporting the cover on the wall. For adaptation to a change of position of the actuated force-transmitting means at least in a plane of movement at least approximately perpendicular to an opening axis a of the through-opening 3, the opening region 2 of the cover 1 can be coupled to the force-transmitting means in a movement-effecting manner such that its position can be changed with respect to the aperture. For planar covering of the aperture there is provided a flexible wall element 10 which is connected to the opening region 2 and to the support region 4 or is connectable to the opening region 2 and to the aperture, and which covers at least a gap between support region 4 and through-opening 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Beyer, Simon Higgins
  • Patent number: 7854457
    Abstract: A gearshift finisher assembly comprises a finisher for bridging a gap between a gear selector plate and an adjacent or surrounding vehicle trim panel and a retainer including means for attachment to the trim panel. The finisher is engaged with the retainer for floating movement of the finisher with respect to the retainer, for example by engaging formations associated with the finisher and the retainer. The finisher may be engaged with the retainer via an intermediate fastener such as a plastics frame spring clip shaped to engage the finisher and the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Tanner
  • Patent number: 7798292
    Abstract: An engine noise engine noise baffle for a tractor brake shaft that extends laterally through openings in an engine compartment wall. The engine noise engine noise baffle has a cup-shaped portion pressed against the interior surface of the engine compartment wall, and a sleeve portion around the tractor brake shaft. The engine noise engine noise baffle has freedom of rotation with respect to the engine compartment wall. The engine noise engine noise baffle helps block and shield the operator cab from high engine temperatures, engine noise, dirt and dust, and engine fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Dimitri Nunez
  • Patent number: 7722102
    Abstract: A console housing has a top wall formed with an opening that receives an upwardly extending handle of a parking brake. A gap hider includes a close out insert for closing the gap between the opening and the handle. The close out insert is supported on the top wall for limited floating movement so that it will not interfere with the operation of the parking brake handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Alison Hansen, Gary J Nivelt, Kenneth E Zalewski, Mark A Kelly
  • Publication number: 20100064843
    Abstract: It comprises a shifter bezel (3) movable between two end positions relative to a base (2) fixed to the vehicle and biasing means for biasing the shifter bezel (3) to one of said end positions and locking means (10) for locking the shifter bezel (3) at any position between said two end positions with respect to the base (2). The shifter bezel (3) may be automatically self-adjusted in the vehicle console through the biasing means. Once the shifter bezel has been properly fitted, its relative position may be easily fixed by the locking means (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: FICO TRIAD, S. A.
    Inventors: Sergi Estévez Álvarez, Toni Boada Cristòfol
  • Patent number: 7621196
    Abstract: A shift lever device has resin pieces, and a resin outer tube which is formed at an outer side of a shift lever main body. The resin pieces and the resin outer tube can be molded separately. Therefore, the resin pieces independently can be molded with high precision. Even in a structure in which interposed portions of the resin pieces are interposed between a detent pin and inner walls of long holes of the shift lever main body, the interposed portions do not project-out unnecessarily at an inner side of the shift lever main body. Resin can be interposed between the detent pin and the long holes of the shift lever main body, without carrying out precise inspection or repair work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shiro Esaki, Junya Nishio, Yutaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7484433
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus for changing the change-speed ranges of a transmission of an automotive vehicle. The shift lever apparatus includes an indicator panel indicating positions which respectively correspond to the change-speed ranges. A slide member is provided to be movable in relation to a shift lever. A guide device is disposed to slidably guide the slide member and includes a descending guide section which allows the slide member to be guided to separate downward from the indicator panel. A mark piece is provided to indicate one of the positions of the indicator panel to represent the present change-speed range of the transmission. Additionally, a support member is fixedly connected to at least the major part of the slide member. The support member is free from following deformation of the slide member. The mark piece is fixedly connected to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko, Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Jidosha Kyogo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetuya Arakawa, Ryoichi Fujiwara, Susumu Sakaba, Masanao Abe
  • Patent number: 7467570
    Abstract: A slide cover assembly for an automatic transmission includes a shift lever housing having a track formed therein. The track includes inner and outer surfaces. A slide member having opposing lateral edges is received within the track and extends from the inner to the outer surface of the track. The slide member includes a plurality of retention features integrally formed along the opposing lateral edges for maintaining the slide member within the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: DURA GLOBAL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20080163713
