Patents Represented by Law Firm Christensen, O'Connor, Garrison & Havelka
  • Patent number: 4051503
    Abstract: An exposure display device for a single lens reflex camera including light display elements for displaying either shutter speed or diaphragm value is disclosed. Nominal values representing either shutter speed or diaphragm value are marked on a glass plate disposed in the vicinity of the focusing plate of the camera's viewfinder. A first display section, comprising a first set of light display elements aligned with (and, if desired, located inbetween) the nominal values, creates a first exposure component (e.g. diaphragm value or shutter speed) display whose value is related to predetermined exposure conditions, such as object brightness, film sensitivity and the other exposure component (e.g. shutter speed or diaphragm value). A second display section, comprising a second set of light display elements, also aligned with the nominal values, creates a second display of the exposure component chosen to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nayuki Uno, Tetsuji Shono, Fumio Urano, Masahiro Kawasaki, Katsuhiko Miyata
  • Patent number: 4051333
    Abstract: A circuit-energized voltage tester for determining whether or not the voltages on the tip and ring conductors of a telephone line are within their normal ranges is disclosed. The voltage tester is adapted for inclusion in a standard telephone repairman's handset and includes an energy storage circuit that becomes charged upon the application of handset test probes to tip and ring conductors if they are carrying a voltage greater than a predetermined level. Upon the closure of a switch, the energy thus stored energizes the remaining portion of the voltage tester. If suitable voltages are present on the tip and ring conductors, light emitting diodes forming a portion of a pair of optical isolators are controlled such that no measurement indication is provided. Specifically, the photo transistor portions of the optical isolators are alternately interrogated by a low frequency measurement control oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Communication Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Schomburg
  • Patent number: 4051394
    Abstract: An AC relay control circuit comprising a pair of back-to-back, series connected zener diodes control current flow through a control resistor. The control resistor is connected in parallel with parallel, reverse-connected light emitting diodes forming the light emitting portions of optical isolators. The photo transistor portions of the optical isolators are connected in parallel and control the generation of a trigger signal adapted to control the closure of relay contacts. Regardless of the instantaneous state of the AC voltage waveform (e.g., positive or negative), during the higher portions of the AC voltage waveform, one or the other of the LED's is forward biased and emits light, causing its related photo transistor to be turned on and the trigger signal to be at a low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jansey D. Tieden
  • Patent number: 4047411
    Abstract: As a part to be contour formed passes through the rolls of a pyramid roll forming machine, the vertical position of the upper roll is continuously controlled. Specifically, upper roll position feedback signals are summed with position command signals and the resultant position error signals used to control hydraulic actuators. The hydraulic actuators, in turn, control the position of the upper roll. In an elongate pyramid roll forming machine (e.g. one designed to contour panels or plates) both ends of the upper roll are controlled such that the axis of the upper roll may be skewed with respect to the axes of the lower set of pyramid rolls, or lie parallel to the axes of the lower rolls. In such a machine the positions of the ends of the upper roll are continuously controllable as a part is being contour formed. In a narrow pyramid roll forming machine (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gene B. Foster
  • Patent number: 4047681
    Abstract: In a landing gear of the type that includes a pivotally retractable shock strut, the overall length of the strut is shortened during retraction by a mechanism that is effective to force the shock strut piston to telescope into the shock strut cylinder. The mechanism includes a multiple section, foldable brace which when the landing gear is down functions to rigidify the shock strut and which during retraction folds into a compact, collapsed configuration. One end of the brace is pivotally connected to a collar which in turn is coaxially, rotatably mounted on the strut cylinder, while the other end of the brace is pivotally connected to a support point located on the underside of the wing and offset to one side of the plane of rotation of the strut so that the brace resides at a skewed angle to such plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Erwin H. Hartel
  • Patent number: 4048475
    Abstract: A system for checking the user of a card in a card-actuated machine such as automatic cash dispenser, wherein the card has recorded thereon two kinds of coded information for collation, which are changed every time the card is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Company
    Inventor: Shinya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4047441
    Abstract: A mechanical counterbalance assembly for an overhead, track mounted, aircraft door includes a frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in the frame, and a torsion spring interconnected between the shaft and the frame. As the shaft is turned in a first direction, the spring is wound so that a torque is applied to the shaft in the direction opposite to rotation. The spring rate of the torsional spring is selected so the spring torsional force slightly exceeds the component of the door weight acting along the path of motion of the door throughout the door travel. A cable drum is mounted for rotation on the shaft and is releasably affixed thereto. A cable is wrapped about the drum and has its free end connected to the overhead sliding door. A planetary gear train has its low speed input shaft coupled to the shaft and its high speed output shaft operatively coupled to a centrifugal brake and to a manually rotatable drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard Webster Kellogg
  • Patent number: 4046347
