Geared Connections Patents (Class 74/98)
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Patent number: 12163554Abstract: A raising/lowering-type biaxial hinge for openably and closably coupling a first casing and a second casing in order that one type is compatible with terminal devices of different thicknesses is disclosed. The hinge is composed of a movable hinge shaft attached to a first casing, a fixed hinge shaft attached to a second casing, a first coupling member for movably coupling the movable hinge shaft and for rotatably bearing the fixed hinge shaft at a fixed position. A plurality of second coupling members for rotatably bearing the movable hinge shaft at a shift position and for movably coupling a first displaceable rotary shaft and a second displaceable rotary shaft is provided between the movable hinge shaft and the fixed hinge shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: NATURALEZA-ONE CO., LTD.Inventor: Yi-Hsien Yu
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Patent number: 11889645Abstract: A foldable electronic device includes a first casing, a second casing, a hinge structure and a foldable display. The hinge structure connects the first casing and the second casing, and includes a plurality of supporting blocks, a plurality of first hinge blocks and a plurality of second hinge blocks. The supporting blocks are arranged side by side between the first casing and the second casing. The first hinge blocks and the second hinge blocks are respectively arranged at two sides of the supporting blocks. One of the first hinge blocks connects two of the supporting blocks adjacent to each other. One of the second hinge blocks connects two of the supporting blocks adjacent to each other. The foldable display includes a first bonding portion secured to the first casing, a second bonding portion secured to the second casing and a foldable portion aligned to the hinge structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Acer IncorporatedInventors: Hui-Ping Sun, Wei-Chih Wang, Chun-Hung Wen, Yu-Cheng Shih, Yen-Chou Chueh, Chi-Tai Ho, Kuan-Lin Chen, Chun-Hsien Chen, Chih-Heng Tsou
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Patent number: 11696415Abstract: A hinge structure includes a main support including a sliding groove disposed therein; a limit support rotationally connected to the main support via a straight shaft disposed in the sliding groove, and a limit groove is disposed at one side of the limit support; a sub support connected to the limit support via a crank shaft, wherein the sub support is sleeved on the crank shaft, a crank sliding block is disposed at one end of the crank shaft and in the limit groove; and a shaft sleeve; wherein when the main support rotates relative to the sub support, the straight shaft slides in the sliding groove and the crank sliding block slides in the limit groove. A folding mechanism and a mobile terminal are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: HuiZhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yongqiu Xie, Yiju Chen
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Patent number: 11413744Abstract: Disclosed herein are multi-turn drive assemblies, systems and methods of use thereof. The multi-turn drive assemblies enable a robot link member to have a maximum rotation of at least 360 degrees about an axis. The multi-turn drive assemblies can be incorporated into a robot arm for enabling 360 degrees rotation of one or more link members about an axis. The robot arm may be located in a transfer chamber of an electronic device processing system. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the multi-turn drive assemblies and related robots.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Hudgens, Damon K. Cox, Rajkumar Thanu
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Patent number: 11173339Abstract: Assemblies are for attaching a resistance mechanism to an exercise apparatus. In one example, the assembly has a pulley cable having a first end portion for being coupled to the resistance mechanism and a second end portion coupled to the exercise apparatus; and a plunger device facilitating coupling and uncoupling of the pulley cable to and from the exercise apparatus. The plunger device is movable into a first position in which the plunger device couples the pulley cable to the exercise apparatus and into a second position in which the plunger device uncouples the pulley cable from the exercise apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Life Fitness, LLCInventor: Jeremy L. Fink
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Patent number: 10802551Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a plurality of linkage units, each including a base bar and two rotating assemblies pivotally connected with two carrying sections of the base bar. Each rotating assembly has a synchronous rotation bar, a friction plate and a torsion plate. The friction plate has a first major plate body and a friction increasing portion inclined outwardly from the major plate body. The rotating assemblies are turnable relative to the base bar between unfolded and folded positions. During the turning, the friction increasing portion is gradually overlapped upon and in frictional contact with the torsion plate so as to increase a friction force for providing a stable turning.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: FOSITEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chun-Han Lin, Way-Han Dai, Yu-Chieh Li, Seita Horikoshi
