Holding Means Or Protector Functioning Only During Transportation, Assembly Or Disassembly Patents (Class 403/12)
  • Patent number: 6317926
    Abstract: This invention provides a device for fixing an LCD unit for a computer. It includes two slots formed on the main body of computer for receiving two connecting blades of pivots of the LCD unit. Each of the connecting blades is formed with a step portion in the middle of the blade so as to temporarily keep the LCD unit in a position suitable for users to connect the connectors between the LCD unit and the main body of computer when the step portions are placed on rims of the slots. The LCD unit needs no hands to hold, so the connectors can be easily handled by both hands, and the wires can be well connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Huey-Shyang Ren
  • Patent number: 6314593
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting having a plastic holding part inserted in the underside of the fitting for rigidly fixing the fitting to a surface. The fitting has a holding part containing passages for leads and optionally fastening parts. The holding part has a holding tongue on a side remote from the center of gravity of the fitting, the holding tongue engages with a projection on the underside of a plate to which the fitting is to be firmly screwed. This holding tongue prevents tilting of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Ralf Mantel
  • Patent number: 6315171
    Abstract: A product dispenser including a body housing defining a product cavity for holding a product, a piston movably disposed within the product cavity and a ram assembly aligned with the piston, the ram assembly being adjustable between a storage position for engaging the piston at a storage height and a dispensing position for engaging the piston at a dispensing height, the dispensing height being larger than the storage height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Plastek Group
    Inventors: Peter Piscopo, Richard Seager
  • Patent number: 6301745
    Abstract: A sliding bushing for providing rotational support of a rotating member and axial biasing of that rotating member. The sliding bushing includes a body portion and a biasing portion. The body portion defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery while the biasing portion extends from the body. The sliding bushing is an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Bernard Leibman
  • Patent number: 6247319
    Abstract: The present invention relates an installation structure of the rear air conditioning unit 1, and comprises: a left bracket 20 having a body fastening portion 21, an air conditioning unit fastening portion 23 into which bolt holes 22 are bored, and a temporary fastening portion 25 into which a connecting hole 24 is bored and located at the lower side of the air conditioning unit fastening portion via a predetermined space, in one body, and installed beforehand in a body constructing member 7; a left installation member 40 having a bracket fastening portion 42 into which bolt holes 41 are bored and a connecting hook 43 which is downwardly provided at the point of the bracket fastening portion, and fastened on the side portion of the air conditioning unit. The connecting hook is inserted into the connecting hole for temporary fastening, and after that, the bracket fastening portion is fastend to the air conditioning unit fastening portion by bolts 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuhide Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6238123
    Abstract: Two structural parts are interconnected by a distance holder disposed therebetween. The distance holder includes two supporting bodies and a control element. The supporting bodies are connected to the control element such than an axial spreading-out of the supporting bodies occurs in response to rotation of the control element, whereby the supporting bodies engage respective ones of the structural parts. The supporting bodies are held against rotation about the axis, whereby the structural parts do not become scratched by the supporting bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 6227747
    Abstract: A shaft retaining apparatus has been discovered for retaining a reciprocating shaft within a housing. The shaft retaining apparatus includes a shaft (16) having an outer retainer engaging surface (28) and a shaft housing (18) having a bore for rotatably receiving the shaft and at least one housing protuberance (36) disposed on a shoulder (32) on the housing. A shaft retainer (20) includes a tubular portion (40) and a flange portion (48) disposed at one end of the tubular portion. The flange has at least one retainer protuberance (44) projecting toward the shaft housing. The at least one retainer protuberance has a predetermined height and arcuate length such that it contacts the housing protuberance upon press fitting and disengages thereafter upon rotation of the shaft within the housing, thereby establishing a predetermined clearance between the retainer and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Michael Remington, Paul Vallis
  • Patent number: 6203231
    Abstract: A fastening plate for fastening a hinge arm to a supporting wall of a piece of furniture includes two oblong holes on an common centerline through which fastening screws engage. One fastening screw is supported with its head on a spacer element having a height greater than that of the fastening plate, and another fastening screw braces the fastening plate against the supporting wall. The height of the spacer element is greater than that of the fastening plate so that a slight amount of play is provided between the head of the fastening screw supported on the spacer element and the surface of the fastening plate, so that the fastening plate can be moved for adjustment while any undesired lifting of the fastening plate is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 6176635
