Cranks, Slidable Connections Patents (Class 74/69)
  • Patent number: 10352413
    Abstract: A gearless transmission may provide a similar outcome to a gear train, without meshing teeth. Such a gearless transmission may comprise an input shaft comprising a plurality of lobes disposed thereon. The lobes may extend radially from the input shaft in opposite directions from one another. Each of the lobes may comprise a plurality of connecting rods freely rotatable thereabout. Each of the connecting rods may be slidably attached to a hollow body disposed around the input shaft. The hollow body may be formed from a plurality of rings fixed together and secured to an output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NOVATEK IP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Samuel Tate Brown
  • Patent number: 10208841
    Abstract: The transmission member moves in a longitudinal direction of the input member to adjust a line b connecting an input central line (A) to an output central line (B) of the output shaft and a line a connecting a rotating central line (C) of the rotation shaft to the output central line (B) of the output shaft so that the lines a and b have the same length or lengths different from each other, thereby changing the rotational force of the input member to transmit the changed rotational force to the output member or transmitting the rotational force to the output member as it is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Yoon Gu Kwon
  • Patent number: 9970520
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) that does not depend on friction to transmit power. A constant and uniform output angular velocity can be achieved when the input angular velocity is constant and uniform by modifying the rate of change of angular displacement of the input disk using a set of non-circular gears. Co-axial input and output can also be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Raja Ramanujam Rajendran, Prashanth Ram Rajendran
  • Patent number: 9309927
    Abstract: A rotational driveshaft coupler that converts a rotating shaft motion into two orthogonal oscillations and at the opposite side of this coupler, a third oscillator converts the oscillations back to a rotational motion. At least one slip free seal can be constructed from the coupler to its housing to separate the space occupied by the output shaft from the space occupied by the input shaft. Each of the three oscillating motions can be guided by bearings, gears and tracks to reduce frictions and heat generation. Permanent magnet pairs are used to prevent bifurcation and force the output shaft to follow the rotation direction of the input shaft. Unlike in magnetic coupling, the torque transmission here is direct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 9021902
    Abstract: A four-wheel steering central transmission device includes an input shaft extending through a front wall of a housing and having an input rotary disc formed with a first slide groove. A turning output unit includes an output shaft extending through a rear wall of the housing and having an output rotary disc formed with a second slide groove. A transmission unit disposed between the input and output shafts includes a hollow adjustment block disposed adjustably within the housing and movable leftward or rightward, and a transmission member movable within the adjustment block and having slide pieces inserted respectively and slidably into the first and second slide grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Chu, Deng-Maw Lu
  • Publication number: 20140123786
    Abstract: A flexure support apparatus for providing multiple axes support to reciprocating members for an energy conversion process includes a base having a sleeved opening disposed therethrough a central portion of the base and a plurality of apertures also disposed therethrough the base that are positioned outside of the sleeved opening, also included in a plurality of flexible finger assemblies that are positioned in an offset manner on opposing sides of the base. Further included is a pair of piston assemblies that are disposed within opposing ends of the sleeved opening being supported by the plurality of flexible finger assemblies, wherein the piston assemblies move in opposing and equal amounts in reciprocating movement within the sleeved opening being supported and controlled by the plurality of flexible finger assemblies, thus the pair of piston assemblies are able to do compressive work on a fluid within the sleeve without bearings or seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Hendershott
  • Publication number: 20140123787
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) to provide a continuous output-to-input speed ratio from zero to a certain value is designed, and its working principle is illustrated. It is a geared IVT (GIVT), since its function to achieve the continuously varied speed ratio is implemented by gears. Crank-slider systems are used in the GIVT; the output-to-input speed ratio is changed with the crank length. Racks and pinions, whose motion is controlled by planetary gear sets, are used to change the crank length when the cranks are rotating. One-way bearings are used to rectify the output speeds from different crank-slider systems to obtain the output speed of the GIVT. Since the crank-slider systems can introduce variations of the instantaneous speed ratio, a pair of noncircular gears is designed to minimize the variations. A direction control system is also designed for the GIVT using planetary gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventors: Weidong ZHU, Xuefeng Wang
  • Patent number: 8584541
    Abstract: An anti-backlash assembly of the type for transferring motion via a pin movable along a slot. The assembly comprises a pivot lever and a second lever member. The pivot lever comprises a body portion and a pivot lever portion extending from the body portion to a pivot lever distal end. The pivot lever portion defines a pin engagement slot extending from adjacent the pivot lever distal end toward the body portion. A pair of fingers extend in parallel and spaced relationship from the pivot lever distal end of the pivot lever portion toward the body portion to engage opposite sides of a pin of the engagement arm. Each of the fingers includes a pin engaging section extending to an inwardly extending distal end and a spring section extending in a for urging the fingers into clamping engagement with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip M. Sokolofsky
  • Publication number: 20130068049
