Patents Represented by Law Firm Taylor & Associates, P.C.
  • Patent number: 5951242
    Abstract: A paper machine has a high pressure liquid pump for use with a liquid slitter for slitting a fiber material web. The high pressure liquid pump includes a pump shell having an axis of rotation and an annular smooth inwardly facing surface. The inwardly facing surface is configured for carrying a film of liquid thereon. A hydraulic shoe having an outer convexly curved working face is in close running engagement with the inwardly facing surface. A pivotal arm is connected with the shoe and positions the shoe relative to the inwardly facing surface. The arm is movable toward and away from the inwardly facing surface. A hydraulic pressure member is engaged with the arm for urging the shoe toward the inwardly facing surface dependent upon a hydraulic pressure therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North Amercia, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5948477
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a coating apparatus for the direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty substance onto a moving layer of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard, with a dispenser implement and, at some distance further along the line, a spreading device for finely controlling the amount of applied medium. The dispenser implement and the spreading device share a common collector/drain surface and a common collector bin for gathering excess amounts of the liquid or pasty substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Manfred Ueberschar
  • Patent number: 5946984
    Abstract: An apparatus for gear shifting control with improved shift quality during gear shifting includes a gearbox unit containing at least one gear branch for power transfer via a hydrodynamic clutch. The hydrodynamic clutch can be coupled in series with a mechanical gearing part containing a device for realizing at least two speeds. In the course of power transfer via the hydrodynamic clutch during a gear shift operation between two mechanical speeds, the fill factor of the hydrodynamic clutch is so altered that a variable which at least indirectly characterizes the rotational speed of the primary bucket wheel of the hydrodynamic clutch is held substantially constant over a certain range of the gear shift operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Martin Nitsche, Andreas Englisch
  • Patent number: 5944898
    Abstract: An apparatus for successive application of two coats of at least one coating medium on one side of a traveling fiber material web includes a rotating backing roll and a first rotating applicator roll having a roll surface. The first applicator roll and the backing roll define a first press nip therebetween. A first applicator assembly is positioned in association with said roll surface for applying a first coating medium to the roll surface. The first applicator assembly and the first applicator roll conjunctively define a first indirect applicator for applying the first coating medium to a first side of the fiber material web. A first drying apparatus is positioned after the first press nip relative to a direction of travel of the fiber material web. The first drying apparatus is positioned in association with the first side of the material web. A second applicator is positioned after the first drying apparatus relative to the direction of travel of the fiber material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Mendez
  • Patent number: 5941550
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a trailer hitch assembly for connecting a vehicle with a trailer. The trailer hitch assembly includes a slide tube which is configured for connection with the vehicle. The slide tube includes a first opening therein. A collar is disposed around and slidingly carried by the slide tube. The collar includes a second opening therein and an arcuate slot disposed in communication with the second opening. A pivot arm is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the collar. The pivot arm includes a third opening therein. A tongue is connected to an end of the pivot arm opposing the one end. A pin is carried by the pivot arm and is disposed within each of the third opening of the pivot arm and the arcuate slot of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: One Step, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Szczypski
  • Patent number: 5941030
    Abstract: A step support brace especially for a swimming pool stair assembly includes vertically extending positioning posts that extend from the top of each horizontal riser portion of the brace associated with a stair tread some or all of which are slidably positionable from front to back along the respective horizontal riser portion to accommodate various stair module types and styles. The posts may also be cut off to a desired length in order to be received within an opening formed in the bottom side of the stair tread. The support brace also has a front hinge structure that allows the hingeable connection to another support brace to form a V-shaped configuration, thereby providing greater stair tread support if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Fort Wayne Pools, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Williamson
  • Patent number: 5938896
    Abstract: A wet end of a paper-making machine, including a headbox with a chamber and a discharge nozzle. A turbulence generator is connected with the headbox and includes a plurality of fluid passages disposed substantially parallel to each other. Each fluid passage is in fluid communication with the headbox chamber and has an inlet. All of the inlets conjunctively define a fluid inlet area. A fiber stock delivery device includes at least one outlet, with all of the outlets conjunctively defining a fluid discharge area. Each outlet is configured to discharge the fiber stock in a direction substantially parallel to the fluid passages in the turbulence generator. The fluid discharge area of the fiber stock delivery device is smaller than the fluid inlet area of the turbulence generator. A hydraulic increaser interconnects the fluid discharge area of the fiber stock delivery device with the fluid inlet area of the turbulence generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5932010
    Abstract: An application unit for directly or indirectly applying a fluid or pasty medium to a continuous material web, particularly made of paper or cardboard, includes a support beam extending in its longitudinal direction substantially across the entire width of the material web; a counter-roll opposite the support beam; a doctor element detachably secured to the support beam via a holding device and extending substantially across the entire width of the counter-roll; and a pressing member disposed on the support beam and to which a pressing force is directly and/or indirectly applied by at least one pressing device and with which the doctor element can be pressed against the counter-roll at a predetermined pressure in the region of its blade-element end mated with the counter-roll. When viewed in cross section, the pressing member is formed as a parallelogram body supported at one end in or on at least one mount and running substantially parallel to the doctor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Manfred Ueberschaer
  • Patent number: 5922129
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the application of a liquid or pasty substance onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, a doctor bar serving the metering of the applied substance is composed of at least two bar segments strung together in the longitudinal direction of the doctor bar and fixedly joined to one another. Possible thereby, in the manufacture of the doctor bar, is an easier handling and a better compliance with accuracy requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Rudiger Kurtz, Martin Kustermann