    Abstract: A frictional coupling, especially synchronization device of gear mechanisms, with at least two coupling bodies (1, 2) which come into frictional contact upon engagement of the coupling, wherein one coupling body consists of one ring-shaped base body (3) of metal with at least one flat, conical or cylindrical carrier surface, to which a frictional layer made of organic or inorganic frictional material (4) is attached, and at least one other coupling body of a counter body (8), preferably also made of metal, and has a counter surface which works together with the frictional layer, is further developed for closed systems such that clamping or damage to the edges can be avoided with continued unimpaired function and the usage in the new condition is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Rank
  • Patent number: 6176640
    Abstract: A tubular structural part made of composite material such as carbon strand reinforced epoxy resin is provided with an elongated flat area along the outer surface of the tubular part to avoid cracking of the part when the part is telescopically engaged with and clamped in an outer tube part. The flat clamp side area of the inner tube part prevents contact between the facing edges of an elongate split in the outer tube part which are drawn together during clamping so that the edges of the outer tube part are prevented from coming into contact with and thus gouging the outer surface of the composite tube causing cracks and eventual structural failure of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Jas. D. Easton, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gonczi
  • Patent number: 6155739
    Abstract: A temporary connecting device for connecting a steering shaft of a vehicle to a universal joint of a steering mechanism. The device comprises a yoke of a universal joint, a shaft to be connected to the yoke, a bolt and a nut for fixing the shaft to the yoke and a clip for temporarily retaining the shaft in the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekine, Hiromichi Komori
  • Patent number: 6106190
    Abstract: In a marine fender with a structure for fixing a pad to a fender frame, the pad has at least one concavity formed in a front surface thereof, and a pad hole piercing the pad from a bottom of the concavity. A bolt with a head is inserted from a front side of the pad through the pad and fender holes, and a nut is disposed at a rear side of the fender frame to engage the bolt to thereby fix the pad to the fender frame. A washer is interposed between the head of the bolt and the bottom of the concavity. In case the bolt is attached to the fender frame, the nut is disposed in the concavity of the pad to engage the bolt, and the washer is interposed between the nut and the bottom of the concavity. In either case, the washer is disposed in the concavity such that a rim of the washer engages an inner periphery of the concavity to prevent rotation with each other. The head of the bolt or nut is joined to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakamura, Noboru Yamaguchi, Takuma Tokura
  • Patent number: 6092953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic part having at least one thin wall, and designed to be slidably mounted on a support by its thin wall and having, in this thin wall: an elongate through-opening, having two lengthwise edges that are substantially parallel at least over part of their length; a spacer whose thickness is greater than that of the thin wall, able to slide in the opening between the two lengthwise edges thereof; and means of holding the spacer to the support while keeping the spacer inside the opening. Spacer can be connected to thin wall by deformable or breakable links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Patrice Chaptal, Pascal Alberti, William Marcos, Pascal Barbier
  • Patent number: 6074121
    Abstract: A vibration-tolerant torque limiting fastening lug whereupon tightening of the set-screw produces a parasitic torque at the thread plane defining the set-screw/housing interface. The resultant parasitic torque acts in opposite direction to the installation torque such that the actual torque below the thread plane is less than the installation torque. As a result, the tensile force experienced by the set-screw and which acts against the housing of the lug is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Jay C. Medeiros, Gregory C. Marik, James E. Boettcher, Harry C. Mathis
  • Patent number: 6071036
    Abstract: A device (1) for holding two structural parts in a spaced relationship with respect to each other, having a spacer for filling the distance between the two structural parts, which spacer has a support part (2) which can be brought into a position fixed in rotation with respect to the second structural part (7) and a rotary drive part (3) which can be displaced axially with respect to the support part (2) by rotation. The support part (2) and rotary drive part (3) rest on a helical engagement surface (14, 17) which has a slope which is opposite the slope of a thread of a screw (11) which, upon being screwed into an axial opening (15) in the rotary drive part (3) carries the latter therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ewald Witte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Edvard Ruckert
  • Patent number: 6053651
