Patents Represented by Law Firm Fishburn, Gold and Litman
  • Patent number: 4297116
    Abstract: A separator is described which includes an elongate vessel defining a chamber having a wall therein dividing the vessel into a gravity chamber and a filter chamber with the gravity chamber communicating with an inlet for receiving a contaminated gas stream containing foreign suspended particles and the filter chamber communicating with an outlet for discharging gas substantially free of foreign particles. A strainer-diffuser member having a conical side wall is inside of the gravity chamber and connected to the inlet whereby the conical side wall forms a bore converging longitudinally of the direction of gas flow from the inlet, said side wall having a plurality of holes with inner edge portions protruding inwardly in the bore and forming barriers to the flow of liquid particles over the inner surface of the conical side wall so that liquid accumulates and is jetted through the holes in liquid drops that fall to the bottom of the gravity chamber, the gas flowing through said holes into the gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Aitken, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Cusick
  • Patent number: 4295966
    Abstract: An oil refiner is provided with a fluid containment vessel which is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a domed plate. The vessel also has a top with a fluid channel therein. The vessel lower chamber contains a filter media preferably enclosed in a cartridge. Oil to be refined is conducted first through the fluid channel in the vessel top, then through the filter media preferably being evenly dispersed into a lower region of the filter media by a radially directing nozzle with a plurality of angularly spaced openings therein. After flowing through the filter media the oil passes through the capillaries in the plate onto a dome shaped evaporation surface thereof. The oil spreads over the evaporation surface in a generally uniform manner even when the vessel is tilted from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventors: Ralph W. LeBlanc, Robert M. Bingham
  • Patent number: 4294393
    Abstract: A wire spoke, non-suspension type, automotive wheel in which the spokes are operably untensioned prior to vehicle loads being placed upon the wheel. An outer tubeless tire rim with a drop center is mounted to a wheel center which includes a substantially thick and solid felly connected to a concentrically positioned hub. Wire spokes extend radially outward from the hub in circumferential array and have tenons or feet on inner ends thereof which are anchored within recesses at front and rear ends of the hub. Radially outer ends of the spokes are plain terminations welded in the shape of a plug anchor within circumferentially spaced bores in the felly to secure the spokes and permit wheel formations which exhibit the classic beauty and elegance of a suspension wire spoke wheel, combined with durability, strength and ease of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Weldwheels, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Weld
  • Patent number: 4294500
    Abstract: A rotary electrical junction assembly includes a rotor and a stator separable into halves for installation and maintenance. Preferably, the rotor has brushes and the stator has split slip rings engaged by the brushes. The slip ring halves are interconnected with corresponding ring halves and are positioned on individual nonconductive backing members stacked together to form slip ring stacked halves mounted on the stator halves. The backing members are semicircular and each includes a circumferential insulator wall with opposite ends which overlap to provide concinuous insulation between adjacent slip rings. The brushes are mounted on brush racks having rollers to engage tracks on the stator. A split outer housing covers the rotor and stator and has recesses receiving the brush racks. The housing is clamped onto a rotary support member and the brush racks revolve about the stator upon rotation of the rotor support member, thereby providing continuous conductive contact between the brushes and slip rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Jack A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4289339
    Abstract: A fitting for connection to a metal plain end pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve section sized to receive and cradle a pipe end portion, an annular seal in the sleeve section for forming a fluid-tight connection between the pipe end portion and the fitting and a locking rod extensible into the sleeve section. The locking rod is received into a bore extending substantially tangentially through a wall of the sleeve section and communicating with a sleeve section interior surface over less than a cross-sectional circular periphery of the bore whereupon a segment of the wall of the bore forms an intersection with the interior surface along the length of the bore. The locking rod has a metal cutting tip for tangentially cutting a groove along the intersection in a pipe end portion received in the sleeve section. The locking rod is securely retained in the groove as a key for firmly locking the pipe into the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Meyertech Incorporated
    Inventor: Arne H. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4288942
    Abstract: An aerodynamic device having a concave-convex disk member with a rim and a substantially flat portion terminating in a downwardly curved portion adjacent the rim forming an upper convex surface with vanes on the disk to effect outward air flow in response to rotation of the device. A device with the disk having an air opening in the flat portion and a second disk member within the first disk member with the periphery of the second disk member adjacent and spaced from the rim with an air discharge aperture therebetween, said disk members having ribs therebetween for effecting air flow outwardly in response to rotation thereof for providing increased lift to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas H. Nicholl
  • Patent number: 4288114
