Patents Issued in July 28, 1998
  • Patent number: 5784907
    Abstract: A locking device is intended for use in disabling the gear-shifting lever of a motor vehicle and is made up of a body and a shackle having two arms engageable and disengageable with the body. The body is composed of a horizontal tube, a vertical tube, a shackle piece, a slide piece, and a pivoting seat. The vertical tube is fastened pivotally at one end thereof with the horizontal tube which is in turn fastened adjustably at another end thereof with one end of the slide piece. The slide piece is fastened pivotally at another end thereof with the pivoting seat which is fastened securely with the body of the motor vehicle. The shackle piece is adjustably fastened with the vertical tube. The shackle piece has two arm holes for receiving two arms of the shackle to disable the gear-shifting lever of the motor vehicle. Both slide piece and shackle piece are adjustable and expandable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Hsi-Yen Hu, Yuan-Chih Chiang
  • Patent number: 5784908
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant anti-theft device inhibits rotation of a vehicle steering wheel thus preventing theft of the vehicle and discouraging theft of the driver's side air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. Hileman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5784909
    Abstract: A tubular lock assembly includes an inner handle, an outer handle, and a control mechanism. An outer protective cover is mounted to the outer side of the door plate and includes a pair of notches defined therein. The control mechanism includes a tubular shaft, a latch plate including a pair of protrusions formed on a mediate portion thereof, and a stop plate including two teeth. The tubular shaft includes a first end securely attached to the inner handle to rotate therewith and a second end. Two blocks are formed on the second end of the tubular shaft and have an operative recess defined therebetween. The teeth of the stop plate are received in the notches of the outer protective cover when the tubular lock assembly is in a locked position, and rotation of the inner handle in either direction causes the protrusions to be received in the operative recess of the tubular shaft such that the teeth of the stop plate disengage from the notches of the outer protective cover for unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 5784910
    Abstract: A key blank including a generally elongate shaft portion defining a key combination surface adapted to have formed thereon key cuts which define a key combination, the key blank including a movable pin element retained within the elongate shaft portion, the movable pin element being displaceable in a single direction, outwardly from the key combination surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Mul-T-Lock Ltd.
    Inventors: Noach Eizen, Dani Markbreit
  • Patent number: 5784911
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a welded pipe. The apparatus includes a cage or cluster roller molding system. In either case, a rotary axis of each roller is slanted counterclockwise or clockwise with respect to a manufacturing line direction of the apparatus. The adjustable positioning of the rotary axis reduces vertical slip caused when the strip of material passes along the contact surface of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignees: Kusakabe Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hashimoto, Takaaki Toyooka, Motoaki Itatani, Susumu Itatani, Tsutomu Ide
  • Patent number: 5784912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tangential thread rolling head with two fork-shaped rolling head arms in which thread rollers are rotatably mounted by way of parallel axles. The thread rollers are in engagement with a pinion, sitting on the axles, of a gear coupling both thread rollers, and the thread rollers and pinion are formed such that the rollers are laterally insertable before installing the axles. There is also a rolling head holder on which the rolling head arms are pivotably mountable about a common axle running parallel to the roller axles, threaded means for adjusting the distance of the thread roller axles from one another and adjusting means for the pivotal position of the rolling head to the rolling head holder. Cooperating claws of the thread roller and pinion are formed such that the roller may only be laterally inserted in a single defined rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Wilhelm Fette GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Focken, Klaus Oppelt
  • Patent number: 5784913
    Abstract: A machine for cold bending a thick walled tube is provided which includes a rotatable bend die around which the tube is bent and a pressure die which engages an outer side wall of the tube tangential to the bend. The pressure die has a pinch-type tube groove with multiple radiuses which receives the tube and substantially prevents relative movement between the pressure die and the outer side wall of the tube. The machine also includes a pressure die boost system which linearly advances the pressure die in a forward direction as the bend die is rotated. The boost system includes a linear actuator and an electro-hydraulic control system which automatically drives the linear actuator in accordance with a pre-programmed profile of pressure and flow parameters. The linear actuator has a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a pusher coupling the piston to the pressure die, and ports in the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Pines Manufacturing