    Abstract: A connector, particularly designed for attachment to an automobile door having an opening therein, including a hood passing through the opening when the device is installed. The hood carries, on one surface, a lock piece with an engagement projection and its distal end. Since the entire connector is molded of resin, contact with the perimeter of the opening in the door can scratch the sloped surface of the engagement projection and hinder its insertion. There is provided a metal cover fitting over a sloped surface of the lock piece so that, when the connector is inserted, there is only metal to metal contact between the perimeter of the opening and the cover of the slope surface. In this way, even if there is flash around the perimeter, the connector can be smoothly and readily attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Tokuwa, Mitsuru Ito
  • Patent number: 6048125
    Abstract: An article includes an articulation pin (4) engaged in first and second elements (2,3A), to secure the same together, with a tongue and groove respectively formed in the elements and pin to prevent relative rotation. A blocking arrangement fixes the second element and the pin to prevent relative rotation when they are in a predefined relative axial and angular position. The first and second elements (2,3A) and also the pin (4) cooperate so that the application of a force between the first elements (2) and the second element (3A) at least equal to a predetermined threshold, when the pin (4) and the second element (3A) are in the predefined relative axial and angular position, produces a relative axial movement between the pin and the second element, freeing the blocking arrangement so that the pin is free to rotate in the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: I.T.W. de France
    Inventors: Emile Droche, Eric Leverger, Olivier Dordet
  • Patent number: 5975787
    Abstract: A device for securing a pinch roller support arm to a chassis of a magnetic tape apparatus. In the device, the chassis includes a round hole which is formed such that it extends through the chassis, and a securing part is outsert molded in the chassis in such a manner that the securing part extends through the round hole. After the pinch roller support arm is fitted with a support shaft provided on and projected from the chassis and a projection provided on the pinch roller support arm is fitted into a fitting hole formed in the chassis, by rotating the securing part around the round hole, the securing part is engaged with the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Sawai, Hiroshi Hamahata, Shigeru Kaneko, Katsunori Onishi
  • Patent number: 5934151
    Abstract: A push rod and pedal assembly includes a pedal pivotally mounted on a vehicle for movement in a generally longitudinal direction and a socket portion mounted on the pedal and movable with the pedal. The socket portion preferably has an opening facing in a generally forward longitudinal direction. The push rod and pedal assembly further includes a longitudinally oriented push rod having a push rod end being alignable generally forward of the socket portion and insertable within the socket portion upon forward longitudinal movement of the pedal. Thus, the push rod end becomes coupled to the socket portion of the pedal upon the application of forward longitudinal movement to the pedal, such as by a foot of an assembler. Preferably, a retainer is mounted on the push rod end and the retainer and push rod end are insertable within the socket portion of the pedal by snap-fitted connection upon forward longitudinal movement of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James Eugene Carr, James Donald Walden, Leonid Drits
  • Patent number: 5921699
    Abstract: A draw pin assembly includes a hammer strap that mounts on the drawbar and a draw pin that extends through aligned draw pin holes in the hammer strap and drawbar. A latch mechanism supports the draw pin in a retracted position while a trigger in the hitch-receiving space of the assembly releases the latch when a towed implement hitch comes into the proper alignment with the draw pin. An automatic locking mechanism is used to lock the draw pin against inadvertent release. The latch and locking functions are provided by a loop type handle connected to the draw pin. This eliminates elements projecting above the hammer strap to maximize the clearance for a tractor power takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Brian R. Olson
  • Patent number: 5904439
    Abstract: A field limitation joint has a core (101) of closed cell synthetic elastomer and aluminum L-section side members (102). The core is adhered to the side members by double sided adhesive strip (103) of the type having reinforcing filaments (104) running along the length of the strip. The core is pre-compressed and held in compression by tapes (105, 106). These are fabric reinforced and incorporate a central strip (107) of polymer film rendering them non-adhesive along their center. Also they have perforations (108, 109) along their length at the edge of the strip (107). The adhesive edges (110) of the tape (105) are adhered to the outside of upright limbs (111) of the side members and pass over the top of the side members. The perforations (108) run along the top edge of the side members. The other tape (106) extends between the other limbs (112) of the side members on their undersides, again with the non-adhesive strip preventing adhesion to the core (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Seamus Michael Devlin
  • Patent number: 5894628
