Patents Examined by Thomas W. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5580301
    Abstract: A resilient clamp (15) is provided which has the general shape of a dish or of a bell, and which is provided with radial slots (18) in its peripheral part and a central solid annular part. Structure is provide (21) for centering the clamp (15) with respect to the driving shaft (2). The lateral segments of this clamp (15) move radially with respect to the axis of the clamp when the central part (16) thereof is moved along this axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Speno International S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Muller
  • Patent number: 5573444
    Abstract: A surface of a member having intrinsic projections thereon is polished to remove the intrinsic projections. An abrasive tape is formed of a substrate and an abrasive layer formed thereon. The abrasive layer primarily contains abrasive grains and a binder. The abrasive tape and the member are slid in substantially opposite directions with the abrasive layer and the surface of the member kept in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Ryoke, Keisuke Yamada, Masaaki Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 5573229
    Abstract: A fixture for aligning clamping pipes end to end to enable joining the pipes by welding includes a collar circumscribing one of the pipes and circumferentially spaced arms extending outwardly from the collar and then coaxially with the pipes. Pipe damps are supported by each of the arms at approximately 120 degrees intervals about the pipe. The stems of the clamps are supported by the arms such that proper orientation of the clamping shoes and guide members is assured. Furthermore, an extension of the stem which projects between the pipes and carries an inner guide member for engagement with the inner circumferential surface of the pipe has a differential thickness such that the pipes are initially separated by a predetermined thickness by engagement of the pipes with the necked portion of the extension for tack welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Goodwin A. Lycan
  • Patent number: 5570871
    Abstract: Apparatus for tightening and releasing nuts on screw-threaded studs to fit or release a cover on a pressure vessel employs several devices each for subjecting a respective one of the studs to tension to clamp the stud whilst the nut is rotated thereon. Each device employs a coupling mechanism for clamping a rod-like extension piece in end-to-end relationship to one of the studs to apply tension force thereto from a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit. The coupling mechanism takes the form of a sleeve containing several arcuate coupling segments guided for displacement radially of the stud and its extension piece. Cam surfaces on the coupling segments and the sleeve inter-engage as the sleeve is rotated to effect the displacement of the coupling segments between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Westfalia Nucleartechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Horst Westerfeld
  • Patent number: 5568915
    Abstract: The C-clamp (10) has an elongated structural member (12) and two clamp heads (14). Each clamp head (14) has a body (16) with an elongated structural member passage (22) having a central axis (24) and a jaw (18) connected to the body (16) by a screw (20). The passage (22) is defined by side plates (26 and 28), an upper friction block (30) and a lower friction block (32). The friction blocks (30 and 32) are axially spaced apart along the central axis (24). Contact surfaces (34 and 40) on the friction blocks (30 and 32) are spaced apart in a direction normal to the central axis (24) a distance less than the height of the structural member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald Raymond
  • Patent number: 5566931
    Abstract: A wall panel jig apparatus (10) for fabricating a variety of conventional and/or extended wall panel segments including corner panel segments (110) window panel segments (120) standard panel segments (130) entry door panel segments (140) and end panel segments (150) wherein the jig apparatus (10) comprises a rectangular framework including top (20) bottom (30) right side (40) and left side (50) frame members for joining conventional top plates, shoe plates and studs into conventional wall panel segments by nailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Cornucopia Products Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Considine
  • Patent number: 5562531
    Abstract: An abrasive blasting apparatus is provided which comprises a blast nozzle arranged in a blast chamber for blasting, toward a workpiece, two different kinds of abrasive particles separately supplied from a first abrasive container and a second abrasive container. The abrasive particles falling to the bottom of the blast chamber are collected by an abrasive collector, and the collected abrasive particles are separated by an abrasive separating system into those of the first abrasive material and those of the second abrasive material. The two different portions of the abrasive particles are returned separately to the first and second abrasive containers through feedback conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Eikichi Yamaharu
  • Patent number: 5562277
    Abstract: A workholding system comprising dissimilar support members, each adapted to interchangeably operably support at least one vise-like clamping assembly in a plurality of workholding orientations relative to a support member. One support member arrangement can non-movably support a plurality of vise-like clamping assemblies relative to the support member. Another support member can indexably support a plurality of vise-like clamping assemblies such that they can be selectively indexed about a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Chick Machine Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Swann, James L. Hartman, James B. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5558560
    Abstract: A tool grinding machine which can grind the cutting edge of a punch without disassembling the punch body from the punch assembly and further can grind the cutting edge of the upper surface shoulder portion of the die. Further, the punch and die of various shapes can be ground easily by selecting an appropriate previously stored operation mode determined according to grinding conditions. The tool grinding machine is made up of a rotary table rotatably disposed on a slider supported on a base movable in the right and left direction; and a grinding tool disposed axially away from the rotary table and rotatable and movable in an axial direction of the rotary table, for a grinding workpiece fitted on the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Amada Metrecs Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5549507
    Abstract: A combined motor and mechanical drive that is used with an oscillating spindle sander is disclosed. The oscillating spindle sander has a worktable for supporting a workpiece. A spindle extends upwardly through the worktable and has a sanding surface. An electrical motor is supported by the worktable and includes a shaft for imparting rotational motion to the spindle. The mechanical drive is contained within a housing that is supported by the motor and is connected to the motor shaft for imparting reciprocal or axial motion in addition to rotary motion to the spindle. The mechanical drive includes a speed reducer that is coaxial with the motor shaft. The speed reducer drives a cam follower that engages a cam in the housing for imparting reciprocal motion to the spindle at a rate much less than the rotational speed imparted to the motor shaft by the motor. The speed reducer includes a cycloidal gear that engages a complementary ring gear provided in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: James D. Schroeder, George E. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 5547414
