Socket Patents (Class 403/361)
  • Patent number: 5897151
    Abstract: A new tool handle mount for attaching an elongate handle to a tool. The inventive device includes an elongate tubular member having inner and outer surfaces, proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of side walls extending between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the tubular member is coupled to a tool head. The inner surface of the tubular member defines an interior space of the tubular member. The distal end of the tubular member has an opening into the interior space. The opening of the distal end is adapted for inserting an end of an elongate handle therethrough into the interior space of the tubular member. A fastening device is provided for holding a handle inserted into interior space of the tubular member to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Ricardo Nicola Horvat
  • Patent number: 5895166
    Abstract: An adjustable jointer of an elastic ring for wheel shroud has a diameter which is able to be changed by adjusting the length of the jointer. The elastic ring consists of an elastic ring attached on a jointer, in which the jointer comprises a socket joint and a plug joint connecting together in plug-in joint. There are one or more collars attaching on the outside surface of the socket joint, which can be tore off to put on the latch of the plug joint to stretch the length of the jointer so as to increase the diameter of the elastic ring. Therefore by adding or removing the number of said collars, the diameter of the elastic ring can be changed to reach the goal of suiting different sizes of the wheel shrouds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Yung-Pao Tsai
  • Patent number: 5893300
    Abstract: A pedal plate assembly has a main block, a socket block, and a middle ring. The socket block has a circular recess on the connecting end of the socket block and inner recesses in the socket block. The middle ring encloses the circular recess. The main block has a tapered portion. Two opposite elongated notches are formed on the tapered portion. A plurality of click blocks are disposed on the tapered portion. Each click block is snapped in the corresponding inner recess. The socket block has a tapered interior to receive the tapered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Wan-Ming Liao
  • Patent number: 5803645
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided that is adapted for use with a spindle. The connector assembly includes a bar formed to include an opening having a central axis and a bar-opening dimension and a connector adapted to receive the spindle. The connector includes a base positioned to lie upon the bar. The base includes a base opening and a retaining tab that extends outwardly from the base. The retaining tab includes an outer surface having a dimension less than the bar-opening dimension and an inclined surface converging from the base toward the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Cosco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Moser, Jerry R. Smith, William R. Horton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5776006
    Abstract: A golf practice device in the form of an attachment to a golf club shaft. The attachment has preferably two weighted elements that are coupled together in such a manner that the spacing of the elements may be adjusted as desired, depending on the thickness of the shaft to which the device is to be attached. Thus, the device may be positioned at virtually any location or a tapered golf club shaft and also on golf club shafts of varying thicknesses. Once the desired spacing is selected, a frictional engagement device is used to secure the weighted elements at the desired spacing. The golf practice device is formed to be aerodynamically efficient, and preferably has substantially a smooth, rounded exterior surface. The locking device accordingly is formed such that it does not interfere with the aerodynamic efficiency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Isaac Gruber
  • Patent number: 5762344
    Abstract: A file of polygonal cross section is secured frictionally in a hole of a handle. The hole has as many corners as the file, and a surface extends between adjacent pairs of the corners of the hole. Each of those surfaces includes a concave segment and a convex segment. The concave segment is shaped such that relative rotation between the handle and file causes the corners of the file to tightly engage the concave segments to secure the file within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventor: Joacim Einvall
  • Patent number: 5690446
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting struts formed from paper or paper-like sheets rolled into a tube is made of cylindrical receptors and connectors. Each cylindrical receptor has an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the predetermined outside diameter of the tube for friction-fit engagement onto the end of the tube. Each cylindrical receptor also has a finger which is centrally disposed within the receptor, about the longitudinal axis thereof. At least a part of such finger is substantially the same size as the inside diameter of the tube. The finger is made of a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending radially from its longitudinal axis. Each receptor is press-fit engageable with a connector. Each connector is press-fit engageable with at least two receptors. The connection system allows for the connection of struts which can be readily constructed by the user of the construction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Somerville House Books Limited
    Inventors: Philip Laurier Poissant, Jane Elizabeth Somerville
  • Patent number: 5669727