    Abstract: A fitting for connection to a metal plain end pipe includes a generally cylindrical socket section sized to receive and cradle a pipe end portion, an annular seal in the socket section for forming a fluid-tight connection between the pipe end portion and fitting, and a locking device extensible into the socket section for securing the pipe end portion to the fitting. The socket section has a first bore extending from an exterior surface substantially through the socket wall and a coaxial, second bore of lesser diameter than the first bore extending the remainder of the way. The locking device includes a shaft having a head end and an opposite tip end for extension through the first and second bores and inwardly of the socket wall interior surface for engagement with a wall of a pipe end portion positioned in the socket section. A ring seal around the shaft engages a side wall of the first bore for providing a fluid-tight engagement between the shaft and the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Meyertech Incorporated
    Inventor: Arne H. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4286500
    Abstract: A rotary control valve for an expansion fluid driven engine has a body with inlet and outlet ports and a distribution port communicating with an engine cylinder. A shaft in the body has first and second discs thereon and rotates in synchronization with reciprocation of the engine piston. The first disc has a pressure fluid passage therethrough and the second disc has an exhaust fluid passage therethrough. Sealing pistons in the body urge against the discs and have passages therethrough respectively connecting the pressure fluid passage with the inlet and distribution ports and the exhaust fluid passage with the distribution and outlet ports. The rotation of the discs alternately permits and stops flow of fluid to and from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Havaco Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert L. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 4286891
    Abstract: A connector for an elongate member in frame structures such as seating, scaffolding and the like, in which an elongate member is removably secured to another member to extend therefrom in selected angular relation. The connector includes a lug on one member and extending therefrom and shaped to be received inside of a tubular end of a second member with the lug and a partition in the second member having facing surfaces at an angle to a line on which the second member extends from the first member with fastening means drawing the partition toward the lug to clamp the adjacent end of the second member to the first member, the tubular portion of the second member having an opening adjacent the fastening member for access thereto, the engagement of the second member with the lug and first member and the relation of the partition to the lug cooperating to orient and fix the second member relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Fixtures Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James L. Gerner, Arde Ramesbothom
  • Patent number: 4287581
    Abstract: A device for detecting ultrasonic noise, particularly such noise as generated by fluid leaks, includes a directional ultrasonic microphone, amplifiers and ultrasonic filters, an envelope detector, an audio preamplifier and filter, a level control, a meter, an audio power amplifier and speaker, and a phase shift feedback network connected from the output of the power amplifier to an input thereof. A switch is operable in a first setting to connect the power amplifier to the level control to convey the audio frequency amplitude envelope of the detected ultrasonic noise through the speaker or in a second setting to connect the power amplifier to the feedback network. A level detector is operatively connected to the level control and provides a control signal which is conducted to the feedback network. When the control signal exceeds a selected level, the feedback loop circuit is completed, whereby the power amplifier oscillates audibly through the speaker and gives audible indication of an ultrasonic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Dory J. Neale, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4286519
    Abstract: Web letterpress equipment is converted to offset lithographic equipment by modification of a driven letterpress impression cylinder to receive an offset blanket, thereby producing an offset blanket cylinder. A letterpress plate cylinder is modified to become an offset plate cylinder with accompanying offset inking and dampening equipment. In one embodiment a drive letterpress plate cylinder of a color hump is packed to become an offset impression cylinder cooperating with the offset blanket cylinder. In a second embodiment the letterpress plate cylinder of the color hump is modified to an offset color plate cylinder and a driven offset impression cylinder is added to cooperate with the offset blanket cylinder. In this manner at least two colors may be offset printed on one side of a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Smith R.P.M. Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4285520
    Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card that is common to all, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of delineated areas, such as squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Maynard E. Small
  • Patent number: 4284288
    Abstract: A portable folding bicycle for compact storage in a folded position utilizes a main frame having front and rear frame sections supporting front and rear wheels and hinged together for folding and positioning the wheels into compact side-by-side relationship. A seat structure is removably attached to the rear frame section and power transmission members such as crank assemblies, sprockets and a drive chain extend between the rear frame section and the rear wheel for causing powered rotation. The front frame section has at least one frame member defining a receptacle for receipt of the front wheel upon folding, and a steering assembly affixed thereto and including upper and lower end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Inventor: Roger G. Fulton
  • Patent number: 4281928
