Patents Examined by Steven N. Meyers
  • Patent number: 5702215
    Abstract: A fastener for securing two members together through an aligned bore in the two members, the fastener comprising a longitudinally extending body having at least one opening adjacent each of respective ends thereof, the body having a central bore hole, a threaded shaft concentrically disposed in the central bore hole and having opposite threads at each end, with a rotation applying member at an accessible end, a nut provided on each of the opposite threads in threaded engagement with the respective thread, at least one longitudinally extending engaging finger attached to each of the nuts and disposed adjacent a respective one of the openings, the fingers being adapted to extend through the respective opening when the shaft is turned in a first direction to cause the nuts to move toward each other, thereby causing the fingers to engage, when the openings at each end are disposed in the aligned bore adjacent different ones of said two members to be secured together, with respective ones of said two members, ther
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Li Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lehmann K. Li
  • Patent number: 5702218
    Abstract: A toggle fastener which eliminates the need for time-consuming manipulation of a fastener nut comprises a bolt with a head and a stop collar adjacent the bolt head, a wing toggle threaded onto the free end of the bolt, and a spring which extends from the stop collar to a washer. The washer may be flat or a self-centering conically shaped washer. The invention permits the toggle and toggle fastener to be inserted into an aperture in a panel and to then be automatically secured to the wall with an effective firestop provided by the effect of the spring urging the washer into firm contact with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Daniel Onofrio
  • Patent number: 5699566
    Abstract: A sickbed, comprising: a first bed frame, provided with a plurality of fixed bed planks of mutual distance to support the patient's body and allow him to sit up or lift the legs, thus changing his posture; a second bed frame, vertically movably mounted below the first bed frame; a plurality of movable bed planks, which are mounted on said second bed frame, at a suitable height above said second bed frame, keeping certain distances from each other and being placed in gaps between said fixed bed planks; a first driving device to drive the second bed frame's movement up and down; and a second driving device to drive the first bed frame. Its improved parts include two lateral turning frames to help the patient to turn around, each further comprising a shaft and a plurality of parallel support planks of mutual distance, which are mounted on said shaft, placed in gaps between the fixed bed planks and the movable bed planks, and are movable in a rotary movement as driven by said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Ching-Shan Chuang
  • Patent number: 5697745
    Abstract: A push-on cap for covering the pointed, threaded end of a metal screw. The cap is filled with a polymer inert to the metal, and a curing catalyst, whereby the polymer and curing catalyst are separated until the cap is placed on the screw. The push-on cap is also readily removable from the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Jack B. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5697656
    Abstract: A door stop assembly is adapted for introduction between the sliding door and the stationary door of a patio door assembly. The door stop assembly has a wedge block having an integrally formed wedge portion and block portion. A vertical shoulder abutment wall is formed on the block partition where it meets the rear end of the top surface of the wedge portion. A flat strip of spring steel is bent to form a top leg member and a bottom leg member that are oriented to each other at an acute angle and the bottom leg member is secured to the wedge block. The front section is positioned above the top surface of the wedge portion of the wedge block in a spaced relationship thereto. The middle section extends upwardly from the rear end of the front section and is spaced forwardly of the shoulder abutment wall. The rear section has a concave configuration along its longitudinal axis and it extends rearwardly from the top end of the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Robert J. Hebert, John J. Hebert
  • Patent number: 5694798
    Abstract: A motorized lock actuator adapted to replace a mechanical lock actuator in preexisting and installed lock assemblies to convert them to electronic operation includes an electrically insulated motor housing and at least one electrically insulated bushing on the motor shaft to prevent electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI interference from damaging the electronic lock controller. An alignment spring is used to improve operation in misaligned lock assemblies, and a key cam of self lubricating and electrically insulating plastic provides reliable low friction operation for a sliding locking slide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Paul Nunez, David Sorensen, Ronald S. Slusarski, Arnon Alexander, Mohammed A. Haq
  • Patent number: 5692400