    Abstract: A device for fixedly interconnecting two parts (1, 2) of a clothes hanger comprising at least one cylinder socket (3) on one part and at least one pin (4) on the other part to be inserted into the socket. The pin (4) has at least one non-cylindrical portion (9) with a radius exceeding the radius of the socket. This portion is flexible in the direction of insertion of the pin for wedging the pin in the socket after insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Karner & Company Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Gustav Wegscheider
  • Patent number: 5634486
    Abstract: A coupling member between a valve driver and a valve has a pin extending into the valve driver shaft and a head with a groove receiving the shaft of the valve and a recess accommodating the packing nut thereof. A spring braced between the coupling member and the valve driver allows the coupling member to be lifted from the nut for tightening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Hatting, Gunter Naasner
  • Patent number: 5617602
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to make an engaging section between a holder section and a toothbrush section of a motor-driven toothbrush more simple, manufacture thereof easier and also minimize the production cost as well as to achieve minimization and weight reduction thereof, and also to improve the reliability of insertion. For this purpose, an engaging/receiving hole or bore is formed in the toothbrush section of the motor-driven toothbrush, and a projection of the holder section is inserted into the engaging hole for fixing the toothbrush section to the holder section. Also the engaging projection is formed on said holder section and the toothbrush section is made of resilient material to provide the engaging hole having a round cross-section into which the projection is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Eiji Okada
  • Patent number: 5598746
    Abstract: A transmission assembly used to connect with a rotatable ornament or a toy to provide bilateral rotations for achieving their cosmetic effect comprises a casing enclosing a set of three pinions which are driven by a battery-operated electrical circuit therein. An elastic rectangular bar used to restrict the rotary extent of a first pinion will elastically obstruct the rotary movement of the pinion in order to provide continuous bilateral rotation and each turn of the bilateral rotation will exceed 360.degree. without making any noise. The noses of the spindles of the pinions are formed as tapering sockets or as tapering pointed plugs to enhance the intensity of the assembly. Most of the components in this assembly are made integrally of plastic material so as to reduce the time and cost to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Ching-Ti Chen
  • Patent number: 5585163
    Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite assembly includes a ceramic member having a stab shaft and a metallic member having a recess. The ceramic member and the metallic member are joined together by press fit, i.e., by fitting the stab shaft into the recess. The stab shaft and the recess after extraction of the stab shaft from the recess has a set relationship of 50 .mu.m.ltoreq.X-Y.ltoreq.150 .mu.m where X is an outer diameter of the stab shaft and Y is an inner diameter of the recess whilst a surface roughness Rz of the recess in the circumferential direction thereof after extraction of the stab shaft from the recess is 1.5 .mu.m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Yoshikawa, Hiroki Nakajima, Masaya Ito, Noboru Ishida
  • Patent number: 5582488
    Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end, and an offset C-shaped socket at the other end defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. Spaced-apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and along the outside surface of the tongue. When the tongue of one link is placed into the socket of another link, the teeth intermesh wherein the teeth in the tongue fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the socket, and the teeth in the socket fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the tongue. The tongue and socket pivot in discrete positions, while lateral movement is prevented by the engagement of a ring on the tongue that mates with a slot on the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: OP-D-OP, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Dudley, Kyle D. Fields, Timothy J. Landis
  • Patent number: 5570970
    Abstract: A tube and connector arrangement for a lighting fixture, including a tube having two symmetrical rails raised from the inside wall of the tube along the length, and a connector having a longitudinal center through hole for passing the electric wire of the lighting fixture and a stub rod within a circular recess on the periphery of the connector perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector, the stub rod being fitted into one end of the tube and having a round hole communicated with the longitudinal center through hole for passing the electric wire and two longitudinal grooves on the outside wall at two opposite sides respectively made deeper toward the outer end and engaged with the symmetrical rails of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Chih-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 5511893
    Abstract: Connection of a shaft with an element, in particular the shaft of a rotary setting element with a seating wheel, said connection comprising a recess provided for setting said shaft in said element and an opening by which said recess is connected with the outer edge of the element and through which the connection can be effected by relative movement of the shaft and the element transversely to the axis of said shaft, characterized in that a second element is inserted into the opening in a direction transversely to the axis of the shaft and that interlocking means provided on the first element and the second element cooperate to fix the second element in the opening of the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Albert Kilgus, Rainer Debler
  • Patent number: 5503497
    Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end and a C-shaped socket at the other end for use in an articulating coupling system. The socket is defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. The inside radius of the socket is substantially the same as the outside radius of the tongue, so that the tongue can be inserted into the socket of another link. The socket includes a narrow centrally positioned slot along its circumference, and the tongue includes a narrow centrally positioned ring extending outward along its circumference which is received by the slot when the tongue is inserted into the socket. A plurality of spaced apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and extend between the faces of the device in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the plane of the faces. Similar teeth are located along the outside surface of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: OP-D-OP, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Dudley, Kyle D. Fields, Timothy J. Landis
  • Patent number: 5494298
    Abstract: A broadhead for an arrow having a locking mechanism which insures true alignment of the longitudinal axis of the broadhead with the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the arrow. The shaft is fit within a longitudinal bore in the body of the broadhead and a locking nut engages external threads at an end of the broadhead which tightens the body of the broadhead about the shaft of the arrow to frictionally engage the arrow shaft within the broadhead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Richard Maleski
  • Patent number: 5464305
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting board-like members of a piece of furniture in a fitting manner, comprising more than one arch rod member having a male end and a female end, wherein the male end includes a tenon and the female end is formed with a hole corresponding to the tenon, whereby the tenon is fitted and locked in the hole to clamp and connect the board-like members to form the piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Chyuan Ryh Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien Lumg Liem
  • Patent number: 5435234
    Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite structure which minimizes tensile ceramic loads and accommodates differences in thermal expansion characteristics between a metal member and a ceramic member without reliance on precise feature control for either member. The composite includes a mechanical retainer which allows a loose fitting relationship between the metal and ceramic members. The ceramic member is secured within a receiving bore in the metal member by the retainer in a manner which eliminates the need for precise machining of the ceramic and metal members. The metal member may be configured to accept either an internal or an external mechanical retainer element. The composite ceramic-metal structure of the present invention finds particular utility in forming a durable wear-resistant interface in internal combustion engine actuator or actuating components, such as compression brake master pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignees: Cummins Engine Co., Inc., Toshiba Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Bentz, John T. Carroll, III, Katsuhiro Shinosawa, David P. Genter
  • Patent number: 5425620
    Abstract: An electrically driven fan mounted on the brim or crown of a cap or other head gear is manufactured from plastic, and readily mountable on the head gear without the need for special tools or skills. Dry cell batteries are mounted in the crown of the hat and the impeller of the fan units acts within a recess within the fan unit to pull air downwardly across the face of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Kevin J. Stroud
  • Patent number: 5425593
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a sign support member to an existing, elongate first member. The apparatus has a sleeve defining first and second connecting portions, with the first connecting portion having structure for directly engaging the first connecting portion with an existing, elongate first member at least partially one within the other in an operative position. The second connecting portion includes structure for directly engaging the second connecting portion with a sign support member, one at least partially within the other in an operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Richard J. Buehler
  • Patent number: 5410932
    Abstract: A ball lock punch and die retainer comprises a single piece body of high strength through hardened tool steel having a relieved flat bottomed borehole for the punch. The exterior sidewall of the retainer opposite the end having the punch borehole is substantially half-cylindrical. The oblique spring hole in the retainer body includes a circumferential undercut in the wall of the spring hole. The undercut mates with an enlarged portion of the spring to prevent the spring from pushing out of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: David J. Moellering
  • Patent number: 5411308
    Abstract: In a light-metal vehicle body, a girder assembly joins a first longitudinal girder member located in a forecarriage region of the vehicle body to a second, laterally offset, and generally longitudinally oriented side sill member. The girder assembly includes a pair of open shell-shaped, light-metal castings which form a single, hollow section enclosure when brought together along their mutual open face regions. The concave interior surfaces of the shell-shaped casting are provided with a plurality of spaced integrally formed stiffening rib members. The stiffening ribs are oriented transverse to the curving longitudinal center axis of the girder assembly which curves in conformance with the Z-shape configuration. The stiffening ribs of each shell-shaped castings are arranged in coordinate pairs such that they formed a series of substantially continuous webs along an interior cross section of said girder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Audi A.G.
