Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Cummings & Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6045136
    Abstract: A split sealing member for a rotary shaft comprising a coiled body, with non-adjoined ends, having a plurality of turns about a central axis, bent along the course of the body such that the body is divided into a radially-inner portion and a radially-outer portion wherein the radially-inner portion defines a first plane and the radially-outer portion defines a second plane which is substantially transverse to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Garlock Inc.
    Inventor: David G. White
  • Patent number: 6044284
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for measuring in vitro the concentration of meconium in amniotic fluid, a plurality of sensors are placed in predetermined locations throughout an amniotic sac. Each sensor includes a blue light-emitting diode having a peak transmission wavelength centered at about 430 nm, a transducer comprising a blue-enhanced photodiode for converting the light received from the light-emitting diode to a voltage signal, and an operational amplifier for amplifying the voltage signal. The light source and transducer are spaced a predetermined distance relative to each other, and define an amniotic fluid passageway therebetween for receiving the amniotic fluid. A micro-controller calculates, in accordance with an empirically-determined linear equation, the meconium concentration based on the natural log of each transducer signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Leonard I. Eisenfeld
    Inventors: Leonard I. Eisenfeld, John Young Oh
  • Patent number: 6043894
    Abstract: A method for maintaining substantial reliability of color measurements obtained by a number of color measuring instruments includes by measuring color values of a set of master color standards on a master color measuring instrument at a master color lab, and measuring color values of sets of working color standards on the same instrument to determine calibration values. The working sets are provided to remote locations for use on remote color measuring instruments and the working sets are measured on the remote color measuring instruments to obtain color value measurements which are transmitted to the master color lab. The measurements from the remote instruments are compared with the calibration values obtained from measurements on the master instrument to generate profiles which are provided to the remote color labs. The profiles are applied to measured color values for the set of working color standards to obtain corrected color values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: GretaMacbeth LLC
    Inventors: Harold R. Van Aken, Ronald G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6041094
    Abstract: The present invention provides a partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque marker and a method for using such a marker for radiographic examination. The marker and the disclosed method may be employed for the examination of tissue structures of various densities. The radiographic density and thickness of the marker are selected so that when the marker and an underlying tissue structure are exposed to xray radiation of a specified energy, the marker casts a legible shadow without obscuring anatomical detail present in the underlying tissue structure. The invention also provides a system of partially radiolucent, partially radiopaque markers for use in the method of radiographic examination taught by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Donald G. Russell
  • Patent number: 6039827
    Abstract: A composite barrier can and method of making same for use with industrial magnetic drive pumps. The barrier can is used to prevent leakage between the inner magnet assembly attached to the pump and the outer magnet assembly attached to the pump drive or motor. The barrier can is a non-metallic, composite barrier can composed of fiber and resin and includes a pole piece. The nonmetallic material and high strength configuration of the composite barrier can permits pump operation at high speeds and pressures with negligible eddy current generation. Using the composite barrier can results in minimizing heat developed in the coupling area and minimizing horsepower required from the motor. A resistance temperature detector is operatively positioned on the exterior of or within the fiber layer of the can such that the sensing portion of the detector is located proximate the closed end of the can. A method of manufacturing the barrier can is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: IMO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Margaret D. Cramer
  • Patent number: 6038778
    Abstract: A ruler for aiding in packing a stuffing box surrounding a shaft having a measurement scale comprising at least one mark for delineating the optimal compressed height of a compressible set of packing rings, each packing ring having about the same optimal compression and dimension, and a linear series of graduation marks of repeat basic measurements units for delineating by the distance between the graduation marks the height of non-compressible bushing rings of about the same dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Garlock Inc
    Inventor: Albert L. Harrelson, III
  • Patent number: 6036116