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Patent number: 10383241Abstract: A capping member is provided. The capping member is adapted to a flexible display panel. The capping member includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, a plurality of holes located between the first side wall and the second side wall. The first side wall is configured to be coupled to a side of the flexible display panel. The first side wall and the second side wall are bendable with the side of the flexible display panel and a configuration of each of the plurality of holes are changeable during bending the first side wall and the second side wall. A housing assembly and an electronic device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.Inventor: Yugui Lin
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Patent number: 10356922Abstract: This disclosure provides a middle frame and a flexible display device. The middle frame comprises a first framework component, a second framework component and a flexible component comprising a first chain link element, a second chain link element, a third chain link element, a fourth chain link element, a flexible element and a plurality of rotors. Under collaboration of the plurality of the rotors, the third chain link element is connected to the first framework component and the third chain link element, the third chain link element is connected to the flexible component, the second chain link element is connected to the second framework component and the fourth chain link element, and the fourth chain link element is connected to the flexible component.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Jun Chen
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Patent number: 10162389Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include multiple interconnected friction engines that secure the first portion and the second portion. An individual friction engine can define an axis of rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion. The example can also include sequencing elements that control a relative order of rotation of the multiple interconnected friction engines and overlapping hinge covers that protect the multiple interconnected friction engines and stabilize the timing elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Errol Mark Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
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Patent number: 9746057Abstract: A drive mechanism to move an optical component sensitive to particles is described. The drive mechanism has high precision in rotation, great reliability and durability life, no backlash, and far less particle contamination. The drive mechanism can be advantageously used in high precision rotation driving processes for opto-mechanical inspection systems that require high movement precision and no-contamination. In one embodiment, two pulleys are used with their axes to be parallel from each other, two bands are used to rotate the pulleys in opposite directions. An eccentric disk mechanism is used to fine-tune the distance between the two pulleys so that tensions on the two bands can be optimized.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Dongfang Jingyuan Electron LimitedInventors: Yuhai Mu, Zongqiang Yu
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Patent number: 9142208Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducer body transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a swing shaft (4) attached integrally to the ultrasonic transducer body; a swing shaft pulley (5) provided on the swing shaft; a motor having an output shaft (7); an output shaft pulley (8) provided on the output shaft; a belt (9) wound around the swing shaft pulley and the output shaft pulley; a plurality of belt fixing screws (11, 12) fixing the belt to the swing shaft pulley and the output shaft pulley. The belt is divided into two regions at the belt fixing screws so as to allow the regions to have different natural frequencies. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment using the ultrasonic probe.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Toshiharu Sato, Eiichi Ookawa
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Patent number: 9080460Abstract: A spray cleaning device for cleaning an auxiliary power unit (APU) within an aircraft comprises one or more spray nozzles, a water tube for supplying water to the nozzles, and positioning means. A system for cleaning APUs comprises a spray cleaning device and a supply system for providing pressurized and temperature controlled washing fluid to the cleaning device. A method for cleaning APUs comprises providing a spray cleaning device, attaching the cleaning device to an air inlet structure of an aircraft, and supplying washing fluid to the cleaning device at a desired spray pressure, spray temperature, and spray droplet size.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: EcoServices, LLCInventors: Henrik Amcoff, Sebastian Nordlund
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Publication number: 20150128734Abstract: An involute, non-ring, continuous teeth, spherical gear transmission mechanism includes a female and a male spherical gear to form a three degree-of-freedoms deputy campaign. And its design regularity is the same as that of common one degree-of-freedom gear, which is involute tooth profile for continuous engagement, therefore such spherical gears have the same transmission features as common one degree-of-freedom gear, like fixed transmission ratio and efficiency. This invention (utility) of involute non-ring continuous teeth spherical gear transmission mechanism solve problems that distributed-teeth spherical gear cannot provide accurate fixed ratio transmission and that spherical involute gear can only provide 2 degree of freedoms. It provides a better condition of spherical gear mechanism for wide use in practical engineering applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: HANLIN HONG
