Peripheral Enlargement, Depression, Or Slot On One Member Is Joint Component Patents (Class 403/375)
  • Patent number: 6076991
    Abstract: An end cap system for scaffolding planks, especially for hollow core planks. The end cap includes an extrusion having a plank-receiving portion on one side and a rib profile on the other for slidingly receiving scaffolding hooks. The end cap permits similar parts to be used for a wide variety of plank widths and allows for replacement of damaged hooks or the exchange of hook configurations. In the most preferred embodiment, the hooks are fixed to the end cap, such as by a set screw, after they are slidingly located at the desired position. The end caps may be used with either "high" or "low" hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Safway Steel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stig Karlsen, Roger Frank
  • Patent number: 6071105
    Abstract: A feed pump having a pair of gears in a housing that mesh with each other and are driven to rotate in a pump chamber. The pair of gears supply fuel from an intake chamber connected to a storage tank, along a supply conduit in the housing constituted between the end face of the gears and the circumference wall of the pump chamber, and into a pressure chamber. In order to introduce lateral forces acting on the gears directly into the pump housing the gears are each supported on a housing pin, which is embodied as being of one piece with the housing of the feed pump and protrudes into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stanislaw Bodzak, Hanspeter Mayer
  • Patent number: 6070295
    Abstract: A toilet seat hinge for releasably securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge comprises a mounting post and a hinge post. The mounting post is fixed to the toilet bowl. Various alternative constructions are employed for releasably securing the hinge post to the mounting post such that the hinge post and the toilet seat can be removed from the toilet bowl without removing the mounting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Randy K. Hulsebus
  • Patent number: 6035737
    Abstract: A transmission assembly includes an inner housing member and an outer band member. The outer band member is slidingly received over the outer surface of the inner housing member. An inner surface of the outer band member includes a plurality of notches. After the outer band member is placed in a desired radial and axial alignment with the inner housing member, a plurality of deformations are lanced in the inner housing member. The deformations extend radially outward into the notches formed in the band member. The cooperation between the lanced deformations and the notches maintain the two pieces of the transmission assembly in an desired axial and radial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Koppy Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
  • Patent number: 6032569
    Abstract: For locking against rotation a piston on a piston rod, the piston having a peripheral groove and at least one radial through-hole to be positioned over a notch, a locking clip with a first straight end part and a curved part has a first end part extending through the radial hole in the piston and a part of the curved part of the locking clip rests in the peripheral groove when in a piston-locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Volvo Wheel Loaders AB
    Inventor: Sverker Armo
  • Patent number: 6027378
    Abstract: A combined-type connector consists of a hood having at the front half a first connector-fitting chamber and at the rear half a side opening in a direction perpendicular to a connector-fitting direction; and a connector with a connector-fitting section having a second connector-fitting chamber formed therein. The connector-fitting section of the connector is inserted through the side opening into combination with the hood, moved in the direction perpendicular to the connector-fitting direction in which the connector is fitted with a mating connector. The hood and the connector can be easily combined and disassembled, though not disassembled under a force acting in the detaching direction of the connector from the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiro Abe, Tetsuya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6021618
    Abstract: A metal stud wall and method of assembling the same are characterized by stud spacer member comprising an elongate bar-like member and at least three equal spaced notches disposed along the elongate member for receiving and engaging therein a web of a metal stud. In the assembly of a metal stud wall comprising a row of metal studs each having at least two flanges interconnected by a web, the stud spacer member is inserted through aligned openings in the webs of three or more studs and the webs are engaged in the notches to position and hold the metal studs at a prescribed spacing. Successive spacer members may be inserted through further studs and overlapped with the preceding spacer member to position and hold the studs at the prescribed spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: William L. Elderson
  • Patent number: 6007430
    Abstract: A carrier made up of two housings includes a plurality of drive members that facilitate transferring a driving force between the two housings. When the carrier is used in a vehicle transmission, for example, the two housings preferably include generally cylindrical wall portions. A plurality of lanced drive members are formed on each of the housings. The two housings are interconnected so that the drive members on the first housing engage the drive members on the second housing and a rotary force imposed on one of the housings is transferred to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Koppy Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
