Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Francis N. Carten
  • Patent number: 6182810
    Abstract: An automatic coupling has two parts supported inside one another, and which are rotatable around a common longitudinal axis. The parts form an annular chamber. An annular piston axially divides the annular chamber into two compartments. The annular piston is connected to one of the parts in a rotationally fast and axially movable way and there is formed a shear channel which extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis. The shear channel connects the two compartments separated by the annular piston to one another. The end faces of the annular chamber are formed by the other one of the parts, with the annular piston being able to support itself on the end faces of the annular chamber while generating braking forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Kwoka
  • Patent number: 6161667
    Abstract: A coupling device with two parts which are coaxially rotatable relative to one another, comprising a friction coupling whose friction plates are alternately connected to each of the rotatable parts. Further the coupling device comprises an actuating device for the friction coupling, which comprises an annular chamber formed in one of the rotatable parts and containing a highly viscous fluid. A rotational member is arranged in the annular chamber and is drivingly connected to the other one of the rotatable parts. The actuating device, when the rotatable parts rotate relative to one another, causes an increase in pressure of the highly viscous fluid for the purpose of loading the friction coupling. When the relative rotation between the rotatable parts exceeds a given value, the increase in pressure is checked to limit the torque transferred through the friction coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventor: Adrian Chludek
  • Patent number: 6158477
    Abstract: A flexible duct and method for making the duct are disclosed. The duct includes an inner wall bonded to an outer wall, with a wire resilient helix and a scrim sandwiched therebetween. The scrim is in the form of a helical tape embedded between the outer wall and the inner wall, and preferably consists of a bonded yarn constructed in a layered or interwoven square or other uninterrupted geometrical pattern. The presence of the scrim provides the duct with high tensile strength and excellent tear resistance in all directions, especially in the helical direction. The method of manufacturing the duct includes the steps of helically forming the wire and scrim about the inner wall and bonding the outer wall to the inner wall to as to sandwich the helix and the scrim between the inner and outer walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Flexible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Waters
  • Patent number: 6116392
    Abstract: A coupling device for transmitting torque between a first part and a second part which are rotatable relative to one another is disclosed. The coupling device comprises a multi-plate coupling unit with axially alternating arranged first plates and second plates. The first plates are each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the first part or the second part and the second plates are each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the other of the first part or the second part. The coupling device further comprises an actuating assembly for axially loading the multi-plate coupling unit by means of a setting piston. The multi-plate coupling unit also comprises a first annular chamber filled with a highly viscous fluid and delimited by the setting piston, and a rotational member arranged in the annular chamber. The first annular chamber is formed in one of the first or second parts with the rotational member being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the other of the first or second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventor: Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 6080076
    Abstract: A differential drive has a differential carrier rotatably drivably supported around an axis in a drive housing. Two axle shaft gears are arranged in coaxial bores while being supported around the axis so as to be rotatable relative to the differential carrier. A plurality of differential gears are rotatably supported in axis-parallel cylindrical pockets in the differential carrier and rotate with the differential carrier. A first group of differential gears engage one of the axle shaft gears and a second group of differential gears engage the other one of the axle shaft gears. The axle shaft gears and the differential gears are designed as helical gears. The differential gears, on their tooth heads, rotate in the pockets, and the differential carrier has a central portion with the bores for the axle shaft gears and the pockets for the differential gears. Two cover parts axially close the bores and the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Kwoka, Adrian Chludek
  • Patent number: 6068099
    Abstract: A coupling device with two parts which are coaxially rotatable relative to one another, comprising a friction coupling whose friction plates are alternately connected to each of the rotatable parts. Further the coupling device comprises an actuating device for the friction coupling, which comprises an annular chamber formed in one of the rotatable parts and containing a highly viscous fluid. A rotational chamber is arranged in the annular chamber and is drivingly connected to the other one of the rotatable parts. The actuating device, when the rotatable parts rotate relative to one another, causes an increase in pressure for the purpose of loading the friction coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: GKN Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventor: Adrian Chludek
