Bayonet Joint Patents (Class 403/349)
  • Patent number: 6732755
    Abstract: A battery watering system includes a filler unit mounted by means of an attachment mechanism to the flanged apertures of a three cell six volt lead acid battery. The filler unit is connected by a supply and drain line to a feed unit in the form of a reservoir tank and pumping assembly including a centrifugal pump, a DC pump motor connected to the pump by a pump coupling, and an auxiliary battery. The pump and the battery form part of a control circuit which includes a current sensing relay having a corresponding set of relay contacts. Water is pumped from the tank into a trough of the filler unit via the supply line. An array of three output ports each include a narrowed inlet, a downpipe extending inwardly into each cell of the battery, and a pair of breather tubes. On completion of the replenishment operation, excess water flows back through the supply and drain line into the tank. The invention extends to the attachment for coupling the filler unit to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Johan Christiaan Fitter
  • Patent number: 6733202
    Abstract: A quick-connect fastener for removably fastening a component between a first abutment and a moveable shaft. The first abutment is part of a base member and optionally a second abutment may be attached to a shaft. The shaft extends through the base member and is connected to a hand-operated actuator. The quick-connect fastener further includes a locking mechanism that has two mating parts; one mounted to the shaft, and the other mounted to the base member. As a user moves the hand-operated actuator between a locked position and a release position, the first mating part moves both angularly and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in relation to the second mating part. The movement of the two mating parts in relation to each other causes the spacing between the first and second abutments to vary, thereby allowing a component to be fastened and unfastened between the two abutments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Couture, Mihai I. Stamate
  • Patent number: 6679647
    Abstract: An electrical fixture is mounted adjacent a stable surface via a standard J-box using a quick-connect fastener which allows the electrical fixture to be electrically coupled to wires extending through the J-box prior to physically coupling the electrical fixture to the J-box, while also minimizing twisting of the wires in the J-box during attachment of the electrical fixture to the J-box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Palmer Hargrave, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy Hixon
  • Publication number: 20030231927
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved coupling apparatus for tandemly connecting, by hand, separate lengths of a pipe cleaning cable, also referred to as a “snake,” to obtain a cable of extended length suitable for the length of pipe being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Electronic Eel Manufacturing Company Inc.
    Inventor: C. David Hale
  • Patent number: 6619876
    Abstract: A coaxial connector of the type wherein an inner connector member of a female connector is adapted for secure engagement with a connector member of a male connector. The coaxial connector is positioned around the connector member of the male connector and the connector member of the female connector when the coaxial connector is in its locked position. A spring basket with an angular frontal surface is positioned around the connection member of the male connector. A sleeve with an angular internal surface for engaging the angular frontal surface of the spring basket is reciprically positioned around the spring basket and the connection member of the male connector. The sleeve has at least one locking groove that extends substantially parallel to the major axis along a portion of the body thereof. A spring nut is provided with a hollow front end disposed within the sleeve and at least one upstanding locking finger disposed within the at least one locking grove of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Vytas J. Vaitkus, John H. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 6612299
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for removably securing an archery bow accessory to an archery bow. The connector apparatus includes a base that is discrete from the archery bow. The base has a first portion configured for removably securing the archery bow accessory thereon and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The second portion defines a stem that extends axially from the second portion. The stem terminates to define at least one projection extending laterally and generally perpendicularly relative the stem axis. The projection is spaced from the second portion of the base. The invention further includes a discrete body to be removably secured to an archery bow. The discrete body defines an outer surface and bore having a peripheral wall extending from the outer surface to a lowermost elevation spaced from the outer surface. A pair of ledges extend laterally inwardly from opposite sides of the peripheral wall, and the pair of ledges are spaced from the lowermost elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Archery, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan J. Martin, Dave Conlee
  • Publication number: 20030156900