    Abstract: A shifter assembly includes a cover having an opening, a base, and a shift lever extending from the base and through the opening and movable over a shift path. The shift lever is movable over a shift path and moves along the opening as the shift lever moves along the shift path. An absorbent member is located between the opening and the base. The absorbent member includes a material for absorbing liquid passing through the opening. The material for absorbing liquid is preferably sponge material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Carl James Hessler
  • Patent number: 7216564
    Abstract: A slot cover for an apparatus, the apparatus having a moving carriage and a member connected to the carriage which travels in a slot. The elongated hollow member is defined by a top member, a bottom member and a pair of side members. Each side member has a connection member extending therefrom and a slot cover joining the connection member. The carriage has a cover guide connected thereto which moves with the carriage. The cover guide causes the connecting member to become separated from the slot cover as the cover guide travels along the slot. The separated portion of the slot cover is pressed into engagement with the connection member as the cover guide continues to travel along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Clifford Broderick
  • Patent number: 6786110
    Abstract: A slot cover for an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a moving carriage and a member connected to said carriage which travels in a slot. The slot is defined by a top member, a bottom member and a pair of side members. Each side member has a connection means extending therefrom and a slot cover joining the connection means. The carriage has a cover guide connected thereto which moves with the carriage. The cover guide causes the connecting means to become separated from said slot cover as the cover guide travels along the slot. The separated portion of the slot cover is pressed into engagement with the connection means as the cover guide continues to travel along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Clifford Broderick
  • Patent number: 6666107
    Abstract: A slide cover unit of a dual mode shift lever assembly is provided to cover a guide groove formed in an indicator panel in order to isolate an interior of a housing regardless of movement direction of the shift lever. The slide cover includes a first cover plate slidably mounted under the indicator panel for covering the guide groove, a pivot pin fixed on a lower surface of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate pivotally mounted on the pivot pin as an auxiliary cover for the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Publication number: 20030221513
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a component with a through bore for a tool and a shield to cover the through bore is provided. The shield has a fastening section and an at least partially elastic cover section, which is movable with respect to the fastening section so that it covers the through bore in a first position and exposes the through bore in a second position. The fastening section is fastened to the component a distance away from the through bore and the shield is endeavouring to move automatically into the first position in which the through bore is covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Patent number: 6581485
    Abstract: A control lever for a control console of a work vehicle comprises an arm and a knob. One end of the arm is coupled to the control valve linkage for positioning the control valve. The other end of the arm is mounted to the knob. The knob is provided with a cylindrical shaft having a first groove and a second groove. The first and second grooves adjoin one another. The first groove is deeper than the second groove. A rubber boot extends between the knob and the control console. The rubber boot has a circular control lever opening through which the control lever extends. The circular control lever opening is provided with an inwardly extending flange. The inwardly extending flange is received in the first groove. A downwardly extending foot extends from the inwardly extending flange and is received in the second groove. The inwardly extending flange and the foot are separated from one another by a step that corresponds to the radial differences between the first and second grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Andrew Branscomb, David Joseph Klas
  • Patent number: 6523434
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a rotary shift selecting apparatus for a vehicle capable of obtaining excellent operability while securing the liquid-proof ability. A rotary shift selecting apparatus for a vehicle comprising a base body 21 mounted to a vehicle frame, and a rotor 23 rotatably mounted to a supporting shaft 22 fixed to the base body 21 for selecting shift, wherein an annular fitting portion 24 which is coaxial of said supporting shaft 22 is formed between said base body 21 and said rotor 23, and an annular seal material 25/26 is interposed between said fitting portion 24 and a passing-through portion of said supporting shaft 22 of said rotor 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Atsumitec
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tsuruta, Shinichi Karube, Shigeaki Oda, Takayuki Suzuki, Junji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6523428