    Abstract: An adaptor assembly for converting a military cargo pallet for use in a commercial cargo-handling and tiedown system includes two longitudinal frame members and two lateral frame members. The longitudinal frame members are positioned adjacent the sides of a military cargo pallet while the lateral frame members are positioned adjacent the two ends of the cargo pallet. Each of the frame members has a plurality of recesses extending outwardly from their inner sides arranged to receive laterally and longitudinally extending projections on the sides and ends of the military cargo pallet, which projections are utilized for tieing down the military pallet. A second plurality of recesses are spaced at predetermined locations along the length of the longitudinal frame members and extend inwardly from their outer sides and are located and sized to receive an extendable restraining member forming part of a commercial cargo tiedown system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Darold Ray Bryan
  • Patent number: 4044973
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly including an inlet channel, an exterior cowl, a fan channel, and a turbine exhaust nozzle is directly mounted on a turbofan jet propulsion engine. The engine in turn is shock mounted directly on a strut, in turn affixed to an aircraft. A central portion of the outer cowl is hinged to open in a clam shell manner about hinges positioned adjacent the strut location to expose the fan casing and engine accessories for maintenance and removal. A rearward portion of the nacelle assembly is formed in two D-duct structures that are also hinged to open in a clam shell manner about hinges positioned adjacent the strut location. The D-duct structures include portions of the outer cowl and of the fan duct walls. When the D-duct structures are open, the turbine casing of the turbofan engine is exposed for maintenance, repair and removal. A pair of beams, affixed at one end to the aircraft fuselage, and enclosed by an aerodynamic fairing, constitute the mounting strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James R. Moorehead
  • Patent number: 4044725
    Abstract: A plurality of resiliently yieldable, molded plastic links, each having complimentary ball and socket portions at opposed longitudinal ends, are snap-locked together to form a closed loop pet collar. One of the interlocked links is adjustable to release when subjected to a threshold collar tension, to protect the pet should the collar catch on some obstruction. For this purpose, the adjustable link includes an adjusting screw threadedly disposed in a longitudinal bore of the link and accessible for screwdriver adjustment through the socket portion thereof, and having an end extending centrally and longitudinally into the ball portion of the link. The ball portion of the link is slotted to modify the compressibility thereof and the internally mounted screw is longitudinally positionable to vary the ball portion compressibility and thus the threshold force required to release this link from the socket portion of an adjoining link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventor: Howard I. Miller
  • Patent number: 4044550
    Abstract: A containment shroud is attached to the exhaust outlet of a pneumatically powered turbine engine starter for containing the turbine wheel should it be inadvertently disengaged and expelled from the starter motor. The shroud includes a radially flared annularly shaped member attached to and extending outwardly or rearwardly from the exhaust outlet of the motor. A relatively massive central cylindrical member or button is positioned within the annularly shaped member adjacent the outer opening of the annularly shaped member. Four circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly extending bars tie the button to the annularly shaped member and position it adjacent the outer opening of the annularly shaped member. Should the turbine wheel dislodge from the starter motor, it will exit through the starter exhaust opening into the annular member and contact the button and inner surface of the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael Lee Vermilye
  • Patent number: 4043165
    Abstract: A three-point, air-bending sheet metal bender comprising a pair of elongated U-shaped finger dies mounted parallel to one another is disclosed. The elongated finger dies are mirror images of one another (when appropriately aligned) and, prior to bending, are spaced from each other by an amount generally equal to the thickness of the sheet of metal to be bent. The elongated finger dies are laterally position adjustable such that the "finger" of one die is alignable with the "palm" of the other die and vice versa; i.e., the finger of each die is alignable with the palm of the other die. During bending, the "finger" die remains fixed and the "palm" die rotates. As the palm die rotates, sheet metal located between the two dies is bent. The direction of bending, with respect to the plane of the sheet of metal prior to bending, is determined by the die that is chosen to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas V. Badger, Ralph Y. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4043522
    Abstract: A pod for mounting a turbofan jet propulsion engine on a strut is constructed so that a common cowl and portions of the fan air duct and turbine exhaust duct can accomodate a plurality of different turbofan engines that have substantially the same thrust rating but have variations in structural dimensions. The portions of the pod common to all such engines include an annular cowl, an inlet throat that merges into the forward end of the cowl to form an inlet highlight, a rearward portion of the outer fan duct wall, a rearward portion of the inner fan duct wall and a turbine nozzle. The common portions of the pod structure are designed about a common datum plane orthogonally oriented relative to the pod center line. The rear face of the turbine casing of each of the turbofan jet propulsion engines is positioned in this datum plane when mounted in the pod. An annular inlet adapter forms an inlet wall that couples the rearward edge of the inlet throat to the forward, peripheral portion of the engine fan casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, Aeritalia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Earl E. Vetter
  • Patent number: 4042191
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing the slot formed between the aft end of an extended leading edge flap and the leading edge of a wing includes a flexible, blade-type seal extending spanwise between the leading edge flap and the wing. The upper end of the seal is attached to the underside of the leading edge flap adjacent its aft end and extends downwardly therefrom. The bottom portion of the seal is normally spaced from the leading edge of the wing. The seal is flexible so that when air is flowing over the leading edge flap and the wing, airflow from the underside of the flap causes the lower end of the seal to move toward the leading edge of the wing and intimately engage the leading edge of the wing in sealing contact. After the bottom edge of the seal engages the leading edge of the wing, the differential pressure between the upper surface of the flap and the wing and the region below the leading edge flap maintains the seal in contact with the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kirby William Johnson