    Abstract: A precision optical square instrument for use in optical tooling to accurately determine lines and planes at right angles to each other, such as horizontal and vertical lines and planes. The instrument employs focusable telescopes mounted at right angles to each other and supported between spaced arms of a standard rotatably mounted on a spindle connected to a base, such as for rotation about a vertical axis. The standard has opposed arms with trunnions therein supporting a first telescope for rotation about an axis, such as horizontal, for creating a first plane of view and positioned perpendicularly of the axis of rotation of the standard about the spindle. The optical axis of a second telescope perpendicularly crosses the optical axis of the first telescope at the juncture of rotative axis of the spindle with the first telescope and is rotatable orthogonally to the optical axis of the first telescope for creating a second plane of view perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Brunson Instrument Company
    Inventor: Amber N. Brunson
  • Patent number: 4281719
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for pivotally attaching a cultivator tool to a frame member of mobile farm equipment comprising an upright support bracket, an extension spring, and a tool holder member which is pivoted with respect to the bracket. The tool holder member has a web portion and side flange portions. Near the shank receiving end of the tool holder member the flange portions are folded under the shank to form a shank receiving socket which snugly holds the shank and prevents transverse movement thereof relative to the holder member. The spring is also pivotally attached by a connector member to the holder member. The tool holder member includes a cutout portion in the web thereof such that a pair of rims are formed which extend inwardly from the flanges. The connector member includes a sleeve extending between the flanges and having a pair of external cylindrical surfaces near each end thereof which engage the rims of the tool holder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Kent Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Hake, Nelson J. Palen
  • Patent number: 4280280
    Abstract: A radius plate structure for use in aligning a vehicle wheel resting thereon has a bottom plate member and an upper plate member positioned in overlying relation to the bottom plate member and connected thereto. A bearing cage is situated between the bottom plate member and the upper plate member and permits smooth rotational and translational movement of the upper plate member. The particular connection permits rotational movement while restricting translational movement to front to rear movement of the upper plate member relative to the bottom plate member. Rotation stopping connectors, such as a pin extending through an aperture and received in an elongate slot aligned front to rear, extend between the bottom plate member and the upper plate member and lock the upper plate member relative to the bottom plate member at a selected amount of rotation whereby only front to rear translational movement is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Kansas Jack, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. Eck, Lyle Horgen
  • Patent number: 4280448
    Abstract: An animal sorting device is provided wherein the animals are individually weighed in a chute which has an exit opening into two segregation areas. A pair of exit gates and control mechanism therefor allow selective blockage of the exit or alternatively direct egress of an animal from the chute into one of the two areas. The control mechanism for the exit gates allows for remote operation thereof and for securing the exit gates in a desired position such that the animals cannot reposition same. An entrance gate is also provided. The exit gates and entrance gate may be manipulated by a single operator from a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventor: Jerry L. Ostermann
  • Patent number: 4276728
    Abstract: A floor grid is provided for a trafficway for removing debris from traffic passing thereover. The grid comprises a support structure below the surface of the trafficway, a plurality of spaced tread rails defining an upper surface which is generally flush with the surface of the trafficway and being supported by the support structure, and a plurality of traverse spacer bars or channels positioned immediately beneath the tread rails. Each tread rail is secured to each spacer channel by a bolt where both cross. Each bolt has a head which is received in and is slidable, when the bolt is not tightened, along a pair of confronting slots in an associated tread rail. Each of the slots has a flat vertical surface which respectively butt against a pair of flat vertical surfaces of the bolt head preventing rotation of the bolt relative to the tread rail. Preferably the slots are just high enough to snugly receive the bolt heads. Feet extend outwardly from the lower end of each tread rail and engage the spacer channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude P. Balzer, Edward M. Corman
  • Patent number: 4270794
    Abstract: A retractable seat structure for movement between an open, extended position and a foldable, retracted position has a frame for mounting within a wall and a seat assembly foldably mounted relative to the frame. An elongate pivot member such as a rod extends across the frame and is secured to opposite frame end members. The seat assembly contains an interior panel member and has brackets secured to opposite rear corner portions of the panel member in order to suspend the seat panel member from the rod for up and down folding movement with the panel member rotating relative to the rod. A resilient member such as a coil spring is sleeved on the rod and has one end nonrotatably connected to the rod and another end extending laterally outward and secured to the seat panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Dale E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4266755
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting a fastener, such as a nail, imbedded in a workpiece, such as a board. The apparatus includes an upright stand with a workpiece support table and a power ram actuated head mounted over the support table for forcing a projecting fastener end downwardly and dislocating a fastener head outwardly of the workpiece. A puller structure mounted below the support table is connected to a second power ram for swinging movement toward and away from the workpiece and the support table. The puller structure carries opposing grippers or jaw members extending upwardly toward the support table and connected to a third power ram for opening and closing the grippers or jaw members and seizing a fastener head therebetween. When the puller structure swings downwardly, the fastener is pulled from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Detrick