    Inventors: Gundolf Kreis, Heinrich Timm, Alois Feldschmid
  • Patent number: 5409165
    Abstract: A highly wear-resistant plunger assembly for a fuel injector, particularly an open nozzle fuel injector, is provided. The wear-resistant plunger assembly of the present invention includes components formed from wear-resistant materials specifically including, but not limited to, ceramics and metals capable of withstanding the high temperatures and frictional forces produced by prolonged motoring and other potentially adverse engine operating conditions. Different portions of the plunger assembly may be formed from different kinds of wear-resistant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignees: Cummins Engine Company, Inc., Toshiba Corp.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Katsuhiro Shinosawa, Lester L. Peters, Jeffrey L. Campbell, Joseph C. Bentz
  • Patent number: 5407291
    Abstract: A coupler for use in swivably independently securing the remote ends of a monofilament or wire, which wire is constantly in a cantilever bending motion at its remote end when folded and necessitates a freedom of rotation. The connector itself has a preferably cylindrical body having two tapered elongate nesting pockets which are separated from each other by an interior stop at the mid-portion of the connector cylindrical body. The elongate pockets are characterized by a taper which is dimensioned to receive and friction fittingly engage the remote ends of a wire or monofilament a spaced distance from the central stop of the connector cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Pop-Tent, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Hazinski, Sidney Samole
  • Patent number: 5404616
    Abstract: A hand tool includes at least one handle connected to a tool head in a secure and stable manner to accommodate loads incurred during normal use, wherein the handle is adapted for quick and easy removal and replacement. The tool includes a mounting tang projecting rearwardly from the tool head and having a handle adapter at a rear end thereof. The handle adapter defines a rearwardly open socket for slide-fit reception of a front end of the handle. At least one clamp is provided for securely but releasably clamping the handle front end within the adapter socket. In the preferred form, the handle is constructed from a lightweight fiber resin composite material and has an adapter cuff mounted on the front end thereof for mating slide-fit reception into the adapter socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph A. Carmien
  • Patent number: 5399045
    Abstract: A waterproof connector comprises a male connector housing and an outer hood circumferentially provided on the male connector housing with an annular space therebetween, which contains a seal ring and into which is inserted a hood portion of a mating female connector to be brought into contact with the seal ring. A resilient locking arm of a double support structure is provided inside an outwardly bulged portion of the outer hood such that it is rearwardly supported on the part of the male connector housing and forwardly supported on the part of the outwardly bulged portion. This allows a male connector housing to be locked to a mating connector with an increased force, while making it possible to protect the resilient locking arm from external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Nissan Motor Company Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoneda, Kimihiro Abe, Seiji Koumatsu
  • Patent number: 5390463
    Abstract: A modular truss system (30) is disclosed that is especially suited for support of lighting, cameras and the like in association with a stage for performances thereon. The truss system includes cups (80) and alignment members (82) that aid in aligning the truss modules (62) for assembly thereof. The system also includes box shaped braces (78) to achieve longitudinal and transverse strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Penn Fabrication (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Roland Sollner
  • Patent number: 5380117
    Abstract: An apparatus for the detachable coupling, particularly of gripping devices or corresponding tools on robot arms or the like, is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises two flange elements fastenable at the gripping device and robot arm, a receiving recess on one of the flange elements and an engagement element on the other, wherein the engagement element is inserted into the recess and one of the flange elements is penetrated by a locking pin in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Joachim Buschulte
  • Patent number: 5378076
    Abstract: Device for the precise coupling of two cylindrical parts, especially to form compound tools, with the aid of two cylindrical bodies, one of which has a seat for accepting a pin projecting from the other cylindrical body, it being provided that the front end of the body with the coupling seat be given an inclined wall engageable with an inclined wall branching away from the base of the coupling pin of the other cylindrical body, that the transverse hole in the projecting pin accepts a threaded bush which engages with a cylindrical-headed screw, and that the free ends of the threaded bush and of the screw head have inclined circumferential surfaces engageable with inclined circumferential surfaces defining the transverse holes on the side facing the coupling seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: D'Andrea S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ermanno D'Andrea
