Patents by Inventor James J. Grinsteiner

James J. Grinsteiner 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: 6598787
    Abstract: A coin receptacle assembly for vending machines. A funnel unit is positioned in the machine and a coin receptacle unit is adapted to be removably mounted on the funnel unit. The coin receptacle unit includes a secure door which is movable between an open position when the coin receptacle unit is mounted on the funnel unit, and a closed position when the units are separated. A lock arm engages against the secure door when the units are separated to prevent the secure door from being opened by an unauthorized person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Glenview Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Publication number: 20030132278
    Abstract: A coin receptacle assembly for vending machines. A funnel unit is positioned in the machine and a coin receptacle unit is adapted to be removably mounted on the funnel unit. The coin receptacle unit includes a secure door which is movable between an open position when the coin receptacle unit is mounted on the funnel unit, and a closed position when the units are separated. A lock arm engages against the secure door when the units are separated to prevent the secure door from being opened by an unauthorized person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 6066038
    Abstract: An automatic hopper fill system for a coin dispensing machine. An auxiliary coin reservoir container is positioned entirely within the machine to perform the hopper fill function when the hopper becomes empty. The container includes an opening or chute which is normally blocked by an electro-mechanically controlled release door and opened electronically by a circuit which reads a hopper empty code generated to release the auxiliary coin reserve into the hopper. An indicator light is mounted on the external surface of the machine to indicate that the auxiliary container has released the coin reserve into the hopper so that the auxiliary container can be re-filled with coins at a convenient time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Glenview Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Sciortino, John A. Forte, James J Grinsteiner, Allan M. Brown
  • Patent number: 5573381
    Abstract: A dual-piston fuel pump assembly includes a housing having an inlet to a primary chamber and an outlet from a pumping chamber. Between the primary and pumping chambers are interposed concentric inner and outer pistons. Each piston is independently spring biased toward the pumping chamber. The inner piston is mechanically driven by an engine associated reciprocating drive and pumping action occurs as a result of the spring operating on the inner piston. The position of the outer piston relative to the inner piston is determined by the pressure in the pumping chamber as regulated by the force of the spring operating against the outer piston. When pressure in the pumping chamber exceeds predefined limits, the outer piston opens regulator ports disposed on the inner piston to recirculate fuel back into the low pressure primary chamber. Additionally, the outer piston acts as an accumulator to dampen pressure spikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Michael F. Pane, James J. Grinsteiner, Martin R. Zielke
  • Patent number: 5392749
    Abstract: An improved arrangement of a hydraulically-actuated injector fuel system is disclosed for an engine having an engine member such as a cylinder head. The system comprises a hydraulically-actuated injector positioned in a injector bore defined in the cylinder head and apparatus for supplying hydraulically actuating fluid to each injector. A hydraulically-actuated injector fuel system requires apparatus for communicating fuel and actuating fluid to each injector. An engine equipped with externally disposed actuating fluid and fuel lines exhibits a complicated and costly construction which is difficult to service. The present invention provides separate actuating fluid and fuel manifolds or passages which are internally disposed in the engine. This hidden and integrated arrangement is not only esthetically pleasing but simplifies assembly and disassembly of the engine and also permits a reduction in cost of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Stockner, Billy J. Cagle, James J. Grinsteiner, Martin J. Hower
  • Patent number: 5327861
    Abstract: An automatic oil additive injector is disposed over the drain opening in a bottom wall of an engine oil pan and extends into the oil pan. A side port is provided in a housing of the injector for allowing oil to drain therethrough when the oil drain plug is removed. Primary and secondary valve assemblies and a pump operator provided in the housing are activated upon removal of the drain plug to allow a chamber therebetween to fill with a predefined volume of additive, preferably silicone fluid, from a reservoir of the injector and which, upon engagement of the drain plug, dispense the fluid into the oil pan at each oil change to decrease aeration of the oil. In a second embodiment, the additive injector and reservoir are incorporated in the lubricating oil filter header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Rogalla, Arnold J. Chesna, James J. Grinsteiner, Bronislaw B. Florek
  • Patent number: 5310227
    Abstract: A high pressure flex fitting comprises a tube assembly which engages within a fitting body. The tube assembly comprises a tube upon which a deformable flanged compression sleeve is disposed adjacent an elastomeric sealing ring which in turn is adjacent a retainer ring, the retainer ring being seated adjacent a flared end of the tube. A nut having an end flange engages over the sleeve and the flange on the nut bears against the radial flange on the sleeve, pushing the sleeve on the tube into the fitting body when the nut is threadedly engaged onto the fitting body. The fitting body includes a large cavity, within which the flared end of the tube is suspended, have a tapered inner entrance section from an entrance diameter larger than the sleeve to an inner diameter smaller than the sleeve to completely fill the area between the cavity wall and the tube adjacent the sealing ring which effects the seal between the cavity wall and the tube to prevent extrusion and fracturing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 5190444