    Abstract: A rotational driveshaft coupler that converts a rotating shaft motion into two orthogonal oscillations and at the opposite side of this coupler, a third oscillator converts the oscillations back to a rotational motion. At least one slip free seal can be constructed from the coupler to its housing to separate the space occupied by the output shaft from the space occupied by the input shaft. Each of the three oscillating motions can be guided by bearings, gears and tracks to reduce frictions and heat generation. Permanent magnet pairs are used to prevent bifurcation and force the output shaft to follow the rotation direction of the input shaft. Unlike in magnetic coupling, the torque transmission here is direct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 6360463
    Abstract: A convertible sign mechanism is provided which comprises a convertible sign member that is rotatable about an axis. The convertible sign member is capable of rotating at a variable velocity. A motor is operatively connected to a drive shaft, which is connected to a cam follower. The cam follower is slidably connected to a member receiving the cam follower, with the receiving member being connected to an output gear. The output gear is connected to a drive gear, which together provide a reduction ratio of at least 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Quality Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Mortimer Huber, Salvador Mendez
  • Patent number: 5980412
    Abstract: A fully automatic infinitely variable torque converter bicycle transmission makes use of cam followers acting between a driver wheel connected with an input and a follower wheel connected with an output. Torque is varied by varying a radial position of the cam followers relative to the driver wheel and the follower wheel, wherein a return of the cam followers toward an outer radial position is delayed. All force transmitting components of the apparatus are mechanically engaged without relying on friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Frank D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5415422
    Abstract: A rider propelled vehicle includes a frame having a hub portion. Each of two cranks has a crank shaft extending into the hub portion and mounted on the hub portion for rotation relative thereto independent of the other crank shaft. Both of the cranks can be rotated through a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position in which the force applied by the rider to the crank for propulsion of the vehicle is at a minimum. An output shaft extending from within the hub portion is operatively connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle for driving rotation of the drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The output shaft is mounted on the hub portion for rotation relative to the frame and the cranks. A torque transmission assembly interconnecting the output shaft with the crank shafts for transmitting torque from the crank shafts to the output shaft is contained within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Equi-Cycle Corporation
    Inventor: Earl M. Trammell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5239879
    Abstract: A simple stepless variable transmission in which rotation of an input shaft (10) is translated into circular motion of an input stage arm (16) which is then converted into periodic rotation of an intermediate linkage (20) around a center of rotation that is displaced from the center of circular motion of the input stage arm (16). The periodic rotation of the intermediate linkage (20) drives an output stage arm (30) into periodic circular motion about a center that is displaced from the center of rotation of the intermediate linkage (20). An overrunning clutch (36) then transmits the useful portion of the periodic circular motion to an output shaft (37). Simultaneously controllably varying the distances between the centers of motion for the input stage arm (16), the intermediate linkage (20) and the output stage arm (30) controllably varies the ratio of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Demitri G. Economou
  • Patent number: 5176075
    Abstract: A control mechanism for driving a movable lower platen in a platen press or similar machine including a fixed upper platen, the movable lower platen adapted for movement towards and away from the fixed upper platen, the machine also including a plurality of nipper bars adapted for movement between the platens to remove sheet material from between the platens. The control mechanism includes a crankshaft, a plurality of cranked levers articulated to the movable lower platen, a plurality of connecting rods, each of the connecting rods articulated to the crankshaft and articulated to one of the cranked levers, and a wheel having a groove therein on a side of the wheel facing the crankshaft in which a tenon or finger moves to change the speed of movement of the crankshaft and hence the movement of the lower platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Iberica A.G., S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Vegue
  • Patent number: 5159846
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably moving and positioning an indexing table is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention allows an indexing table to be quickly rotated between a plurality of index positions to within an accuracy of less than 0.001 inches on a repeated basis. Further, the apparatus has no looseness or physical separation between motion transmission elements while at or near each index position that would otherwise allow for externally induced movement of the indexing table. While at or near each index position, a first side of the cogs of a first planetary gear is kept in continual contact with the first side of the cogs of a main gear, and the second side of the cogs of a second gear is kept in continual contact with the second side of the cogs of a main gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Michael V. Warner
  • Patent number: 5113712
    Abstract: A simple stepless variable transmission in which rotation of an input shaft is translated into circular motion of an input stage arm which is then converted into periodic rotation of an intermediate linkage around a center of rotation that is displaced from the center of circular motion of the input stage arm. The periodic rotation of the intermediate linkage drives an output stage arm into periodic circular motion about a center that is displaced from the center of rotation of the intermediate stage linkage. An overrunning clutch then transmits the useful portion of the periodic circular motion to an output shaft. Simultaneously controllably varying the distances between the centers of motion for the input stage arm, the intermediate linkage and the output stage arm controllably varies the ratio of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Demitri G. Economou
