Patents Examined by Lynne Reichard
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Patent number: 5975786Abstract: A hoist swivel shackle assembly used with others to hoist heavy objects such as dies and molds. The shackle includes a "U" shaped shackle member pivotal on a swivel body which is rotatable about an orthogonal axis on a base. Long term distortion of the shackle member is minimized by flanges on the ends of the legs of the shackle that slidably engage side bosses on the swivel body to absorb outward loading on the shackle. The shackle is pivoted to the swivel body member by a pair of pins with annular recesses, fixed in a pair diametrally opposite pin receiving bores in the swivel body member. These pins are held in the swivel body member by pressing a softened material into threaded bosses in the swivel body forcing it around the pins and into their recesses. Overloading the swivel shackle assemblies is minimized by an indicator that tells the operator when he has exceeded the safety angle of the shackle member.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Dong Moon Chang
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Patent number: 5975537Abstract: A rotor and stator assembly having a rotor and a stator with opposing surfaces defining an air bearing and an air dam of an aspirating face seal. In a first embodiment, the air bearing and the air dam are axially offset. In a second embodiment, the rotor has an axially extending protuberance located radially between the air bearing and the air dam. The axial offset and the protuberance each act to divert the air flow (e.g., compressed gas or combustion gases in a gas turbine or steam in a steam turbine) in a direction transverse to the air flow direction through the air bearing and the air dam, thus isolating the air flows from the air bearing and the air dam which improves seal performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, George Reluzco, Wu-Yang Tseng
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Patent number: 5975788Abstract: A locating apparatus includes a double expanding locating pin and a subplate having both threaded and precision holes, which are sized to accommodate the locating pin. The double expanding locating pin is a cylindrical housing having a first expandable end with a plurality of slots and a tapered portion and a second expandable end with a plurality of slots and a flange. A ball is disposed within the second expandable end and is forced by a set screw against the flange to spread apart wall portions of the cylindrical housing which are positioned intermediate the slots for expanding a lower portion of the locating pin. A cap having a flanged tapered end is threaded into the first expandable end of the cylindrical housing and is seated against the tapered portion of the cylindrical housing for forcing apart the wall portions positioned intermediate the slots for expanding an upper portion of the locating pin.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventors: Joseph Russell Cousins, Jeffrey John Baur
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Patent number: 5975532Abstract: A seal construction for a suction roll in a paper machine including a substantially U-section holder open toward an inner face of the roll mantle and a seal mounted in the holder and extending in the axial direction of the roll. The seal includes a frame part arranged within the holder and a wear part fixed to the frame part and placed against the inner face of the roll mantle. The seal construction also includes a loading hose for shifting the seal in the holder against the inner face of the roll mantle. In the interior of the frame part of the seal, an inner loading member is arranged to lock the frame part of the seal in contact with the holder so as to position the wear part of the seal in the desired position in relation to the inner face of the roll mantle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Valmet CorporationInventors: Heikki Karttunen, Hannu Savolainen
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Patent number: 5975586Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for a liquid or gaseous medium through an outer wall of a cylinder, whereby a connection piece interacts with a bore in the outer wall of the cylinder and with a centering part that is inserted into the bore. The connection piece has a contact surface matched to the cylinder surface and also has a corresponding sealing surface. The connection has an accommodating cavity for receiving an insert, which includes a sealing surface matched to the cylinder surface, The correct installation position of the insert in the accommodating cavity is ensured by an orientation aid.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventor: Robert Pradel
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Patent number: 5975790Abstract: A clamp 100A for connecting formwork panels 50, 50 together at a right angle has a symmetrical shape and comprises a generally triangular central section 1, one intermediate lever 3 connected pivotally to each of opposed sides of the central section 1, and an L-shaped holding arm 2 connected to the intermediate lever 3 by means of a link 4 that is pivotally joined with both the intermediate lever 3 and the holding arm 2. The central section 1 has two equal sides a, a which extend perpendicular to each other and at which the central section 1 engages with joint members 52, 52 of formwork panels 50, 50. Notches 1c are formed on each side a, and are adapted to bite into one joint member 52. Each side a of the central section 1 is thus capable of engaging very closely with the joint member 52. The holding arm 2 is also provided with notches 2c, so that the holding arm 2 also can engage very closely with the joint member 52.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Shinichi Nogami