    Abstract: An apparatus for grinding a workpiece while electrolytically dressing an electrically conductive grinding wheel. The apparatus has an electrically conductive grinding wheel with a contact surface for contacting the workpiece, an electrode opposed to the grinding wheel and spaced a distance therefrom, a nozzle for supplying conductive fluid between the grinding wheel and the electrode, and a device for applying a voltage between the grinding wheel and the electrode. An eddy current sensor is arranged in proximity to the working surface of the grinding wheel for measuring the position of the grinding wheel in a non-contact manner. A grinding wheel controlling device is provided for controlling the position of the grinding wheel based on the values measured by the eddy current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Rikagaku Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ohmori
  • Patent number: 5547168
    Abstract: An attachment for a conventional pry bar facilitates the bar for use in the pulling of stakes. The attachment comprises a section of pipe which is flattened to provide a tubular portion telescopically receivable over the end of a pry bar and thin edge portion to one side of the tubular portion. The edge portion is formed with a notch proportioned for slidable receipt around a stake to be pulled and gripping engagement with the stake upon cocking of the attachment relative to the stake. In use the stake is cocked for gripping and pulling engagement with the stake by fulcruming the pry bar against a surface adjacent the stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The Burke Group
    Inventor: David L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5545082
    Abstract: A system for removing dust generated by rotary hand tools such as grinders and sanders. A shroud is installed over the grinding or sanding head in communication with a vacuum exhaust system to draw away dust, chips and the like. The shroud includes a generally circular base having a peripheral skirt on one side to surround the grinding or sanding disc and a collar arrangement on the other for attachment to a cylindrical tool housing. The collar may be an axial partial tube section that is clamped to the housing. Collar flexibility allows use with housings over a range of housing diameters. Alternatively, the collar may be one or more brackets slidably mounted on the base. The brackets are adjusted to contact the housing and are clamped to the housing and, if necessary, are fastened to the base. Removable and adjustable exhaust tubes are provided to accommodate different desired vacuum hose directions and different vacuum hose diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Michael W. Courson, Daniel C. Courson, William H. Courson
  • Patent number: 5542167
    Abstract: A device for attaching/detaching a snap ring, which can be set up in either of types for shaft and hole applications only by one operation of turning right and left leading portions removably inserted in holes at both ends of a snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Iwata Denko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 5535995
    Abstract: An adaptor member for mounting a column that operably supports at least two vise-like clamping assemblies in a predetermined orientation on a support surface of a milling table. The vise-like clamping assemblies include movable support members that protrude from a corresponding surface of the column and have removable jaw members attached thereto. The adaptor member is equipped with cavities adapted to receive therein the movable support members of a clamping assembly to enable the column to be supported on the adaptor member. Locating members are provided to locate a surface of the column member relative to the adaptor member in a predetermined confronting orientation. The column member is removably attached to the adaptor member using pins that are also used to removably attach the jaw members to their corresponding movable support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Chick Machine Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Swann, James L. Hartman, James B. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5531428
    Abstract: The invention discloses an adjustable closure force control device for a screw-type vise and a method for selectively controlling the closure force of the vise. The control device uses a nut barrel for threadingly receiving a screw of a screw-type vise with a movable vise jaw being operatively connected to the screw so that advancement of the screw through the nut barrel results in vise jaw closure about an article to be held. The closure force control selectively controls the advancement of the screw through the nut barrel in response to the resistance to movement encountered by the movable vise jaw. In a preferred form of the invention, a compressible detent plunger cooperates with a series of apertures spaced about the nut barrel periphery. This allows the nut barrel to rotate with the screw, ending screw advancement and jaw closure despite continued screw rotation, when the predetermined resistance to jaw movement is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventors: Andrew E. Dembicks, James E. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 5516086
    Abstract: A quick-change method for holding a workpiece on a worktable includes the step of providing at least one tombstone module (a workpiece support structure) for holding the workpiece, and a receiver assembly for removably holding the tombstone module on the worktable. The method proceeds by mounting the receiver assembly on the worktable, mounting the workpiece on the tombstone module, and removably mounting the tombstone module on the receiver assembly. In line with the above, an apparatus for holding a workpiece on a worktable (a modular tombstone assembly) includes at least one tombstone module for holding the workpiece, and a receiver assembly for removably holding the tombstone module on the worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: James E. Tankersley
  • Patent number: 5513838
    Abstract: A clamp is more versatile, less damaging, and able to apply a holding force directed from most any angle in its plane of action. This general work-holding clamp consists of several movable clamping units mounted on a circular frame. A clamping unit consists of a clamp screw, a small thumbscrew, and a base. The clamp screw serves its normal purpose, the thumbscrew holds the base in place on the frame, and the base connects the clamp screw to the frame. The circular frame carries all forces between the clamping units, and has a gap to improve versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Scott R. Van Rossum
  • Patent number: 5509849
    Abstract: To reduce dust and improve the productivity of wet blasting, a blast nozzle and a method of using same are provided for directing a stream of abrasive particles entrained in compressed air to a targeted surface and for injecting a pressurized water stream into the stream of abrasive particles at a point downstream of the orifice of the blast nozzle and in the expansion portion of the nozzle. At the injection point, the velocity of the entrained abrasive particles is substantially equivalent to the velocity of the injected water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Spears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5505656
    Abstract: Apparatus for manually sharpening dental instruments which require honing at a specific angle, comprising a planar base member having flat parallel sides and an elongated slot, a planar honing stone having flat parallel honing surfaces disposed within the slot of the base member perpendicularly to the plane of the base member and a spring clip positioned between one end of the slot and the honing stone for providing a biasing force to maintain the honing stone in pressure contact with the other end of the base member slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Steven B. Moore