Patents Represented by Attorney C. H. Castleman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4887788
    Abstract: A device for absorbing the energy of vibration of one of two abutting members which has begun to vibrate due to forces applied to either of the two abutting members, so as to reduce the frequency and magnitude of vibration of one of the two abutting members. The primary energy absorbing element is a piece of elastomeric resilient material which contains a core (or cores) of a substantially incompressible, highly efficient dampening material; the presence or absence of this core of highly efficient dampening material will depend upon desired device stiffness and dampening characteristics. The primary energy absorbing element is surrounded by a flexible reinforced shell which contains and restrains said element, yet allows said element to deform in the transverse and vertical directions. Two end pieces or mounting plates are secured to opposite ends of the primary energy absorbing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Fischer, Douglas J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 4888234
    Abstract: A composite structural material and a method of making it, which material is thermoformable and capable of being rigidified by application of a resin, and which is useful in certain electronics applications because of a metallic layer incorporated within the structure. A layer of a selected metal is needle punched onto a fibrous batt of selected synthetic thermoplastic fibers, which is then thermoformed to a desired shape and rigidified by contacting with, and being embedded in, a suitable resin. Specific applications of the use of this composite include a parabolic dish-shaped antenna, an electromagnetic interference shield for electronic equipment, and a radioactive emission shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Formed-Fibre Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Smith, Elwood G. Trask, Paul Ellis, Jon Johnston, Brian Campbell, Leon Rorie
  • Patent number: 4885928
    Abstract: An adjustable and moveable depth stop for locating an item to be crimped in a crimping apparatus of the type with first and second crimping rings that are arranged coaxial with and axially spaced apart from each other along a ring axis, the rings having facing frustoconical surfaces that engage oppositely facing frustoconical surfaces of a plurality of crimping members interpositioned between the rings and substantially circumjacently arranged around the ring axis. One of the rings is moveable toward the other a predetermined distance and the crimping members and depth stop move in the direction of the ring axis and in relation to the moveable ring an amount that is one-half that of the moveable ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Davis, Gerald F. Klaes, Jack L. Harris, Paul L. Douglass
  • Patent number: 4883729
    Abstract: An assembly for preventing a battery terminal from rotating with respect to a battery container. The assembly is comprised of a collar having an aperture therethrough and a washer having an aperture therethrough which has a configuration substantially similar to the cross sectional configuration of a threaded portion of the terminal. The annular collar defines two faces having separate sockets formed therein. At least one nut is mated with the threaded portion of the terminal to releasably secure the washer within the socket formed in one face of the collar. The collar and washer cooperate to maintain the terminal and the container in a set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Product, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4864918
    Abstract: A diaphragm for pumps or the like of a dish-shaped body of nonreinforced thermoplastic elastomer having a curvilinear flexure sidewall portion of substantially less thickness than the central and flange portions to which it connects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Dieter Martin
  • Patent number: 4854481
    Abstract: A collapsible fluid storage receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical elastomeric reinforced inner bladder and a generally cylindrical elastomeric reinforced outer casing that substantially surrounds the inner bladder in such a way that at least an interior reservoir and an outer reservoir are defined. A sealingly attached first outlet permitting fluid communication between the interior reservoir and the exterior of the fluid storage receptacle, as well as a sealingly attached second outlet permitting fluid communication between the outer reservoir and the exterior of the fluid storage receptacle, are included to aid in the filling up and the dispensing of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Aleck Bohl, Leandro Valdez
  • Patent number: 4843969
    Abstract: An externally propelled load transporting apparatus that transports a uniformly distributed, non-uniformly distributed, or shifting load upon a cushion of air by first directing pressurized air into at least two plenum chambers and then through at least one flexible perforated sheet, wherein each plenum is substantially, independently pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Brad A. Chaffee, George E. Morse
  • Patent number: 4839480
    Abstract: A vehicle sensing device comprises an electrically insulating elongate carrier (1) with two electrical conductors (2,3) extending longitudinally of the carrier and spaced apart transversely of the carrier so that there is no direct contact between the conductors. A strip (14) of elastomeric material overlies both conductors and is in contact therewith in areas distributed along substantially the whole of their length. The strip (4) being such that in the absence of a given level of applied pressure the strip forms a barrier of high electrical resistance between the conductors, and that in the presence of applied pressure above the given level in any region of the strip, that region of the strip forms an electrically conductive path between the conductors. The carrier, conductors and strip are wholly encapsulated in a jacket of water-resistance and abrasion-resistance elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Alan Bickley