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Patent number: 5971651Abstract: A coupler that provides a selectively releasable connection between first and second relatively movable members. Such a coupler has a receiver that is secured to the first relatively movable member. The receiver is bifurcated to present a gudgeon having laterally spaced, generally parallel, side walls. A socket is located in each side wall to be disposed in spaced opposition. Each socket has guide surfaces that flare outwardly from a first race to terminate in an entrance. The second relatively movable member presents a transversely oriented trunnion. The trunnion has bearing surfaces that are selectively insertable within the opposed sockets operatively to engage said first races. A generally U-shaped locking verification clip has a base wall and laterally spaced first and second side walls. A pair of pedestals extend from the base wall in laterally spaced, substantially parallel, disposition between the side walls. Each pedestal terminates in a second race.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Steven W. Gornick, Michael A. Vancamp
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Patent number: 5967692Abstract: A device for fixing a flexible element to the tubular body of a roller for rolling shutters, guards or blinds, wherein the tubular body has a slot made in its lateral surface and accessible from the outside through a first and a second opening the first oriented at right angles to the axial direction, the second at right angles to the tangential direction, of the tubular body; the radial measurement of the first opening relative to the tubular body is larger than the corresponding measurement of the second opening; the flexible element has at one end of it an enlarged fixing head especially shaped to allow it to be inserted into the slot through the first opening and through the second opening, remaining trapped inside the slot when the flexible element moves through the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.r.l.Inventor: Giorgio Tabellini
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Patent number: 5967497Abstract: A highway guardrail includes an elongated metal plate that forms at least one ridge. The plate includes weakened regions extending at least partially across the plate, and these weakened regions are oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to form at least one elongated fold region at which the plate tends to buckle when subjected to a sufficiently large column load. This fold region is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction to push the forward end of the guardrail downwardly in an axial collapse. The forward end of the guardrail includes a cable that passes through an opening in the forward support post. A split washer is positioned around this cable adjacent to the forward support post. The split washer includes first and second load transferring members that readily separate from one another after the first support post breaks at the opening in an axial impact.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Owen S. Denman, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, James B. Welch, Lincoln C. Cobb
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Patent number: 5964484Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seat disposed in the bore for providing a fluid-tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1999Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
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Patent number: 5964547Abstract: A connection pin assembly for attaching a replaceable implement to an earthworking bucket nose includes a spool and a wedge having respective ramping surfaces which convert relative axial movement into lateral expansion of the assembly. A screw member is located in a recess in the spool's ramping surface, a thread segment of the screw member engaging formations on the wedge to drive the axial movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Cutting Edge Pty. LimitedInventor: David Wayne Brinkley
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Patent number: 5961241Abstract: In the case of a connecting device having a connecting part (1) and a fastening part (3), the two abovementioned parts are connected to each other with the aid of a clamping spring (5) to form a non-releasable, preassembled unit. In order to ensure that the two parts are held together securely, the clamping spring partially encloses a pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1) and is supported, by way of the ends of two retaining legs (7, 8), against stops (9, 10) formed by the front sides of a groove (4).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co.Inventor: Ulrich Haker
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Patent number: 5961244Abstract: An expansion-joint system (48) for forming a seal between a steam turbine and a condenser includes an expansion-joint belt (50, 51) having a width-wise cross-sectional shape with first and second knobs (62, 64) at respective first and second opposite ends (72, 74) of a thinner elongated web (70). The knobs are formed by an abrupt bulge (66, 68) on only a first opposite side, while each of knob portions (76) of a second opposite side of the belt, opposite the bulge, forms a substantially straight line with a lead-in portion (80) from the elongated web. The knob portion and the lead-in portion of the second side are parallel with a symmetrical center (57) of fabric layers (56) in the belt. In one embodiment the substantially straight line formed by the knob portion and lead-in portion of the second side continues over a distance of approximately at least twice the length of the bulge.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: The Atlantic Group, Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Hahn
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Patent number: 5961101Abstract: A modular edging comprises a plurality of sheet panels wherein each of the sheet panels includes a first edge having a first offset and a first double fold along the first edge so that a first gap is defined which is aligned with and facing the panels and a second edge having a second offset and a second double fold along the second edge so that a second gap is defined which is offset from the panel whereby the edges of two adjacent panels may be slid together to form a lock seam joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: Rose Marie Anticole