  • Patent number: 6000179
    Abstract: A partition construction is provided for subdividing a building workspace wherein a first panel has a first frame with a horizontal top frame member and a vertical first side frame member, a second panel has a second frame with a horizontal bottom frame member and a vertical second side frame member, and a connection system for connecting the first and second panels in a stacked arrangement to form a first partition stack. The connection system includes at least one stacking connector which has fastener apertures proximate to each end of the connector. The fastener apertures in the stacking connector are in a predefined pattern identical to the fastener aperture pattern in the first and second side frame members. The connection system also includes a horizontal rail adapted to vertically align the top frame member of the first panel and bottom frame member of the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Musculus, Robert E. Jeffers, Peter S. Macdonald
  • Patent number: 5992939
    Abstract: A head rest sleeve for receiving a head rest support rod having a diameter within a known tolerance range is formed of a resilient material and has a body having an axial bore. Integral with the inside of the body and disposed thereabout are at least two pairs of compressible crush ribs which protrude radially and extend the length of the body. The distance of protrusion of the ribs corresponds to the minimum possible diameter of the support rod. Located between each pair of ribs and integral therewith is a web which protrudes radially a distance corresponding to the maximum possible diameter of the support rod. When the support rod is inserted into the sleeve, the rod frictionally engages the crush ribs uniformly along its length and, when the diameter of the support rod is greater than the minimum possible diameter, compresses the ribs a uniform distance to allow the support rod to be moved in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool works Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Gass, Philip A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5984564
    Abstract: An adapter for the coupling of two shaft ends in a defined angular orientation with respect to the longitudinal shaft axes. The adapter is mounted in a defined angular orientation on a first shaft, and on the side associated with a second shaft it has a receptacle for receiving the second shaft. The second shaft has an end that is partially flattened The receptacle is surrounded by a flange in one partial segment of which is at least one projection having inclined surfaces of such dimensions, that the projection fits interlockingly into the flattened part of the second shaft upon reaching the desired angular orientation of the two shafts. The adapter according to the invention is particularly suited for the connection of the shaft of a drive unit with the shaft of an rotary encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Mitterreiter
  • Patent number: 5984568
    Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting sections of an expandable slotted tubing string is provided. The assembly includes a male part and a female part; each formed integrally with the ends of a respective tubing section. Each part is slotted and adapted to co-axially engage the other part to permit expansion of the coupled parts in a corresponding manner to the tubing sting. The male and female parts are interconnected by one series of circumferentially spaced mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Christianus Maria Lohbeck
  • Patent number: 5960601
    Abstract: A post support frame is provided comprising brackets, a top plate, and a bottom plate. In one embodiment, the brackets are identical and generally H-shaped. The crossbar of the H includes a slot substantially perpendicular to the crossbar, and the ends of the legs of the H each have a tab. Each leg also includes a part which tapers inward toward the adjacent leg. The top plate includes a series of notches around its periphery, which accommodate the tabs at the ends of the bracket legs. The bottom plate includes two sets of holes therethrough. One set of holes accommodates the tabs at the ends of the bracket legs, while the other is used for attaching the completed post support frame to a flat surface.The support frame is assembled by interengaging the slots of the brackets. The interengaged brackets are coupled with the bottom and top plates by fitting the tabs at the ends of the brackets into one set of the holes in the bottom plate and the notches in the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: C & C Concerns, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Offutt
  • Patent number: 5961246
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for joining an impeller to a rotatable shaft, including (a) a bushing through which the impeller is joined to the rotatable shaft, the bushing including a hollow cylindrical portion which is to fit into a recess formed with the impeller and into which the rotatable shaft is to fit, (b) a first joint structure for joining the bushing to the impeller so that the bushing is positioned coaxially with the impeller, and (c) a second joint structure for joining the rotatable shaft to the bushing so that the rotatable shaft is positioned coaxially with the bushing. The structure provides a sufficient ability for transferring a torque between an impeller and a shaft, self-aligning performance between an impeller and a shaft, and good serviceability for assembling and disassembling, and further provides higher accuracy in axially positioning an impeller and a shaft and lower fabrication costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Mitsubori
