Patents by Inventor James R. Pfaltzgraff
James R. Pfaltzgraff 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).
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Patent number: 9295195Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof. During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Publication number: 20150107120Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Publication number: 20150096178Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof. During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 8918999Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof. During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 8510960Abstract: An improved spool construction for carrying a length of cutting line in a trimmer head housing on a flexible line rotary trimmer wherein the spool comprises separately molded upper and lower sections of single piece construction that are pressed together in a snap fitment to define a cylindrical body portion, at least one flange projecting radially therefrom and a line receptor channel having a smooth interior surface that traverses the spool and communicates opposed open outer channel ends in the flange that are radially alignable with opposed line openings in a housing skirt, with an open channel portion in a lower spool surface to provide access to the channel intermediary of the open channel ends with the spool operatively connected to the housing for line loading and replacement without having to interrupt the operative connection between the spool and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James R. Pfaltzgraff, Richard A. Proulx
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Publication number: 20110302791Abstract: An aerodynamic trimmer head assembly for use in flexible line rotary trimmers including a trimmer head having a curvilinear upper head surface and a shroud having a curvilinear portion extending over the head surface. A plurality of ribs extend downwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation between the head surface and shroud defining a plurality of channels extending between portions of the upper head surface and shroud along curvilinear paths defined by the ribs. The channels define inlet openings in an upper portion of the shroud and outlet openings about the lower end portion thereof. During rotation of the head and shroud, air is drawn downwardly about the drive mechanism, through the channel inlets, into and through the channels and outwardly therefrom at a forward inclination about the line projecting from the housing thereby cooling the drive mechanism of the rotary trimmer and reducing aerodynamic drag on the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: PROULX MANUFACTURING, INC.Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 7979991Abstract: A trimmer head wherein the driveline of the power tool is connected to a core member. A spool is mounted to the core member and directly driven by the core member. A housing is mounted for axially sliding on the core member and a spring urges axial movement of the housing relative to the core member. Interlocking structure on the spool and housing produces interlocking for common rotation of the spool and housing responsive to urging by the spring. Release of the interlocking structure is affected by opposing said spring urging. Desirable additional features include selective alternate positioning of the spring for automatic and manual only release of said interlocking and a line loading assist provided by a tubular post through the spool alignable with housing eyelets for threading line through the eyelets and spool and winding thereof onto the spool by manual turning of the spool relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Inventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Publication number: 20110119932Abstract: An improved spool construction for carrying a length of cutting line in a trimmer head housing on a flexible line rotary trimmer wherein the spool comprises separately molded upper and lower sections of single piece construction that are pressed together in a snap fitment to define a cylindrical body portion, at least one flange projecting radially therefrom and a line receptor channel having a smooth interior surface that traverses the spool and communicates opposed open outer channel ends in the flange that are radially alignable with opposed line openings in a housing skirt, with an open channel portion in a lower spool surface to provide access to the channel intermediary of the open channel ends with the spool operatively connected to the housing for line loading and replacement without having to interrupt the operative connection between the spool and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James R. Pfaltzgraff, Richard A. Proulx
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Publication number: 20100064530Abstract: A trimmer head wherein the driveline of the power tool is connected to a core member. A spool is mounted to the core member and directly driven by the core member. A housing is mounted for axially sliding on the core member and a spring urges axial movement of the housing relative to the core member. Interlocking structure on the spool and housing produces interlocking for common rotation of the spool and housing responsive to urging by the spring. Release of the interlocking structure is affected by opposing said spring urging. Desirable additional features include selective alternate positioning of the spring for automatic and manual only release of said interlocking and a line loading assist provided by a tubular post through the spool alignable with housing eyelets for threading line through the eyelets and spool and winding thereof onto the spool by manual turning of the spool relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 7607232Abstract: A trimmer head wherein the driveline of the power tool is connected to a core member. A spool is mounted to the core member and directly driven by the core member. A housing is mounted for axially sliding on the core member and a spring urges axial movement of the housing