    Abstract: A coaxial connector of the type wherein an inner connector member of a female connector is adapted for secure engagement with a connector member of a male connector. The coaxial connector is positioned around the connector member of the male connector and the connector member of the female connector when the coaxial connector is in its locked position. A spring basket with an angular frontal surface is positioned around the connection member of the male connector. A sleeve with an angular internal surface for engaging the angular frontal surface of the spring basket is reciprically positioned around the spring basket and the connection member of the male connector. The sleeve has at least one locking groove that extends substantially parallel to the major axis along a portion of the body thereof. A spring nut is provided with a hollow front end disposed within the sleeve and at least one upstanding locking finger disposed within the at least one locking grove of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Vytas J. Vaitkus, John H. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 6579030
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a sensor to an exhaust flow system comprising a locking member defining a through hole and a body element engageable with the locking member. The locking member desirably defines a pair of slots, and the body element desirably includes a pair of tabs. The body element is receivable within the hole defined by the locking member and the tabs are receivable within the slots defined by the locking member. The body element is rotatable relative to the locking member from an unlocked position in which the tabs are aligned with the slots to a locked position to lock the body element to the locking member. The locking member may be in the form of a ring and an exhaust pipe, with the ring being welded to the exhaust pipe. The body element may be in the form of a sensor and a sensor mount disposed about the sensor. Each tab includes an engaging surface and the ring includes a pair of bearing surfaces to engage and act upon the engaging surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Uhler, Chad Randall Pigg
  • Patent number: 6574924
    Abstract: A fitting for walls or panels includes a female coupling element which can be mounted on the panel or wall an a support element which can be fixed releasably in the female coupling element. A coupling and a complementary coupling are provided for restraining the support element in the female coupling element and include a pin and a catch seat, respectively, and a resilient member are also provided for urging the pin into the catch seat so as to prevent accidental disengagement of the coupling and the complementary coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Lino Manfrotto & Co., S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Luigi Maniezzo
  • Patent number: 6550727
    Abstract: A telescopic shaft for rapid length adjustment consists of a tube having a plurality of alternating circumferential ridges and grooves on at least a portion of an inner surface and having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DA and a minor diameter DB; a shaft disposed within the tube and having matching circumferential ridges and grooves, the shaft also having an oval cross-section with a major diameter DC and a minor diameter DD; and the ridges and grooves of the tube interengaging with the grooves and ridges of the shaft when the shaft major diameter DC is substantially parallel with the tube minor diameter DB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Gordon C. Butterfield, Allan D. Cox, Giovanni C. Albini
  • Patent number: 6543204
    Abstract: A screw-tightening spindle comprising a drive sleeve associated with a chuck comprising a cylindrical support member fitted with moving jaws, the cylindrical support member being provided externally with at least one stud extending radially outwards, the sleeve including at least one slot having a first segment opening out in a free edge of the sleeve and a second segment having an end portion forming an angle relative to the sleeve suitable for retaining the stud in the end portion of the slot when the stud is engaged therein, the sleeve being fitted with a ring having at least one stop extending radially inwards and received in the slot, the ring being mounted on the sleeve to slide between a locking position in which the stop extends in the first segment of the slot in register with the second segment, and an unlocking position in which the stop is retracted into a third segment of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Serac Group
    Inventor: Bertrand Gruson
  • Patent number: 6543990
    Abstract: A palletizing system includes a reusable pallet and a reusable anchoring device for securing a load. The anchoring device comprises a strap and clamping mechanism for selectively receiving and clamping to the strap and, alternatively, releasing the strap. The pallet includes a base and one or more housings fixed to the base for receiving the clamping mechanism. Each housing has an opening for receiving the clamping mechanism and providing access to the clamping mechanism so that the clamping mechanism can be manipulated in the housing, and an aperture for receiving the strap, the aperture being sized to prevent the clamping mechanism from passing through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Burnham Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius F. Heil
  • Publication number: 20030059254
    Abstract: A lock includes a plug-type pin, which is rotatably held in a stationary receiving sleeve fastened to the hardtop. A spring element is provided between the sleeve and a contact disk. The plug-type pin has a link pin on one end side which can be locked while introduced in a helical guideway of a stationary link element of the vehicle body. On the head side, the plug-type pin has a transversely situated holding pin, which can be adjusted on face-side guideways of the receiving sleeve into an open and closed position against the tension of an elastomer spring arranged between the contact disk and the receiving sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG.