    Abstract: A shift lever boot includes a top face having a shift lever hole face and including a plurality of crests and a plurality of valleys, and a bellow-like skirt continuously connected to edges of the top face. All ridgelines of the crests and the valleys are parallel with respect to the cross direction of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kinugawa Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Kaji
  • Patent number: 6443031
    Abstract: A slide cover unit of a dual mode shift lever assembly is provided to cover a guide groove formed in an indicator panel in order to isolate an interior of a housing regardless of movement direction of the shift lever. The slide cover includes a first cover plate slidably mounted under the indicator panel for covering the guide groove, a pivot pin fixed on a lower surface of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate pivotally mounted on the pivot pin as an auxiliary cover for the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Publication number: 20020117019
    Abstract: A slide cover unit of a dual mode shift lever assembly is provided to cover a guide groove formed in an indicator panel in order to isolate an interior of a housing regardless of movement direction of the shift lever. The slide cover includes a first cover plate slidably mounted under the indicator panel for covering the guide groove, a pivot pin fixed on a lower surface of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate pivotally mounted on the pivot pin as an auxiliary cover for the guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 6367439
    Abstract: In a combination of the shim 5 and cam 1 for use in a reciprocating mechanism portion, the shim 5 is made of a material having a hardness higher than that of the sliding surface of the cam 1 and the sliding surface of the shim 5 is finished to within a range of the surface roughness of Rz0.07-0.2 &mgr;m in 10-point mean surface roughness and further the sliding surface of the cam 1 is provided with open pores 1b. In the above combination, the generated torque and the wear of sliding portion are minimized by selecting a shim member whose surface roughness is difficult to deteriorate due to plastic deformation by a injection pump contact with a mating member and corrosion by various impurities mixed in lubricant and the like, and providing the surface of a cam member with an oil film holding function so as to maintain fluid lubrication of the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Nishioka, Takatoshi Takikawa
  • Patent number: 6244132
    Abstract: A sliding unit having sealing means for closing gaps between a track rail and a dustproof cover. The sealing means is comprised of flexible sealing members that permit flanges for mounting an object on a sliding element to move through the sealing means. The sliding element moving on the track rail is provided on the side surfaces thereof with the flanges extending laterally through the gaps between the dustproof cover and side walls of the track rail. The flexible sealing members are arranged at the widthwise-opposing sides of the track rail so as to close the gaps, resulting in keeping the sliding unit from the contamination of foreign bodies such as dust and dirt. The flexible sealing members are composed of chains. The lateral extensions of the flanges may move smoothly through the gaps between the chains and the side walls of track rail while the chains close the gaps constantly whenever the flanges move along the track rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Katoh
  • Patent number: 6234044
    Abstract: A boot and attaching frame assembly for closing an opening in a wall of a steering column shroud through which a gear shift lever extends. The assembly includes a flexible boot having a central portion provided with a passage adapted to receive the gear shift lever. A marginal position of the boot is folded inwardly upon itself to provide a terminal flange and to form a laterally inwardly opening groove. The terminal flange is adapted to engage an outer annular surface portion of the wall of the shroud around the opening therein. The assembly also includes an annular frame for securing the boot to the shroud. The frame has an annular base adapted to fit within the opening in the wall of the shroud. The frame has inner retainer tabs extending laterally outwardly from the base to engage an inner surface portion of the wall of the shroud around the opening therein. The frame has an outer retainer flange extending laterally outwardly from the base into the groove in the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Slon, Daniel B. Sauger
  • Patent number: 6200030
    Abstract: A sliding unit having sealing means for closing gaps between a track rail and a dustproof cover. The sealing means is comprised of expansible sealing members that permit flanges for mounting an object on a sliding element to move through the sealing means. The flanges extend laterally through the gaps between the dustproof cover and side walls of the track rail. The expansible sealing members are arranged at the widthwise-opposing sides of the track rail so as to close the gaps around the flanges, resulting in keeping the sliding unit from the contamination of foreign bodies such as dust and dirt. The expansible sealing members face to the lateral extensions of the flanges in a sliding contact manner so as to help ensure the unobstructed movement of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Katoh
  • Patent number: 6182530