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Publication number: 20150040704Abstract: A synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a driver disposed on the first shaft and a reactor disposed on the second shaft and a link unit connected between the driver and the reactor. When the first shaft drives the driver to rotate, the driver pushes the link unit to move along the first and second shafts to forcedly push the reactor to rotate in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the driver. Accordingly, the first and second shafts are synchronously rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventor: AN SZU HSU
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Publication number: 20140360296Abstract: A biaxial pivoting mechanism for rotating a first casing relative to a second casing is disclosed in the present disclosure. The biaxial pivoting mechanism includes at least one fixing component, a first shaft, a first main gear, a second shaft, a second main gear and a transmission gear set. The fixing component includes a first area and a second area. The first shaft and the second shaft are disposed on the first area and the second area and further connected to the first casing and the second casing respectively. The first main gear and the second main gear are respectively disposed on the first shaft and the second shaft. The transmission gear set is engaged with the first main gear and the second main gear. As the first main gear rotates at a first direction, the second main gear synchronously rotates at a second direction opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Wistron CorporationInventor: Wen-Chi Hsu
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Publication number: 20140298935Abstract: A pivot structure includes a gear mechanism, a first pivot assembly including a first stand, and a second pivot assembly including a second stand. The gear mechanism includes a first gear having a tooth portion, transmitting gears, and an end gear. The first gear, the transmitting gears, and the end gear are engaged in sequence. The second stand is rotated between a closed angle and an opening angle relative to the first stand by the gear mechanism. The tooth portion drives the transmitting gears to rotate the end gear when the second stand is rotated between a first middle angle and a second middle angle relative to the first stand, and the tooth portion is departed from the first transmitting gear when the second stand is rotated between the closed angle and the first middle angle relative to the first stand.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Yi-Chang YEH, Tzu-Yu LIN
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Publication number: 20140260735Abstract: A counterbalance system and lifting system for assisting a user. The system includes one or more arms, such as lift arms, that by user input from a user may be operated to raise and lower a load carried by a tray. The system further includes a counterbalance mechanism connected to the one or more arms configured to assist raising and lowering the loaded tray. The counterbalance mechanism may be configured to adjust to a force provided by the counterbalance system in response to the load changing. The system further includes a release for engaging the counterbalance mechanism to assist the user in raising or lowering the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Jonathan Roberts, Clark Davis, Ian Davis, Brian D. Owens
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Publication number: 20140260736Abstract: The present teachings provide for a door linkage system including a drive side and a driven side. The drive side includes a drive gear and a drive arm. The driven side includes a driven gear configured to mesh with the drive gear and a guide plate in cooperation with the drive arm. The drive side moves the driven side between an open position and a closed position. Proximate to the open and the closed positions, the drive arm moves the driven side. Between the open and the closed positions, the drive gear moves the driven side.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Aaron Compton
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Publication number: 20140174227Abstract: A synchronous folding device includes two opposing folding members and a multi-joint rotary axle structure mounted between the two folding members. The multi-joint rotary axle structure has two ends which can be folded or unfolded synchronously. The multi-joint rotary axle structure includes a driving joint assembly and a driven joint assembly. The driving joint assembly includes two opposing joint plates and a middle link plate. Two ends of the driving joint assembly are respectively connected to the two opposing folding members. Each joint plate of the driving joint assembly can be turned free through plural turning centers so that both ends can be closed or opened synchronously for the folding device to be folded or unfolded accurately.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATIONInventors: AN SZU HSU, WAY HAN DAI
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Publication number: 20140174226Abstract: A multi-segment rotary shaft structure includes a driving joint assembly and a driven joint assembly. The driving joint assembly at least includes two opposite joint plates and a middle link plate assembly engaged therebetween. The driven joint assembly is disposed between the opposite joint plates and includes at least two driven plates. Opposite ends of the driven plates are formed with synchronous driving sections drivingly engaged with each other. Inward ends of the opposite joint plates are linked with outward ends of the driven plates. Outward ends of the middle link plate assembly are linked with the inward ends of the driven plates. The driving joint assembly and driven joint assembly are stringed and pivotally connected and combined, whereby the joint plates can be freely rotated around multiple rotational centers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATIONInventors: AN SZU HSU, WAY HAN DAI
