Patents Examined by Patrick R. Scanlon
  • Patent number: 4951397
    Abstract: A parking scale for use by architects, planners and engineers comprising indicia establishing one-to-one correspondence with parking spaces of conventional width when drawn to a scale used to prepare a conventional scale drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Charles K. Durio
  • Patent number: 4949106
    Abstract: A microfilm searching and reading device for selectively taking out a cartridge containing a target image from one or more microfilm cartridge stacks. The device comprises a framework defining at least one storing space extending substantially vertically for storing a stack of cartridges in a manner such that the cartridges are stacked one above another, a scanner for receiving a selected microfilm cartridge and having an image reader and an actuator for winding and rewinding the microfilm, a carrier for taking out the selected cartridge and for guiding the same to the scanner, and a restoring mechanism for putting the selected cartridge, after the target image has been read by the microfilm reader, in the lowermost or uppermost position of the storing space. The device further comprises a memory for storing the location of the restored cartridge, and a controller for controlling the carrier, the scanner and the restoring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunkichi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 4945645
    Abstract: A car wash includes a roller-conveyor belt for driving a car through the car wash. A front wheel alignment device measures the alignment of the front wheels of the car after the car has been driven through the car wash. The measuring device is positioned at the end of the roller-conveyor belt so that the front wheels of the car are moved across the measuring device by the conveyor belt. A measurement of the wheel alignment is then displayed to the driver from a console located adjacent to the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Volker Remy
    Inventor: Egon Brugelmeir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4946288
    Abstract: The dew points of condensible hydrocarbon and water in a gas stream are determined independently in a single run by observing changes in intensity of light scattered from a mirror surface which is cooled to below both of the dew points. A decrease in intensity denotes the hydrocarbon dew point while an increase in intensity denotes the water dew point. The apparatus is simple and operates automatically. The mirror surface has a first polished and highly reflective portion and a second, roughened, less reflective portion. The intensity of scattered light is preferably monitored separately for each mirror portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Nova Husky Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Siska, Kewal K. Vij, Gyula Eisenbart
  • Patent number: 4945649
    Abstract: An angle gage with which the accuracy of a specified angle can be checked in a variety of orientations or forms. The nine-sided flat and rigid template not only enables the interior as well as the exterior forms of a particular angle to be gauged, but the same gage can be used to check the corresponding chamfer angle, the angle's supplement and the half-angle. The compact size and advantageous placement of the various corners and edges provides an extremely versatile, inexpensive and easy-to-use checking tool. A set of such gages corresponding to an incremented range of angles enables angle measurement of most contours to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Kirk P. Parker
  • Patent number: 4942667
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for aligning the axles of a tractor, a trailer, or other vehicle and for detecting bends, bows, twists and other irregularities in vehicle frames, has a light source used to provide a reference plane from which measurements can be taken. Dual targets are attached to the underside of the vehicle frame and are used in conjunction with the light source to establish the reference plane. In certain embodiments, the light source is slidably arranged on a U-shaped frame and is positionable to project a light beam at the targets. Once a reference plane is established, a gauge can be used to measure irregularities in the vehicle frame by measuring the distance from the reference plane to the underside of the vehicle frame. The U-shaped frame is directly attached along the center axis of the wheel axle so that the horizontal bar on which a light support is arranged will be exactly parallel to the wheel axle and thus provide a more accurate measurement of misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Axle-Tru, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald C. Fournier
  • Patent number: 4941263
    Abstract: An optical system for aiding the driver of a vehicle in judging the proximity of the forward end of the vehicle to an object directly in front of the vehicle, particularly when parking close to a wall or barricade or when pulling up close to another vehicle stopped at an intersection. An illuminated target and a mirror mounted beneath opposite sides of the dashboard are used to reflect an image of the target off the interior surface of the windshield at a location so that the reflected image is in the normal field of view of the driver. A virtual image of the target is perceived by the driver to emanate from a position above the forward end of the vehicle. The driver may gradually advance the vehicle until the virtual image appears to the driver to be juxtaposed with the object at which time there will be a predetermined minimum safe distance between the forward end of the vehicle and the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Nissan Design International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald P. Hirshberg
