Patents by Inventor Earl E. Seppala

Earl E. Seppala has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Firearm gas relief mechanism
    Patent number: 4872392
    Abstract: Auto loading gas operated firearm capable of handling a variety of ammunition loads having one or more gas relief valves for the initial volume of the gas cylinder of the firearm, the valves having a leaf spring covering the gas apertures to control the flow of gas from the initial volume of the gas cylinder, and a shaped geometric body interposed between the spring and each aperture that interacts with the spring and aperture to form a seal footprint which is a circular line or ring, the spring preferably operating in a plane substantially perpendicular to the recoil axis of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Remington Arms Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Powers, Earl E. Seppala, James C. Young
  • Window regulator
    Patent number: 4433509
    Abstract: A regulator for closures, and especially vehicle mounted windows, having a rigid track, one end of which is formed in a spiral configuration and which contains a polymeric power transmission tape, a rotatably mounted power transmission arm and a power transmission block slidably connected to the power transmission arm and connected to the end of the polymeric tape to move the tape within the spiral formed portion of the track, the other end of the tape being attached to the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Earl E. Seppala
  • Apparatus for and method of coupling shafts
    Patent number: 4378220
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring torque from one shaft to another. The shafts (11) and (12) are coupled together using a flexible member, such as an elastomeric spring or belt (23), trained around pins (21) eccentrically mounted on at least two planet gears (19). A sun gear (15) which is connected to one of the shafts (11) meshes with the planet gears. These gears (19) are also connected to the other shaft, (12), either through a ring gear (66) or pivots (27). When one of the shafts is rotated, this causes the planet gears (19) to rotate, and this rotation moves the pins (21) in an arc. This gradual controlled movement of the pins (21) causes the belt (23) to stretch in a manner so that as torque is transferred from one shaft to the other, troublesome torsional vibrations are effectively damped.This energy-absorbing, torque cushioning apparatus is particularly suited for use as a lock-up clutch in motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Earl E. Seppala, Howard J. Kutsch