Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Emrich & Dithmar
  • Patent number: 5979821
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a web from a roll of paper includes a housing and a cover connected thereto to provide access to the housing interior. The dispenser has mechanism for supporting a paper roll and a drive roller and tension roller operatively associated therewith which urges paper from the paper roll into contact with the drive roller for dispensing a length of paper from the paper roll. Actuator mechanism operates the drive roller and extends across substantially the entire housing at the bottom thereof. A roller frame assembly is mounted within the housing and carries the tension roller and a transfer roller. The transfer roller releasably holds the free end of a first paper roll while paper from the second roll is dispensed upon actuation of the actuator to rotate the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Alwin Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. LaCount, Diane L. Stephan, Todd G. Welsch, Alan J. Pierquet, Alan P. Paal
  • Patent number: 5976881
    Abstract: A detection device for testing gloves or other protective clothing or equipment for breakthrough by a contaminant includes a pad carrying a reagent which is responsive to the contaminant for producing a color change. A barrier layer covers the reverse side of the pad to prevent escape of chemicals therefrom and an adhesive strip is secured to the barrier layer for attachment of the pad either to the skin of the user or to the inside of the glove or other clothing so that the obverse side of the pad is adjacent to the inside of the glove. In one embodiment the pad is impregnated with the reagent which directly reacts with the contaminant to produce a color change. In another embodiment, plural reagents are carried respectively in separate regions of the pad and, after exposure to the contaminant, a carrier solvent is applied to the pad which brings the reagents into intimate contact for cooperation to produce the color change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Colormetric Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Klingner
  • Patent number: 5978004
    Abstract: A label printer includes a thermal print head assembly for printing pressure sensitive adhesive-backed labels spaced longitudinally on a web. The print head assembly includes a row of heater elements aligned transversely of the web path and movable toward and away from the web, the heater elements being biased against the web. Mechanical displacement of the print head assembly due to the passage of the leading and trailing edges of the labels beneath the heater elements is sensed by a piezoelectric sensor carried by the print head assembly to locate the printing on the labels with respect to the edges. The sensor may be mounted directly on a pivoting print head or may be mounted on a pivoting support or bracket which carries the print head. The print head assembly may be of the thermal printing or thermal transfer printing type. Both individual and stacked piezoelectric ceramic transducer elements are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 5978727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analysis of engines analyzes digitized input signals from, for example, engine injectors and compares this digital data with the corresponding values of a digitized template or comparison signal. Compliance or divergence between the digitized signal values is indicated in bar graph form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Electric U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Barbara L. Jones, Kenneth W. Peter, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 5975493
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling the flow rate of viscous materials through a nozzle includes an apertured main body and an apertured end cap coupled together and having an elongated, linear flow channel extending the length thereof. An end of the main body is disposed within the end cap and includes a plurality of elongated slots concentrically disposed about and aligned with the flow channel. A generally flat cam plate having a center aperture is disposed between the main body and end cap and is rotatable about the flow channel. A plurality of flow control vane assemblies are concentrically disposed about the flow channel and are coupled to the cam plate. Each vane assembly includes a vane element disposed adjacent the end of the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: William A. Ellingson, George A. Forster
  • Patent number: 5973274
    Abstract: A dynamometer, which includes a frictional drive assembly for engaging a pair of vehicle tires, and a lift assembly including two air bags for respectively lifting the vehicle tires and the associated portion of the vehicle to a raised position out of engagement with the drive assembly, has a controller operating under stored program control and pressure sensors connected to the controller and in fluid communication with the air bags. The pressures in the air bags when the vehicle is lifted are used to calculate the weight lifted in accordance with a straight-line functional relationship between air bag pressure and vehicle weight lifted for a particular type of air bag. A routine for calibrating the weighing system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Zarchy
  • Patent number: 5970826
    Abstract: A socket tool is formed primarily from non-metallic composite material. The socket tool body is compression molded of high-strength, glass-reinforced vinyl ester sheet molding compound. Metal inserts are respectively received in the driven and driving ends of the tool body, the inserts respectively defining openings for respectively mateably receiving associated driving and driven members, the inserts being disposed in the body so that no portion of the inserts projects outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the body. The inserts are preferably insert molded in the body, but may also be fixedly secured in pre-existing recesses in the ends of the body, as by press-fitting or bonding. In the latter case, the inserts are provided with anti-rotation outer surfaces which are non-circular in transverse cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean J. Iwinski, Marco E. DeVecchis, Gregory A. Zurbuchen, George Ulics
  • Patent number: 5971308
    Abstract: A wire dereeling assembly for the continuous removal of wire from adjacent reels of wire includes a frame assembly positioned above the reels and located substantially perpendicular to a centerline extending through the reel axis of each of the reels and a guide member slidably mounted to the frame member and operable between a first position substantially coaxial with the reel axis of one of the reels and a second position where the guide member is positioned substantially coaxial with the reel axis of the other adjacent reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: National-Standard Company
    Inventor: Norman B. Boulton
  • Patent number: 5964009
    Abstract: A driving tool, such as a screwdriver, has a handle with an injection-molded, relatively hard and rigid inner body, molded around a tool shank, the inner body having an elongated central portion with two end flanges extending laterally outwardly of the central portion around the entire periphery thereof, with the central portion having a peripheral groove formed therein adjacent to an end flange. An outer gripping body of a relatively soft and resilient material is injection molded around the inner body, surrounding said central portion of said inner body and filling said groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hoepfl, Christopher D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5963198