    Inventor: Bodo Homann
  • Patent number: 6536301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grab handle for vehicle interiors, having a u-shaped holding strap (10) which has a tubular, essentially rectilinear central part (12) and two bent end parts (14.1, 14.2) each having a twist and plug-in securing means, the twist and plug-in securing means being plugged from opposite end sides of the central part (12) into the central part (12) and being held there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Utescheny AG
    Inventors: Uwe Luksch, Klaus Heidelberger
  • Patent number: 6536644
    Abstract: A wire feeder comprises a feedroll with through slots that open into a bore and that extend between the feedroll ends. The feedroll has blind slots in the ends that also open into the bore. A shaft on the wire feeder has a radial pin. The feedroll is assembled on the shaft by angularly aligning the through slots with the pin and pushing the feedroll onto the shaft against a spring until the feedroll is past the pin. The feedroll is rotated on the shaft until the blind slots align with the pin. Then the feedroll is released to enable the blind slots to engage the pin under the force of the spring. The feedroll may be assembled to the shaft either in a manner that takes up any end play of the shaft, or that enables the feedroll and shaft to float through the end play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Plow
  • Patent number: 6494636
    Abstract: An extendible and retractable apparatus for displaying a flag or supporting an item such as an athletic net. The apparatus has a lower fixed tubular member and one or more telescopic sections which extend and are lockable in an extended position by keyed locking means. The telescopic members are extendible and retractable by means of a cable driven and guided through friction rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Gene Mozena
  • Patent number: 6481916
    Abstract: To permit operators to change dies quickly and easily and to remove shot shells from any station, inspect them and replace them, bayonet snap in dies may be easily inserted into a tooling section of a reloader and shot shells can be removed from shell plates by pivoting the retainer free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen Hornady, Kenneth L. Elshof, John W. Goodin, Dennis L. Grudt
  • Patent number: 6438784
    Abstract: A cleaning device. The device includes a hollow shank having a first guide member at a front end and a second guide member joined with and perpendicular to the first guide member. A head is releasably coupled to the front portion of the shank. The head includes a longitudinal bar having an engagement member on the surface at the rear end. The engagement member is guided along the first guide member to move to the end prior to being rotated a predetermined angle about the shank clockwise or counterclockwise so as to urge against either end of the second guide member for securing the shank to the head. A first cleaning member is on one side of the head, and a sleeve put on the joint of the bar of the head and the front portion of the shank. This cleaning device with replaceable head can reduce the manufacturing cost and storing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Chih-Hsin Yu
  • Patent number: 6394752
    Abstract: A link structure for rods is disclosed, the structure includes a link member and two rods. The link member is in the form of a cylinder, and is provided at the middle thereof with a raised annular portion with a larger diameter, two protrusions are provided respectively on the upper and lower portions of the link member. The two rods are connected respectively with the two ends of the link member. The rods are hollow on the connecting ends thereof; the inner diameter of each rod is coincident with the external diameter of the link member. The rods are provided on the peripheries of the connecting ends thereof each with an “L” shaped notch, the protrusions of the link member can be engaged in the “L” shaped notches to connect the two rods to form a longer rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Lai
  • Patent number: 6368010
    Abstract: A fastening assembly is constituted by a plate-like member provided with a plurality of laterally extending projections which can be pushed into position between and then turned into engagement with respective slots formed in protrusions. In one aspect, at least one of the projections and/or at least one of the slots is adapted to give a wedging effect. In another aspect, the protrusions are located around an inner periphery of otherwise circular outline presented by a hollow member, and the projections are formed as arcuate sectors located around the plate-like member which presents an outer periphery of circular outline other than at recesses for receiving the respective protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Starpoint Electrics Limited
    Inventors: Barry Allen Marchini, Andrew Thomas Black
  • Patent number: 6336766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device for quickly fastening and releasing a mechanical part that bears on a support base, the device comprising a latching mechanism of the bayonet type and an associated clamping mechanism of the screw-and-nut type that is organized coaxially therewith, the mechanisms being actuated one after the other by actuating a common rotary drive member in the same direction, and the device having a temporary coupling means interposed between that member and the mechanisms so that over a first angle of rotation of the drive member said drive member actuates the latching mechanism, and then over a second angle of rotation, said drive member is uncoupled from the latching mechanism and actuates the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: SERAC Group