    Abstract: A wiper arm mounting system for mounting a wiper arm rigidly and removably to a drive shaft includes a mounting part and a threaded fastening element that is realized in the form of a fastening nut or fastening screw with the fastening element acting upon the drive shaft in the axial direction. The fastening element is held on the mounting part in captive fashion at least approximately in the mounting position, such that the wiper arm can be pulled off the drive shaft (8) by means of rotating the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Egner-Walter, Eckhardt Schmid, Wolfgang Scholl
  • Patent number: 5848947
    Abstract: A pair of sprockets for use in a double chain and sprocket coupling for transmission of torque between shafts which are in approximate axial alignment with each other, and the abutting ends of which are closely spaced. Each of the sprockets is formed as one piece, and then cut into halves but for a web which is broken to separate the halve. The broken web serves to properly align and space the halves when placed over the end of a shaft to be coupled, and clamped thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Giddings & Lewis, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Fornasiere, Michael G. Brosier, Richard A. Reinke
  • Patent number: 5794897
    Abstract: A hanger for attaching a length of a transmission line, such as, a coaxial cable or a waveguide to a supporting structure, such as, a crossbar on an antenna tower, includes two gripping elements. The elements have posts and openings to facilitate aligning of them with respect to each other. The posts and openings are arranged so that the posts in one element fit into the openings of the other element to help align the two elements when they are placed around a transmission line. Once aligned, the two elements are brought toward each other until they snap together to form a clamping structure which loosely grips the transmission line. The clamping structure can then be slid to the desired location on the transmission line. A bolt or a screw is then inserted through the aligned bolt or screw openings in the two elements and through the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Jobin, Randall L. Grigoletti, James R. Gentile, Hugh R. Nudd, John Williamson
  • Patent number: 5794476
    Abstract: A flexible gear support for a PTO gear box for an internal combustion engine is a relatively inexpensive unitary structure comprising two concentrically spaced rings which are engaged together by a flexible web extending therebetween. The gear support replaces very expensive ball bearings of precise tolerance which support a main input gear of the PTO unit during assembly and testing thereof. Further, a ring shipping spacer may be used with the gear support, if desired, to accommodate any shock loads during shipping and handling should the particular gear support be of a spring rate insufficient to accommodate such shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: Richard A. Smietanski
  • Patent number: 5769559
    Abstract: A draw pin assembly includes a hammer strap that mounts on the drawbar and a draw pin that extends through aligned draw pin holes in the hammer strap and drawbar. A latch mechanism supports the draw pin in a retracted position while a trigger in the hitch-receiving space of the assembly releases the latch when a towed implement hitch comes into the proper alignment with the draw pin. An automatic locking mechanism is used to lock the draw pin against inadvertent release. In one embodiment, the draw pin is fully recessed into the hammer strap when set and the latch and locking functions are provided by a loop type handle connected to the draw pin. This eliminates any elements projecting above the hammer strap to maximize the clearance for a tractor power takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Brian R. Olson
  • Patent number: 5762437
    Abstract: A rotary drum scanner comprises a rotatably mounted hub, a drum detachably mounted to the hub and an interlock mechanism which locks the hub against rotation until the drum is locked to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Itek Colour Graphics Limited
    Inventors: Peter John Neilson, Paul Christopher Cook
  • Patent number: 5753859
    Abstract: A fitting structure for mounting an electrical connection box to a vehicle body is provided. The fitting structure includes a box body constituting the electrical connection box and having first and second engagement projections and a vehicle fitting part arranged on the vehicle body to have first and second engagement holes into which the first and second engagement projections are to be engaged respectively. The first engagement projection has an engagement claw part engageable with a margin of the first engagement hole. A screw-fastened plate part and a temporary engagement projection are arranged on another side of the box body. In mounting the electrical connection box to the vehicle fitting part, the first engagement projection is firstly inserted into the first engagement hole so that the engagement claw part engages with the margin of the first engagement hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5749669
    Abstract: Two components are connected to each other by least one screw and held a certain distance apart from each other by a spacer which is provided with a slot for the passage of the screw. A first component has a hole which is larger than the shaft of the screw, this hole being covered by a washer borne against by the head of the screw. Slots provided in the washer and in the spacer permit not only a two-dimensional change of position of the first component with respect to the shaft of the screw but also a two-dimensional change of position of the washer and the spacer with respect to the shaft of the screw. When the components are being aligned, the washer and the spacer can be rotated by means of fingers extending from the spacer and through holes in the washer in such a way that the washer and the spacer continue to be concentric to the central axis of the hole in the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alfons Ketteler