  • Patent number: 5374136
    Abstract: The bracket (12) is bolted loosely to the attachment arm (14) of a dental chair to establish a preliminary orientation of the bracket relative to the attachment arm. The bracket is then levelled with adjustment screws (40) which bear against a surface on the attachment arm to establish a level orientation. The bolt fastening the bracket to the attachment arm is then tightened to fix the level orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: A-Dec. Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre LaPlante
  • Patent number: 5362172
    Abstract: A press fit assembly boss for aligning and assembling the case walls of a diskette includes a circular cylindrical post formed on the upper case wall and a cylindrical socket formed on the lower case wall. The inner surface of the socket includes two opposing planar sections separated by a distance less than the outer diameter of the post. Insertion of the post in the socket deforms the post to secure the post within the socket without creating any debris during assembly or disassembly. The cylindrical post has thin walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David L. Hubbling
  • Patent number: 5301912
    Abstract: An adjustable and movable hook, which comprises a base block, a click stop assembly and a hook stem; the front side of the base block has a round rod hole for receiving the hook stem; a screw hole is furnished on the top side of the base block, being in communication with the round rod hole. One side of the hook stem (i.e., the side which faces the screw hole) has a groove side, which includes a plurality of positioning grooves and guide flats. The front end of the hook has a hook-shaped section, while the rear end thereof has a round stub. The hook stem can be pulled back and forth in the round rod hole to adjust the hook stem in a length desired by means of a click stop assembly, which has a spring and a positioning ball for providing a resilient and click effect to the hook stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Shou-Hwa Chang
  • Patent number: 5297719
    Abstract: A method of producing inner parts of a tripod joint followed by a tubular shaft has one end of the tubular shaft deformed in a non-chip-forming way. The deforming increases the wall thickness. Radial arms are connected to the thickened region of the tubular shaft end, preferably by friction welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: Rolf Cremerius
  • Patent number: 5284400
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement for attaching a handgrip knob assembly to a vehicle gearshift lever rod. The knob has a through cavity comprising an upper cavity portion, an intermediate cavity portion supporting a metal insert, and a lower upwardly tapered cavity portion. The insert upper surface defining a bottom wall clamping surface of the upper cavity portion bottom wall. An internally threaded insert through bore is divided from a lower counterbored portion by an internal stop shoulder. The shift lever rod has an upper threaded stem connected by a cylindrical shank portion to an upwardly tapered rod section while the stem portion terminates in a frustoconical pilot end. A rod external stop shoulder divides the stem and shank sections. A spring steel drive washer, having a central aperture intermeshed with an upper crown portion of a locknut, is initially press-fitted in the upper cavity until its outer edge frictionally engages a serrated portion of the upper cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5279211
    Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite structure which minimizes tensile ceramic loads and accommodates differences in thermal expansion characteristics between a metal member and a ceramic member without reliance on precise feature control for either member. The composite includes a mechanical retainer which allows a loose fitting relationship between the metal and ceramic members. The ceramic member is secured within a receiving bore in the metal member by the retainer in a manner which eliminates the need for precise machining of the ceramic and metal members. The metal member may be configured to accept either an internal or an external mechanical retainer element. The composite ceramic-metal structure of the present invention finds particular utility in forming a durable wear-resistant interface in internal combustion engine actuator or actuating components, such as compression brake master pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Bentz, John T. Carroll, III, Katsuhiro Shinosawa, David P. Genter
  • Patent number: 5259086
    Abstract: A musical toothbrush has a elongate handle having proximal and distal ends. Bristles are formed at the distal end of the elongate handle and a music box is removably attached to the proximal end of the elongate handle. The music box has a housing within which a music generator is disposed such that it may conveniently be actuated by a child prior to brushing the teeth. A retainer disposed within the housing releasably retains the toothbrush upon the handle. The retainer has a tensioner assembly and a plurality of teeth disposed proximate the tensioner assembly such that the proximal end of the toothbrush is positionable intermediate the tensioner assembly and the teeth. The tensioner assembly urges the proximal end of the toothbrush handle toward the teeth such that the tips of the teeth are substantially depressed and therefore frictionally engaged to the proximal end of the toothbrush handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Fong