  • Patent number: 4950199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel push toy that includes a handle having a main shaft connected to an axle which includes at least two substantially circular members rotatably fitted thereon. The substantially circular members are rotatably engaged with each other such that when the push-toy is pushed or pulled across a surface, the substantially circular member engaging the surface rotates, thereby rotating the other substantially circular member which is not engaged with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Kinderworks Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kaplan, Edward B. Seldin
  • Patent number: 4772252
    Abstract: The invention realizes fluent drive without dead points by continuously cging the angle between the levers (13,14) of the pedals (1). The two pedal levers (13,14) are fixed to two separate shafts (15,16) with common axis (3). The driving shaft (18) is eccentric to this axis (3) and the mechanical connection between the driving shaft (18) and the shafts (15,16) of the pedal levers (13,14) is realized by eccentrics (19,20). With this construction the pedals move faster when coming upwards and slower when going downwards, so when the depressed pedal reaches its lowest point, the other one has already passed its highest point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Licencia Talalmanyokat Ertekesito es Innovacios Kulkereskedelmi Vallalat
    Inventor: Gabor Bona
  • Patent number: 4671400
    Abstract: The wear take-up assembly comprises ratchet engagement device (51) which is interposed between a toothed sector (42) and a lever assembly (19). The toothed sector (42) co-operates with a positioner operating member (20) and resilient force moderator member (21). The lever assembly (19) acts on the clutch by way of the fork (41) and the thrust member (18). The lever assembly (19) advantageously, comprises two levers (49 and 50) so arranged as to amplify the movement of the lever (49) which co-operates with ratchet engagement device (51) so as to permit a fine wear take-up action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Pierre Grunberg, Rene-Louis Hamelin, Rabah Arhab
  • Patent number: 4502678
    Abstract: A sheet accelerating device driven by the single-revolution shaft of a feeding attachment with a front-feed unit which runs faster or slower than the single-revolution shaft is constructed in such a way that high feeding accuracy is also guaranteed at high operating speeds, and this is achieved by the provision of an intermediate gear between the advancing unit and the single-revolution shaft, the intermediate gear having a step-by-step motion gear and control gear which allows adjustment of the speed of the rotating element of the step-by-step motion gear for a part of its rotation in relation to the speed of the single-revolution shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Georg Spiess GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Marass
  • Patent number: 4459866
    Abstract: Non-uniform drive comprising a flywheel disc for balancing masses and a slide crank drive in which the crank pin is guided in a slideway provides for an adjustable spacing between the crank shaft and the shaft of the slideway. A second crank pin lies opposite the first crank pin at substantially the same spacing from the axis of the shaft of the slideway and drives the freely rotatable flywheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventor: Richard Feldkamper
  • Patent number: 4426825
    Abstract: A machine for packaging objects such as rolls of paper comprises a direction changing loading wheel to feed objects and groups of objects into closely grouped orientation in the wrapping machine for high speed passage through the machine in a continuous motion generally in a single direction and substantially at a single speed. A wrapper supply mechanism feeds sheets of wrapping material to lie between conveying belts above the article to be wrapped with the leading edge of the wrapper substantially ahead of the article or group of articles to be wrapped. A pair of vacuum wheels alongside the path of the article on axes skewed slightly outwardly from the article path pull the wrapper down in front of the article and allow it to pass underneath as the article passes so that the wrapper becomes wrapped around the top, front and bottom of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Barbara A. Nordstrom
    Inventor: John E. Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 4347752
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting rotary motion from a source of power which may be of constant speed into a rectilinear force includes a coupling arrangement for driving an eccentrically unbalanced flywheel at a cyclically varying rotational speed and linkages for altering the timing of the cyclical variation of speed of the eccentrically unbalanced flywheel. The apparatus comprises a cam element which is driven at a constant rate of speed about an output axis which is perpendicular to its face. The cam element has a slot extending diametrically across its face, configured for slidably engaging a pin which is located on a cam follower. The cam follower is freely rotatable about an input axis that is offset from the output axis by an amount which allows the pin to remain in the slot when the elements are rotated. The cam follower in turn drives the flywheel at a cyclically varying rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Inventor: Frederick L. Dehen
  • Patent number: 4333372
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus with two cooperating rotatable cutting knives is driven by a driving shaft rotating at a constant speed and includes a speed controller in the form of an interlocking rotatable pin and slot drive connection, the input and output shafts of that connection offset from each other, and acceleration and deceleration compensating means including a compensating flywheel and an interlocking rotatable pin and slot drive connection having the input and output shafts offset from each other, the input shafts of both slot drive connections being coupled to the driving shaft, the output shafts of both of the connections being held against bodily movement while the input shafts are mounted for parallel bodily displacement, and means for adjusting the position of the input shafts of the slot drives. Preferably, the input shafts have a common axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: AGFA-GEVAERT N.V.