  • Patent number: 5729860
    Abstract: A screen wiper for a motor vehicle comprises a casing articulated on a head, which is secured by means of a prefitted nut on to the threaded terminal shank of the wiper drive spindle. The head has an aperture through which the threaded shank passes, and a circular base or washer portion is fixed to the nut. Around the aperture there is arranged a set of upstanding retaining lugs which extend parallel to the axis of the aperture, and which grip the base of the nut in such a way as to retain the nut centered on the aperture, but without preventing it from being able to rotate while being tightened on to the threaded shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage
    Inventor: Bruno Lisiecki
  • Patent number: 5720568
    Abstract: The invention relates to a prefabricated joint structure for joining an essentially wooden elongated beam (2) or similar to at least one other beam (2) over a predetermined length (A) of a relatively short joint portion (4) in the beam, the joint (1) being accomplished by pins, bolts or the like (5) penetrating the beam or beams. In each joint there are at least two jointing in a direction transverse to the main gain of the beam. The joint structure further comprises a metal nail plate (6), having a plate plane transverse to the length (T) of the jointing and whose nails (7) protrude from the plate plane and are embedded in the beam wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Finnforest Oy
    Inventor: Matti Kairi
  • Patent number: 5713245
    Abstract: A steering column clamping mechanism has bolt links interconnecting substantially parallel spaced-apart plates which basically form a rectangle and are so linked one to another that the rectangle can assume an orientation defining a non-rectangular parallelogram or lozenge. One of the connecting bolts is mounted in a bracket fixed to a chassis of a vehicle, the bracket having a depending reaction plate against which an actuating member can be urged to push the plate member away from the reaction member. Through the linkage, this causes the other plate member to compress onto a steering column tube member to clamp it between that plate and the opposite side of the reaction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: NASTECH Europe, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Bobbitt, III, Stephen John Baker
  • Patent number: 5711630
    Abstract: A connector-holding member (6) has first elastic arms (1) which bend in a fitting direction of connectors, and second elastic arms (2) which bend in a direction perpendicular to the connector-fitting direction. Each second arm has a positioning projection (4) for positioning the holding member relative to the panel, and a guide portion (5) extending in the connector-fitting direction from the positioning projection (4) to a point close to the first elastic arm (1). The connector-holding member (6) is held in position, with the positioning projections (4) and the first arms (1) abutting against the panel from opposite sides thereof, and the connector-holding member (6) is movable in the connector-fitting direction within the range of the length of the guide portion (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 5647597
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a splined primary shaft rotatably mounted in an opening of an oil-filled housing and a primary seal carried by the housing for sealing with a mating secondary splined shaft upon insertion of the secondary shaft into the housing opening for mating with the primary shaft. A retractable member is carried by the primary shaft for sealing with the primary seal to maintain the oil within the housing prior to the insertion of the secondary shaft and prevent the flow of oil to the spline. Upon insertion of the secondary shaft through the housing opening, the secondary shaft seals with the primary seal to prevent leakage from the housing. Furthermore, the secondary shaft forcibly retracts the retractable member away from the primary seal and establishes a flow path around the retractable member to the secondary shaft so that oil flows to the mating splines of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin Thomas Grochowski
  • Patent number: 5618125
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a dowel within a concrete slab is disclose. The apparatus comprises a substantially planar mounting flange that is used to mount the apparatus onto a wooden form, and a dowel guide that extends perpendicularly from the plane of the mounting flange.Together, the mounting flange and the dowel guide define a dowel passage that is aligned with a corresponding hole in the wooden form. The dowel passage allows a dowel to be slipped through the apparatus and through the hole in the form, and to extend into the region where the slab is to be poured. The invention allows dowels to be properly and consistently aligned before and during the pouring of a concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Permaban North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike McPhee, Russell Boxall
  • Patent number: 5618091
    Abstract: A drawer assembly includes two metallic drawer side walls having rear ends provided with devices for fastening to a drawer rear wall and further being provided with respective support flanges for a bottom plate. The drawer side walls have at front ends thereof flanges that project inwardly and that have rearwardly projecting lugs stamped out of such flanges. The lugs project into holes in a fastening plate positioned at and abutting rear sides of the flanges and to be connected to a front plate that abuts front sides of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Edgar Huber, Helmut Hollenstein, Reinhard Maser