  • Patent number: 4041814
    Abstract: The method and devices are particularly adapted to dispense portions of a chain having relatively diametrically enlarged segments therein, such as master links, which are disposed at substantially regularly spaced intervals along the length of the chain, although the intervals may not and in fact need not be uniformly spaced. According to the method, the chain is supported so that it is movable relatively lengthwise thereof through the opening in a collar which is capable of being opened and closed about the chain, and the opening of which has a diameter of less than that of the relatively enlarged segments of the chain in the closed condition of the collar. When the collar is open, the chain is advanced lengthwise in the direction of the collar to the extent that a portion of the chain including one relatively enlarged segment therein, is fed through the opening in the collar and assumes a position on the opposite side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Morley Brotman
    Inventor: Cliff High
  • Patent number: 4040699
    Abstract: A plate, such as an escutcheon plate designed to overlie and cover a wall-mounted outlet receptacle, is provided with a centrally-located aperture extending therethrough which is aligned with a central cavity in a body member upon assembly. Both the aperture and cavity are configured to receive and retain a standardized male connector such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,869, Hardesty et al. A plurality of first grooves are provided in a lower surface of the central cavity of the body member and communicate with a corresponding plurality of bores through the body member, each of which in turn communicates by means of a second groove with one of a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities in the body member. A conductor is located in each one of the plurality of bores and has a first wire spring contact portion located within one of the plurality of first grooves and partially extending into the central cavity for engaging a corresponding contact in the male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Crest Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry R. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 4039163
    Abstract: A cargo ramp stowable within the cargo compartment of an aircraft and deployable between the sill region of the aircraft cargo opening and the surface of the ground is disclosed. The cargo ramp, which is arranged for ease of deployment and stowage, includes three hinged together ramp sections with the upper surface of each ramp section including track regions suitable for supporting wheeled vehicular cargo. The cargo ramp is stowed within the aircraft cargo compartment in a folded position with the lower cargo ramp section extending along the upper surface of the other two ramp sections. Each hinged portion of the cargo ramp is power actuated such that the cargo ramp sections can be readily swung together during a deployment sequence which utilizes the aircraft cargo roller system and a first deployment assembly that is mounted on the upper cargo ramp terminus. This deployment assembly includes rollers that are engagable with guide channels mounted on the floor of the aircraft cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Shorey
  • Patent number: 4039837
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a tomogram according to this invention include one elongated support member supporting an X-ray tube and a film device in an opposed relation with each other at both ends thereof and one vertical shaft supporting the elongated support member thereon. Movement of the axis of the shaft along a desired curve results in the movement of an X-ray beam in the state of the X-ray beam intersecting the curve. In the meantime, an angle of rotation around the axis of the shaft is adjusted so as to maintain an angle of intersection of the X-ray beam with the curve at a predetermined angle. A film surface is moved relatively with respect to the X-ray beam so as to allow the beam to scan the film surface. The velocity of movement of the film surface is synchronized with the movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Morita Seisakusho
    Inventors: Sadayasu Ohta, Akio Yada, Keizo Inoue
  • Patent number: 4038347
    Abstract: A humidifying apparatus has an evaporating chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. The chamber has a bottom wall for supporting a film of water to be evaporated. A drain is associated with the bottom wall for continuously draining water from the evaporating chamber during an operational cycle. A fan is connected to the air inlet of the evaporating chamber to discharge a stream of air into the chamber and across the bottom wall. A water holding tank, having a top wall containing at least one water outlet aperture, is so located in the evaporating chamber to position the aperture adjacent the air inlet and in the flow path of the stream of air. Water supply means selectively supplies water to the holding tank when the fan is operative. The supply means provides a pressure signal, but only when supplying water to the holding tank. A valve means, associated with a water outlet from the holding tank, is in a closed position responsive to the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Thomas B. Mickley
  • Patent number: 4038531
    Abstract: An improved particleboard manufacturing system wherein the weight of each mat for forming a particleboard is continuously monitored and controlled by a process controller as the mats are formed on a moving conveyor. The actual weight of each mat is determined and utilized by the process controller to selectively control the speed of the conveyor and the rate at which wood particles are deposited by a series of formers that are located along the conveyor system to thereby control the weight of mats currently being produced. The process controller includes a control system for continuously controlling mat weight by supplying former speed control signals that are related to a predicted weight error signal, developed within the control system, and a measured weight error signal equal to the difference between a desired or target weight and the actual weight of each mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: Alton L. Loe, Jr.