    Abstract: A shift lever device enables liquid such as drinking water or the like to be smoothly drained to the outside when liquid is accidently spilled on the device. The shift lever device has a housing that includes a side wall where a drain is formed. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the housing includes a projecting portion in the form of a rib for guiding liquid spilled on the housing to the drain of the side wall. Alternatively, the device includes a liquid guard roof overhanging from an upper edge of an aperture of the side wall of the housing for guiding spilled liquid into the drain. The shift lever device may also include a liquid escaping gap being provided at a bearing potion of the housing by which a slide cover is slidably supported; a liquid receiving gutter for receiving the liquid drained from the liquid escaping portion; and a drainage hole in the side wall of the housing, whereby the drained liquid is guided to a place outside of the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kanehiro Hattori, Shigetoshi Tomida
  • Patent number: 6086233
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp arrangement for mounting to a vehicle body, the lamp arrangement having an irradiation angle adjusting mechanism, including a vehicle mounting bracket mounted to the vehicle body and having a shielding portion; a lamp body portion for housing the lamp; and an adjusting shaft having a first portion completely covered by the vehicle mounting bracket and a second portion for connecting to the lamp body portion, the adjusting shaft being configured within the lamp arrangement to adjust a distance between the vehicle body and the shielding portion when the adjusting shaft is rotated such that the vehicle lamp is inclined with respect to the vehicle body, wherein upon connection of the second portion of the adjusting shaft to the lamp body portion, the second portion of the adjusting shaft is also shielded such that the rotating operation of the adjusting shaft is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Maeda, Naruhiro Michiba
  • Patent number: 6082286
    Abstract: A shifter for shifting a transmission between a plurality of gear positions includes a base having a stationary member with indicia corresponding to the gear positions, a shift lever operably supported on the base for movement between the gear positions, and an improved position indicator adapted to better highlight limited portions of the indicia to indicate the selected gear position of the shift lever. The position indicator includes a support member configured to move with the shift lever that includes a window positioned to allow light to pass therethrough to visibly luminate parts of the indicia corresponding to the selected gear positions as the shift lever is moved between the plurality of gear positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products
    Inventors: Miklos A. Kovach, Jeffrey S. Jakus, Robert W. Roossien
  • Patent number: 5979263
    Abstract: An opening into which a shift lever is inserted is formed on a cover slide main body. Normally, the cover slide main body moves with the shift lever. A side wall and auxiliary walls project from the opening at the rear surface side portion of the opening. The side wall blocks the opening side from the mark piece portion side. The auxiliary walls maintain rigidity of the cover slide main body around the opening. The side wall prevents light irradiated to the mark piece portion from escaping through a gap between the opening and the shift lever, and prevents water or the like from entering and splashing into the main body from outside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Tomida, Masaki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 5924333
    Abstract: A cover plate for the opening of a shift assembly covering with a gate in this plate for receiving a selector lever of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, the selector lever to be moved in the plate on a shift assembly. The cover plate must always be closed with separate mounting of the plate and the covering despite necessary compensating dimensional tolerances, that in arrangements of these two parts within the entire tolerance range, no visually disturbing impression is created. A cover plate permanently connected with the shift assembly covers the edge area of the opening of the covering with play over a covering area that takes into account the dimensional tolerances between the installation positions of the covering and the shift assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Futschik, Ulrich Nienhaus, Norbert Weber
  • Patent number: 5740698
    Abstract: A flame attenuator for poke-through constructions. The device is formed from a plurality of overlapping segments of metal screen firmly attached to a base frame and forming an inverted funnel-like structure with each of the segments converging loosely at the top of the inverted funnel. In application, the transmission shifter lever penetrates the smaller, upper hole thus formed, and in spite of being moved in horizontal arcs, maintains contact with the overlapping screen segments. Since there are a variety of boot geometries (circular based, oval based, and rectangular based) the flame attenuator base frame is provided in multiple shapes to accommodate the different boot configurations. The attenuator is located inside the shifter boot, and is manufactured either integrally to the boot, or as an add-on item. The flame attenuator protects the boot from rapid burn-through in the event of an engine fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Donald J. Myronuk, Jon F. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5736691