  • Patent number: 4941265
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing changes of the position of a machine, such as a measuring machine, has several pneumatic bearings which floatingly support the machine and receive signals from a digital computer to ensure timely selection of resistance which must be offered by the bearings to changes of the position of the machine relative to its support while a mobile part of the machine moves relative to the part which is supported by the bearings. Signals which are stored in the memory of the computer are calculated in advance or are obtained as a result of one or more test runs by taking into consideration all parameters which are likely to impart to the bearing-supported part or parts a tendency to change its or their positions. Such parameters include the distance to be covered by the mobile part, the configuration of the path of movement of the mobile part, the velocity of the mobile part, the mass of the mobile part and of the bearing-supported part or parts, the inertia of the bearings and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Barry Controls GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 4938586
    Abstract: An information projecting apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of cartridge each containing an information recording medium therein and projecting the information of the recording medium in the selected cartridge has cartride storing device for storing the plurality of cartridges therein, cartridge conveying device for conveying the cartridge selected from the cartridge storing device to a first position or a second position, feeding device for feeding to a projecting portion the recording medium of the cartridge placed at the first position or the second position, and optical device for projecting the information of the recording medium placed at the projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiko Hirose, Noboru Koumura, Tadashi Sato, Shigeru Sugita, Yasutoshi Sugita
  • Patent number: 4936022
    Abstract: A multi-leg caliper with heart scale allowing analysis over a variable plurality of heart beats for arrhythmia is taught. Briefly stated, a plurality of parallel members are pivotally connected to a second set of parallel members thereby forming a lattice structure. Points are disposed at one end of each of the first mentioned parallel members which are placed against certain events recorded on an ECG strip chart. Pivot points associated with the opposite ends of the pointed parallel members are placed against a scale which is suitably calibrated to indicate various heart beat criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Joseph Grayzel
  • Patent number: 4936023
    Abstract: A method of mountng a measuring device for measuring the relative positions of two objects, such as, the bed and the carriage of the machine, wherein a graduation of an embodiment of measure is scanned without contact by a scanning device. The embodiment of measure is initially aligned and mounted on the first of two objects. The scanning device is mounted on an auxiliary device and is exactly calibrated relative to the graduation of the embodiment of measure. The scanning device is displaced guided on the embodiment of measure by means of the auxiliary device until a stop surface of the second object is reached. The scanning device is fastened with the intermediate arrangement of an attachment device on the stop surface of the second object in such a way that the calibration of the scanning device relative to the graduation is maintained. The auxiliary device is then loosened and removed from the scanning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Pechak
  • Patent number: 4936245
    Abstract: A device for determining when the material in a grain bin or similar container has reached a predetermined level of fullness. The device includes a transparent tube having feeding tubes in communication between the transparent tube and the interior of the bin. The upper feeding tube is open at a predetermined level which may be adjusted, and the lower tube may also be set to a desired lower level of grain in the bin. Both tubes slant at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Glenes O. Christianson
  • Patent number: 4934065
    Abstract: A contact-sensing probe for measuring workpieces includes a body (16) for attachment to a machine and a workpiece contacting stylus (22) carried by a stylus holder (24) which is mounted within the body for movmeent relative thereto from a rest position to a displaced position when the stylus contacts the workpiece. Sensors are provided for sensing workpiece contact by the stylus. The sensors comprise a plurality of strain gauges (46) mounted on pillars (44) connecting two parts (36A,36B) of a support structure which supports the stylus holder on the body. The strain gauges are mounted with their principal axes lying at an angle to the axes of the pillars, and by optimizing the numbers, positions and dimensions of the pillars together with the angles of the strain gauges, high sensitivity can be achieved with minimum risk of false signals due to probe vibration, while at the same time minimizing the variation in pre-travel of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Renishaw plc