    Inventor: Damien De Villele
  • Patent number: 6267373
    Abstract: A bearing structure has first and second support members in which first and second stepped small-diameter portions of drive and nip rollers are rotatably mounted by bearings. The first and second support members are disposed in respective first and second holes defined in a side wall and have respective first and second inner engaging teeth and respective first and second outer engaging flanges which are held against respective opposite surfaces of the side wall to retain the first and second support members on the side wall against removal. The first and second support members thus firmly retained in position on the side wall can reliably bear thrust forces from the drive roller and the nip roller. The drive roller and the nip roller and the bearings can be assembled and serviced with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Takata
  • Patent number: 6264360
    Abstract: A container mixer typically comprises a mixer inside a container tank. The mixer comprises a shaft and blades mounted on the shaft, an actuator positioned outside the container tank, and a coupler with which the mixer is coupled to the actuator. The container tank has a quick coupling which enables the actuator to be detached temporarily from the container tank. The quick coupling comprises a separate shaft coupling piece, detachable when necessary, fitted between the actuator drive shaft and the mixer shaft in such a way that the motion of the actuator is transmitted by transmission of the shaft coupling piece to the mixer shaft. In addition the quick coupling has quick coupling and quick-release devices which lock the shaft coupling piece between the drive shaft and the mixer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mamec Oy
    Inventors: Taisto Lehmusvaara, Lars Mattsson, Simo Rantanen, Jyrki Kukkonen, Jouko Haavisto
  • Patent number: 6254303
    Abstract: An industrial quick-release connector for machine tools providing both rotational and axial stability that will permit easy replacements by an individual using only one hand without the use of hand tools to make the connection and reduce the time delays that normally ensue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Bogdan S. Falat, Eugene R. Bozek
  • Patent number: 6250842
    Abstract: A device for the releasable fastening of seats, bench seats or other objects on a floor of a motor vehicle, comprising a locking part, and a mating locking part which can be fastened to the floor. The locking part is movable by overcoming a spring force from a locking position, in which it cannot be uncoupled from the mating locking part, into a release position in which it can be uncoupled from the mating locking part. A blocking element, upon the uncoupling, retains the locking part in the release position by a positively locking interengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Ewald Witte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Krüger
  • Patent number: 6203064
    Abstract: The pole includes a shaft at one axial end of which a small basket is replaceably mounted by a removable bayonet-type attachment device which comprises a locking member capable of preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the basket once the latter is fixed to the shaft in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Masters S.r.l.
    Inventor: Renato Zaltron
  • Patent number: 6161244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush (20) with a brush head which can be secured on a brush handle (24) by a bayonet catch (26). The bayonet catch comprises a locking pin (28) which is mounted in the front end of the brush handle (24) in such a way that it can be displaced axially to a limited extent but is non-rotatable and which is subject to the action of a prestressing device (50). The brush head (22) is provided with a recess (102) which has a locking groove pursuant to which the brush head (22) is mounted on the locking pin (28) by engagement of a bayonet stud (32) in the locking groove (106), the locking pin (28) being pulled out of the brush handle (24) counter to the prestressing device (50) until the bayonet stud (32) locks into a lock-in portion (114) of the locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Jeannet, Robert Leutwyler, Werner Leutwyler
  • Patent number: 6126359
    Abstract: A bayonet coupling (10) is used for detachable joining of two tubular-shaft instruments or instrument parts. A bayonet sleeve (12) (female part), having a bayonet guide (14), is provided on the one instrument or instrument part, and a bayonet insert (52) (male part) is provided on the other instrument or instrument part. An interlock system serves to lock the bayonet coupling (10) in the closed state. It is proposed that the interlock system have an interlock piece (28), displaceable along the bayonet sleeve (12), which comes directly into inhibiting engagement with the bayonet insert (52) inserted into the bayonet sleeve (12), in the insert's terminal position, and inhibits the bayonet insert (52) from rotating; and which can be moved away from the bayonet insert (52) in order to release the interlock system (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Dittrich, Frank Doll
  • Patent number: 6045292
    Abstract: A fitting for mounting a winch includes an axially sliding ring between an internally splined bearing and a splined shaft. Utilizing internal splines, the ring is constantly engaged with the external splines of the shaft. Axial sliding of the ring, facilitated by a pivoting grip, permits coupling and uncoupling of the interrupted internal splines of the bearing and the interrupted external splines of the ring. This coupling and uncoupling makes it possible to lock and unlock the shaft with respect to rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Patrice Robert Paul Placide, Gerard Hector Raymond Couderc