  • Patent number: 5938558
    Abstract: A differential housing assembly (11;81) including a first end cap (31;83) defining a plurality of openings (52,53,54;93). A housing (35;87,89) defines a plurality of tabs (72,73,74;95) which are received within the openings. Preferably, both the end cap and the housing comprise steel stampings, and the tabs are welded within the openings, such that the end cap and housing form an inexpensive, relatively light-weight, but extremely strong and durable differential housing assembly. In one embodiment, the housing member (35) is a generally U-shaped member, and in another embodiment, the housing (87) is a deep drawn tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William N. Eybergen, Avinash C. Kavi, Lawrence McAuliffe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5906135
    Abstract: A transmission assembly includes an inner housing member and an outer band member. The outer band member is slidingly received over the outer surface of the inner housing member. An inner surface of the outer band member includes a plurality of notches. After the outer band member is placed in a desired radial and axial alignment with the inner housing member, a plurality of deformations are lanced in the inner housing member. The deformations extend radially outward into the notches formed in the band member. The cooperation between the lanced deformations and the notches maintain the two pieces of the transmission assembly in an desired axial and radial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Koppy Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
  • Patent number: 5901857
    Abstract: A clamping bar assembly for a bar screen with a plurality of screen bars and in which at least one leg extends downwardly from each bar and a bar support beam extends below the bars. The bar of this invention includes a plurality of spacers positioned on the support beam between neighboring bar legs. The spacers are clamped together with the bar legs by a first flange which is fixed to the support beam and which has an upwardly extending portion, and a portion which extends inwardly above the beam to engage the spacers. A second flange, removably fixed to the beam, has an upwardly extending portion, and a portion which extends inwardly above the beam toward the first flange so that the clamped spacers and bars are restricted from vertical displacement by the first and second flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank H. Schurman
  • Patent number: 5881397
    Abstract: A bathtub drain closure having a strainer element with an internally threaded recess that engages male threads on the lower end of an upwardly extending post. The post has at least one transverse passageway containing a polymeric pin having ends that project slightly beyond the ends of the passageway. A stopper having a centrally disposed, internal bore slides up and down the post between open and closed positions. The central bore of the stopper has a stepped profile having upper and lower portions with an internal diameter slightly greater than the length of the polymeric pin and a middle portion with an internal diameter slightly less than the length of the polymeric pin, thereby causing the pin to be compressed into frictional engagement with the central bore as the stopper slides up and down between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 5855445
    Abstract: A bonding construction for bonding a rotary shaft made of a resin material to a lever made of a resin material. The lever is formed with a fitting hole therein into which the rotary shaft is fitted. The rotary shaft has projections formed on its outer surface. The inner surface of the fitting hole of the lever is formed with grooves into which the projections of the rotary shaft are fitted. The rotary shaft and the lever are melted together at their interface between the projections and the grooves by ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ikeshima, Akira Iijima, Takashi Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 5845175
    Abstract: A drive member for use in a printing machine is provided. The drive member cooperates with a drive shaft to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member further cooperates with a torque transferring component to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member includes a body defining an aperture therein and an axis of rotation thereof. The drive member further includes a torque transferring feature associated with the body for transferring torque between the body and the torque transferring component. The drive member further includes a fit enhancing feature extending from the body toward the aperture for enhancing the fit between the body and the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar, Dhirendra C. Damji
  • Patent number: 5829909
    Abstract: A male coupler end fitting assembly in combination with a flexible conduit is disclosed. The male coupler includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having a male adaptor end and a conduit attachment end disposed on opposing ends of the cylindrical body portion. The male adaptor end has a chamfered surface terminating in a protruding disc shaped end face of a constant uniform diameter, and a transition bevel of a constant uniform diameter circumscribing the male coupler. A relief surface is formed which circumscribes the male coupler, the relief surface being disposed adjacent the transition bevel and perpendicular to ta longitudinal axis. An end face wall circumscribes the male coupler and is disposed adjacent the conduit attachment end and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ultraflex S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gai
