Patents Represented by Law Firm Oldham & Oldham Co.
  • Patent number: 5975496
    Abstract: The present invention is a multiple pump transmission jack for use with removing and repairing transmissions. The jack has two hydraulic pumps mounted on a base which are connected with interrelated oil passages or conduits formed within the base, which is operated by a pedal connected with the two pumps for drawing hydraulic oil from a reservoir and into an oil pressure cylinder to easily and quickly raise a piston rod within the oil pressure cylinder saving the operator's effort and increasing the efficiency of operation. The jack also includes an overload system that prevents the operator from placing a load on the jack which is greater than its rated load, thus preventing danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-cheng Hong, Jiun-hong Lin
  • Patent number: 5975314
    Abstract: A shipping rack is provided for safe and secure transport of a plurality of generally elongate workpieces, each of the plurality of workpieces having a longitudinal axis and distinctly different first and second ends. The shipping rack comprises a rectangular base with a vertical members extending perpendicularly upwardly from the four corners of the base. Affixed to the vertical members are at least one pair of horizontal support members. Each such pair is positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship. Across the length of the horizontal support members are a plurality of pairs of alternating first and second slots for receiving the first and second respective ends of the workpieces. Because of the difference in depth of the first and second slots, the workpieces are held in the pair of support members with the axis thereof at an angle of about 5 degrees relative to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 5976050
    Abstract: The drive axles of a motor vehicle differential assembly are secured within the central bores provided in the side gears of the differential assembly by a spherical retention means which preferably is a metal ball that is securely held within a spherically-hollowed region created through the communication of a spherical bore provided in the splined end portions of the drive axles and a spherically-walled end portion of an elongated cavity provided in the splined central bores of the side gears. The spherically-walled end portion communicates with a cylindrically-walled region of the elongated cavity that facilitates insertion of the retention means into the elongated cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Earl James Irwin
  • Patent number: 5967722
    Abstract: A locking washer arrangement which includes two (2) washer members fabricated from a hardened steel material, a thicker one on the bottom and a thinner one on the top. The top surface of the top washer member and the bottom surface of the bottom washer member preferably have a relatively high coefficient of friction and may be grooved, embossed or otherwise roughened so they will grip the surfaces they come into contact with while the bottom surface of the top washer member and the top surface of the bottom washer member have a relatively low coefficient of friction to facilitate relative movement therebetween. Relatively long flexible tabs project radially outward from the periphery of the top washer member and distal ends are bent downwardly to engage and interlock between corresponding relatively short stiff tabs projecting radially outward from the periphery of the bottom washer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Fett
  • Patent number: 5969339
    Abstract: A part tracking system comprised of an array of photoelectric sensors positioned at various angles with respect to a conveyor transporting parts such as pieces of poultry to create a field of detection. The angle arrangements of the array of photoelectric sensors circumscribes the parts with lines of varying angles to approximate the part outline or closed line integral with a polygon. As a part is conveyed through the array of photoelectric sensors each transition of the sensors provide a side of the polygon that circumscribes the part. From this the vertices of the polygon can be determined which allows the centroid and angle of the major axis of the part to be calculated thereby providing the coordinates for the part's location on the conveyor. The coordinates are then conveyed to a robotic controller which manipulates an end effector to grasp the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation Office of Technology Licensing
    Inventors: Gary V. McMurray, Wiley D. Holcombe, Jr., Marlon Moses, John A. Messenger, Christopher Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5968311
    Abstract: A device for applying a vapor retarder film onto purlins on a roofing system has a base with rollers and guides for directing the base across the purlins. The base has a fore end and an aft end with a pair of side members. The base moves across the purlins such that the side members remain in a fixed spaced apart relationship wider than the spacing between the pair of purlins. A vertical member attached to each of the side members provides a means for mounting a web of the vapor retarder film on a roll above the base and the adjacent pair of the spaced apart purlins. Adhesive is dispensed onto the edges of the web and the web is payed out and guided onto the purlin so that the edge of the web having the adhesive is put into adhesive engagement with the top surface of the purlins and the film sealingly spans the interval between the adjacent purlins. By use of a plurality of these devices acting in parallel, a method of applying the web to the roof purlins is taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Perfect R Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Zupon, Jr., Stephen R. Neff