  • Patent number: 5605337
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a splined primary shaft rotatably mounted in an opening of an oil-filled housing and a primary seal carried by the housing for sealingly engaging with a mating splined secondary shaft upon insertion of the secondary shaft into the housing opening for engagement with the splined primary shaft. An annular seal is also carried by the housing and has a flexible sealing lip for sealing engagement with the primary shaft to maintain oil within the housing. The annular seal has an abutment lever which extends toward the opening to be engaged by the splined secondary shaft upon insertion of the secondary shaft through the housing opening to forcibly pivot the flexible sealing lip of the annular seal away from sealing engagement with the primary shaft and thereby permit oil to flow to lubricate the splines between the primary and secondary shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Bhapinder Puri
  • Patent number: 5584211
    Abstract: This steering column assembly especially for a motor vehicle, of the type including, at least at one of its ends, means for screw-fastening to the rest of the structure of the vehicle, is characterized in that it includes means (5) for centring and for hooking onto the rest of the structure of the vehicle, in order to facilitate the fitting of the screwing means and of the assembly to the rest of the structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Ecia-Equipements et Composants Pour l'Industrie Automobile
    Inventor: Andre Hoblingre
  • Patent number: 5564313
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering column shaft (1) mounted so that it can move rotatably inside a column body (2), and a restraining arrangement (5) for temporarily axially immobilizing the shaft within the body for fitting the assembly onto the rest of the structure of the vehicle, it being possible to move the restraining arrangement between an active immobilization position and a non-obstructing position. The restraining arrangement includes structure (10) for enabling a limited degree of axial movement of the shaft within the body when the arrangement is in the non-obstructing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: ECIA-Equipements et Composants pour l'Industrie Automobile
    Inventor: Andre Hoblingre
  • Patent number: 5556220
    Abstract: Fastening plug (10) made of plastic for fastening in a corresponding bore, especially for fastening furniture hardware on furniture, with an elongate stem portion (14) which can be releasably fastened on the associated hardware piece, from whose outer circumferential surface a number of annular projections (16) offset lengthwise on the stem having a triangular cross section tapering outwardly, each forming a knife-edge-like holding burr (18). The outside diameter of the holding burr is greater than the diameter of the corresponding bore, while the stem portion (14) has between the first annular projection (16) on the hardware end and the end facing the hardware a neck (20) whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the corresponding bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: MEPLA-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Lautenschlager, Gerhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5545230
    Abstract: An adapter assembly which is particularly advantageous in allowing for adjusting and positioning of prosthetic devices which are attached to a stump or stump socket. The adapter is particularly advantageous for orienting and positioning of a Symes prosthesis, due to the small space requirements. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an interface member is attached to a stump socket, with a nut movably disposed inside of a cavity of the interface member. The nut includes an aperture extending therethrough, and receives a hollow laminating bolt which clamps the prosthesis and adapter assembly in place to allow the user to test the prosthesis. If adjustments are needed, the hollow bolt can be loosened, and adjustments performed via the movably disposed nut. Once a desired position is achieved, a resin is injected through the laminating bolt and into the cavity of the interface. After the resin has hardened or cured, the hollow laminating bolt is replaced with a solid bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Ohio Willow Wood Company
    Inventors: Jay H. Kinsinger, Robert E. Arbogast, James W. Capper, James M. Colvin
  • Patent number: 5531534
    Abstract: A protective cover 12 for a threaded stud 26 of a ball joint 10 includes retaining members 90 for engaging the stud 26 of the ball joint 10. The retaining members 90 apply a retaining force to the stud 26 to prevent removal of the cover 12 from the ball joint 10. A wall 72 of the cover 12 includes a weakened portion 96. The weakened portion 96 of the wall 72 breaks in response to shear forces applied to the cover 12 which lessens the force applied by the retaining members 90 to the stud 26. Therefore, the cover 12 can be easily removed from the ball joint 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Urbach
  • Patent number: 5527125