  • Patent number: 6056097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a viscous coupling such as it used in the driveline of a motor vehicle, wherein, due to a relative rotational movement between the inner plates 80 and the outer plates 90, the viscous medium is made to flow towards the axis of rotation X--X of the viscous coupling. To achieve this objective, the plates 80, 90 are provided with closed apertures 81, 91, whose delimiting faces 82, 83, 92, 93 are inclined relative to an imaginary radius R, so that, in the case of a rotational movement, the delimiting faces press the viscous medium inwardly, independently of the direction of rotation. This counter-acts a separation of viscous medium and air often caused by centrifugal forces at high speeds. As a result, the plates 80, 90 are moistened uniformly, which, in turn, reduces the amount of wear and increases the service life of the viscous coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: GKN ViscoDrive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofer, Rudolf Morawetz
  • Patent number: 5837880
    Abstract: An ultrasonic test standard is formed by a metal block having a unique shape incorporating an arcuate surface and a series of reflectors that enable discreet instrument measurement verifications in a relatively small area. This calibration block, though relatively small and light in weight, will perform all of the functions of a standard IIW (International Institute of Welding) type block and additional functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sperry Rail Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Shakinovsky, Robert E. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5625951
    Abstract: A combination hand tool for cutting flexible duct and the like, which tool has both (i) a blade-holding mechanism which enables safe, quick and convenient replacement of a utility knife blade for cutting material requiring relatively low cutting pressure (e.g., the insulated portion of flexible duct) and (ii) a replaceable cutting tool having a cutting edge moveable against a cutting surface to enable the user to generate relatively high cutting force on a piece requiring such high cutting force (e.g., the metal or plastic wire component of flexible duct). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned blade-holding mechanism includes two similarly-shaped, overlying plates which are both pivotably moveable to enable separation of the plates and replacement of the utility knife blade positioned therebetween. Also, the aforementioned replaceable cutting tool is held in its operating position by a holding mechanism for releasably securing the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Flexible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5497554
    Abstract: A plier-type hand tool having a first member comprising a pair of components formed of sheet material mounted in fixed spaced relation, and a second member formed of sheet material and pivotally mounted between the components of the first member, each of the members having a jaw portion and a handle portion, and a third member pivotally mounted between the components of the first member, wherein the third member includes a recess for receiving a cutting blade, a pin for retaining the cutting blade, and a stud projecting from the third member, and wherein the second member is formed with a recess mating with the stud, such that when the second member is pivoted to an open position, access is afforded to the recess for receiving the cutting blade and the pin for retaining the cutting blade to facilitate replacement of the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Flexible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5469219
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal transmission in which each of a series of input signals (e.g., RGB baseband video signals) is frequency-modulated onto an intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency signals thus produced are then fed through RF mixers and frequency-shifted to an assigned transmission channel. Each channel is then RF multiplexed into a composite signal for providing a complete set of input signals to one or more monitors. Each monitor is provided with a splitter to divide the composite multiplexed signal into its RF components, which are fed to RF mixers to be shifted back to intermediate frequency signals. Demodulators convert these intermediate frequency signals to output signals corresponding to the input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Micrognosis, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Y. Mortensen
  • Patent number: 5421047
    Abstract: A patient support system comprising a series of self-supporting cushions connected by two longitudinal members and disposed transversely to a bed, with at least two of the cushions spaced longitudinally from one another so as to raise the patient's buttocks above the underlying bed while remaining out of contact therewith. The cushions are contoured so as to raise both the head and the heels of the patient with respect to his/her buttocks, with the heels extending beyond the end cushion to remain out of contact therewith. An embodiment with a reduced number of cushions supports a patient in the sitting position, either in a chair, a wheelchair, or on a backless bench, with the option of having the patient's legs raised on a cushion extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Annette Sabia
  • Patent number: 5398484
    Abstract: A transfer device for gripping a filled bag from a suspended position at a filling neck and depositing the bag on a conveyor belt for moving it into a bag closing device, a clamping assembly having two approximately vertical arms which are articulated at their lower ends, with horizontal clamping strips attached thereto, with the arms, for the purpose of clamping in the upper end of the bag by means of the clamping strips below the bag clamps at the filling neck, being movable at their free ends in the sense of closing the clamping strips and with the arms being able to accommodate the conveyor belt extending between them in the direction of the opening edge of the bag; a linear drive unit for moving the clamping assembly in the direction of the conveyor belt; and a lifting unit for the clamping assembly, for depositing the bag clamped in between the clamping strips on the conveyor belt, with the actuating means for the clamping assembly, the drive unit and the lifting unit being arranged below the conveyor b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Chronos Richardson GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Wilhelm Kader