  • Patent number: 6029535
    Abstract: An over-the-highway truck or tractor equipped with a gear shift lever selectively foldable from an operating position to a folded position is disclosed. The gear shift lever includes upper and lower lever portions relatively telescopically and rotatably connected. The upper lever portion includes a generally L-shaped slot, while the lower lever portion carries a pin slidably engageable with and guided by the L-shaped slot for relative guiding movement of the lever portions. A tapered leg of the slot is arranged to allow relatively telescopic and pivotal movement between the lever portions and a foot of the slot extends laterally from the leg. The foot allows relatively rotatable movement between the lever portions to engage the pin and foot in the operating position. A coil spring urges the lever portions apart so that when the pin is within the leg the lever portions are relatively moveable axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Kenny, William Gremminger
  • Patent number: 6024509
    Abstract: An arrangement for remote-control fast hooking by use of flexible single or multiple cables, including a lever, capable of receiving the end portion of at least one cable and that can be swung with respect to a box element connectable to an external structure of an operating machine, the box element presenting at least one opening for the passage of a cable and the positioning of a reaction sheath housed into a containment bush, the bush having on its external surface bayonet elements for hooking which protrude and can be inserted, still being removable, inside the opening that presents engagement elements with/and holding elements of the elements for bayonet engagement. The elements for hooking include at least two teeth that protrude inside the bush and that are placed on opposite positions of a flange so that the positioning can be realized on both sides of the box, and appendices to limit the transverse movement of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Cornelia Brambilla
    Inventors: Barbieri Walter, Antonello Alicata, Crespi Giovanni
  • Patent number: 6017087
    Abstract: A rotary coupling to attach an infant seat to the passenger seat of a vehicle. This invention is a child-restraining device for mounting in the passenger seat of a vehicle that has at least one rigid member fixedly mounted in the bite between the passenger seat's seat portion and back portion. In particular, the child-restraining device of this invention has a child seat and at least one rotary coupling to attach the child seat to the rigid member. The rotary coupling is characterized by: a rigid hollow cylinder with two notches in one end, a piston that slides back and forth inside the cylinder, a spring to push the piston toward the notches; a means to prevent the piston from sliding out of the cylinder, and a means to attach the rotary coupling to the child seat. The coupling is operated by pushing the piston back within the cylinder and placing the rigid member in the cylinder's notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Anthony, Harold L. Forth
  • Patent number: 6003724
    Abstract: A cup dispenser includes a housing for storing a plurality of cups nested in a stack. The cup dispenser has an annular collar surrounding the exterior of the housing. An annular retaining ring carries a cup holding member that is removably mounted on the collar such that the cup holding member is disposed over the discharge end of the housing to control removal of cups from the stack. The collar and housing have a locking arrangement which cooperates to permit relative movement of the collar and housing between a locked position and an unlocked position where the collar and housing can be separated. Portions of the collar and locking arrangement exposed to the interior of the housing preferably are substantially free of crevices or cavities which can trap bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Colman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Collins, James R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 5996442
    Abstract: A process for releasably attaching a tool handle to a tool head includes the steps of (1) inserting an end of the tool handle into the tool head through a tool head aperture, (2) turning the end of the tool handle relative to the tool head to engage a pair of lands therein which prevent withdrawal of the end of the tool handle from the tool head, and (3) threading a nut onto the tool handle so as to engage a portion of the tool head adjacent to the aperture. The process is accomplished by providing the handle a connecting stud at one end thereof, wherein the connecting stud includes a pair of oppositely disposed flanges which extend generally perpendicularly outwardly therefrom. The tool head has a central cavity into which the connecting stud is inserted through the aperture. The pair of lands are capable of selectively engaging the connecting stud flanges to prevent withdrawal of the connecting stud from the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph Allen Carmien
  • Patent number: 5997205