    Inventors: Wilfried E. Muylle, Heinz Kreiter
  • Patent number: 4291591
    Abstract: Motion transmitting apparatus includes a case member, a pair of coaxial shaft members, and a pair of shuttle members. The members rotate about the shaft axis in unison as a differential mechanism, with differential action between the shaft members provided by oscillation and reciprocation of the shuttle members in opposite directions relative to another axis perpendicular to the shaft axis. Grounding the case member causes this opposite oscillation and reciprocation of the shuttle members to provide a reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Ross
  • Patent number: 4269292
    Abstract: A lost-motion drive mechanism is provided which is particularly, although not exclusively, adapted for use as a high speed transport for an X-ray film, or the like, in an X-ray camera. The drive mechanism includes an input shaft for coupling a drive motor to the drive shaft of the transport. Actuators are interposed between the input shaft and the drive shaft. As the input shaft is driven through one complete revolution (360.degree.) by the drive motor, the actuators cause the drive shaft to turn with an angular velocity which rises gradually from zero to a maximum for the first 180.degree. of rotation of the input shaft, and then with an angular velocity which decreases gradually from a maximum to zero for the next 180.degree. of rotation of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Scentex Corporation
    Inventor: Charles W. Wright
  • Patent number: 4268343
    Abstract: A first drive apparatus for a thermoplastic web operates at an automatically adjusted, substantially constant, speed to deliver the thermoplastic web to a welding tool which rotates with a second pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers are driven at a cyclically variable speed in which the minimum speed is attained at the time when the welding tool is in contact with the thermoplastic web. An automatic control system adjusts the speed of the feed rollers to correspond to the speed of the welding tool at the instant during which welding is performed. Adjustment of the ratio of the maximum to the minimum speed of the cyclically variable speed of the second pair of rollers controls the length of thermoplastic web between welds without changing the speed of the driving input to the second pair of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Karl Heinz Stiegler
    Inventor: Ehrhart Schulze
  • Patent number: 4096763
    Abstract: A gear reduction mechanism wherein a modification of the hypocycloidal principle is used. The planet gear of the hypocycloidal arrangement has at least one-half tooth more or less teeth than one-half the number of teeth on the ring gear. Either the ring gear or a pin reaction plate is permitted to rotate while the other is stationary. The reaction pins disposed on the planet gear travel in straight lines in slots formed in the reaction plate. When the reaction plate is stationary, the ring gear must rotate a very small amount during one complete rotation of the planet carrier to compensate for the tooth difference between the ring and planet gears. When the ring gear is held stationary, the reaction plate is forced to rotate to compensate for the tooth difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Nathaniel B. Kell
  • Patent number: 4075896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-speed drive mechanism for the drum of an automatic sheet feeder.It is known that the collators for signatures and single sheets are provided with so-called automatic feeders which collate the material arranged in a pile on a collating table.In modern machines each feeder is provided with an aspirator for removing the lower sheet from the pile so that it can be gripped by the grippers fitted to each rotating drum. In the moment in which the sheet lifted by the aspirators is gripped by the grippers, the drum must stop to allow the perfect gripping of the single sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Inventors: Giorgio Pessina, Aldo Euclide Perobelli