  • Patent number: 4838843
    Abstract: A toothed power transmission belt having a high modulus polyurethane body, an aramid type -II tensile member occupying up to about 88 percent of the belt width, and a wear-resistant fabric disposed along the belt inner surface at the tooth flanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: William L. Westhoff
  • Patent number: 4837066
    Abstract: A carpeting material of nonwoven synthetic thermoplastic resin fibers, capable of being folded so as to fit onto sharply irregular surfaces such as car trunk liners, made by the process of needle-looming a nonwoven carpeting material having higher and lower melting temperature synthetic thermoplastic resin fibers, subjecting the material to sufficient heat to soften and subsequently harden and rigidify one side of the carpeting, and then punching two substantially parallel rows of regularly spaced slots in the back side of the carpeting material. The slots of one row are arranged so that they are staggered in relation to the slots of the parallel row. The arrangement of slots in the back side of the carpeting enables it to be sharply folded while maintaining tear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Formed-Fibre Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat A. Quinn, Scott C. Billings
  • Patent number: 4818586
    Abstract: A nonwoven textile fiber panel, useful, for instance, in manufacturing car truck liners, in which synthetic thermoplastic fibers that vary in fiber length, diameter, denier, and/or density are needle-punched to produce a carpeting material, which can then be directly utilized, or thermoformed to retain a desired shape. The fibers that one desires to show up on the face side of the final product are preferentially driven by the needle barbs of a needle loom through the precursor batt material. This preferential needling can also be enhanced through selection of various needle lengths, needle diameters, and barb spacing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Formed-Fibre Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Smith, Elwood G. Trask
  • Patent number: 4815926
    Abstract: A ground effects device of the type that introduces pressurized air into a plenum chamber, that then travels through a perforated flexible sheet to form an air cushion, the improvement therein that no air dispersion means are present in the plenum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventors: Bradley A. Chaffee, George Morse, Roger Payne
  • Patent number: 4798566
    Abstract: A power transmission belt with discontinuous fiber protruding and bent from oppositely facing friction driving surfaces to expose lateral side portions of fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Douglas R. Sedlacek
  • Patent number: 4790569
    Abstract: A T-shaped connector for use in automotive radiator cooling systems, in which each nipple is radially enlarged to form a substantially frusto-conical obverse taper, an apex, and a substantially frusto-conical reverse taper having one or more shouldered steps cut into it. The height of the apex is determined as a function of the elastic properties of the rubber hose to be connected to the coupling, a rubber hose is slid onto and over the radially enlarged portion, and a substantially frusto-conical ring is seated onto that portion of the hose fitting over the reverse taper of the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company
    Inventor: Bradley A. Chaffee
  • Patent number: 4780379
    Abstract: A multicell lead-acid battery having a low profile, unitary combination cast-on-strap and intercell connector configured relative to other components of the battery to be resistant to vibrational forces. A method for forming the connector features a heat sealing step to provide a tight mechanical fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Puester
  • Patent number: 4780359
    Abstract: A nonwoven textile panel for use as a fire retardant and sound deadening barrier in the interiors of aircraft, comprised of three layers of nonwoven textile fibers of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and Nomex brand aramid fibers that have been carded, cross-lapped, needle punched and thermally bonded by heating the panel to the temperature softening point of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers. The fibers are capable of being thermoformed and retaining a permanent shape due to the thermoplastic properties of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Gates Formed-Fibre Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Elwood G. Trask, Ronald W. Adams
  • Patent number: 4769299
    Abstract: A normally sealed starved electrolyte recombinant lead-acid cell of high discharge rate capability whose plates have a thickness from about 0.007 to about 0.027 inches, and whose grids are formed of high hydrogen overvoltage lead with a thickness of from about 0.005 inches to no more than 0.019 inches, with an inter-plate spacing of typically from about 0.005 to about 0.020 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4765799
    Abstract: Latex coated electrodes comprising a foraminous, electrically conductive substrate which supports a paste comprising a mixture of (a) finely divided, particulate, rechargeable, active material and, (b) a fibrous interconnecting network of an unsintered, uncoalesced, hydrophobic linear fluorocarbon polymer, wherein said active material is dispersed throughout and bound in said fibrous network and being accessible to said electrolyte and to gas being generated during overcharge of the cell have excellent mechanical integrity. These electrodes have a greater storage life than similar uncoated electrodes and rechargeable cells employing these electrodes have excellent electrical properties with respect to both voltage characteristics and pressure buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Sammy E. Waldrop
  • Patent number: D304926
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr.
  • Patent number: D304927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. W. Ching, Jr., Neil Puester