    Abstract: Disclosed is a foam sound barrier for a machine such as a construction machine having several control levers. The barrier includes acoustic blocks, each of which has a notch between plural projections. Such blocks are made of acoustic material for sound-deadening and define a clearance portion (i.e., a hole) for accommodating the levers. In one embodiment, the blocks are conformably "saw-tooth" shaped for wedge fit against one another and in another embodiment, the blocks are collinear and retain a bellows-like boot around one of the levers. The embodiments can be used alone or together. The barrier reduces sound level by at least about 0.8 decibels and also helps exclude dirt from the machine operator's compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Batog, Robert T. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5680799
    Abstract: A shift lever device for an automatic transmission has a pivotally moveable shift lever. A case receives a lower portion of the shift lever. The case has an interior which is divided into first and second spaced portions. A shift lock mechanism has sensitive electric parts installed in only the second portion. A water stopper member is mounted to the lower portion of the shift lever. The water stopper member is so arranged and constructed as to positively guide liquid flowing down on and along the shift lever and reached thereto, toward only the first portion thereby to protect the sensitive electric parts from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Nukatsuka, Takao Murakami, Takehiro Kuroda, Koji Kuriki
  • Patent number: 5622086
    Abstract: A slide cover structure for a shift lever device for covering an operation groove from the interior of a housing regardless of zigzag shifting operation of the shift lever, in which shifting operation is made by moving the shift lever in a first direction and a second direction, comprising: a first cover plate which is formed by a flexible member elongated in a first direction and opposes to the operation groove and is formed in the housing; and a second cover plate which is provided the opposite side of the operation groove with respect to the first cover plate and which is elongated in the second direction, in which widthwise edge portions of the second cover plate are supported by second supporting portions formed on the first cover plate; wherein a plurality of projections are provided so as to form protrusions and recesses in lines at the widthwise edge portions of the first cover plate at the surface of the first cover plate opposite the surface at which the operation groove is disposed to allow the dis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Hiroyasu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5598043
    Abstract: A linear motion actuator of the present invention is provided with a casing including slits extending axially, a carriage being axially movable along guide rails within the casing, the carriage including driven member mounting portions protruded outside through the slits for mounting a driven member, a plurality of seal bands fastened to the driven member mounting portions of the carriage for sealing openings of the slits regardless of the location of the carriage when the seal bands are moved along the slits, and a driving device for driving the carriage to move along the guide rails. The linear motion actuator with a dust-proof function has no need of passing the seal bands through the carriage, so that the carriage have a solid and simple structure of high rigidity without the abnormal shifting motion of the seal bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hirano, Sousuke Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5582073
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for an automatic transmission, in which a lever knob on top of a lever shaft is formed integral with the lever body and has a width which is smaller than the width of an opening formed in a shift position indication panel. The assembly includes a lever support for pivotally supporting the shift lever body and components such as a shift lock release actuator. This assembly can be secured to a vehicle body. The shift position indication panel is mounted by passing the lever knob through the panel opening. A slide cover and the shift position indicator panel are arcuate in shape with the center thereof constituted by the pivoting center of the lever body. The slide cover is made integral with the lever body. The slide cover has a detent groove formed in its back surface. A shift position indicator support is formed on one side of the slide cover. The shift lock release actuator is provided in the turning plane of the lever body, thus simplifying a lock release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Tsuda Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunori Takeuchi, Hidenobu Kamiya, Kazuo Takahashi, Moritaka Makino
  • Patent number: 5560253
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a manual transmission is disclosed. A boss of a shifting lever is supported for rotation by a shift shaft on a lever retainer. A boss of a selecting lever is supported for rotation by a support shaft parallel to the shift shaft on the lever retainer. A boss of a shift lever is supported for selecting operation about a select shaft at right angles to the shift shaft on the shifting lever. Shifting operation of the shift lever is transmitted via a select arm and an end ball portion thereof to an engagement portion of the selecting lever to cause rotation of the selecting lever about the axis of the support shaft. The shift lever is formed integrally with its boss, the select arm and the ball portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Tsuda Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Ishikawa, Michiyuki Murakami, Yoshitaka Sogo, Mitsuyuki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5435199