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly is disclosed which includes a nozzle body having opposed inlet and outlet ends and an elongated passage extending therebetween. A fluid inlet passage communicates with the elongated passage through a side wall of the nozzle body. A member is disposed within the elongated passage and has a neck portion, a head portion, and an air passage extending therethrough. An annular chamber is defined by the elongated passage and the neck portion. The head portion cooperates with a shoulder defined within the elongated passage and has an outflow slot intersecting the air passage. Fluid is fed through the fluid inlet passage into the annular chamber, is metered into the outflow slot, and therein mixed with air emanating from the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc
    Inventor: Quy Duc Bui
  • Patent number: 6036317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of spectral or colorimetric characterisation of a self-illuminatng imaging system, in which the imaging system produces a color field which is matched visually with a reference color field, wherein a transparent color filter film with known spectral or colorimetric reference values which covers a reference color area of the imaging system is used as a reference color field. The invention also provides for the use of the method of spectral or colorimetric characterisation of a self-illuminating imaging system for calibration of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Bjorn Seegers, Thorsten Braun
  • Patent number: 6033158
    Abstract: In a small-shank cutting tool for an automatic lathe or like turning machine, the tool shank defines at least one tool-supporting region having a width of less than 9 mm on a tool-supporting end of the shank. The tool-supporting region defines a tool recess formed by two tool-supporting surfaces oriented at an acute angle relative to each other. A rhomboidal-shaped tool insert of the cutting tool is seated within the tool recess of the shank with two sides of the insert each engaging a respective tool-supporting surface of the shank, and a substantial portion of the other two sides of the insert extending beyond the end of the shank and forming a cutting tip for cutting a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: William R. Fountaine
  • Patent number: 6026602
    Abstract: An internally illuminated sign having indirect illumination provided by light emitting diodes (LED). A plurality of LED's are mounted on a printed circuit board (PC board) and mounted within the sign. The PC board is offset to a side of the sign housing with the somewhat directional LED light source directed toward a reflector. The reflector is angled to convert the generally narrow directional light source of an LED into a substantially even, diffused and non-uniform light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Prolume, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Grondal, Robert M. Johnstone
  • Patent number: 6027322
    Abstract: A rotor adjusting apparatus for adjusting flank clearance between the lands of meshing first and second rotors in a positive displacement screw machine is disclosed which includes a base configured to mount proximate an end of the meshing first and second rotors in the screw machine. A locking mechanism is supported by the base and operatively configured for locking the first rotor shaft in a fixed position relative to the base. An adjusting bar is configured to attach to the second rotor shaft for rotational adjustment thereof in relation to the first rotor to establish clearance between the land flanks of the meshing first and second rotors. A measuring tool is adjustably mounted to the base permitting measurement of rotational adjustment of the adjusting bar. A second locking mechanism is supported by the base and operatively configured for locking the adjustment bar in a fixed position in relation to the base and, thereby, the second rotor in relation to the first rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc
    Inventors: James T. Ferentinos, Richard W. Kirkland, Ronald N. Smith
  • Patent number: 6023826
    Abstract: A valve packing compression apparatus and method of use therefor are disclosed for compressing packing rings into a stuffing box of a valve bonnet which has a gland follower. The compression apparatus includes a base plate configured to support and consistently position the valve bonnet. A rocker arm is pivotally attached to the base plate. A hydraulic ram is also attached to the base plate and extends to contact one end of, and thereby pivot, the rocker arm. The opposite end of the rocker arm includes a pair of tines which straddle a yoke support arm of the valve bonnet and align with the gland follower. Hydraulic fluid is provided to the ram by a hydraulic pump through a pressure regulator. When the hydraulic ram is activated to extend, the tines contact the gland follower, thereby compressing the packing rings a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Garlock Inc
    Inventors: Albert L. Harrelson, III, Boris W. Haritonoff, T. Scott Tanner
  • Patent number: 6015153
    Abstract: A dynamic labyrinth sealing device which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotator annular engagement flange have coacting radially extending openings for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Garlock Inc
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Sharrer
  • Patent number: 6003422