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Publication number: 20130174680Abstract: Implementations and techniques are generally disclosed for an actuator comprising: a first element, a second element, a third element, a first joint provided between the first element and the second element, a second joint provided between the second element and the third element, and a motor operably coupled to the first joint and configured such that the second element rotates with respect to the first element about a first rotational axis when the motor rotates, wherein the first joint is operably coupled to the second joint and configured such that the third element can rotate with respect to the second element about a second rotational axis when the motor rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLCInventor: Masaaki Mihara
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Patent number: 8348124Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector and a drive assembly. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector and includes an input portion, an output portion and a gear system disposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Paul Scirica
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Publication number: 20120132020Abstract: A steering device for a wheeled vehicle having wheels includes a steering element for steering actuation with a predetermined movement path and a predetermined degree of actuation, a conversion device for converting the steering actuation to an output signal for transmission to a steering drive for steering the wheels, a connection device operatively connecting the steering element with the conversion device for transmitting the steering actuation to the conversion device, and limiting means configured to either selectively release the degree of actuation to a first maximum degree of actuation or limit the degree of actuation to a second maximum degree of actuation which is reduced compared to the first maximum degree of actuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Peter Kunsch, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 7009627Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel having display devices arranged in a matrix layout and driven through a plurality of row wirings and column wirings, a scanning unit to scan the row wirings, and a modulation unit to supply a modulation signal to the column wirings. A compensation unit applies compensation processing to compensate for fluctuation of display luminance due to the influence of voltage drop caused by a resistance of the row wiring to the image data, and a luminance control unit controls display luminance of the display panel based upon luminance information of the image data.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoto Abe, Kohei Inamura, Osamu Sagano, Hiroshi Saito, Takeshi Ikeda
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Patent number: 6684743Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
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Patent number: 6557205Abstract: A wiper apparatus suitable to wipe the window pane of laterally elongated type, which is provide with a reversible wiper motor 2; a reciprocally rotating output shaft 2a; a circular shaped rotary housing 3 fixed to the output shaft; a stationary gear 4 disposed coaxially around about the output; an idler gear 5 meshed with the stationary gear and supported rotatably on the rotary housing; an output gear 6 meshed with the idler gear and supported rotatably on the rotary housing; and a pivot shaft 20 fixed to the output gear and connected with a wiper member 7, 8; the gears 4, 5 and 6 are housed in the rotary housing 3.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masaru Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6336373Abstract: A drivig rotary shaft and a follower rotary shaft are rotatably carried in a housing of a rotary solenoid. Operating members fixed to the rotary shafts by clips are operatively connected to each other by gears, and a locked member is locked non-movably by locking surfaces formed at tip ends of the operating members. This makes it unnecessary to provide a device for converting a rectilinear motion to a rotational motion such as a pin and an elongated bore in a path of transmission of a driving force from the rotary solenoid to the operating members. Therefore, not only the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced, but also the number of slide areas, where a friction resistance and looseness are liable to be produced, is reduced, thereby enabling a noiseless smooth operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Keihin CorporationInventors: Masakazu Murai, Shigeto Ryuen
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Patent number: 6186018Abstract: A binocular includes first and second swingable bodies respectively accommodating telescope systems. The binocular further includes two drive rings respectively provided to the swingable bodies and an operation knob. A transmission unit is provided to transmit the rotation of the operation knob to the drive rings. The transmission unit includes two pairs of a first gear and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear engage with the other so that a contact point of pitch circles thereof is located on each of the swing axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuru Ichikawa
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Patent number: 6182550Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