  • Patent number: 5964252
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive closure system. More specifically, this invention relates to an adhesive closure system with an abridged release liner. Initially, the abridged release liner allows partial exposure of the single adhesive layer to achieve a temporary bond. When desired, the release liner can be removed exposing the remainder of the adhesive to achieve a permanent bond. This type of closure system has numerous applications including the closure system for pipe insulation sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Morgan Adhesives Company
    Inventors: George R. Simmons, Gerald H. Knittel, Judith A. Roth
  • Patent number: 5965077
    Abstract: The invention encompasses an overmolding process which includes the steps of inserting a flexible one-way valve into a plastic conduit, inserting the conduit with the valve at least partially onto a mold core, radially expanding at least a portion of the mold core from a first radial position to a second extended radial position, molding a polymer over at least a portion of the mold core and the plastic conduit, and radially contracting at least a portion of the mold core from the second extended radial position to essentially the first radial position. The radial expansion and contraction is in response to axial movement of a tapered shaft from a first axial position to a second expanded axial position, the shaft having a first diameter and a second diameter at a terminal end of the shaft, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. The axial shaft movement is in response to a controllable supply of a compressible gas which overcomes the biasing force of a spring to move the piston shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Rowley, Richard T. Seman
  • Patent number: 5964246
    Abstract: Outdoor hot and cold water faucet assembly having a mixing faucet which provides hot and/or cold water, or some combination thereof, which is enclosed in a housing having a hinged door which insulates and protects the outdoor hot and cold water faucet. The outdoor hot and cold water faucet assembly preferably includes a housing or enclosure having an outwardly facing opening and a cover member pivotally attached to the housing or enclosure, the cover member being capable of being closed on the outwardly facing opening in the housing or enclosure and also being capable of being opened from the outwardly facing surface to permit access to the interior of the housing or enclosure through the outwardly facing opening and an outdoor hot and cold water faucet having a hot and cold water control valve and a hot and cold water control handle, the hot and cold water control handle being positioned in the interior of the housing or enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mecker R & D, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. Meeker
  • Patent number: 5964325
    Abstract: An improved bushing assembly for the inboard end of a brake cam shaft is provided with a bushing which establishes a grease flow pathway within the bushing assembly. Grease enters a cavity formed from a pair of housing halves which contain the bushing through a grease zerk which is directly connected to a first radial hole in the bushing, so the fresh grease injected goes directly to the grease reservoir between the bushing and the shaft. Flow channels provided in the bushing interior surface guide the grease around the shaft to a second radial hole which is diametrically opposite the first radial hole. A seal on the shaft restricts grease flow outwardly from the bushing along the shaft. Grease may be purged through the second radial hole to an annular space between the bushing and the interior surfaces of the housing halves, from which the grease may exit the housing around the periphery of a window in one of the housing halves through which the grease zerk passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Eugene Davison, Martin G. Blessing
  • Patent number: 5960950
    Abstract: A fishing rod and reel assembly carrying case having two (2) elongated housing sections attached along one elongated edge thereof by a pivotal connection, such as one or more hinges. The interior of each of the two (2) elongated housing sections includes a cavity into which a fishing rod and reel assembly can be placed and one of the elongated housing sections includes one or more tackle box compartments having dividers positioned therein and pivotally attached cover portions which cover and retain fishing tackle and other fishing equipment therein. The two (2) elongated housing sections can be closed upon each other and latched in this position to form an elongated fishing rod and reel assembly carrying case having an integral handle portion to carry the enclosed fishing rod and reel assembly carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Meeker R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Meeker, Antonieta M. Giner, Enrique R. Giner
  • Patent number: 5960703