  • Patent number: 5213434
    Abstract: A plug-in connector for an electric toothbrush drive mechanism, including an electric motor and a movement converter which is arranged between the motor and a plug-in shaft and sets the plug-in shaft in radial and longitudinal movement, the motor and converter being arranged in a housing, and the plug-in shaft, which is supported in a bottom surface of the housing, has a free end that penetrates the bottom surface, the plug-in connector is detachably connected with the housing and the plug-in shaft is engaged in an installed state with a connecting rod arranged on the inside of the plug-in connector, and an end of the connecting rod remote of the plug-in shaft is in a working connection with a radial drive, the connecting rod and radial drive being connected with one another by an elastically deformable spiral, and the connecting rod, spiral and radial drive being constructed so as to form one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Rowenta-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Hahn
  • Patent number: 5210898
    Abstract: A broom assembly of a basically wooden push broom comprises a wooden head portion including top and bottom surfaces, leading and trailing edge portions and remote lateral extremities, considering the direction of its movement in use. This head has a laterally centered throughbore opening at one end from the tope thereof adjacent its trailing edge and at its opposite end from the bottom thereof, adjacent its leading edge. A counterbore of the upper end of this throughbore produces an outwardly and rearwardly facing annular shoulder in its bounding wall surface. Securely wedged within this throughbore, towards its bottom, is the short tubular body portion of a rigid plastic adapter means, an external flange at the base end of which overlies the bottom of the head and an external lip at the upper end of which clamps over the aforementioned shoulder in the wall bounding the upper end of the throughbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Carey
  • Patent number: 5207525
    Abstract: A spindle for use in an instrumentation apparatus comprises, on an end of the spindle inserted into a cavity defined by a pointer shaft, (i) a surface for engagement to the pointer shaft and (ii) a recessed surface proximal to the engagement surface and inserted into the cavity without engaging the pointer shaft. The improved spindle is easily manufactured and reduces the maximum force required to stake the pointer shaft to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Ross, Arnold R. Eick
  • Patent number: 5197161
    Abstract: A molded knob of the type which frictionally engages and fits over the end of a shaft, which shaft end is of generally U-shaped, transverse cross-section created by the removal of a portion of a circular tubular shaft. A hub is formed as part of the knob. A shaft-receiving socket of generally circular, transverse cross-section is formed in the hub. A pair of generally L-shaped fingers are formed as part of the hub and extend the depth of the socket. The L-shaped fingers are positioned back-to-back to define a U-shaped slot between the fingers and hub, which U-shaped slot receives the U-shaped end of the shaft. Each L-shaped finger has a base portion which is molded integrally with the core and a back portion which extends cantileverly from the base portion, with the base and back portions connected by an integral hinge. The back portions of the L-shaped fingers are spaced from each other about their integral hinges and are flexible so as to bend toward each other when the shaft is inserted in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5193623
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling an implement to a prime mover is disclosed, which includes a first connector assembly, having a mount for mounting the first connector assembly onto the prime mover, and a second connector assembly having a mount for mounting the second connector assembly onto the implement. One or, preferably, a plurality of complementary plug and socket members is provided for the first connector assembly and the second connector assembly with the plug member(s) and the socket member(s) being disposed on the connector assemblies at an upper medial location thereof and at a lower outer location at an opposite side of the medial location. The socket member is provided with a throat portion which is disposed with its entry axis being substantially horizontal and with entry to the throat portion being bounded by an outwardly diverging lip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: John Burette
  • Patent number: 5185992