    Abstract: In order to supply a coating to a roller, a coating supplying groove is provided along only one side of a core which is connected to an end of a support so as to act as a shaft of a roller. A coating reservoir between the roller and the core is located to one side of the core. To permit engagement and disengagement between the support and the core, an elastic member is mounted within a coating flowing hole of the core, while an inserting groove and a stopping groove are provided in the inner peripheral surface of the coating flowing hole of the core. To automatically stop and start the supply of coating to the coating roller, and to adjust the flow rate, the number of revolutions of the roller are detected and used to actuate the coating feed mechanism to supply coating at a flow rate corresponding to the number of revolutions and or direction of rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Takanori Koide
  • Patent number: 5980150
    Abstract: A quarter turn toilet seat pin including a bolt with an elongated bolt with a bolt head, an end portion and a body member. The body member has a linear key way extending upwardly from the end portion. The linear key way has a top end with a side-lock key way. The side-lock key way has a slot. Also, a sleeve is provided and engages the bolt. The sleeve has an interior channel sized for receiving the body member of the bolt. The sleeve has an axial opening that is in receipt of a threaded nipple. The threaded nipple projects from the opening and into the interior of the sleeve for engaging the linear key way as the bolt being slid into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Richard G. Newman, Thelma D. Newman, Marina Ann Wright
  • Patent number: 5960819
    Abstract: A vent valve for a gasoline tank has a multi-piece valve housing that is inserted into the tank through a tank wall opening. The multi-piece housing includes a valve member of acetal resin and a cap member of high density polyethylene (HDPE) that has a flange that is ultrasonically welded to the gasoline tank and a coupling skirt that has minimal protrusion into the gas tank. The coupling skirt fits into upper a portion of the valve member and has a plurality of key-ways that receive inwardly projecting lugs of the valve member to couple the valve and cap members to each other. The valve and cap members are retained in the coupled position by resilient lock fingers of the valve member that engage notches in the bottom of the coupling skirt. The resilient lock fingers are cantilever beams that extend radially outwardly from an anchor spaced radially inwardly of an outer cylindrical wall of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Weissinger, Manuel D. Rosas
  • Patent number: 5932828
    Abstract: To permit operators to change dies quickly and easily and to remove shot shells from any station, inspect them and replace them, bayonet snap in dies may be easily inserted into a tooling section of a reloader and shot shells can be removed from shell plates by pivoting the retainer free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Hornady Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen Hornady, Kenneth L. Elshof, John W. Goodin, Dennis L. Grudt
  • Patent number: 5904420
    Abstract: An improved frame is disclosed for automatic paint stirring equipment of the type which stirs cans of paint in a side-by-side relationship. Each can includes a cover having a stirring element rotatably mounted to the cover and a driven member secured to the stirring element. The improved frame includes a plurality of substantially identical drive assemblies wherein each drive assembly includes a drive mechanism for engaging and rotatably driving the drive members on the paint can covers. Each drive assembly furthermore includes an elongated planar top having two ends and which forms a shelf for supporting the paint cans. At least one, and preferably two, connectors are secured to each end of each drive assembly. Each connector has an upper and lower cylindrical portion which extend respectively above and below its associated drive assembly. A plurality of elongated tubular cylindrical supports then secure the drive assemblies together in a spaced apart and parallel relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Dedoes Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Dedoes
  • Patent number: 5871335
    Abstract: A cooling fan assembly (13) is attached to a motor (11) by a mating, "twist-lock" adaptor plate (30) having radial lugs (33), which engage a shouldered recess (23) in a corresponding hub (22A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Electric Limited
    Inventor: Eric Raymond Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5871222
    Abstract: A ball hitch apparatus comprises a ball portion having a ball connected to a shaft, an aperture longitudinally defined therethrough and a slot communicating with the aperture. A rod is disposed in the aperture and biased toward the ball and a pin is attached to the rod and movable within the slot. A socket portion has a central bore for receiving the shaft and a keyway communicating with the central bore for receiving the pin. The ball portion and socket portion are releasably secured in both a first locking position characterized by the rod extending beyond the ball and a second locking position characterized by the rod positioned substantially flush with the top of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Micheal L. Webb
  • Patent number: 5868533
    Abstract: Finishing tool for precision machining of holes includes a chuck unit having a driving head and a replaceable cutting element which includes at least one cutting blade and a cylindrical support shaft that is provided with a drive pin projecting from the supporting shaft. The supporting shaft being is inserted into a cylindrical hollow of the driving head and the drive head includes a support groove for receiving the drive pin, while the pin is retained by a spring-loaded return movement prevention device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Stanislav Fiala