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention describes an oven having a housing formed by an enclosure, the enclosure having a cooking chamber in a portion thereof. The oven housing may also include an inlet and outlet positioned in predetermined relationship to the cooking chamber and a conveyor belt on which food products to be cooked are positioned. The conveyor belt travels through the oven housing from the inlet to the outlet and defines over a separate portion thereof a conveyance path through the cooking chamber. The oven further includes at least a source of steam for creating a cooking atmosphere in the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber of the oven is defined at its lower limit by the level of steam within the housing and the inlet and outlet are positioned below this lower limit to maintain the steam within the cooking chamber. In this manner, the escape of steam from the cooking chamber is substantially prevented or controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Stein, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. Jara, Anthony Kootsouradis, Ramesh M. Gunawardena
  • Patent number: 5957635
    Abstract: The invention is directed at a drill tool assembly including a holder having a shank and head portion and having a axial centerline or rotational axis on which said holder is rotated in use. The head portion includes a holder slot at least over a central portion of the head, with the slot being oriented perpendicularly to the axial centerline of the holder. The holder slot also includes a locating boss extending upwardly from the bottom of the slot, which includes first and second surfaces, with at least one of the surfaces being located in a predetermined position with respect to the axial centerline of the holder, and substantially parallel to this centerline. A drill insert having first and second cutting surfaces is selectively positioned within the holder slot, and includes a locating slot adapted to be positioned in a predetermined orientation relative to the boss provided in the holder slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Allied Machine & Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Nuzzi, Timothy G. Stokey
  • Patent number: 5954612
    Abstract: A multi-speed offset transfer case for a four (4) wheel drive motor vehicle having a plural stage torque transfer and speed changing mechanism which provides four (4) or more output speeds for each input speed. A modified planetary gear assembly forms the first stage and provides selectively either speed reduction or an output speed which is equal to the input speed. This planetary gear assembly receives torque from an input shaft and includes a sun gear in driven engagement with the input shaft, a planetary gear carrier which supports a plurality of planet gears and a ring gear. The planetary gear carrier includes an output sleeve, which is preferably an integral part of the planetary gear carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph W. Baxter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5954413
    Abstract: Storage container for small articles. A storage container for small articles provides a stationary upright cabinet open at the front, one or more bins received in the cabinet and tiltable between an upright closed position and a forwardly tilting open position, and a latch secured to a front wall of the bin for locking the bin in the closed upright position. The cabinet includes a vertical back wall and vertical side walls which have lower edges that are adapted to rest on a horizontal supporting surface, and a bottom wall between these lower edges and directly above the supporting surface. Each bin includes a front wall and a bottom wall joined by a curved transitional surface, which has the curvature of a right circular cylinder. This curved transitional surface rolls along the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cabinet as a bin is moved from an open position to a closed position or vice versa. This rolling motion takes the place of a structure having a fixed pivot axis for supporting a bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Myers Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrold G. Brown
  • Patent number: 5952591
    Abstract: Stringed musical instruments having three dimensional sound holes generally including a body portion having a top member known as a soundboard, side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the soundboard around the perimeter of the sound board and a back member substantially corresponding in shape and dimensions to the soundboard attached to the surface of the side walls distal to the soundboard to form an enclosed sound chamber. Stringed musical instruments having three dimensional sound holes further include a neck portion extending outwardly from the soundboard and the corresponding side wall, the neck portion preferably bilaterally dissecting the soundboard of the stringed musical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Roger G. Thurman
  • Patent number: D413922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Edgar G. Thomas
  • Patent number: D413939
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The National Latex Products Company
    Inventors: Antonio Manocchio, John West, Joseph Moore, Donna Nixon
  • Patent number: D414390
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Dan Sarver
  • Patent number: D415673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: James F. Hampshire