    Inventor: Ajay K. Bhandari
  • Patent number: 5784914
    Abstract: A method of controlling and maintaining a drawing force applied to a length of rolled stock between two-spaced apart rolling units includes the steps of determining the value of at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of a transversed vibration of the rolled stock between the drawing units, correlation of the determined value to a corresponding value of drawing force, comparison of the correlated value of the drawing force to a reference value, and adjustment of the drawing force to maintain it at a substantially constant selected value. In another aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided which includes elements for measuring at least one of a frequency and an amplitude of a traversed vibration experienced by a length of rolled stock between two drawing units, a unit for correlating the measured value to a corresponding value of applied drawing force, and a control unit for adjusting the applied drawing force as necessary to maintain it substantially at a selected constant value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Ceda SpA Costruzioni Elettromeccaniche e Dispositivie d'Automazione
    Inventor: Lorenzo Ciani
  • Patent number: 5784915
    Abstract: On a machine for bending a sheet-metal edge (4) provided with a first sheet metal part (2) over a second sheet metal part (3) to be connected to the first (2), with at least one pair (12, 15) of form rollers, preferably driven, whose form rollers (13, 14; 16, 17) roll over it in the feed direction (19) on opposite sides of the sheet-metal edge (4) along its longitudinal edge and whose roll gap (20, 22) in the bending direction is inclined toward the second sheet metal part (3), wherein one of the form rollers (14, 17) grasps the sheet-metal edge (4) underneath on the side facing the second sheet metal edge (3), and with a support going across the feed direction (19) with at least one abutment supported on one of the sheet metal parts (2,3) by the fact that the abutment(s) is (are) arranged lagging behind the pair (12) of form rollers in the feed direction (19) and is (are) supported on the side of the sheet-metal edge (4) facing the second sheet metal part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Trumpf GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Marco Allemann, Andreas Janutin
  • Patent number: 5784916
    Abstract: A die assembly includes a forming portion to form a negative angle portion when an upper die is lowered in a straight line to abut a lower die. A cylindrical rotating cam with a groove formed therein in the axial direction is rotatably mounted in the lower die. A negative angle forming portion is formed in the groove edge portion of the rotating cam. A slide cam with a negative angle forming portion is mounted on the second upper die in such a manner to be opposed to the rotating cam. An automatic return device is provided on the lower die for rotating and retracting the rotating cam to enable the removal of the workpiece from the lower die after the forming process is complete. The rotating cam includes a plurality of rotating cam members, the rotation axis positions of which differ and are parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Umix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5784917
    Abstract: A shift control strategy is provided for an automatic transmission used in a machine that is started or operated with cold oil in the transmission. When the operating value of the oil in the transmission is below a predetermined level, as sensed by a temperature sensor or a viscosity sensor, a controller turns on an indicator lamp. When a shift lever is moved from the neutral position or moved to select a different direction of travel, the controller detects the amount of time the shift lever has been in the neutral position or out of the one direction of travel and compares the amount of time to a predetermined amount of time. If the amount of time is less than the predetermined amount of time, the controller flashes the indicator lamp, inhibits the engagement of the clutches for the desired gear ratio or new travel direction, and requires the shift lever be moved back to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randy R. Hayward
  • Patent number: 5784918
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for swaging a metallic embossed pipe to form concavities in its wall units, wherein, a die core made from a holding pipe having surface meshes and a plastisol filler is provided in the metallic pipe mounted in a circularly swaging apparatus having two positioning seats respectively movably provided on two ends of a slide way and can absorb swaging pressure exerted on the pipe wall, some swage processing seats movably provided between the positioning seats clamp the embossed pipe and position it accurately in an axis line; the processing seats press synchronically inwardly in a radiant array to swage the embossed pipe, thus the concaved pipe wall units are formed, the pipe hole and the die core are then slightly heated to draw the holding pipe and plastisol out to complete the process for swaging and forming the concaved wall units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Tseng Shao-Chien