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Patent number: 5961243Abstract: A kit assembly for constructing an article of furniture and including a first plurality of vertically extending and elongate supports which are arranged in spaced apart fashion and a second plurality of horizontally extending and elongate cross members. Opposite ends of the elongate cross members are received within appropriately formed apertures in the vertically extending supports and additional apertures extend in cross wise and communicating fashion through the vertical supports as well as the inserted and aligning ends of the cross members. Bolt fasteners are inserted through the additional and cross wise extending apertures in both the selected vertical supports and cross members and an intermediate portion of each fastener includes an annular and outwardly angled step which, upon insertion of the bolt fastener, corresponds both in axial placement and annular dimension to an inward and angularly extending ledge of a spool shaped aperture in the cross member.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventor: Mitchell W. Michaluk, III
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Patent number: 5961155Abstract: A flexible entry boot assembly provides a fluid-tight fitting between a wall of a fluid containment region and a conduit passing through the wall. The flexible entry boot assembly comprises a seal member disposed within the containment region. The seal member has a substantially planar seal portion and an integral hollow support sleeve concentric with the seal portion and extending axially into the containment region. The support sleeve has an outer surface and an inner, conduit receiving surface, the hollow support sleeve further having a degree of flexibility relative to the seal portion sufficient to allow for the insertion of the conduit at angles equal to or other than an angle normal to the fluid containment wall while maintaining a fluid-tight environment. The flexible entry boot assembly further comprises a mechanism for rigidifying the seal portion of the seal member. A mechanism is provided for releasably attaching the hollow support sleeve to the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Youngs
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Patent number: 5961192Abstract: A mobile computer work station for a personal computer is disclosed comprising a wheel mounted cabinet (12) for enclosing the computer CPU therein and supporting a computer monitor thereon. A concave vertical partition (18) mounts to a forward side of the cabinet (12) and defines a three sided user station providing improved acoustic and visual isolation to the user. A window (120) extends through the partition (18) and receives the screen of the computer monitor therein. A bezel plate (26) affixes to a forward side of the partition (18) and surrounds the window (120). A lower portion (122) of the plate (26) protects the controls to the monitor there behind from unauthorized tampering. A speaker cavity is defined behind the lower plate portion (122) likewise isolated thereby from unauthorized contact. S-shaped support bars (14, 16) structurally connect cabinet (12) and partition (18) and support a keyboard support plate (20) upon bar segments (98) within the concave partition (18).Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: The Little Tikes CompanyInventors: R. Francis Bernart, Michael S. Jaeb, Aaron D. Shaffer
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Patent number: 5961123Abstract: A sealing element for a packer or bridge plug or other downhole tool is illustrated which employs the use of back-up rings above and/or below a resilient seal. The various sleeves which are moved with respect to each other to compress the sealing element are made so that they are physically connected to the back-up rings. As a result, upon run-in, inadvertent compression of the seal is prevented and upon release, a physical separation occurs between the back-up ring and the sealing element, which allows the sealing element to expand and relax. Subsequent upward movement of the packer or bridge plug easily deflects the back-up ring since the sealing element is no longer in a compressed state directly underneath it. The packer then can easily be removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gary Ingram, Jose Barragan
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Patent number: 5961099Abstract: A safety net system that is placed upright on the ground for restraining mud and debris slides is provided. The system includes at least one unit, each of which comprises at least one net panel that is disposed between two columns and is secured to continuous top and bottom ropes. The top rope extends from the bottom of one end column of a unit, through a guide at the top of that end column, through respective top guides of any interposed columns, through the top guide of the other end column, to a bottom end of that other end column. The bottom rope extends from the bottom end of one end column, through respective guides near the bottom of any interposed columns, to the bottom end of the other end column. Anchors are disposed laterally of each end column and uphill of each of the columns. Bracing cables extend from both the upper and bottom ends of each end column to the lateral anchors, and further bracing cables extend from both the upper and bottom ends of each of the columns to the uphill anchors.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Brugg Cable Products, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Thommen, Jr.
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Patent number: 5961124Abstract: A sealing system for an essentially vertical shaft includes an active sealing element disposed between a first structural part rotating with the shaft and a second structural part stationary on a housing. A wall of the housing separates an upper oil-free volume from a lower volume containing oil. The oil flows through the sealing system through a gap formed by the first structural part and a third structural part stationary on the housing. The active sealing element is preferably a threaded shaft seal. In another embodiment, the active sealing element is a combination of a primary contact seal and a threaded shaft seal. The oil flow removes heat generated by the rotating system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Leybold AktiengesellschaftInventor: Heinz K. Muller