  • Patent number: 5810145
    Abstract: A disengagement device includes a clutch release bearing, provided with a fixed part (2, 4) comprising an outer body (2) and an inner support tube (4) defining an axially oriented blind annular cavity (40) able to be fed with fluid and inside which a piston (3) is mounted so as to be axially mobile, a sole plate is able to be fixed to a fixed part and mounting means of the bayonet type (6) act between the said sole plate (5) and the outer body (2) of the clutch release bearing (1) for bayonet-type mounting of the clutch release bearing (1) on the sole plate (5) previously fixed to the said fixed part (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Sylvain Thomire
  • Patent number: 5800088
    Abstract: A device for changing a roll disk arranged in a free-floating fashion on a roll shaft and braced against a shoulder of the roll shaft, the device including a roll shaft piece connectable to an end face of the roll shaft and having radially projecting claws. An installation-and-removal unit is placeable on and coaxially turnable to the roll shaft. The unit has radially extending first, second and third claws that form perimeter segments. The first claws correspond to and engage with the claws of the roll shaft piece. A taper bushing is slidably provided between the roll disk and the roll shaft to hold the roll disk on the roll shaft, and has radially extending claws. The second claws correspond to and engage with the taper bushing claws, and are also moveable axially to the roll shaft. A ring is coaxially mounted on a side of the roll disk facing the unit, and has radially extending claws that correspond to and engage behind the third claws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Luckhof, Herbert Berendes
  • Patent number: 5785571
    Abstract: A multi-configuration amusement device in the shape of a ball includes a variety of mass components with axially-extending cylindrical bores, a lock fastener unit having a hollow cylindrical shaft, and an hollow cylindrical extension tube, with the lock fastener unit and the extension tube operably insertable into the cylindrical bores of the mass components, for locking the mass components together in a unitary configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Richard S. Camp
  • Patent number: 5758700
    Abstract: In an interlocking device between a cap for a beverage container and a carbonation device for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said beverage container in a locked position, wherein said carbonation device includes projecting structure, and said cap includes rotatable capturing structure for capturing said projecting structure so as to lock said cap to said carbonation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Richard D. Vanderploeg
  • Patent number: 5749592
    Abstract: A bicycle towing device in which a plurality of aligned rigid bars are connected by means of a coupling so that one bar can rotate with respect to the other along the alignment axis of the bars. Hub and pin arrangements are connectable to the free ends of the bars and have axes of rotation perpendicular to the alignment axis of the rods. The hub and pin arrangements are connectable to the respective vehicles to allow one vehicle to move with respect to the other while being towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Carlo Marchetto
  • Patent number: 5741084
    Abstract: A surgical instrument has a motor housing with a cylindrical member extending therefrom and has a pin projecting radially from the cylindrical member. A nose piece removably attached to the housing has a circular aperture which receives the cylindrical member and which has a channel within which the pin slides during attachment and removal. The nose piece includes a cantilevered arcuate spring arm that urges the pin along the channel toward a position at which the pin is wedged against a wall of the channel to force the nose piece into an operating engagement with the motor housing and retains the pin in the channel resisting detachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Eddy H. Del Rio, William E. Anspach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5722574
    Abstract: An apparatus for securely retaining a container in place during transport yet offering ease of insertion and removal. The apparatus further facilitates blind, one-hand access to a portable fluid supply without significantly impairing the user's activity. A container portion holds and transports fluid, and is sized according to the needs of the user. The container portion is received by a retaining portion which secures the container portion to a surface such as a hip holster or a bike frame. The retaining portion and container portion securely engage with one another by way of a reciprocal connecting assembly. The reciprocal connecting assembly includes a protuberance and socket assembly which allows the container portion secure retention upon merely dropping it into the retaining portion, or, with a simple, one-handed twisting motion the container portion is virtually locked into place in the retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ogio International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5702069
    Abstract: A device for the unlockable connection between two objects such as a satellite and a spacecraft incorporating a rotary key connection. The unlocking connection is made by the rotation of a ring carrying the key. This rotation is induced by the axial displacement of a rod carrying the ring and controlled by a spring. This spring is released by an initiating system, such as a pyrotechnic or similar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Freddy Geyer, Gerard Vezain, Christian Roux