    Abstract: A docking system is described for use with a portable computer of the type having a lock receptacle that is engageable by an anchored Kensington lock. The docking system has a case that forms a receiving portion located adjacent the lock receptacle of the portable computer when the portable computer is docked. The Kensington lock is received by the receiving portion and secures both the docking system and the portable computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Bliven, Ralph Waldo Kinser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5689985
    Abstract: An electronic touch key for operating an electronic lock in an electronic lockset, includes a handle having front and rear surfaces; an electronic touch button mounted to the front surface of the handle; and a device, mounted to the rear surface of the handle, for providing a tactile signal to the user by oil-canning when the electronic touch button has been touched to a lock with the proper force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventor: L.C. Derek Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 5689979
    Abstract: A zipper lock for luggage case comprises a housing including a pair of concaves capable of receiving a pair of pull tabs of a double zipper so as to lock up the tabs therein by a pair of the first latching means and a pair of second latching means worked in cencert with the first latching means provided to lock up a binding strap which has a coupler and a locking plate at two ends made in conforming with the shape of the housing. The housing contains also a combination lock. When the combination lock is set on-combination, to unlock the pull tabs and the binding strap only press a mannual push button inwardly to the housing. The binding strap can bind additional luggage cases or handbags and lock them together with parent luggage case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Chen-Te Yu
  • Patent number: 5690457
    Abstract: In order, in an eyebolt, to enable an alignment of the connecting eyelet (2) in the direction of the forces induced in it, the eyebolt comprises two parts disposed rotatably in relation to each other, of which one forms the connecting eyelet (2) and one an anchor bolt (3), the head (6) of which is supported, by means of an annular flange (62), on a supporting surface of the eyelet base (21) of the connecting eyelet (2). The securement of the cohesion of the connecting eyelet (2) and of the anchor bolt (3) is served by at least one locking element (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH. u. Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerog Erich Smetz
  • Patent number: 5689839
    Abstract: Provided herein are bed split side guards with adjacent units presenting at least partly curved ends so as to essentially follow a circular arc shape having its center at the pivot point of one of the sections of the bed mattress deck, thus providing a minimal spacing between the split side guard units during articulation and at any position of the mattress deck, hence preventing patient movement or entrapment through the bed side guard gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Bertec Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Laganiere, Guy Lemire
  • Patent number: 5687593
    Abstract: A handcuff comprises a pair of lockable bracelet members (10, 11), pivotably connected to one another by way of a connecting member (12) wherein is disposed a catch member (29) engagable with the bracelet members to hold them relative to one another in an extended position so that the handcuff may be used as a rigid handcuff, the catch member being disengagable from the bracelet members to enable the handcuff to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hiatt and Company Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey William Cross
  • Patent number: 5688001
    Abstract: A locking mechanism comprises a housing, a shaft extending in the housing and having a latch member thereon adjacent to one end thereof, and an actuating lever adjacent to an opposite end of a shaft. The shaft, actuating lever, and housing are interconnected in a manner that causes the shaft to move longitudinally in response to turning of the actuating lever to a predetermined extent from a rest position, so that the latch member moves from a first position to a second position, and for causing the shaft to tilt in response to continued turning of the actuating lever, so that the latch member is turned away from the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Franzen International, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Klein, Wolfgang Buss
  • Patent number: 5688092
    Abstract: An attachment plate is used to attach insulation panels to building substrates using internal combustion cordless nail setting tools loaded with collating strips for feeding and holding nails in the tool magazine. The attachment plate has a washer and an annular chamber at a first end. A wall of the annular chamber is defined by a band of fingers. The interior of the attachment plate has a recess. The attachment plate second end has flexible tabs. The attachment plate is placed on a pilot and against a flange of a tool adapter. The attachment plate is pushed into the insulation panel such that the tool muzzle bends the fingers and passes through the same. When the tool is fired, a nail and nail collating ring are forced into and captured within the recess. The tabs bend against the substrate if the insulation panel is of less than nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 5685681