  • Patent number: 5784919
    Abstract: A corner bending unit (2) for achieving a reciprocating movement in a tool holder (14) for a bending tool (12), the tool holder being articulated to a foundation (4) via parallel links (16, 18). The corner bending unit (2) has a pneumatic cylinder (38) with a piston rod (36) which is pivotally (34) joined to a triangle link (30), which is in turn pivotally joined (32) to one end of a link (28), the other end of which being joined to a pivot point (22) on the tool holder. The triangle link is pivotally carried in the foundation (4) about a pivot point (24) and forms, together with the link (28), a knee-joint mechanism (28, 30), which, under the influence of the cylinder (38) piston rod (36), can be moved from the bent-out position shown to a completely extended position, the tool holder (14) being movable between a starting position and a work position. The pivot point (22) is common to parallel link (16) and the link (28), and pivot point (24) is common to parallel link (18) and the triangle link (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Mikael Mattsson
  • Patent number: 5784920
    Abstract: A forming die set has one or more independently operated hydraulic actuator assemblies mounted directly in one of the die shoes to enable a programmed piercing pattern to be carried out at the time the workpiece is formed. Each actuator assembly includes a compact self contained actuator, in which both a piston and piston rod and a punch retainer are slidable in different sections of a housing bore with supply and return connections both through an end cap of the cylinder housing with a return flow path through a tube extending through the piston. The piston rod extends through an annular rod gland member positioned in the cylinder housing bore, and has an end protruding through to a punch retainer to which it is coupled. The punch retainer is slidable in a section of the cylinder housing bore. A purging system using a check valve in the supply line establishes an incremental flow back to the reservoir eliminate air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Paul M. Kadis
  • Patent number: 5784921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the inclination of the straightening bench of the car body straightening and measuring system which consists of a support (1) having the construction allowing moving heightwise, a straightening bench (2) attached to the support which the vehicle (3) is arranged to be mounted on and a cylinder (4) in order to transfer the support and the straightening bench vertically. For adjusting the inclination of the straightening bench the device includes a cylinder (6) attached at one end (5) to the straightening bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Autorobot Finland Oy
    Inventor: Olavi Venalainen
  • Patent number: 5784922
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotatable cylindrical rotor housed in a stator and has a female threaded nut formed inside the rotor. The motor has a male threaded screw shaft engaging with the nut. The rotation of the rotor is transformed to linear movement of the screw shaft by restricting the rotation of the screw shaft. A plurality of engaging sections project from the screw shaft. A contact section is provided with the rotor to contact with the engaging sections. The contact section contacts the engaging sections in accordance with the rotation of the rotor to restrict the rotation of the rotor and to prevent the screw shaft from releasing from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shigeto Ozaki, Hironori Ito, Motonori Noda, Yuzuru Ikeda, Shinichi Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 5784923
    Abstract: A toroidal drive system includes a housing composed of first and second mating housing sections having interior walls which cooperate to define a plurality of parallel, helix-like races inscribed in a torus having a circular axis. The two mating housing sections are secured together and a plurality of rotary elements are fixedly spaced apart along that axis, the elements each having an axle fixed at the axis and a plurality of removable, radially extending teeth rotatably encircling the corresponding axle, each tooth of each rotary element engaging in a different one of the plurality of races. A worm is mounted for rotation in the housing about an axis substantially perpendicular to the circular axis, that worm engaging at least one tooth of each of the plurality of rotary elements. Power take off means are connected to all of the axles and extend without the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Manfred R. Kuehnle
  • Patent number: 5784924
    Abstract: A gearshift adjusting device has a first hollow sleeve, a second hollow sleeve coupling with the first hollow sleeve, and a retaining ring disposed in an upper portion of the first hollow sleeve. The first hollow sleeve has an inner pipe and a hollow disk seat disposed on the inner pipe. The second hollow sleeve has an outer pipe and an annular ring disposed on the outer pipe. The inner pipe is inserted in the outer pipe. The hollow disk seat encloses the annular ring. The first hollow sleeve is connected to a handle of an exercise bike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Mu-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 5784925