    Abstract: A tandem fuel pump assembly for internal combustion engines includes a housing having a fixed spring retainer mounted thereinside which supports a diaphragm pump biassing spring thereabove to force a diaphragm defining the movable lower wall of a first pumping chamber to reduce the volume thereof and eject fuel from an outlet thereof preferably through a fuel filter to the inlet of a second piston pumping chamber. A second biassing spring supported below the spring retainer forces a pumping piston downwardly to reduce the volume of the second pumping chamber and thereby eject fuel therefrom to an engine fuel rail for injection into the engine therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Grinsteiner, David B. Meisner
  • Patent number: 5143291
    Abstract: A two-stage, hydraulic, electronic unit fuel injector powered by lubricating oil from the engine crankcase includes a housing, a pilot valve disposed in the housing and connected to an electronically-controlled solenoid for movement with the armature thereof, a slidable poppet valve disposed in the housing beneath the pilot valve and controlled by the action of the pilot valve, and a fixed intensifier dump valve disposed within the poppet valve. An intensifier piston, controlled by the action of the poppet valve, is disposed within the housing below the intensifier dump valve which upon receiving high pressure fluid, in this case, lubricating oil, is forced downwardly to inject fuel received in the lower end of the injector from a common rail out of the injector tip under very high pressure.Both the pilot valve and the poppet valve are provided with valving arrangements, in the form of valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 5096121
    Abstract: A two-stage, hydraulic, electronic unit fuel injector powered by lubricating oil from the engine crankcase includes a housing, a pilot valve disposed in the housing and connected to an electronically-controlled solenoid for movement with the armature thereof, a slidable poppet valve disposed in the housing beneath the pilot valve and controlled by the action of the pilot valve, and a fixed intensifier dump valve disposed within the poppet valve. An intensifier piston, controlled by the action of the poppet valve, is disposed within the housing below the intensifier dump valve which upon receiving high pressure fluid, in this case, lubricating oil, is forced downwardly to inject fuel received in the lower end of the injector from a common rail out of the injector tip under very high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 5035637
    Abstract: A plastic gasket assembly of substantially increased thickness, compared to present day elastomeric or composition gaskets, for use in sealing an engine valve cover to a cylinder head thereof, the gasket including a portion incorporating an electrical conductor for creating an electrical bridge through the sealing area between the cylinder head and valve cover by means of which exterior control circuitry can be electrically coupled to electrical or electronic devices disposed internally of the valve cover. In a first embodiment, the wires connecting the devices to the control unit are simply molded into the gasket whereas in a second embodiment, the gasket is drilled or molded to provide holes for inserting the wires, sealing of the wires being accomplished by clamping of the gasket and/or sealant disposed on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Will W. Mathews, John A. Serio, James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 4934323
    Abstract: A relatively thin, post-mounted valve lever having a ball bearing pivot for operating an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine and having a lateral bearing surface which slidably engages aligned spaced lateral surfaces on a wide supporting post which maintain the rocking plane within the valve lever. A retainer is disposed on the top side of the post and extends into the central opening in the valve lever to prevent the rocker arm, post, and ball bearing from becoming disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Navistar International Transporation Corp.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 4856711
    Abstract: A choke type thermostat is provided with dual choke seals including a conventional primary choke and a secondary choke which seals with the valve seat of the thermostat prior to the sealing of the primary choke. The secondary choke provides additional sealing for the valve and also functions to strain the flow of coolant which is allowed to pass over the primary choke, thereby preventing sand or other debris from interfering with the sealing of the primary choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Grinsteiner, George J. Maat
  • Patent number: 4776513
    Abstract: A choke type thermostat is provided with dual choke seals including a conventional primary choke and a secondary choke which seals with the valve seat of the thermostat prior to the sealing of the primary choke. The secondary choke provides additional sealing for the valve and also functions to strain the flow of coolant which is allowed to pass over the primary choke, thereby preventing sand or other debris from interfering with the sealing of the primary choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Grinsteiner, George J. Maat
  • Patent number: 4763616
    Abstract: A relatively thin, post-mounted valve lever having a ball bearing pivot for operating an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine and having a lateral bearing surface which slidably engages aligned spaced lateral surfaces on a wide supporting post which maintain the rocking plane within the valve lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner
  • Patent number: 4653688
    Abstract: A choke-type thermostat is provided with a bypass valve. The inventive thermostat has a pliable valve member which prevents flow to an engine coolant bypass when the thermostat is in the completely open position in regards to an engine radiator outlet. Valving of the engine coolant bypass provides maximum flow to the radiator outlet when the thermostat is in the open position. Since the engine bypass is valved off by the thermostat when the thermostat is in the open position the diameter of the engine coolant bypass may be increased therefore allowing increased flow therethrough when the thermostat is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Navistar International Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Grinsteiner