    Abstract: A tool expanding assembly serves to greatly increase the usefulness and versatility of preexisting long-handled tools by providing a specially configured interconnecting approach which allows rapid attachment of various tool head types to the unmodified basic tool. The resulting combined tool may be rapidly reconfigured as needed, and allows the use of a wide range of tool types in groups of two, including the basic tool type and any one other of a variety of alternate tool head types. A two section tool expanding assembly is disclosed via a number of preferred embodiments, and both round and square variants of the alternate tool head interconnecting sections are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Roque P. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5176465
    Abstract: Device (10) for holding together adjoining component housings arranged in a vertical stack, said device (10) comprising a first female section (12) and a second male section (14) wherein the female member is provided with a cavity (22) to receive a male plug member (32). Each of the male and female members has a base (16,30) from which the coacting parts extend. The members (12, 14) are provided with aligned holes (29,34) through which a locking means (38) may be inserted for holding the members together. The base of each of the members is provided with an adhesive means (26,36) for adhering the member to a component housing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: Carl A. Holsted
  • Patent number: 5176497
    Abstract: An improved compressor wheel assembly for a a turbocharger or the like includes a centrifugal compressor wheel having a boreless hub to substantially improve wheel fatigue life. The compressor wheel is formed as by casting from an aluminum alloy to include an integral mounting sleeve extending coaxially from the boreless hub and adapted for connection as by threading with a turbocharger shaft. An annular spacer ring of wear resistant material is mounted on the wheel mounting sleeve and defines wear resistant surfaces for supporting one or more seal rings within the bore of a compressor backplate opening, and for axially engaging an adjacent thrust bearing unit associated with the turbocharger shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin R. Deacon, William R. Swihart, Jonathan R. Heim
  • Patent number: 5169259
    Abstract: A foot element with exterior threads on a portion of its surface is die cast or injection molded. Two half sleeves are die cast or injection molded, and are each half cylindrical in shape and have threads on the inside surfaces of the half sleeves and one end is fully or partially closed off. The foot insert can be enclosed between the two sleeve halves and be adjustably extended out from or withdrawn into the completed sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas W. Cornell, Jr., John L. Reinbold, Fred W. Eilenberg
  • Patent number: 5158391
    Abstract: A sealing structure of a waterproof connector in which a connector housing having a connector housing body assembled with an inner member is coupled with a mating connector housing through a seal ring having a sealing band, comprising: a pair of engageable members each having an L-shaped cross section, which project forwardly from a front end of a side wall of the seal ring such that distal end portions of the engageable members bend in opposite inward directions of the seal ring, respectively; the engageable members each having a front end face such that the front end face is brought into contact with the bottom of a hollow; a contact piece which is provided at a predetermined position of the inner member so as to be brought into pressing contact with the engageable members; and the engageable members being gripped between the bottom of the hollow and the contact piece such that the seal ring is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Fujitani, Akira Nabeshima, Toshikazu Saba
  • Patent number: 5146832
    Abstract: A punch has a punch tip with a shank and a punch pad with an orifice for receiving the shank. The punch pad includes a hole positioned closely adjacent the orifice to define a thin wall between the hole and the orifice. The thin wall has a slot which extends through its thickness to define at least one, and preferably two, tabs. An insert, which may be a pin, is provided for insertion into the hole and deforming the tab into supportive, retaining contact with the shank of the punch tip within the orifice. The shank of the punch tip may be provided with a shoulder for abutting the inwardly deformed tab or tabs to restrain withdrawal of the punch tip from the punch pad during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Wilson Tool International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Wilson, John Morehead
  • Patent number: 5141392
    Abstract: The driving shaft (3) of a pump impeller (4) is extended beyond the impeller and supports the mixer (5) at its end. In order to minimize the risk for extensive damage if the mixer should hit a solid body, the shaft (6) of the mixer is very slim and manufactured of an elastic material such as spring steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: ITT Flygt AB
    Inventor: Peter Uvemo
  • Patent number: 5135329
    Abstract: An alignment coupler is illustrated having a flat head screw permitting radial adjustment between a workpiece and a piston rod and a second screw making connection with a cylinder to compensate for direct misalignment wherein first and second rings of high density polyethylene and the like are provided to impart shock absorbing and noise dampening characteristics to the coupler between the first and second screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Yuda