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Patent number: 6163992Abstract: A motion toy includes a frame structure covered with a decorated shell and a power drive controlled to move parts of the frame structure. The frame structure has two vertical upper side boards and two vertical lower side boards hinged together, a horizontal shoulder board coupled between the vertical side boards at the top, a horizontal upper link coupled between the vertical upper side boards and the vertical lower side boards, and a horizontal bottom link coupled between the vertical lower side boards at the bottom side. This bottom link is reciprocated by the power drive. Each vertical upper side boards has a respective sector gear respectively meshed with a respective sector gear on the vertical lower side boards.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Blue Ridge Designs, Inc.Inventor: Jin-Long Chou
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Patent number: 6095007Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a fixed gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the fixed gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the fixed gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the fixed gear 110 is in reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gabriel Brewington, Richard Hunter Harris
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Patent number: 5987704Abstract: An improved hinge mechanism for use with a portable computing device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first gear and a first deformable braking mechanism that is coupled to the first gear. The first deformable braking mechanism is substantially axially aligned with the first gear along a first axis. The hinge mechanism also includes a second gear that engages the first gear during rotation of the first gear, as well as a second braking mechanism. The second braking mechanism is arranged to be substantially axially aligned with the second gear along a second axis. The second braking mechanism contacts the first deformable braking mechanism to cause the first deformable braking mechanism to deform during rotation of the first gear. Finally, the hinge mechanism includes a linking mechanism that allows a constant distance to be maintained between the first axis and the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventor: John G. Tang
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Patent number: 5931244Abstract: A steering system in an all-terrain four-wheeled vehicle with independent suspension wherein necessary forces for steering control are supplied by cable and pulley actuators with the cable running parallel to the suspension arm between vehicle frame and wheel, steering control by the driver being by manipulation of right and/or left steering levers eliminating the need of steering wheel and steering column in front of the driver. The steering actuators are independent and there is no linkage for coordinating their turning angles; rather, close coordination of the wheel turning angles for achieving the turning angle relation between the wheels is by a non-linear linkage whereby the actuators are provided with separate displacement motions with the non-linear relation to achieve the desired relation between the steering angles of the wheels.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Board of Trustee of University of ArkansasInventors: David A. Renfroe, Joseph F. Partain
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Patent number: 5918849Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Inventor: Jon P. Bliss
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Patent number: 5776033Abstract: A removable chin-up bar arrangement includes spaced body members situated at opposite ends of a chin-up bar extending therebetween, the bar being rotatable with respect to the body members. Opposed pincher members are swingably attached to each of the body members and are adapted to extend about and hang the body members and the chin-up bar from and overhead support, such as the framing extending about an interior doorway. A gear tooth lock mechanism extending between the ends of the chin-up bar and each of the pincher members, the lock mechanism moving the pincher members in unison toward each other and causing the chin-up bar to rotate in a first direction and upon rotation of the bar in the opposite direction causes the pincher members to open from each other, permitting removal of the chin-up bar arrangement from the doorway.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Inventor: William R. Brown
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Patent number: 5721669Abstract: A gear-driven docking apparatus for removable mass-storage drives comprises a guide rail, mounted inside a computer chassis, and a drive carrier, bearing a mass-storage drive. The drive carrier includes an alignment groove for slidingly receiving the guide rail and a gear train for engaging a rack profile formed at the proximal end of the guide rail, The rack profile and the gear train incorporate a mechanism that provides gear-and-rack synchronization under all operating conditions. Data and power connectors of the mass-storage drive are terminated to a printed circuit board that is movably attached to the drive carrier. The circuit board merges the separate power and data connectors into a single docking connector having registration pins.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1995Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: William M. Becker, Sung H. Kim
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Patent number: 5590851Abstract: In an overhead luggage bin for the passenger cabin of an aircraft, the bin has an opening with at least two hinged doors being provided at the bin opening. The bin includes at least one telescopically extensible spring strut device. In such a device a spring is resiliently loaded as the strut telescopically contracts. The spring strut device operates on two of the doors simultaneously through the medium of a differential mechanism. The thrust of the spring strut device tends to open the two doors simultaneously and the differential mechanism permits the two doors to be opened and closed, one relative to the other.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Bridport-Gundry PLCInventor: David Ackerman