    Abstract: The system includes a spindle having a threaded end and a lubricated area spaced from the threaded end, the spindle having a longitudinal axial lubricant passageway extending from the spindle end and terminating adjacent the lubricated area. A lateral lubricant passageway communicates the longitudinal lubricant passageway with the lubricated area. The spindle has radially, diametrically opposed key recesses adjacent the spindle outer end, the key recesses being spaced away from the spindle longitudinal lubricant passageway. A C-shaped flexible retainer has coaxial end portions that are spread apart to extend through openings or slots in a nut and then into the key recesses to lock the nut in threaded position on the spindle. Since the key recesses do not communicate with the longitudinal lubricant passageway, they do not interfere with lubrication of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Al-Ko Kober Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood Beckman Smith, II
  • Patent number: 5685578
    Abstract: A door locking mechanism for use with a door having a door latch assembly and a stationary catch includes a locking rod movable between a locking position and a release position. In its locking position, the locking rod extends into aligned passages formed in a latch member and a stationary catch member of a door latch assembly, which are engaged with each other in a latched position to maintain the door in a closed position. This prevents disengagement of the latch member from the catch member, to prevent opening of the door. In its release position, the locking rod is withdrawn from at least the latch member passage, to enable the latch member to be disengaged from the catch member and to allow opening of the door. The locking rod is interconnected with a piston disposed within a cylinder. A spring urges the piston toward a position placing the locking rod in its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Versa Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5685679
    Abstract: In a different nuts assembling construction in which according to the kind of nuts 71, 73, there are provided plural pairs of nut fitting grooves 61, 63 into which both sides of seats 75, 77 of nuts 71, 73 are fitted, the thicknesses D1, D2 of seats 75, 77 of nuts 71, 73 are formed in a manner to be different for each kind of the nuts 71, 73; and the groove thicknesses of the nut fitting grooves 61, 63 are formed by being matched to the thicknesses D1, D2 of corresponding seats 75, 77, so that where an attempt is made to fit the 71, 73 into wrong nut fitting grooves 61, 63, the thicknesses D1, D2 of the seats 75, 77 are not matched to the groove thicknesses of the nut fitting grooves 61, 63, whereby a worker can easily detect that the kind of the nuts 71, 73 is wrong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Sugiura
  • Patent number: 5683216
    Abstract: Spring latching mechanisms for preventing relative rotation or relative displacement of assembled components during operation of a nuclear reactor. The first type of mechanism prevents rotation of a threaded fastener which fastens a first component to a second component. The fastener has a multiplicity of longitudinal recesses formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The spring latching mechanism has a cantilever beam supported at one end by the first component. The other end of the cantilever beam is displaceable between first and second positions as the cantilever beam flexes. An interlocking member connected to the second end of the cantilever beam fits engages one of the longitudinal recesses in the fastener, whereby rotation of the fastener can be blocked. The second type of mechanism positively locates and prevents vibration-induced wear of first and second components assembled with play therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Geddes Erbes
  • Patent number: 5683124
    Abstract: A latching device (5) including a housing (7) with a latching member (15) connected through track followers (16,17) to a track (10,11,12,13,14) in the housing (7). A lever (6) pivotally connected to the housing (7) has a track follower (20) engaged in a track (21) in the latching member (15). A lug (18) on the latching member (15) is disposed adjacent an opening in the housing (7) dimensioned to receive a latch lug (4). Pivotal movement of lever (6) causes movement of follower (2) in the track (21) with resultant planar movement of the latching member (15) as the track followers (16,17) traverse the track (10,11,12,13,14) the shape of which also produces movement of the lug (18) between extended and retracted positions relative to said housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Ladislav Stephan Karpisek
  • Patent number: 5683125
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a latching fork and a release pawl engageable with the fork and pivotal between a latched position retaining the fork and an unlatched position. An inside door handle displaceable between a center rest position, an end open position, and an end locked position is connected to one end of the core of a bowden cable having a sheath fixed to the housing. A first actuating lever pivotal about an axis offset from the locking-lever axis has an arm and is connected to the other end of the cable core for joint movement of the first actuating lever with the inside handle. A second actuating lever pivotal between an actuated and an unactuated position has a formation engageable with the first actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Teru Tseng