  • Patent number: 5826385
    Abstract: A partition construction for subdividing a building space includes a partition frame having an open interior and defining a front side, a first cover covering a section of the partition frame with apertures for providing utility access, and a second cover slidably supported on the partition frame proximate the first cover. The second cover is slidable parallel the front side between a closed position covering the open interior and an open position providing access to utilities in the open interior. The second cover is semi-flexible so that it can be simultaneously slid along the partition frame and flexed away from the partition frame to a disengaged/removed position, thus allowing it to be removed even when the second cover is "trapped" on the partition frame by a furniture component attached to or positioned in front of the partition frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Dykstra, Russell P. Whitaker, Michael D. Elsholz
  • Patent number: 5823602
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an instrument panel construction that includes a structural instrument panel carrier of plastic material for mounting instrument panel components. The carrier is attached to side pillars located at a juncture of passenger and engine compartments so as to form a cross beam. The instrument panel construction has its external appearance determined by adding facial instrument panel coverings to the instrument panel carrier after the instrument panel components are mounted on the instrument panel carrier. The structural instrument panel carrier may also be integrated with a front of dash (FOD) panel that may be composed of the same material and that provides a second cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Kelman, John Gray, Michael Gorman
  • Patent number: 5795094
    Abstract: A composite structural member having an improved joint for securing loads thereto is formed from a body of composite sheet material. A loading member having an outer periphery and being configured to secure loads thereto is provided with an undercut portion or recess located along the outer periphery. The composite sheet material overlays the loading member about the outer periphery and has a lip formed from the sheet material which projects into and engages the undercut portion of the outer periphery. A retaining tension band is wrapped around the outer periphery of the loading member and the lip and maintains the lip in engagement with the undercut portion of the loading member so that the loading member is securely held in place relative to the sheet material when loads are applied to the loading member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Elbert Lee McKague, Jr., Ronald Kendall Cox, John Edward Phillips
  • Patent number: 5791803
    Abstract: A compressive holding device having two coupling pieces and forcible elements for reversibly, axially, and compressively engaging the two coupling pieces in mutual engagement, wherein one of the coupling pieces has a plurality of aligning elements and the other coupling piece has a plurality of cooperating elements, such that when the compressive interengagement is carried out, the aligning elements and cooperating elements cooperate in mutual abutment to achieve accurate positioning of the coupling pieces in a circumferential direction. The aligning elements and/or the cooperating elements are subjected to a force in the circumferential direction, such that the cooperating elements and aligning elements are brought into forcible mutual abutment. The coupling pieces respectively have cooperating reference surfaces extending transversely to the direction of compressive interengagement, which reference surfaces facilitate accurate axial positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: 3R International ab
    Inventor: Bengt Hakan Nordquist
  • Patent number: 5784850
    Abstract: A metal stud wall and method of assembling the same are characterized by stud spacer member comprising an elongate bar-like member and at least three equal spaced notches disposed along the elongate member for receiving and engaging therein a web of a metal stud. In the assembly of a metal stud wall comprising a row of metal studs each having at least two flanges interconnected by a web, the stud spacer member is inserted through aligned openings in the webs of three or more studs and the webs are engaged in the notches to position and hold the metal studs at a prescribed spacing. Successive spacer members may be inserted through further studs and overlapped with the preceding spacer member to position and hold the studs at the prescribed spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: William L. Elderson
  • Patent number: 5785397
    Abstract: An effective connector mechanism is described which allows modules (10, 12) to be easily and reliably connected and disconnected. This connector mechanism includes a coordinated arrangement of guide plates (28, 54) featuring mating guide rails (56) and U-shaped channels (32) along with matched sets of tapered pins (38, 40) with tapered slots (58, 59). The pins and slots are "tapered" in the sense that the pins have a slanted surface (52) on the shank (44) directly underneath the head (42) which urges the guide plate surface adjoining the slot downward after engagement and the slots have a slanted edge (66) at their closed end (62) which maintains contact with the pin after engagement. When mated together, the rails, U-shaped channels, pins and slots lock the modules into engagement in virtually every direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventor: John Pavelski