    Inventors: Peter Hajdukiewicz, Clifford W. Archer
  • Patent number: 4933690
    Abstract: A slide changing apparatus is disclosed for use in a projection apparatus wherein photographic slides can be projected onto a screen or viewed on a video monitor. The slide changing mechanism includes a lever having a displaceable part which engages a slide and transfers the photographic slide from a projection position to a slide tray wherein slides are accommodated. A microprocessor controls the operation of a driving apparatus which is connected to the lever and actuates the lever. If a slide becomes jammed during movement between the projection position and the slide tray the displaceable part of the lever becomes displaced from its original position. The displacement of the displaceable part is detected by an optical switch and the optical switch outputs a signal to the microprocessor to stop the motor before damage to the jammed slide can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak
    Inventors: Jude A. Sangregory, Michael L. Wirt, Robert W. Easterly
  • Patent number: 4930224
    Abstract: An improved magnetic compass unit consists of a compass bowl, a card assembly pivotally supported on a pivot shaft within the bowl, the card assembly consisting of a compass card and a magnet, and at least one active indicator pin adapted for alignment with the lubber line of a supporting vehicle and with an adjacent degree indicia line upon the compass card. The active indicator pin is mounted to pivot apart from the pivotally mounted compass assembly, whereby the indicator pin remains disposed generally in a common plane with the adjacent degree indicia line during conditions of compass roll. The card assembly may be with or without gimbal mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Rule Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 4928392
    Abstract: A diameter gauge is disclosed for measuring the outside diameter of a part having a circular cross section. The gauge comprises two arms converging at right angles to one another within which the part is positioned for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 4926560
    Abstract: A glare shade for a rifle scope that may be manually removably mounted and is comprised of extensible sections containing light admitting apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventors: Eldon F. Kilgore, Howard J. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 4924595
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement for form measurement of cylinders, comprises a measuring arm insertable into a cylinder space, a measuring sensor which is guided by the measuring arm, movable translatorily in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the measuring arm and driveable independently of the measuring arm in a circumferential direction, a sensing pin which is displaceable radially and along an axis of the measuring sensor and arranged for sensing a geometry of walls of cylinders, a driving arm which is movable translatorily and rotatably and having an end, the measuring arm being formed as a thin sensing body which is in operative connection with the end of the driving arm, formed bending-resistant, and extends parallel to the driving arm, the sensing body having an end which is spaced from the driving arm and carries the measuring sensor, and the measuring sensor being provided with the sensing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Dr.-Ing. Ludwig Pietzach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Wamser, Knud Overlach
  • Patent number: 4924598
    Abstract: A height measuring device comprises a carriage containing a measuring pin which is moved by a drive motor against an article to be measured in a manner such that the measuring takes place when the pin is held against the article with a precise measuring force. The construction includes a carriage which is supported by an endless belt and moved upwardly and downwardly by driving one of the rollers over which the belt is guided. A ram rod extends through a hollow area of the carriage which is divided by a ring piece into upper and lower chambers, the coil springs are placed around the ram rods in both the upper and lower chambers and are braced between the ring pieces at their one ends and the portion of the carriage which closes each end of the hollow portion of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke Oberndorf GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Gruhler
  • Patent number: 4924596
    Abstract: A method for measuring wireline depths in a borehole using paired encoder wheels frictionally engaging the wireline is disclosed. The method allows for the correction of the measurement from a slipping encoder wheel without corrupting the measurement from the non-slipping encoder wheel.The method comprises incrementing corresponding depth counters whenever a pulse is produced by one of the encoder wheels. The depth counts are compared and if a significant difference exists, the value of the counter corresponding to the slipping encoder wheel is set equal to the value or the other wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Vachon