    Abstract: A vacuum compatible linear motion device having a fluid bearing is contained within a vacuum chamber having a working pressure of significantly less than one atmosphere. The fluid bearing is contained within a vacuum enclosure within the vacuum chamber and is maintained at a pressure higher than that of the vacuum chamber but less than one atmosphere, thus essentially isolating the fluid bearing. A moveable payload is coupled to the linear motion device such that linear motion in the direction of the long axis of the device is provided to the moveable payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Etec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Trost, Lee Veneklasen
  • Patent number: 5784926
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite hub has a plurality of fiber reinforced spokes having first portions which define a drive shaft bore and second portions which mate to an innermost layer of a fiber reinforced flywheel rim. Both the rim and hub are preferably produced as stabilized preforms which are integrally or separately formed, then assembled and placed into a mold for molding into a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Dow-United Technologies Composite Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Maass
  • Patent number: 5784927
    Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a hub rotatably positioned about a stationary axial shaft. The hub supports a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of balance bars positioned on the rotor to compensate for any stress imbalance of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Gita P. Rao, Gary M. Colello, Clifford Gunsallus
  • Patent number: 5784928
    Abstract: A damped flywheel comprising two coaxial masses (1, 6) mounted for movement of one with respect to the other against the action of springs (150) and of a friction member (170), in which the inertia of the first mass (1) is increased by locating the resilient member (150) entirely inwardly, in the radial sense, of the friction face (125) of the clutch itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Ayman Mokdad, Jean-Claude Bochot
  • Patent number: 5784929
    Abstract: A dynamometer in combination with a torsional damping apparatus for damping torsional vibration between a prime mover and the dynamometer. The torsional damping apparatus includes a body plate rotatably coupled to a finger plate by a bearing, wherein the torsional damping apparatus interconnects the dynamometer and the prime mover. The finger plate includes a plurality of substantially radially outwardly protruding finger members engageable with a plurality of spring members at least partially disposed in corresponding recesses arranged about the rotation axis on the inner side of the body plate. An outer retainer ring removably coupled on the inner side of the body plate over the plurality of spring members for retaining the spring members in the corresponding recesses of the body plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Abraham, Brian R. Leslie
  • Patent number: 5784930
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal of the type that can be linked to a cleat affixed to a bicycle shoe has front and rear cleat engaging members disposed on a pedal body for engaging corresponding front and rear portions of the cleat. A brace member is positioned behind the rear cleat engaging member such that the brace member has a height that is greater than or equal to a height of the rear cleat engaging member. The brace member acts as a stable surface for eliminating looseness between the pedal and the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 5784931
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal includes front and rear cleat engaging members for engaging corresponding front and rear portions of a cleat affixed to a bicycle shoe. A tread cage having a relatively wide tread surface is coupled to the pedal for movement relative to at least one of the front cleat engaging member or rear cleat engaging member. The wide tread surface provides stable contact between the cycling shoe and the pedal when the cleat is disengaged from the cleat engaging members, and the movable tread cage allows the tread surface to move away from the cleat engaging members so as not to interfere when the cyclist is in the process of engaging the cleat with the cleat engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Ueda
  • Patent number: 5784932
    Abstract: A rotary indexing table has a table defining a flat table surface. A dial having an upper surface and a lower surface is positioned over and generally parallel to the table surface. The dial further defines a circular inner edge and an outer edge. First bearings mounted to the table surface engage the inner edge of the dial to radially support the dial on the table. Second bearings axially support the lower surface on the table surface for rotation. The second bearings comprise circular grooves in the lower surface of the dial and concentric with the inner edge. Ball bearings are in the grooves and in contact with the flat table surface. A drive assembly comprising a belt engaging the outer edge and driven by a motor indexes the rotation of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph J. Gilberti