  • Patent number: 5776584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that a board having a convexed portion on a jointing surface thereof and a board having, on a jointing surface thereof, a concaved portion or a through hole to be engaged with the convexed portion are jointed with adhesives. Also, the present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that an adhesive is coated on the portion other than the convexed portion of the board so that the coating thickness is smaller than the height of the convexed portion, and then the board is jointed to another board having a concaved portion or a through hole, after making alignment of the boards. Further, the present invention relates to a rivet having means for fitting to and temporarily fixing to an inserting through hole, and a method of jointing boards which comprises a step for inserting, fitting and temporarily fixing the rivet having the means for temporarily fixing to the inserting through hole on the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kosuke Haraga, Naoki Yagi, Yoshinobu Nakashima, Yuzi Ganryu, Tsutomu Sasaki, Atsushi Takimoto, Yosiro Komazawa, Asao Okuda, Shoji Takagi, Akifumi Matsukawa, Hideaki Urata, Yasushi Kawashima, Kazumi Masuo, Kenji Honma, Isao Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5770320
    Abstract: A sheet metal member with a securing arrangement to securely attach the member to another sheet member. The securing arrangement is an elongate structure with two ends integral with an edge of a body of the sheet metal member. The elongate structure extends between its ends around a spatial area and has a specific width. The elongate structure is flexible to a greater width in which a locking part securely grips the other sheet member between the body and the locking part of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Hughes, Patrick T. Lawless
  • Patent number: 5762441
    Abstract: An end cap system for scaffolding planks, especially for hollow core planks, is disclosed. The end cap includes an extrusion having a plank-receiving portion on one side and a rib profile on the other for slidingly receiving scaffolding hooks. The end cap permits similar parts to be used for a wide variety of plank widths and allows for replacement of damaged hooks or the exchange of hook configurations as described. In the most preferred embodiment, the hooks are fixed to the end cap, such as by a set screw, after they are slidingly located at the desired position. The end caps of the present invention may be used with either "high" or "low" hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Safway Steel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stig Karlsen, Roger Frank
  • Patent number: 5758985
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for joining a piston in a precise leak proof junction on a rod utilizes an axial longitudinally elongated reservoir (A) in a bore within the piston which serves as a receptacle for a bonding agent (B), an annular groove (C) in the piston rod serves to position an O-ring member (D) serving as a support for the piston and as a closure on one end of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Yuda
  • Patent number: 5758559
    Abstract: A plastic film cutter for clamping to an upstanding edge of a carton housing a supply of plastic film. The film is pulled across the top of an elongated cutter body which has a groove to guide a sliding cutter. The lower portion of the cutter has a plurality of inverted "U" shaped clamps for fitting over the carton edge. At least one of the clamps has a projection on its inner surface to prevent the cutter from being used on cartons for which it is not intended, that is, cartons which do not have a corresponding cutout to receive the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: AEP Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Capitao, Jr., Paul H. Hollenbeck
  • Patent number: 5755109
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor and an evaporator interconnected by a refrigerant conducting tube. The tube passes through an opening in an internal wall of the refrigerator. The opening is formed by cutting a U-shaped slit into the wall, thereby forming an elastic plate, and then forming a groove having an open access end coinciding with a section of the slit. By elastically flexing the plate, the access end of the groove becomes exposed to enable the tube to be inserted into the groove. When the plate is released, it snaps back to a position wherein an edge thereof extends across the access end and keeps the tube pressed within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ik Guen Kim
  • Patent number: 5752781
    Abstract: A coupling for a cable routing system includes wall guides spaced apart by a thickness equal to a thickness of the walls of fiber troughs to be joined by the coupling. The wall guides carry a fastener system including a bracket disposed to oppose an external surface of a trough or fitting attached to the coupling. A fastener is carried on the bracket and is axially drivable to pierce and penetrate into the wall thickness of a coupled trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Haataja, Thomas Walter Kampf, Richard Alan Oftedahl, Wayne Albin Johnson, Gary F. Nault
  • Patent number: 5734148
    Abstract: A side panel is easily installable onto and removed from a welding machine using a minimum of fasteners and requiring only a small space on the side of the machine. The side panel includes clips joined to one edge of the panel. The clips have respective first legs secured to the panel, second legs that register with slots in the machine base, and third legs that elastically bend against a lip on the base. The restoring force of the bent third legs of the clips holds the clips second legs firmly against the base slot and thereby prevents vibration. Conventional fasteners are used to attach at least one other edge of the panel to the welding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Miller Electric Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steven D. Latvis, Ross C. Borchardt
