Automatic Release Patents (Class 74/584)
  • Patent number: 7059009
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as: PCR=KE=1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Bryson, Harry Charles Buchanan, Yaomin Dong, James Preston Penrod
  • Patent number: 7017224
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Charles Buchanan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6785930
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry C. Buchanan, Jr., Yaomin Dong
  • Publication number: 20040034957
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: VALEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Harry Charles Buchanan, Yaomin Dong
  • Publication number: 20040034958
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: VALEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Harry Charles Buchanan,
  • Publication number: 20040016075
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member Is in excess of the predetermined load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: VALEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Bryson, Harry Charles Buchanan, Yaomin Dong, James Preston Penrod
  • Patent number: 6381800
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as: PCR=KE=1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry C. Buchanan, Jr., Yaomin Dong
  • Patent number: 6148470
    Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as:P.sub.CR =KE=1.3P.sub.link ; where:P.sub.CR =the predetermined load;P.sub.link =a maximum normal running load for a comparably-sized steel or rigid link which does not flex;K is a coefficient= ##EQU1## E is the flexural modulus (MPa) and I is a moment of inertia in mm.sup.4and L is a length (mm) of flexible arm 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry C. Buchanan, Jr., Yaomin Dong
  • Patent number: 4813305
    Abstract: A collapsible segment for a drive train, preferably a collapsible actuator arm for a vertical door opening mechanism, such as that for a garage door. The actuator arm comprises two primary components, first and second arms which are aligned with one end of one arm pivotally engaging one end of the other arm. A spring under tension extends between the arms on one side of the pivotal connection of the arms in order to normally retain the arms in alignment. The arms are formed such that they cannot pivot toward the spring. The arms are attached to the garage door mechanism at appropriate locations at opposite ends of the arms, with at least one of the attachment locations being offset from the arms on the other side of the pivotal connection such that when compressive force is applied to the arms, and when the force of the spring has been overcome, the arms are urged to pivot about the pivotal connection away from the spring, thus collapsing the actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Triodyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Dilich
  • Patent number: 4669283
    Abstract: An electrically operable device for actuating vehicle doors and the like from a central panel location is disclosed, especially for doors having an individual lock, and having electromechanical actuation including an actuating rod adapted to be reciprocatingly displaced, as well as being adapted to assume an unlocked position, a locked position, and an antitheft position. The actuating rod is further adapted to operate the respective control rod operatively connected to the respective door lock. The device includes a reversible electric motor, a transmission, and an actuating mechanism for the drive rod. The device also includes exterior ridges on a spindle-nut and projecting formations which can be overridden, upon completion of the locking stroke, as well as on completion of the unlocking stroke, as well as for carrying out of an antitheft stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Ingenhoven
  • Patent number: 4667533
    Abstract: An override for a positive drive mechanism which includes a first bearing block which is fixedly secured to tie rods and a second bearing block which is secured to the tie rods through release and relatch means. The blocks are designed to couple to either a positive drive unit or a unit to be driven by the drive unit. When the driven unit encounters a solid obstruction, release and relatch means associated with the second bearing block will permit the tie rods to slide within the second bearing block, thereby allowing the driven unit to stop. The override mechanism is advantageous in that within a relatively small physical size when a high maximum preselected load in the mechanism is attained, the mechanism will release and apply no further load to the drive. Very long override strokes can be accommodated after which the device will reset at the end of each stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Duga
  • Patent number: 4573930
    Abstract: A remote steering device, adapted for attachment to a main propulsion unit and an auxiliary outboard motor secured to the transom of a boat in order to slave steering movement of the outboard motor to that of the main propulsion unit irrespective of the attitude of the units, which device includes first and second brackets associated with the two propulsion units joined by a connecting rod at ball joints providing three degrees of motion and wherein the connecting rod includes at least two rod members secured at a releasable rotatable joint automatically adjustable in incremental steps in response to longitudinal forces; whereby all twisting forces are resolved at or through the rotational joint and cooperative ball joints and all longitudinal forces are resolved through automatic incremental adjustment of the length of the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Charles L. Queen
  • Patent number: 4226326
    Abstract: A shaker conveyor is disclosed which includes a conveyor trough supported for reciprocating movement and having drive means including a pull rod adapted to effect reciprocating movement of the conveyor in a manner to advance discrete particles therealong. The conveyor trough has a resiliently mounted discharge end adapted to withstand forces which might otherwise tend to damage the trough and pull rod, and the pull rod is adapted to undergo axial foreshortening when subjected to predetermined axial loading so as to prevent damage thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Goodman Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Charles L. Watkins
  • Patent number: 4096798
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed which is rigidly connected between a press slide and a slide driving component. The assembly is concentric with the slide axis and enables both axial adjustment of the slide position and overload protection for the slide during press operation. The assembly includes relatively slidable telescoping components, one of which is provided with an adjusting ring facilitating adjustment of the slide position relative to the press bed. The other component is provided with a shoulder spaced from and facing the adjusting ring, and a load responsive shear fixture is interposed between the shoulder and adjusting ring to provide overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James M. Moskalik