Patents Represented by Attorney Bruce L. Birchard
  • Patent number: 4977681
    Abstract: A bore gauge having a fixed and an opposing automatically-adjustable contact anvil, each such anvil having an extended length in the direction of the axis of the bore being gauged, the gauge having a body about which is adjustably secured a reference plate which sets the depth at which the contact anvils make contact with the inner wall of the device the bore of which is being measured, the adjustable contact anvil being mechanically coupled to the dial-actuating rod of a dial indicator for reading the bore diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen L. Jiles
  • Patent number: 4934178
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for determining the density of a gas by measuring the time for a predetermined its flow through a sub-sonic square-root restrictor, such as a venturi, the rate of increase or decrease of the pressure in a reference chamber, a semi-continuous measurement means utilizing a motor driven, constant rate-of-movement piston being disclosed as well as a continuous density measurement means including a sub-sonic square-root restrictor followed, in fluid flowing fashion by a sonic restrictor venting to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Donald R. A. Jones
  • Patent number: 4901400
    Abstract: A de-hiding tool for use in slaughter houses in which a spring biases the reciprocating cutting blades into intimate facial contact to prevent debris from entering the driving mechanism, but achieves long life and low maintenance by interposing a low-friction element between the biasing spring and the nearest cutting-blade face, such element and the spring being carried in one cover of the tool coaxially with the cutting blades, the low-friction element being movable towards the nearest cutting-blade face under pressure from said spring, the tool being capable of adjustment to optimum operational speed by reason of an adjustable needle valve carried in the air channel to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph K. Karubian
  • Patent number: 4896200
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based radiation detector comprising a semiconductor substrate and an amorphous semiconductor layer formed on one surface of the substrate, one electrode being applied to the substrate and one to the amorphous layer, the electrodes formed on the amorphous semiconductor layer consisting of closely spaced, interconnected conductive strips which are substantially uniformly arranged over the entire radiation-incident surface of the amorphous semiconductor layer whereby the electrostatic capacitance appearing between the electrodes of the detector is significantly reduced without significantly changing the area of the detector that responds to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasukazu Seki, Noritada Sato, Masaya Yabe
  • Patent number: 4856212
    Abstract: Cordless-iron apparatus in which the sole plate of the cordless iron is covered with a polyimide film synthesized by a polycondensation reaction between an aromatic tetrabasic acid and an aromatic amine. Such a film exhibits a broad range of temperature stabililty, thus permitting the heating of the sole plate to relatively high temperatures without wrinkling of the film and without causing scorching of the fabric to be ironed. Steam pressing without spotting is achieved by metering the water flowing to the heated recess in the non-exposed region of the sole plate, which sole plate has apertures for the passage of steam therethrough, the polyimide cover for the sole plate also being apertured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Joseph Dikoff
  • Patent number: 4849725
    Abstract: A multipolar circuit breaker having a lower case portion with side frame plates and a central frame plate facing the side frame plates on its two major sides, the central frame plate having a deep central groove which forms two flexible central frame plate arms each facing one of the side frame plates to form a nacelle sized to receive one of the switching mechanisms, each of the side frame plates and the arms of the central frame plate having, proximate to its free end, at-least-one inwardly facing protrusion, each of which is in a position opposed to the corresponding protrusion on the companion plate forming the nacelle and, after the respective switching mechanisms are installed, overlapping the side plates of each of the switching mechanisms, the arms of the central frame plate having been deflected to permit insertion of each switching mechanism, deflection in testing or use being prevented by inserting a high dielectric strength plastic stiffener in the groove separating the arms in the central frame p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Nakano, Hideo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4849621
    Abstract: A non-contact, non-electromagnetic, compact, lightweight rotating body rotational-position detecting apparatus in which a disk or ring-shaped light source is spaced from a light receiving plate having thereon a region of photovoltaic material, by a shield plate which is coupled to the rotating body. The shield plate has a light-passing aperture therein so that the area of the photovoltaic material which is exposed to the light source varies with the angular position of the rotating body. The light source, photovoltaic regions, light shield and the shaft carrying the light shield and coupled to the rotating body are coaxial, the voltage produced across the load coupled to each of the photovoltaic regions being a function of the angle of rotation of the rotating body, thus indicating the angular position of the rotating body at any moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yanase, Koetsu Fujita