  • Patent number: 5305579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for expanding bags and slipping them on to a filling neck, especially bags with side folds, which are fed individually on to an aligning table, with the bag opening being positioned at the front, there being provided at least first suction means which are supported at the aligning table and which, in the region of the bag opening, are movable against the lower bag wall; at least second suction means which are supported at the aligning table and which are movable against the upper bag wall, the two sets of suction means being removable from one another while being vacuum-loaded; a pair of expanding blades which are movable into the seams of the side folds, which are secured to first pivot elements and are pivotable around a horizontal pivot axis positioned above the aligning table; a pair of bag grips with pairs of claws which are pivotable around rotational axes positioned parallel to the plane of the aligning table and, in consequence, may be opened and closed and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Chronos Richardson GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Wilhelm Kader
  • Patent number: 5301492
    Abstract: A bag clamping device for holding a bag to be filled, especially a bag with side folds, on a filling neck, the bag clamping device being formed by: a first pair of clamps, each comprising clamping members for holding opposed first bag wall segments on the filling neck, and a second pair of clamps each comprising pairs of clamping members, the pair of second clamping members comprising first surface parts which, in pairs, rest against one another in such a way that any bag wall parts positioned in front of the end faces are gripped and held in the bag edge region, as well as second surface parts which are arranged at an angle relative to the first surface parts which are adapted to the end faces and guiding plates of the swung-out expanding flaps for the purpose of holding the remaining free bag wall parts tightly around the filling neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Chronos Richardson GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Wilhelm Kader
  • Patent number: 4921105
    Abstract: A shipping, storing and dispensing container for a length of longitudinally- and radially-compressible product such as insulated or uninsulated duct for air conditioning systems. The container is adapted to have a lateral dispensing opening formed therein for allowing a desired length of compressed flexible duct or other similar product contained therein to be controllably drawn from the container, and to prevent such product from springing out of the container as a result of its internal compressive forces. The lateral dispensing opening is formed in one side and near one end of the container by punching out a flap defined by partially die-cut lines along one side and near one end of the container. The flap may be frictionally engaged with the edges of the container forming the lateral dispensing opening to close the lateral dispensing opening and re-seal the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Automation Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith C. Culbreth
  • Patent number: 4895528
    Abstract: A hose-to-wall fitting for attachment to one end of a current-carrying flexible hose to enable such hose to be connected through a wall-mounted current-carrying inlet valve to both (1) a source of vacuum and (2) dual sources of electrical power, e.g., a high-voltage source for powering a motor or the like, and a low-voltage source for powering a control circuit or the like through a switch built into the handle/wand fitting attached to the other end of the hose. The high-voltage male contacts of the hose-to-wall fitting can be reversed to enable use with the types of inlet valves which incorporate only the connections to the source of vacuum and to the low voltage source, or only the connection to the source of vacuum, the high-voltage connection being made in either case through a short electrical cord to a conventional electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Automation Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alcide W. Choiniere, George T. Dunn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4773068
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in and carried out by a dual channel transmission system with inherent channel identification and extraction. This system employs a data transmission method which has the inherent characteristic that, when two identical receivers are connected to a single signal driver which is transmitting a data stream containing data for each of the channels including one of these receivers, each identical receiver extracts only the data intended for its channel. This method affords the advantage that the signal driver bandwidth may be reassigned by software control so that, when needed, one receiver may extract both channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: TIE/communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent V. Korsky
  • Patent number: D296892
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: TIE/Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph G. Aschauer
  • Patent number: D341412
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The Hydrotherm Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Werner, Mikhail Zlatkin