  • Patent number: 5784933
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a threaded cap from a container includes an upper body and a lower body configured to receive a threaded cap and a bottle, respectively, of a small container. The upper and lower bodies include integral coupling elements for coupling the bodies together when not in use. The upper body receives the cap in a conical aperture that is lined with a reinforcing insert and the lower body receives the bottle in an aperture that includes a number of steps having decreasing sizes to accommodate a variety of bottles. The apertures are configured such that the respective bodies can be compressed around the cap and bottle to facilitate removal of the cap from the bottle. The gripping strength and size of the apparatus enables the user to impart an increased amount of torque to the cap during removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Avram Persellin
  • Patent number: 5784934
    Abstract: A power ratchet wrench including a handle for gripping and holding the wrench and a head having a ratchet mechanism including a drive shaft capable of powered rotation about its axis. The head and handle have openings generally in registration with each other. A pin is received through the openings, interconnects the handle and head and permits pivoting movement of the handle and head relative to each other about the transversely extending longitudinal axis of the pin to any of a multiplicity of selected relative angular orientations. The pin includes a first section sized and shaped for locking the handle and head together in fixed angular orientation about the pin axis and a second section sized and shaped for permitting free relative pivoting motion of the handle and head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shinano Pneumatic Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Izumisawa
  • Patent number: 5784935
    Abstract: A screw-on electrical connector is employed to connect a plurality of wires using an apparatus that includes a tool bit driver with an electric motor powered by a battery. A torque limiting device transfers torque from the electric motor to a chuck. A mechanism permits adjustment of the maximum level of torque applied to the chuck and indicia is provided indicating torque settings for different combinations of wire sizes and numbers to be connected. A tool is coupled to the chuck and has a member for engaging a screw-on electrical connector in order to twist the screw-on electrical connector onto a plurality of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: GB Electrical, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris W. Korinek
  • Patent number: 5784936
    Abstract: An improved slice stacking device for a food slicing machine. The machine has a reciprocating carriage to which an elongated food product workpiece is mounted. The workpiece reciprocates through a cutting blade, forming a slice in each cycle. A stacking bed has a textured surface for unidirectional sliding resistance and is mounted to the carriage beneath the blade. Multiple curved fingers are rigidly mounted below an outfeed table and extend downwardly to contact, or be closely spaced from, the upper surface of the stacking bed during a portion of the reciprocation cycle. A slice removed from the workpiece lands on the stacking bed and passes beneath the fingers. During the rearward motion of the stacking bed, the slice is wiped from the stacking bed by the wiper fingers. Another embodiment includes a rake having downwardly extending tines positioned above the stacking bed. The tines extend downwardly into grooves between ridges on the stacking bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: J. E. Grote Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. King
  • Patent number: 5784937
    Abstract: A machine for slicing a food product in the three dimensions in a single continuous cycle to produce an end product having a determined size and shape. The machine incorporates a first slicing station for slicing a determined length of a first slice off the food product by a first cutoff knife and a second slicing station to slice the first slice in two dimensions by a set of gang knives and a second cut off knife to produce a cube of a determined size and shape. The machine has a conveyor system for conveying the food product on a continuous basis through the machine. The rotation of the cut off knives are variable to establish the desired dimensions of the end product. The first slice is transferred on the conveyor of the second slicing station in a manner to accommodate slicing the first slice in the other two dimensions by the second slicing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Carruthers Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Garold Lee Wygal, Dennis Z. Rush, Peter D. Johnson, Paul S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5784938
