Patents by Inventor James G. Blaha

James G. Blaha 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).

  • Patent number: 4243234
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00026 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 18, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 18, 1979, PCT Filed Jan. 18, 1979 PCT Pub. No. W080/01505 PCT Pub. Date July 24, 1980.A seal (16) is positioned to prevent entry of foreign matter through an annular opening (26) between first and second members (12,14). The first and second members (12,14) are, for example, a stationary backing plate (20) and a rotatable hub (22) of a brake assembly (24) or a rotatable shaft and associated housing element. Foreign matter passing between the backing plate (20) and the hub (22), for example, can enter an associated brake drum (30) and interfere with effectiveness of the brake assembly (24). Apparatus (72) connects the seal (16) to the backing plate (20). The seal (16) has first and second legs (38,40) each having a sealing surface (58,60). The sealing surface contact a face (68) and outer surface (66) of the hub (22), respectively, to substantially block passage of foreign matter to the brake drum (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Blaha
  • Patent number: 4227704
    Abstract: A seal (16) is positioned to prevent entry of foreign matter through an annular opening (26) between first and second members (12,14). The first and second members (12,14) are, for example, a stationary backing plate (20) and a rotatable hub (22) of a brake assembly (24) or a rotatable shaft and associated housing element. Foreign matter passing between the backing plate (20) and the hub (22), for example, can enter an associated brake drum (30) and interfere with effectiveness of the brake assembly (24). Apparatus (67) connects the seal (16) to the backing plate (20). The seal (16) has first and second legs (38,40) each having a sealing surface (58,60). The sealing surfaces contact a face (94) and outer surface (92) of the hub (22), respectively, to substantially block passage of foreign matter to the brake drum (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Blaha
  • Patent number: 4184333
    Abstract: A fluid power system (10) for a lift truck (18) has a movable steering device (12) and a valve (14) which moves in response to movement of the steering device (12) a preselected amount to supply fluid power for steering the lift truck (18). Apparatus (30) is provided for controllably supplying fluid power to the valve (14) prior to the valve (14) moving to supply fluid power for steering. The apparatus (30) eliminates delay between the moving of the valve (14) and the availability of fluid power at the valve (14) to insure quick, responsive steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Blaha, Grant C. Melocik, John E. Wible
  • Patent number: 4091372
    Abstract: A directional control lever and horn actuating arrangement is disclosed including a frame, a directional control lever assembly pivotally supported on the frame, a horn, an interrupted electrical circuit including a source of electricity which is selectively coupled to the horn for operation thereof, and a horn actuating mechanism supported by the control lever assembly and movable therewith which is disposed in communication with the electrical circuit and adapted to be manually positioned to complete the circuit and actuate the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Blaha, John R. Dineen, John E. Wible
  • Patent number: 3962871
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit including a single pump and a plurality of control valves for communicating actuating fluid to the separate hydraulic motors from the single pump includes a synchronizing unit for initiating and terminating operation of the pump in response to operation of any of the control valves, the synchronizing unit including a pivotable gang plate adjustably mounting cam shoes separately associated with synchronizing levers connected to actuating elements for each of the control valves, the single gang plate thus being movable in response to operation of any one of the valves in order to initiate or terminate operation of the pump in closely synchronized relation to positioning of any one of the control valves to communicate the pump with one of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Blaha, Richard C. Maher
  • Patent number: RE31314
    Abstract: A seal (16) is positioned to prevent entry of foreign matter through an annular opening (26) between first and second members (12,14). The first and second members (12,14) are, for example, a stationary backing plate (20) and a rotatable hub (22) of a brake assembly (24) or a rotatable shaft and associated housing element. Foreign matter passing between the backing plate (20) and the hub (22), for example, can enter an associated brake drum (30) and interfere with effectiveness of the brake assembly (24). Apparatus (72) connects the seal (16) to the backing plate (20). The seal (16) has first and second legs (38,40) each having a sealing surface (58,60). The sealing .[.surface.]. .Iadd.surfaces (58,60) .Iaddend.contact a face (68) and outer surface (66) of the hub (22), respectively, to substantially block passage of foreign matter to the brake drum (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Blaha