    Abstract: A hand brake lever in a vehicle includes a stationary support mounted in a passenger compartment of the vehicle and having a mounting slot. A sound insulating material covers at least a portion of the stationary support, the sound insulating material defining a sealing surface surrounding the mounting slot. A brake lever member having a handle is pivotally mounted to the stationary support such that the handle extends through the mounting slot and into the passenger compartment. A lever base is mounted to the brake lever member and extends so as to cover an area above the sealing surface. The lever base has an elastic peripheral edge positioned so as to come into support contact with the sealing surface to seal the mounting slot when the brake lever member is pivoted to a brake release position. The sealing surface may be flexible and have a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventors: Jacky Heron, Philippe Ponceau
  • Patent number: 5413008
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the space or gap between a rigid, spherical boot and the periphery of an opening in a console trim plate through which the shift lever of the shifting mechanism extends. The mechanism provides both radial adjustment for providing a uniform gap and also allows for the assembly to be easily adjusted up or down with respect to the opening in the console trim plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, Div. of JSJ Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Brock
  • Patent number: 5308206
    Abstract: A protection nut for screwing on a stud in which a button slides, includes an approximately bell-shaped elastic membrane mounted to one face of the nut and fitted around or covering the button and an annular seal-ring mounted to the opposite face of the nut, the membrane and the seal-ring forming only one part and being connected together through at least one through-hole of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Crouzet Automatismes
    Inventor: Michel Dorey
  • Patent number: 5235874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective structure associated with a work unit. The protective structure includes a mobile portion having movement in two senses according to a straight direction. The protective structure also includes two rotatable support elements idle about respective mutually parallel axes which are normal to the straight direction and which are internally supported by box structures connected to the mobile portion and which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the mobile portion with reference to the straight direction. The protective structure further includes two blinds, respectively windable about the support elements and having a first end connected to the support element and a second end connected to a fixed structure on which a kinematic connector for the support element is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazoni Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabellini
  • Patent number: 5207117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding regulator, having a sliding slot which is closed without leaks against dust, etc., even in the immediate surrounding of the sliding member. According to the invention, this is achieved by a rubbery-elastic sealing lip associated with the sliding slot, which consists of a string of aligned lamellae attached to each other so as to form a flexible barrier against penetration of unwanted matter. The lamellae barrier deforms as the sliding member slides through it, so that the interface between the two remains substantially constantly sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Bauer
  • Patent number: 5109720
    Abstract: A nut block, which is driven by a feed screw shaft and which is movable axially within a guide rail having a U-shaped cross section, is provided with extending portions extending laterally from both upper side portions thereof. The extending portions are positioned near the upper surfaces of both side walls of the guide rail to cover these upper surfaces. A flexible seal plate of a magnetic material is provided to cover the whole length of the opening in the guide rail. The seal plate forms an expanded portion expanding upwardly at a portion corresponding to the nut block with the movement of the nut block. The seal plate has opposite ends respectively fixed to opposite axial ends of the guide rail. Both edge portions of the seal plate are attracted to rubber magnets mounted on the upper surfaces of the side walls of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Kasuga
  • Patent number: 5074160
    Abstract: A guide rail has an axially extending recessed groove opening upwardly to guide a nut block to move rectilinearly along the recessed groove when a ball screw shaft is rotated. A pair of strip-shaped magnets are secured to upper surfaces of both side walls of the guide rail. A flexible seal plate made of steel sheet is fixed to the guide rail with its opposite ends fastened to opposite ends of the guide rail. The seal plate slidably engages a guide recess formed in the upper surface of the nut block and crosses axially over the nut block forming an expanded portion along the outer surface of the nut block. A seal pressing member is attached to the nut block to press the expanded portion of the seal plate downwardly, and also to guide the seal plate towards the belt-shaped magnets at front and rear portions of the expanded portion so that the seal plate is attracted by the magnets at portions located before and behind the expanded portion, i.e., the nut block, to cover the recessed groove of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Kasuga