  • Patent number: 5922231
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive temperature coefficient heater. A pair of electrical conductors are connected to a positive temperature coefficient body at respective locations. A dielectric material is attached to the body between the conductors and prevents electrical arcing around the body between the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Dekko Heating Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Karst, Jeff Clark
  • Patent number: 5922407
    Abstract: A method of application of a liquid or pasty medium onto a moving material web consisting, in particular, of paper or cardboard, in which a direct application (2) of a liquid or pasty medium (4) onto one side of a moving material web (1) and a contactless deflection (3) of the moving material web along a curved path of motion ensues, the side of the moving material web to be provided with the liquid or pasty medium passing through a concave curvature and the direct application (2) of the liquid or pasty medium ensuing directly ahead of the deflection (3) or during the deflection as a free jet along a contactlessly guided section of the moving material web. Additionally, an apparatus for implementing the method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Hess, Joachim Henssler, Michael Trefz, Bernhard Kohl, Zygmunt Madrzak, Rudolf Munch
  • Patent number: 5919359
    Abstract: A skimmer assembly is used in a swimming pool having a water surface, a return inlet and a wall. The skimmer assembly includes an elongate container defining a channel therein. The container has a first side opposing a second side. The first side defines a substantially horizontally oriented, elongate cutout therein. The cutout is in communication with the channel and is configured for communication with the water surface. The cutout has an upper edge and a lower edge. The container has a substantially open first longitudinal end and a substantially closed second longitudinal end with a nozzle disposed therethrough. The nozzle is aligned substantially parallel with the channel and has an opposing inlet and outlet. The outlet of the nozzle tapers toward and is in communication with the channel. A porous trap having an open mouth is connected to the open first end of the container. An elongate hose is disposed outside the container and is connected with the inlet of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Robin Bisseker
  • Patent number: 5920289
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a reflector assembly in a satellite system including a reflector and a layer of insulation. The reflector includes a reflecting surface and a heater assembly embedded therein. The heater assembly is disposed on a side of the reflector opposite the reflecting surface. The layer of insulation covers the heater assembly and is disposed on a side of the heater assembly opposite the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 5915984
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a modular electrical outlet including a housing; a pair of plug-in connectors carried by and disposed at opposing ends of the housing; and a conductor disposed within the housing. Each of the connectors includes a plurality of terminal receiving openings. The conductor includes a pair of blade receiving sockets, with a longitudinal axis extending between the blade receiving sockets. The conductor includes a pair of terminals at opposing ends thereof, with each terminal being offset from the longitudinal axis. The conductor may be selectively positioned in the housing at one of two reversible positions. To wit, the conductor may be selectively disposed within the housing in a first position such that each terminal is received within an associated terminal receiving opening of a respective connector, and a second position such that each terminal is received within an associated terminal receiving opening of the other respective connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Dekko Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Rupert, Phillip A. McCoy
  • Patent number: 5915428
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for positioning and supporting any of several different elongated workpieces of circular, substantially square, or substantially non-square rectangular cross-sectional configuration so that a central workpiece axis is located along the same axis for any one of said workpieces includes a tailstock fixture for supporting one end of the workpiece which includes a frustoconical cavity that extends coaxial with the axis for receiving the one end of the workpiece, and a headstock fixture for supporting a second end of the workpiece opposite the first end which includes a generally cylindrical cavity extending coaxial with the axis and four equiangularly spaced workpiece engaging blades within the cylindrical cavity for engaging and supporting the second workpiece end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Clifford R. Languell
  • Patent number: 5914155
    Abstract: An applicator for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, includes at least one open-jet nozzle from which the coating medium issues in an open jet extending through the ambient atmosphere. The applicator also includes at least one traveling countersurface disposed opposite the open-jet nozzle and to be acted upon by the open jet. At least one jet-splitting system is arranged in the open jet in an area contained between the exit of the open-jet nozzle and the countersurface. The jet-splitting system divides the open jet into at least one diversion jet and at least one coating jet which flows on the countersurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Rudiger Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5901386
    Abstract: A swimming pool has a plurality of substantially vertical side walls, with each side wall having a top. A coping is attached to the top of a side wall of the pool and has a curved facia. A signage platform is attached to the facia of the coping. The signage platform has a substantially vertical display wall and an adjoining substantially horizontal display wall. Visual indicia are located on each of the vertical display wall and the horizontal display wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Jon A. Bragalone
  • Patent number: 5900120
    Abstract: A paper making machine for the production of a fiber material web includes a drying cylinder, first and second bearing assemblies, a fixed rigid support, a fixed structure and a flexible device. The drying cylinder has two longitudinal ends, a longitudinal axis and at least one fluid passage for receiving heated fluid. Each bearing assembly is attached to and rotatably carries a respective longitudinal end of the drying cylinder. The fixed rigid support substantially immovably supports the second bearing assembly. The flexible device allows for longitudinal thermal expansion of the drying cylinder in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drying cylinder. The flexible device carries the first bearing assembly and interconnects the first bearing assembly to the fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5893951
    Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, including at least one adjustable coating edge delimiting apparatus for adjustment of a coating width on an applicator roll, backing roll and/or a traveling material web. The coating edge delimiting apparatus is arranged so as to be movable stepwise or continuously in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Anton Plomer
  • Patent number: D412972
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Flex-Cable, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin K. Kroulik