  • Patent number: 5727896
    Abstract: A form fitted connection between an angular disc of an axial bearing on a connecting element with the angular disc bearing against an end face of the connecting element with the angular disc comprising at least one retaining lug engaging into an associated recess in an outer peripheral surface of the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Gerald Buer, Michael Beck
  • Patent number: 5704186
    Abstract: A construction element, preferably a constructional toy, including a tubular body portion and, formed integrally with each of the opposite ends thereof, a pair of gripping jaws, each pair constituting a coupling portion. The constituent jaws of each pair are oppositely disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion and are separated by oppositely disposed peripheral coupling device. The tubular body portion is formed with longitudinally directed, angularly spaced-apart, first coupling device. Each pair of the gripping jaws of the construction element can embrace a body portion of a second construction element, with the jaws not extending beyond a median plane of the body portion of the second construction element, and with inner surfaces of the pair of jaws conforming to the outer surface of said body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Tiltan 3 Dimensional Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Alcalay, Tomer Ganelevin
  • Patent number: 5702044
    Abstract: A movable spring end of a compression spring being stopped on a guide spindle by a special stop piece. The stop piece which is designed nonelastic and can therefore be manufactured of a nonrusting material, it thereby guarantees a hygienically satisfactory device, in particular when contacting food. The stop piece can be used particularly advantageously in tensioning pieces on conveyor chains, which are suited for the transport of packaging foil bands in packaging machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Convenience Food GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Ernst Christmann, Gerhard Fries
  • Patent number: 5671782
    Abstract: A coupling device allows for the rapid releasable connection of harness cords to lifting cords on weaving machines. A first coupler is connected to lifting cords and a second coupler is connected to harness cords. An intermediate coupler is removable connected to the first and second couplers. The intermediate coupler allows for quick and easy, manual or automatic, coupling and decoupling of the first and second elements. The second coupling elements and the intermediate elements are adapted so that only the connection therebetween is breakable when pulling forces are exerted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: N.V. Michel Van de Wiele
    Inventors: Thierry Lemaire, Carlos Derudder
  • Patent number: 5669663
    Abstract: A device for the quick-action fastening of a child's seat on a vehicle seat, has at least one plug-in connection with a plug assigned to the child's seat and a socket assigned to the vehicle seat. A locking member locks the plug which has been plugged into the socket. In order to provide a quick-action fastener for the child's seat which can easily be handled in a simple manner and without exerting force, the plug-in connection is associated with a tensioning device which, once the plug has been locked in the socket, draws the child's seat against the seat cushion and backrest of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Ingo Feuerherdt
  • Patent number: 5667184
    Abstract: There is provided a mounting construction of an elastic member of which one end is fixed to a mounting member fixed to and extending from a first member, the other end of the elastic member being engaged with a second member so that the second member is pressed against the first member, the elastic member having substantially a through hole extending in a pressing direction in which the second member is pressed. A first engaging portion, which is capable of being elastically deformed in a radially outward direction of the through hole, is formed on the one end of the elastic member. A first hook portion, being engaged with the first engaging portion, is formed on an end of the mounting member so that the first hook portion blocks a movement of the first engaging portion in a reverse direction of the pressing direction. The first hook portion may instead be elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuichiro Nawa, Masafumi Ishizuki
  • Patent number: 5655418
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a generally cylindrical hollow tube comprising at least one trunnion which is adapted for receiving a generally cylindrical hollow tube. The trunnion includes a radially stepped bore formed therein and extending between first and second ends of the trunnion. The stepped bore includes a first generally cylindrical portion extending axially from the first end toward the second end. The first portion of the bore has a diameter which is less than an outside diameter of the tube, so that the tube engages the trunnion in an interference fit throughout the first portion of the bore. The stepped bore further includes a second axially extending, generally cylindrical portion having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the first portion of the bore and greater than the outside diameter of the tube, so that the tube does not engage the trunnion in an interference fit in the area corresponding to the second portion of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Barnholt