  • Patent number: 4842289
    Abstract: A mobile ski locker comprises an enclosed cabinet, The cabinet having a frame with interconnected vertical and horizontal members and panels carried thereon, all of the panels except the front panel being fixed in position, the front panel including a hinge to form a door for the cabinet, the door being securable in a closed position by a combination lock and a key-operated lock, skis and ski poles being selectively secured to the rear panel of the cabinet by clamps having locks which are operable by the same key as that which opens the key operable lock on the door of the cabinet, the cabinet having an upper compartment and a lower compartment for wet items, the floor of the compartment being perforated to promote water drainage, the cabinet being made mobile over wet, dry or snow-covered surfaces by reason of the combination of wheels and runners secured to the cabinet at its lower rear edge, a collapsible handle being provided for easy movement of the locker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: G. Kevin Samuels
  • Patent number: 4834403
    Abstract: A bi-directionally convertible infant car-seat/stroller in which the conversion is effected by operating a single pushbutton which is mechanically coupled to a pair of pawls on opposite sides of the car-seat/stroller, such pawls engaging respective detents in discs or drums rotatably supported from the frame of the apparatus on opposite sides of the apparatus until withdrawn against the force of respective return-spring by the operator's actuation of a single control button which is mechanically coupled by means of flexible cables or rods to such pawls and causes such withdrawal when desired, the result of such withdrawal being the enabling of the movement of the front and rear wheel assemblies of the car-seat/stroller from an extended to a folded position and vice versa as result of the coupling of pivot arms carrying the front and rear wheel assemblies being rotatable with the disc when the pawl associated with each disc is withdrawn from the detent in the disc, as a result of which the apparatus can be con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventors: Theodore M. Yanus, Kevin M. Collins, Cynthia L. Collins, Robert J. Spicer
  • Patent number: 4823573
    Abstract: A steering wheel locking mechanism comprises an elongated bar. One end of the bar is positioned adjacent the center of the steering wheel. An arcuate boot having the same radius of curvature as the curvature of the steering wheel and the same cross sectional curvature as the curvature of the cross section of the steering wheel is mounted over an arcuate segment of the periphery of the steering wheel. The concave surface of the boot embraces the outer periphery of the steering wheel. The steering wheel has at least one spoke connecting the steering wheel shaft at the center of the steering wheel with the periphery of the steering wheel. A portion of the elongated bar lies over the spoke. A chain is welded to the bar and is wrapped around the spoke and is attached to the chain lock with the concave surface of the boot embracing the outer surface of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Lee M. Latta
  • Patent number: 4821992
    Abstract: A picture hook with a controllable safety closure which prevents accidental dislodging of the picture or other object being suspended from the hook while, at the same time, permitting easy removal of the suspended object when such removal is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4809907
    Abstract: A slot-less, one-piece container formed of scored cardboard, or its equivalent, the shape of such container being sustained by locking flaps which form interference fits with contiguous side-wall members and one of which simultaneously overlaps bellows-folded joining members between side members to keep the side-wall members in normal relationship to a base member, the locking flaps being in opposing pairs, each pair having a pair of abutting end members, one pair of end members lying on the base portion and the other pair of end members lying on the cover portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventor: Karen J. Langer
  • Patent number: 4796347
    Abstract: A plastic-pipe puller tool for installing subterranean utility pipes has a shaft portion, one tapered end on the shaft portion for snugly fitting within the inner wall of the plastic pipe to be installed and a second coupling end which may have a coupler which is rotatably supported from the shaft portion, to permit rapid and easy joining of the plastic pipe to the pipe-pulling means, whether a bore-pipe or a pneumatic hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventors: Domingo V. Aguillen, Jr., Pete P. Casares, John E. DeForrest, Kevin C. Green, Rocque A. Kavanagh, Bryan Wilkinson, Marc K. Marks, Gerardo Zuniga
  • Patent number: 4766993