relative to the core member. Interlocking structure on the spool and housing produces interlocking for common rotation of the spool and housing responsive to urging by the spring. Release of the interlocking structure is affected by opposing said spring urging. Desirable additional features include selective alternate positioning of the spring for automatic and manual only release of said interlocking and a line loading assist provided by a tubular post through the spool alignable with housing eyelets for threading line through the eyelets and spool and winding thereof onto the spool by manual turning of the spool relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Shindaiwa, Inc.Inventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 6952877Abstract: A trimmer head wherein the driveline of the power tool is connected to a core member. A spool is mounted to the core member and directly driven by the core member. A housing is mounted for axially sliding on the core member and a spring urges axial movement of the housing relative to the core member. Interlocking structure on the spool and housing produces interlocking for common rotation of the spool and housing responsive to urging by the spring. Release of the interlocking structure is affected by opposing said spring urging. Desirable additional features include selective alternate positioning of the spring for automatic and manual only release of said interlocking and a line loading assist provided by a tubular post through the spool alignable with housing eyelets for threading line through the eyelets and spool and winding thereof onto the spool by manual turning of the spool relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Shindaiwa, Inc.Inventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Publication number: 20040134078Abstract: A trimmer head wherein the driveline of the power tool is connected to a core member. A spool is mounted to the core member and directly driven by the core member. A housing is mounted for axially sliding on the core member and a spring urges axial movement of the housing relative to the core member. Interlocking structure on the spool and housing produces interlocking for common rotation of the spool and housing responsive to urging by the spring. Release of the interlocking structure is affected by opposing said spring urging. Desirable additional features include selective alternate positioning of the spring for automatic and manual only release of said interlocking and a line loading assist provided by a tubular post through the spool alignable with housing eyelets for threading line through the eyelets and spool and winding thereof onto the spool by manual turning of the spool relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 5040436Abstract: Wear-resistant tips, preferably comprising preformed pellets of Stellite in square configuration, are welded, cooled and subsequently annealed to a saw tooth at a single machine station in rapid succession. A head assembly manipulates the individual pellets and positions them properly on the saw blade for forging thereto. The square configuration of the pellets permits their reliable manipulation and orientation by the automated equipment. The duration of the pellet welding phase is determined by the displacement of the pellet into the saw blade, rather than by reliance on a predetermined time period. After cooling, the annealing is accomplished by using the same electrical power supply as is employed for the welding. The duty cycle of this power supply, however, is regulated to produce the amount of annealing heat required for the particular steel being worked.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1991Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: Armstrong Manufacturing CompanyInventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 4864896Abstract: Wear-resistant tips, preferably comprising preformed pellets of stellite in square configuration, are welded, cooled and subsequently annealed to a saw tooth at a single machine station in rapid succession. A head assembly manipulates the individual pellets and positions them properly on the saw blade for forging thereto. The square configuration of the pellets permits their reliable manipulation and orientation by the automated equipment. The duration of the pellet welding phase is determined by the displacement of the pellet into the saw blade, rather than by reliance on a predetermined time period. After cooling, the annealing is accomplished by using the same electrical power supply as is employed for the welding. The duty cycle of this power supply, however, is regulated to produce the amount of annealing heat required for the particular steel being worked.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1987Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Armstrong Manufacturing CompanyInventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff
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Patent number: 4819515Abstract: An apparatus for grinding saw teeth of a saw blade measures and grinds the tip of each tooth independently before advancing successively each tooth on the saw blade for grinding. The apparatus includes a pair of grinding wheels movable toward and away from a sawtooth secured in the grinding position. The grinding wheels are under the control of programmable controller which moves the grinding wheels in response to measurements of the side clearances on the tooth made by a tip measurement probe. The method includes measuring the side clearance of a sawtooth in the grinding position with the probe, comparing the measured dimension to a preselected dimension, and moving the grinding wheels to grind the tooth if the measured dimensions exceeds the preselected dimension. Another measurement is taken and the steps are repeated for each tooth until the sawtooth is ground within the preselected dimension. The next tooth is then advanced to the grinding position.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1987Date of Patent: April 11, 1989Assignee: Armstrong Manufacturing CompanyInventor: James R. Pfaltzgraff