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Patent number: 5558487Abstract: In an article transporting system, a first linear moving arm and a second linear moving arm are juxtaposed to each other so as to be moved linearly while keeping a parallel positional relationship with each other. First end portions of the linear moving arms are coupled to an article transporting unit through first and second links. A linear drive mechanism is provided for linearly moving the article transporting unit in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the linear moving arms by the linear movement of the first and second linear moving arms. The first and second linear moving arms are synchronously linearly moved in opposite directions to each other. In this case, to avoid an unstable posture of the article transporting unit during the movement, a posture maintaining device is provided between one of the first and second linear moving arms and the article transporting unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kiyoshi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 5517205Abstract: An antenna pointing device for use in a satellite tracking system, including a satellite tracking system mounted on a moving body. The tracking system has at least one sensor that generates a signal indicating the orientation of the moving body relative to the satellite. The pointing device includes a base mounted on the moving body, an antenna pointing arm carrying the antenna and a universal joint supported by the base. The pointing arm is rotatably mounted within the universal joint for rotation about first and second control axes, the universal joint being constructed and arranged to enable rotation of the pointing arm through greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees about each of the first and second control axes while suffering no singularities of control.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1993Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: KVH Industries, Inc.Inventors: Martin A. K. van Heyningen, John M. Evans, Jr.
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Patent number: 5504961Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle section having a motor drive and a drive shaft coupled to the motor drive by a translating device, and a brush section having bristle assembly and a transmission shaft unit coupled to the drive shaft and driven by it to turn the bristle assembly back and forth alternatively, the transmission shaft unit consisting of a driving member, a connecting member, a driven member, and a compression spring, wherein the transmission shaft unit disengages from the drive shaft upon an overpressure to prevent damage to the bristles.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Inventor: C. S. Yang
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Patent number: 5461325Abstract: An assembly suitable for use as an overclamp assembly is provided. The assembly includes a base having a shaft inserted therethrough. The shaft rotates about an axis relative to the base. A center block is pivotably coupled to the shaft for arcuate movement about the axis and relative to the base. A longitudinal drive assembly is inserted into the center block and coupled to the shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the longitudinal drive assembly to traverse a longitudinal path and an arcuate path about the axis. The longitudinal drive assembly includes a holder which is suitable for attachment to a probe arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Marketech, Inc.Inventor: Richard R. Duggan
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Patent number: 5444880Abstract: A manual CPR release for a hospital bed mechanically releases the head section from the head drive motor to quickly lower the head section to a flat position. When the head section reaches its lower limit, a switch is actuated which produces a command signal initiating the operation of both the head and knee drive motors. The knee drive motor lowers the thigh and foot sections to their flat positions and brings them into a coplanar position with the head section. Operating the head drive motor moves the head drive nut back into mechanical engagement with the head section.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Hill-Rom Company, Inc.Inventors: Matthew W. Weismiller, John R. Wilker, Jr., David A. Albersmeyer, Peter M. Wukusick, Kenneth L. Kramer
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Patent number: 5417126Abstract: A selector lever arrangement for an automatic transmission, comprising a lever (10) in a housing (2) pivotable about a horizontal transverse axle (9), wherein the housing (2) is dome-shaped with side walls (4 to 6) and is covered by a member (14) and a cover (20) with a gate, and wherein lever (10) has a hand grip (11) with a control knob (12), a catch device (19) operated by the control knob (12) by which the lever (10) is pivotably mounted on axle (9), the mounting member (13) being connected to a Bowden cable linkage (27) which transmits movements to the shift input element of the automatic gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1994Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Guido DeCrouppe, Graeme Turner