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a web, including a frame ((70, 186); a crank (188) mounted for rotation on the frame; an upper platen (210); a pair of linear guides (212) for the upper platen; a first crank arm (196) connected between the upper platen and the crank; a lower platen; second and third crank arms (218, 220) connected between the lower platen and the crank; an upper die shoe (262) mounted to the upper platen; a lower die shoe (260) mounted to the lower platen; a pair of linear guides (264) between the die shoes; and a system (287-290, 298-300) for rotating the crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Albert Watkins, Thomas Allen Sisson
  • Patent number: 5784939
    Abstract: A device for centering and locking tool-supporting frames has two centering points and one centering and locking point. The centering point as well as the point for centering and locking is equipped with a first and second centering locking device which includes a flexible rod provided with a handle and being anchored at its other end in an anchor block belonging to the movable cradle and being moved manually in a slot provided in a plate from a locking position to an unlocking position. The flexible rod extends through an upper part of the centering and locking pin, which engages in the groove for the centering points and in a groove and a bore for the centering and locking point. First and second centering and locking devices may be actuated simultaneously or individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Rebeaud
  • Patent number: 5784940
    Abstract: A machine for cutting flat stock, especially sheets of material. The machine has a counter that accommodates the stock and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly has a knife mounted on a beam that travels up and down toward and away from the counter in a machinery frame. The beam accommodates at least two separate knife-positioning components that force the back of the knife against the beam. Each knife-positioning component rests against a pressure-accommodating component on the back of the knife. At least that area of the pressure-accommodating component that comes into contact with the knife-positioning component is hard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Adolf Mohr Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Helmut Gross, Frank Stemmer
  • Patent number: 5784941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable sawmill, in which the functions of adjusting a cut, and of making a cut, are divided between two separate devices, instead of combined in one device. The sawmill utilizes a chainsaw that is clamped to a carriage which is movably attached to an alignable monorail track. Attached to the track is a system of sprockets and a chain operated by a crank which moves the carriage back and forth on the track. Attached to the carriage is a throttle actuator that, in conjunction with the chain, operates the throttle of the chainsaw, so that the motor of the chainsaw is at full power when cutting, but returns to idle when not cutting. With the addition of a spacer to give clearance for the wheels of the carriage, the foregoing device can be attached to any suitable support, and then a log can be placed and held in position, and lumber cut from it. A suitable support can be the frame specifically designed for the invention, or the edge of a flat platform, such as a loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Howard Sanford Sanborn
  • Patent number: 5784942
    Abstract: A spiral potato slicer is described herein comprising: a base; a carriage mounted on the base which may slide longitudinally along the base; a motor mounted on the carriage; a longitudinal threaded shaft connected to the motor, rotated by the motor, having a thread pitch of greater than about ten threads per inch, and having at least one stripped segment for limiting longitudinal motion of the shaft during rotation; a threaded shaft-engaging means mounted on the base and requiring a force applied by a user to maintain engagement of the threaded shaft; potato engaging means mounted on the second end of the shaft; and a radial cutting blade mounted on the base near the end of the base closest to the potato engaging means on the shaft. The combination of rotary and longitudinal motion produced by rotation of the threaded shaft results in slicing of the potato into a substantially continuous spiral sheet as the potato encounters the radial cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Birdsall L. Jones
  • Patent number: 5784943
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator includes three cylinder spaces: a first cylinder space (6) located between a ring piston and a cylinder; a second cylinder space (7) between the ring piston and an auxiliary piston inside a hollow piston rod connected to the ring piston; and the third cylinder space (8) formed between the ring piston, the cylinder and the hollow piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Tamrock Oy
    Inventor: Ossi Kahra
  • Patent number: 5784944