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery and/or recycling system includes fluid flow control mechanism controlling the flow of refrigerant between a refrigerant containing structure and an associated refrigeration unit, under the control of a microprocessor-based control circuit. The system has a text-based display screen and selective input keys including software-definable keys respectively associated with different regions of the display screen and respectively associated therewith by indicia on the screen bezel. Memories are coupled to the control circuit for cooperation therewith to control the display of messages on the display screen and for defining functions performed by the software-definable keys in accordance with the corresponding messages displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Husarik
  • Patent number: 5958106
    Abstract: A method of producing a non-metal element or a metal or an alloy thereof from a halide or mixtures thereof. The halide or mixtures thereof are contacted with a stream of liquid alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof in sufficient quantity to convert the halide to the non-metal or the metal or alloy and to maintain the temperature of the reactants at a temperature lower than the sintering temperature of the produced non-metal or metal or alloy. A continuous method is disclosed, particularly applicable to titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: International Titanium Powder, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Donn Reynolds Armstrong, Stanley S. Borys, Richard Paul Anderson
  • Patent number: 5957777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing fasteners such as self-piercing rivets, self-piercing studs, plugs, inserts, etc.. In such method a blank is provided and said blank is subjected to a rolling process causing material of the blank to flow radially towards said central axis and axially so as to axially lengthen the blank, with said predetermined geometry of said finished fastener being formed by said rolling process. In addition, a mandrel can be used to precisely define the geometry of the fastener. Fasteners made by the method of the invention are much cheaper than fasteners made by conventional upsetting and extrusion processes. Furthermore, the fasteners made by the method of the invention generally have the advantage of superior grain flow and closer manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Rivet Technology ( P) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jayajit Singh, Naresh Ummat
  • Patent number: 5956869
    Abstract: A shoe sole and heel construction includes a midsole having a cavity formation therein opening at an outsole-facing surface thereof and lined with a thin perforated liner sheet. The cavity formation may include metatarsal and heel cavities and a restricted recess extending therebetween. The liner sheet covers not only the cavity walls but also portions of the outsole-facing surface immediately surrounding the cavity formation. An outsole is hermetically attached to the outsole-facing surface for closing the cavity formation to form a chamber formation with air at atmospheric pressure trapped therein. The outsole may also have a cavity formation therein which cooperates with the midsole cavity formation to define the chamber formation, and the outsole cavity formation may be congruent with the midsole cavity formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Energaire Corporation
    Inventor: Nam Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 5955149
    Abstract: A release coating composition and a method of forming a release coating on a bakeware substrate using the coating composition is provided. The release coating composition includes (i) an acrylic resin, (ii) an epoxy resin, and (iii) a silicone release agent. The release coating composition can be formed in two parts, a base coat composition and a top coat composition. The base coat composition may include an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a color additive and appropriate solvents. The top coat composition may include an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a silicone release agent, a silicone resin and appropriate solvents. Each of the parts can be separately applied to the bakeware substrate and heated to form a release coating. In some cases, the top coat composition alone may only be applied if fabrication of the coated substrate will not be severe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Material Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Edmund J. Kuziemka
  • Patent number: 5955662
    Abstract: A dynamometer includes a pair of vehicle wheel-engaging rolls coupled through a clutch to a passive power absorption unit which includes a flywheel and an eddy current brake. A lift between the rolls can raise the vehicle wheels out of engagement with the rolls without braking the rolls The lift cooperates with a frame for partially covering and protecting the access one of the vehicle rolls so that, when the lift is raised the vehicle can be driven off the dynamometer substantially without contact of the vehicle wheels with the access roll. The dynamometer is calibrated by using the vehicle wheels to accelerate and decelerate the rolls, with deceleration activating the clutch to decouple the flywheel, which is then used for a coast-down test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Severino D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 5954250
    Abstract: A harness to enable the wearer to carry an article such as breathing apparatus comprises a waist belt (9) carrying a waist plate (1) to which a back plate (21) is secured. The harness includes shoulder straps (20) and a coupling (41,50) for securing the article to it. The back plate (21) is moveable with respect to the waist plate (1) to facilitate movement of the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Draeger Limited
    Inventors: Maurice Van Hall, David Ian Middleton, Henri Schwegman, James Leslie McMillan, Ian Barrett
  • Patent number: D414095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Hoepfl, Christopher D. Thompson, Michael G. Gentile
  • Patent number: D414098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Eggert
  • Patent number: D414634
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Sheldon Laboratory Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor L. Smith, Vincent A. Pari
  • Patent number: RE36379
    Abstract: A tool chest includes a lidded base defining a storage compartment therein and a pegboard-type tool pallet adapted to carry tools on an obverse side thereof and shiftable between a first position overlying and covering the storage compartment with the obverse side up, and a second position upstanding from the rear end of the base with the obverse side forward and supported against the open lid for uncovering and providing access to the storage compartment. In one embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the base with a link arm and has handles for lifting the pallet between its first and second position. In a second embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the lid so that when the lid is opened it pulls the pallet up to its second position. The front end of the pallet has pins or rollers supported on guide rails for guiding movement between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Slivon, Nancy C. Rittmann Gasperi, Kenneth C. Happ, Erick E. Alfaro, Roman L. Bauer, Alex F. Burns, Jason Chak Chung Chan, Alois Kadlecek, George A. Niles