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Patent number: 5277076Abstract: Pivotal platform apparatus (10) includes a frame member (12), a platform member (14) being pivotally attached to the frame member and having a first rotational inertia, and a reaction member (20) being pivotally attached to the frame member and having a second rotational inertia. A pair of crossed taut elements (40a and 40b) provide means for transmitting reverse rotation pivotal movement between the platform member and the reaction member so that the inertia of the reaction member balances the reaction of the platform member to provide a reactionless scan mechanism. A pair of motors (26a and 26b), each having pole pieces (30a and 30b) attached to the reaction member, and each having motor coils (28a and 28b) attached to the frame member, provide means for rotationally positioning the reaction member.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Ball CorporationInventor: Miroslaw Ostaszewski
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Patent number: 5259262Abstract: A non-involute gear used in a gear pair. A first gear has a plurality of radially extending, circumferentially spaced teeth, each with a generally cylindrical, arcuate shaped end surface. A second gear has a plurality of spaced, non-involute shaped teeth. Each tooth of the second gear is formed with opposed base faces disposed at an identical radius. A pair of flats extend in parallel from the ends of each circular base face and terminate in inwardly extending, end portions extending from the flats to the top land of each gear tooth. A tooth space is formed between two adjacent non-involute gear teeth having a semi-circular base portion formed by the opposed circular base faces of two adjacent gear teeth and two parallel flat portions formed by the pair of parallel flats extending from the semi-circular base portion which combine to form a generally U-shaped space for receiving a gear tooth on the first gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: ITT CorporationInventors: Daniel J. DuRocher, Ellsworth S. Miller
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Patent number: 5218876Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, has a three element pantographic linkage including a rigid control arm of which an intermediate point is constrained to move along a horizontal path. One end of the arm is pivotally mounted to an arm carrying the tiltable head, while the other end is pivotally mounted to a locating arm whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure. The relative angular position of the two arms is controlled by two parallelogram linkages with different degrees of fold and having the central arm in common, whereby one of the two linkages is always laterally spaced from the arm. Alternatively the two arms may be secured to respective sprockets pivoted to the arm and connected together by a chain.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Vinten Group PLCInventor: Richard A. Lindsay
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Patent number: 5201234Abstract: A support for holding and adjusting the vertical position of medical apparatus comprises a bearing housing (10), a pivot arm (11) which is preferably vertically pivotally hinged on the bearing housing (10) and is formed to carry an electromedical apparatus, and a motor (12) for the vertical pivoting of the pivot arm (11) which is arranged on the bearing housing (10), wherein a force transmitting device (13, 14, 15, 25) is provided between the motor (12) and the pivot arm (11) which converts the rotary movement of the motor (10) into a pivotal movement of the pivot arm (11).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Delma elektro-und medizinische Geraetebau Gesellschaft mbHInventor: Kurt Gull
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Patent number: 5180276Abstract: An articulated arm transfer device employs a rhomboidal link structure defined by two separated pairs of forearms pivotally joined at the elbows and at the wrists. Each wrist supports a holding structure and the elbows are driven in mirror-image semicircular paths by a pair of upper arms which are superimmposed alternately under each pair of forearms as the upper arms are rotated about mutually adjacent shoulder joints. The motion is such that at any time one holding structure is moving rapidly between an extended position and a park position while the other holidng structure is slowly traveling a negligible distance between a park position and a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Ruth A. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 5172542Abstract: In a spinning machine for pneumatic false-twist spinning, a plurality of spinning points are provided which are each equipped with one drafting unit. Two air nozzles are connected behind a pair of delivery rollers of the drafting unit and are pivotable around a separate swivel shaft and are connected by a restricted guidance in such a manner that, by an actuating movement, they can be moved into servicing positions which deviate from one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignees: Fritz Stahlecker, Hans StahleckerInventors: Fritz Stahlecker, Josef Scholz
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Patent number: 5150627Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, includes a pantographic-type linkage. The angular position of an arm (24) supporting the mounting head (26) is controlled relative to a locating arm (12), whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure (16) by three meshing gears, of which one (10) is connected to the locating arm (12) and another gear (20) is connected to the arm (24). The gears are rotatably mounted on a rigid arm (22) of the linkage of which an intermediate point (28) is constrained to move along a horizontal path.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1991Date of Patent: September 29, 1992Assignee: Vinten Group PLCInventor: Richard A. Lindsay