    Abstract: A control method and a device to control construction equipment attachments include during manual operation, the pilot pressure discharged from a pilot pump is fed from a manual operation valve through an electromagnetic change valve to a main control valve. During automatic operation, the pilot pressure from an automatic-mode selecting valve is fed through an electromagnetic proportional control valve as well as the electromagnetic change valve, all of which are controlled by a controller, to a main control valve. When the operation range is restrictively set during manual operation, the pilot pressure output from the manual operation valve is fed through the electromagnetic proportional control valve as well as the electromagnetic change valve to the main control valve. Both the main control valve and the electromagnetic proportional control valve are controlled by control signals from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Tozawa, Tomoaki Ono
  • Patent number: 5784945
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for determining a valve transform curve in a fluid system. The fluid system has a valve and a fluid actuator arranged to initiate movement of a load. The invention includes a desired velocity manager, a load responsive device, and a valve transform curve manager. The desired velocity manager determines a desired velocity of the load. The load responsive device determines a characteristic of the load, such as weight or position. The valve transform curve manager receives responsively determine a valve transform curve based on the desired velocity and load characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Krone, Qin Zhang
  • Patent number: 5784946
    Abstract: A vacuum brake booster having sound absorbing members affixed to the front and rear shells to attenuate sounds caused by air movement in the brake booster. The front shell is joined to the rear shell to define the housing for the brake booster. The housing is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a wall structure. The first and second chambers in a first mode of operation are designed to be in communication with a first source of fluid (vacuum) having a first fluid pressure while in a second mode of operation the second chamber is in communication with a second source of fluid (atmospheric air) at a second fluid pressure. In the second mode of operation, a pressure differential is created across the wall structure to produce an output force corresponding to an input force associated with a desired braking application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Malosh, Rolf Viebach, Dave C. Yoder
  • Patent number: 5784947
    Abstract: A lifter automatically adapts to pick up different style residential refuse collection carts. An upper movable clamp bar cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a smooth-sided cart with a single upper lifting lip. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lifts carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces (e.g., bars). Hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of smooth sided carts, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging other type carts. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, obtained by alternate extension/retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending face plate prevent cart scarring. Adjustment for different height carts is provided by a vertical lift assembly which uses a hydraulic sequencing valve to first raise the lifter for engaging the cart and then to cycle through a dumping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Bayne Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy O. Bayne, Michael J. Susil
  • Patent number: 5784948
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump including a plurality of pistons reciprocally driven in respective cylinders by a swashplate assembly to expel fluid during the pressure stroke of the piston from a chamber in communication with each piston. Oppositely disposed magnets are located respectively in an upper pressure face of each piston and in a check valve housing adjacent each cylinder to produce a magnetic force circuit accelerating movement of each piston toward and in continual contact with a cluster bearing associated with the swashplate assembly during the suction stroke of each piston. Like poles of each magnet face each other to produce a permanent levitating force on each piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Chrestoff, Robert H. Ash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5784949
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for retaining slipper holddown pins radially in a hydraulic unit includes a cylinder block having a plurality of holes therein for respectively receiving a corresponding plurality of elongated slipper holddown pins, each having a maximum transverse width. The holes are adjacent to and communicate with a center bore of the cylinder block to form respective throats. The throats have a maximum width that is less than the maximum transverse width of the pins such that the pins cannot be radially displaced through the respective throats. Each hole has a side wall that extends more than 180.degree. around its central axis. The side wall defines the throat between the hole and the center bore. The shaft can be inserted into driving engagement with the center bore of the cylinder block. The slipper holddown pin has a maximum transverse width greater than the maximum width of the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Sauer Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Ryken, Jeffrey A. Baldus, David D. Dirks, Scott D. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5784950