    Abstract: There is provided specialized conveying apparatus for transporting articles which are confined to a tube or chamber within which the cleanliness is maintained at extremely high levels by utilizing existing precipitator and other apparatus, the motion of the pallet on which the articles to be processed are carried being produced by a motor-driven truck which is isolated pneumatically from the article-carrying pallet but which is coupled magnetically to elements on that pallet so that the pallet is levitated in the controlled atmosphere and caused to move by the moving of a truck in the isolated driver portion of the apparatus, all of the dust and other contaminants which are produced in the frictional process of driving the truck being isolated from the clean chamber in which the article is being processed by reason of a nonmagnetic wall separating the driver portion from the conveying portion of the apparatus, the result being the ability to obtain previously unachievable, high levels of cleanliness in the cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadae Kita, Akihiro Okuno
  • Patent number: 4764110
    Abstract: An orthodontic face bow in which the outer bow is coupled firmly but separably to the inner bow by magnetic means and the inner bow is coupled to opposite molars in the mouth of the patient by a combination of mechanical and magnetic means, all to the end that, at a predetermined force the outer bow will separate from the inner bow and, at a higher force, the inner bow may be removed from the mouth of the patient so that prevention of injury to the patient by the inner bow may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Harry L. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 4763656
    Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve stimulation device and method in which trains of pulses with exponential decay-times but having fixed amplitudes, fixed widths at the time-axis and fixed repetition rates have their decay-times modulated over a series of discrete values or continuously by means of binary-counter-switched time-constant capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Beatrice T. Kester
    Inventor: Edward A. Nauman
  • Patent number: 4755054
    Abstract: An optical-fiber-based spectrometer utilizes a compact, P-C-board-mountable optical multiplexer which permits multiple channels of reference and measurement data from remote and hostile environments to be analyzed in rapid sequence utilizing synchronized computer data-storage and comparison to give rapid-fire answers to the question of the presence or absence of species of interest in a sample or process being analyzed, the relative light level in the reference and data channels being balanced by an optical attenuator having only an air path, attenuation being effected by controlled misalignment of optical fiber ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: E-Squared Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark B. Ferree
  • Patent number: 4735599
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus for a gas transmission system which includes radiator fans each driven in a desired direction from its respective drive-motor by way of a drive-belt with an associated belt tensioner, such belt tensioner including a one-way sprag-clutch coupled through a shaft and sheave to a respective drive-belt and having a direction of free rotation which corresponds to the direction of motion of said drive-belt necessary to produce motion of its respective radiator fan in the desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Paul A. Leonard
  • Patent number: 4703767
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for maintaining pneumatic tools comprises applying, in an automatically timed sequence, to the tool to be maintained, compressed air mixed with diesel oil; flushing air and compressed air mixed with lubricating oil; the tool being secured during maintenance by the combination of a pneumatically operated clamp and a slope-walled lower-end cup and being totally enclosed to prevent escape of maintaining oil-mist to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventors: Jack H. Spitler, Elden L. Goodenow, Lawrence E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4689598
    Abstract: An electrical fuse having an element which includes a strip of conductive metal connectable to the fuse terminals, the strip of conductive material having a plurality of holes through its thickness dimension spaced along the center line of its width, successive ones of the holes through the strip each having a slot joining that hole with an opposite one of the edges from the edge joined by the adjacent hole and its associated slot, the spacing of the holes and their associated slots being such that the current flowing through the fuse element is forced to zig-zag through regions which constrict the current and successive regions which have broad area and volume so that undesired abnormally high temperature rises within the fusing element, which might arise with ordinary over-loads which are not destructive and would cause unnecessary opening of the fuse element, are prevented, while, at the same time, the sensitivity of the fuse element to destructive current surges is retained and, if necessary, fusing time
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishikawa, Kiyohisa Yoshigae