    Abstract: An infusion supply apparatus is provided which is attachable to a stationary apparatus such as an overhead support (1), on the one hand, and with a patient transporting apparatus (3), on the other hand. The transfer from one such apparatus to the other shall be possible in a simple and locked manner. To this end, the stationary apparatus (1), the patient transport apparatus (3) and a handle (12) each have a coupling member (2, 4, 13) and a support (7) for the medical appliances comprises a coupling (8) cooperating with respective two such coupling members. The coupling (8) comprises a lock means (16, 17) which unlocks in case of engagement of two coupling members in the coupling means for selective detachment of an engagement and locks in case of engagement of a single one of the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Kreuzer GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Friedhelm Kreuzer, Armin Stockl
  • Patent number: 5505554
    Abstract: Drawer front fastening hardware (10) with a lug (24) which can be fastened to the inside surface of the drawer front and has a vertical slot (26) opening at the bottom end, into which a stud (28) having a tap (30) opening at its end and protruding from the drawer side (14) can be introduced. The stud (28) can be inserted into the slot in the mounting lug (24) and, by tightening a fastening screw (31) provided with a washer (33) and driven into the tap (30), fixed therein, the drawer front (12) being thereby joined to the drawer side (14).The mounting lug (24) has in its area situated between the slot (26) and the drawer front an elongated recess or groove (40) running parallel to the slot (26) and a ramp (42) in a plane parallel to the drawer bottom from the bottom of the recess at an angle inclined away from the drawer front (12), on which an elongated margin (38) of the washer (33), bent at a complementary angle, is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: MEPLA-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lautenschlager Horst, Gerhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5501052
    Abstract: A claw-shaped protrusion is installed at the edge of one trim so that a forked portion is formed between the edge of the trim and the claw-shaped protrusion, a plurality of protrusions are formed at the edge of the other trim, and these trims are installed to the vehicle body in a condition where relative positioning between the trims is performed by inserting the edge of the other trim into the forked portion of one trim and abutting the side of the claw-shaped protrusion against the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohide Saji
  • Patent number: 5498092
    Abstract: A protective cover 12 for a ball joint assembly 10 includes a generally cylindrical plug 96 with axially extending resilient fingers 100 engageable with a shaft 40 of a stud 26 of the ball joint assembly 10 to prevent removal of the cover 12 from the ball joint assembly 10. A frustoconical cam surface 90 on a generally cylindrical sidewall 72 defining a chamber 70 for enclosing the stud 26 moves the fingers 100 toward the stud 26 upon movement of the plug 96 relative to the cam surface 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Fellows
  • Patent number: 5484221
    Abstract: A fastening system for securing modular panels to an underlying support structure. The fastening system includes a number of pad members, preferably made of foamed material, secured to the underside of each panel, and a saw-like apparatus carried by the pad members for severing the pad members from the vehicle structure. One side of each of the pad members is secured to the panel underside. The other side of each pad member is secured to an appropriate location on the vehicle structure in such a manner that the outer surface of the panel, when the panel is properly secured on the vehicle body, lies flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corp.
    Inventor: Steven P. DeCoux
  • Patent number: 5484218
    Abstract: A protective cover for a threaded stud of a ball joint assembly includes retaining elements for engaging a stud of the ball joint assembly. The retaining elements are movable from a position engaging the stud to prevent removal of the cover from the ball joint assembly to a position in which the retaining elements are spaced from the stud to permit removal of the cover from the ball joint. A removable cap prevents the retaining elements from moving from the position in which they engage the stud. The cap is removable from the cover in response to axial movement of the cover relative to the ball joint. Once the cap is removed, deformable wall portions which interconnect the retaining elements can be pressed toward each other to move the retaining elements out of engagement with the stud to permit removal of the cover from the ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Fellows
  • Patent number: 5464299
    Abstract: A clamping device that can be anchored in a hollow profile member (2) by expansion in force-derived fashion comprises two wedge-like wedge sleeve halves (5.1, 5.2). A surface responsible for the force-derived connection is constituted at least in part by a coating (8.1, 8.2) of granulated hard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Usm U. Scharer Sohne AG
    Inventors: Paul Scharer, Kaspar Stockli
  • Patent number: 5413431
    Abstract: A protective cover for a ball joint assembly includes a plurality of arms. The arms are movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the arms can be manually grasped to pull the cover off of the ball joint assembly. The cover is one piece and has a side wall with cylindrical sections and an end wall. The arms are mounted on the end wall. When the arms are to be moved from the retracted position to the extended position, the end wall of the cover is pressed against the end of the ball stud to flex the end wall and move the arms from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Fellows