  • Patent number: 5645150
    Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Daikin Clutch Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kajitani, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Yasunobu Fukatani, Hiroshi Teramae, Masaaki Asada
  • Patent number: 5638890
    Abstract: A casting shake-out unit has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is made of a plurality of interfitting segments which interlock and cooperate with each other to prevent a segment from falling out of the completed inner cylinder. Each segment includes tongues extending from opposing edges of the segment's body and pockets formed in the body. The pockets of one segment receive at least a part of the tongue of a neighboring segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 5628256
    Abstract: A shelving assembly for stands, wall-mounted shelves, and the like, includes a plurality of posts each having at least two longitudinally-extending sections joined together at an angle to each other along a juncture section. Each post is formed with at least one transverse slot extending through the juncture section and partly through the two longitudinally-extending sections, and is further formed on the inner face of the juncture section with a pair of coaxial eyelets on opposite sides of the slot. A panel is received within the slots of the posts, and a pin passes through each pair of eyelets and the panel for securing the panel to the posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Hoff Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Abraham Lazarus
  • Patent number: 5628154
    Abstract: A geodesic dome structure formed from a plurality of panels. The dome is shaped generally as a spherical icosahedron, and will generally be constructed as a spherical dodecahedron. Each of the panels is divided into nine triangular sections by a ribbing structure integral to the panel. The ribbing provides the panels with extra rigidity for support. This eliminates the need for any internal framing in the structure. The sides of the panels include interlocking means to bind the panels together. The interlocking means allow a user to simply snap the panels together to form the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: James A. Gavette
  • Patent number: 5622445
    Abstract: A device for fastening a wooden handle and a blade of a gardening tool comprises a connection member engageable with the wooden handle and the blade. The connection member is composed of two inner frame pieces, four outer frame pieces, and a connection space formed by two inner frame pieces for receiving therein a connection end of the blade. The wooden handle is provided at one end thereof with a connection slot dimensioned to receive therein two inner frame pieces of the connection member. The connection member is engaged with the wooden handle and the blade of the gardening tool such that two inner frame pieces are lodged in the connection slot, and that four outer frame pieces embrace securely the walls of the connection slot, and further that the connection end of the blade is held securely in the connection space formed by two inner frame pieces of the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Fu-Chi Gou
  • Patent number: 5618141
    Abstract: A modular merchandise signage system has a sign holder and a base removably attachable at a plurality of different orientations to the sign holder. The base comprises a clip specifically configured to attach the base to a hang bar. The sign holder and the base are configured to attach to one another at a plurality of different orientations with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Steven V. Field
  • Patent number: 5603138
    Abstract: An article for cleaning windows and vehicle interior windows includes a rigid backing element, a deformable backing element and a rubber ring having an unstretched circumference smaller than that of the rigid backing element. The backing elements are juxtaposed with one another and a paper towel is placed against the deformable backing element. The paper towel projects laterally and longitudinally of the backing elements. The ring is positioned adjacent the side of the paper towel which faces away from the backing elements. The ring is then drawn towards the rigid backing element and, in the process, folds the projecting portions of the paper towel around the backing elements. The ring is stretched to fit around the rigid backing element and, when released, clamps the projecting portions of the paper towel between itself and the rigid backing element. As a result, the portion of the paper towel adjacent the deformable backing element is firmly held and can be used for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Jacquelynn A. Bonis
  • Patent number: 5584154
    Abstract: A closure, such as a door or window unit, and a joint for such a closure are provided. The closure has an inside and an outside, and includes a plurality of first frame members alternately joined to a plurality of second frame members to form a planar frame, and a panel member is positioned within the frame. The joint, formed at each location where a first frame member abuts a second frame member, includes an end area of a first frame member, a mating area of a second frame member and a sealing member. The sealing member is disposed at the interface defined between the end area and the mating area to establish a weather-resistant barrier between the inside and the outside of the closure. A method for fabricating a closure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Morgan Products Ltd.
    Inventors: John E. Koepke, Charles R. Jackson