    Abstract: A variable pitch band saw is provided which has a toothed edge comprising a plurality of recurrent groups of teeth. Each group includes an unset leading tooth and a plurality of teeth that are alternately set laterally to opposite sides of the saw. Each tooth has a cutting edge disposed in a predetermined cutting plane and an accumulated pitch distance between it and the next preceding saw tooth having a cutting edge coplanar with said predetermined plane. The size of gullet area of each tooth is made directly proportional to the accumulated pitch distance of that tooth so that the size of the gullet areas are the same for all teeth having the same accumulated pitch. Each of the tooth groups may include teeth of varying height and degrees of lateral set, some of the teeth of each group having a different pitch, measured from the tip of one of said teeth to the tip of a tooth adjacent the one, to avoid uniform tooth spacing between all the teeth to the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: American Saw & Mfg. Company
    Inventor: James R. Holston
  • Patent number: 6005214
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two piece metal housing having wear resistant interior surfaces is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: machining, by wire electrical discharge machining, a slightly oversized shape into an assembled two piece, split metal housing; disassembling the two piece, split metal housing; applying a hard material to the inner surfaces of the machined area of each of the two pieces with a hard material; after completion of the material applying step, reassembling the two pieces of the split metal housing; and machining the interior surfaces of the surfaces of the area where the hard material was applied to the reassembled metal housing by wire electrical discharge machining to predetermined dimensions. The wear resistant material is preferably a ceramic material, tungsten carbide, or a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) applied hard-coating or other conventional material usable in the specific application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Margaret D. Cramer
  • Patent number: 5997005
    Abstract: A hub seal for installation on the wheel end of a heavy duty trailer or truck is disclosed which includes an annular casing defining a radially outer circumferential canal, a thrust ring defined by a ring of polymeric material disposed within the circumferential canal, and an annular sleeve mounted coaxial with the annular casing. The annular sleeve includes a deflector ring configured to mechanically remove at least a portion of the thrust ring upon relative rotation of the casing and sleeve to create a minimal running clearance between the deflector ring and the thrust ring. A method of fabricating a hub seal having a machinable thrust ring is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Stemco Inc
    Inventors: Mark N. Gold, Laurence B. Winn
  • Patent number: 5996819
    Abstract: A display stand is provided for lamp shades which includes an upstanding axial mast and a plurality of display members which are mounted on the mast in axially spaced apart relationship. Each of the display members includes a central hub portion mounted for rotation relative to the axial mast and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arms projecting radially outward from the central hub portion to define an outer diameter of each display member circumscribing the spaced apart arms. Each display member has the same outer diameter with respect to the axial mast and each arm has an upstanding post extending therefrom for supporting a plurality of nested lamp shades in a manner suitable for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Arthur J. Klein & Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Monroe Klein
  • Patent number: 5988084
    Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a workpiece clamping unit which clamps and carries a workpiece along the surface of the bed during stitching operation, and a workpiece clamping unit driving mechanism comprising a driving means and a motion converting means. The driving means comprises first and second drive shafts, first and second driving sources for driving the first and the second drive shaft, and first and second compound plate cams fixedly mounted respectively on the first and the second drive shafts. The motion converting means converts the angular motions of the first and the second drive shaft into motions parallel to the upper surface of the bed (6) of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Singer Company N.V.
    Inventors: Kenichi Soutome, Shingo Murata, Naohisa Iso
  • Patent number: 5983791
    Abstract: An improved end-seal carrier assembly for supporting a seal in a seal-type continuous dampener. The seal is supported by a backing plate and pressed against the ends of the dampener's rollers. A carrier shaft is fixedly mounted to the backing plate. A shaft housing is mounted to the sideframe and has a hole extending longitudinally there through into which the shaft is mounted so to rotationally and longitudinally translate with respect to the sideframe. A coil spring is wound about a portion of the carrier shaft and has a first spring end operatively engaging the backing plate and a second spring end operatively engaging the shaft housing. The coil spring is configured to induce both a compressive and torsional bias between the backing plate and the sideframe. The shaft housing is rotatable for winding the coil spring and thereby establishing the torsional bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Varn Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wall, Clifford Volpe
  • Patent number: D421361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Singer Company, N.V.
    Inventors: Richard Coulson, Ian Gvozdek, Dennis L. Kappen