    Abstract: A single headed swash plate type compressor including, a housing with a crank chamber and cylinder bore, pistons arranged in cylinder bores, and a swash plate driven by a drive shaft. Each of the pistons has at one end thereof a bearing having axially spaced first and second bearing portions and an axially extending third portion interconnecting the first and second bearing portions. Shoes are slidably arranged between the swash plate and the first and second bearing portions for converting rotational movement of the swash plate into reciprocal movement of the pistons. An oil communication hole is arranged in and extends through the second bearing portion for fluid communication between the groove of the second bearing portion on the side remote from the cylinder bore and the crank chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kayukawa, Suguru Hirota, Hideki Mizutani, Fuminobu Enokijima, Takehito Tomita, Yoshitami Kondo, Takahiro Hamaoka, Kenji Takenaka
  • Patent number: 5784951
    Abstract: A piston with a slide shoe for a hydraulic piston engine, where the slide shoe comprises a ball socket, and where the piston is arranged with a corresponding ball head, whereby these are joined in a ball-and-socket joint, and where at least partially the ball head is constituted of a spherical surface of a friction reducing material moulded onto and retained in relation the piston. As a consequence of the subsequent shrinking of the moulded-on, friction reducing material, a possibility is obtained of good fixation of the ball head on the piston, while at the same time a gap can be created between the ball socket and the ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Henry Madsen M.o slashed.ller
  • Patent number: 5784952
    Abstract: A turntable assembly generally comprises a supporting base and an oven fixed to the top of the supporting base. A rotational disk can be rotationally and movably supported between the oven and the supporting base. The rotational disk is above the surface of the table without touching the dishes or bowls disposed on the table. By this arrangement, a plurality of courses can be simultaneously supported and the people may enjoy these food simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Shu Lien Liu
  • Patent number: 5784953
    Abstract: An unitary egg separator is provided which includes a cup with a handle. The cup has a pair of symmetrically located elongated slots positioned adjacent to the bottom apex of the cup. The handle is transversely broadened and longitudinally relatively short, and has transversely spaced, downwardly extending ears on its opposite sides that cooperate with the cup for attaching the egg separator to the rim of a mixing bowl or the like. Also, the handle includes an upwardly extending flange adjacent to the cup, the flange having an edge that is adapted for cracking the shell of an egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nigel Wang
  • Patent number: 5784954
    Abstract: The juice extractor is installed on the uniform base (1) on the circular section with the rectangular protrusion. On the circular section the housing (2) is mounted containing the motor (3) with the coupling (4) above which the basin (5), equipped with the antivortex element (7), is mounted. The flexible elements (8), adjacent with their perimeters to the side surfaces of the basket (6) and the coupling (4), are fixed between the basket (6) with the cutter disk and the coupling (4). On the cylindrical part (10) of the cover (9) the adjustable chute cone (11) is mounted. The discharge container (13) rests on the rectangular protrusion of the base (1), and, being adjacent to the housing (2), creates with it a solid having an oval intersection with bevel from the top of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Zaklad Produkcji Rynkowej Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Eugeniusz Kokot, Zenon Swaczyj, Marek Piat, Andrzej Czerpak
  • Patent number: 5784955
    Abstract: A calender has at least four rollers that are located one above the other. The rollers rotate about roller bearings. The calender is located within a paper-making machine. Each of the rollers is rotatably driven by an independent driving mechanism. At least two of the rollers are heatable. At least 40% of the rollers are soft rollers. The outer coverings of the soft rollers are made of a synthetic material that is not sensitive to marking so that a doctor blade can be applied to the soft rollers. The calender includes a device that inserts a paper guide strip into the calender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Finishing GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Rolf Conrad
  • Patent number: 5784956
    Abstract: An apparatus for printing materials, particularly textile materials, ceramics, paper or the like, has a housing and a drive apparatus, with several printing units, which are respectively associated with a pallet arranged on a pallet carrier and with a rotary drive which receives the pallets and which transfers the pallets into a succeeding processing station, and with a plate which carries the printing units and which can be moved up and down with a lifting apparatus, wherein the rotary drive is constructed as an indexing table with a rotary plate and can be indexed electromechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Heinz Walz