Patents Represented by Law Firm Fitch, Even, Tabin & Luedeka
  • Crankshaft-forming apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4030172
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a multiple throw crankshaft from metal rod in a single forming operation. The ends of the rod are held in axially movable units through which electrical resistance heating to a deformation temperature may be effected. A forming head for each throw is clamped about the rod at a precise location therealong. The forming heads are mounted on individual carriages, which are axially movable along the machine base, and each supports a subcarriage for horizontal transverse movement on the carriage driven by a horizontal cylinder. Each subcarriage supports one of the forming heads plus a vertical cylinder for moving the head transversely up or down. Control means is capable of simultaneously actuating the horizontal and vertical cylinders associated with any individual forming unit to thus achieve composite deforming movement of the forming head in any desired transverse angular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Elvin O. Gentry
  • Bait bucket
    Patent number: 4030227
    Abstract: A bait bucket is disclosed having a receptacle for holding live bait and having a combination lid and bait scoop. The lid includes an end portion which projects downwardly into the receptacle when the lid is covering the receptacle and which serves as a bait scoop when the lid is removed from and inserted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Everett J. Oftedahl
  • Adjustable storage racks
    Patent number: 4030611
    Abstract: An adjustable storage rack utilizing end frames wherein front and rear columns are interconnected to provide fixed fore-and-aft spacing. The columns are apertured at spaced intervals to attach beams having mating connectors. The columns include apertured vertical members which are shortened to terminate substantially above the floor plus unapertured posts which extend to the floor and overlap with each other along a distance preferably at least equal to the shortened distance. The upper ends of the posts are closed while the bottom ends of apertured members are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Speedrack Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony N. Konstant
  • Gas analyzer method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4027972
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining relative amounts of first and second gases in an unknown mixture of gases. Radiant energy is directed serially through reference volumes of the first and second gases and a volume of the unknown gas. The absorption of the radiant energy by the respective gas volumes is varied at different frequencies. The amount of radiant energy passing through the respective gas volumes is detected and a signal is developed representative of the ratio of the amounts of the first and second gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Andros Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald W. Davies
  • Metal recovery unit
    Patent number: 4026784
    Abstract: An improved metal recovery unit for recovering metal from metal-laden liquids by electrolysis. The metal recovery unit comprises container means including a tubular cathode defining an upright substantially cylindrical wall having a top end closed by cover means and a bottom end closed by base means. In one embodiment, metal-laden liquid is introduced into the container means through a first opening in the cover means disposed generally adjacent the anode. Metal-depleted fluid is withdrawn from the container means through a further opening in the cover means at a location spaced apart from the first opening. An elongated anode is concentrically disposed within the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Inventor: James R. Rivers
  • Nuclear battery shock-support system
    Patent number: 4026726
    Abstract: In a nuclear battery utilizing the Seebeck Effect to produce an electric voltage, a shock support system is disclosed wherein thermally conductive spring means and alignment caps support a thermoelectric converter between a heat sink and an independently supported heat source so as to cushion the converter from vibration and shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventor: Homer Charles Carney
  • Cup and package of cups
    Patent number: 4024951
    Abstract: A plurality of stacked cups are nested and axially constrained against separation to assure cup-to-cup sealed engagement with portions of adjacent cups to prevent sifting of product from sealed enclosures between adjacent cups. The cups are thick walled, one piece molded plastic cups formed with integral radially inwardly projecting shoulder means spaced upwardly of the bottom wall of the cup. A marginal portion of an adjacent telescoped cup abuts and rests on the shoulder means to form the sealed enclosure for the deliquescent or hygroscopic material which can be reconstituted with the addition of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Compact Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Foster Green
  • Syringe
    Patent number: 4024865
    Abstract: A syringe is described incorporating a hollow body, a plunger therein, and a needle extending axially from the hollow body. The force required to depress the plunger is controlled by a friction device engaging the plunger, the friction device being adjustable by a threaded friction screw mounted in the hollow body. A finger grip is mounted on the friction screw and may be turned to adjust the position of the friction screw relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Howlett
  • Shaft assembly
    Patent number: 4025210
    Abstract: The assembly of a shaft with a torque-applying or -resisting load member in which the shaft is provided with a non-circular cross-section at the site of the assembly and the load member has an aperture adapted to receive the shaft and to transmit to the shaft a torque in at least one direction, and the assembly is maintained by an attaching member which is mounted on the shaft adjacent to the load member, and is capable of transmitting a torque to the shaft opposed to that of the load member and the load and attaching members are biased in opposite directions rotationally of the shaft and fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Pontiac Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl B. Johnson
  • Flexible hinge pin
    Patent number: 4024605
    Abstract: A flexible hinge pin is disclosed for connecting belt fasteners which are attached to adjacent ends of a conveyor belt. The hinge pin includes a central stranded core with an outer spirally wrapped metallic ribbon overlay. Means in the form of end caps are secured to the opposite ends of the stranded core to prevent unwinding of the core and ribbon overlay. A flexible plastic layer surrounds the ribbon overlay and provides a seal between the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Albert E. Henke
  • Jewelry box
    Patent number: 4023674
    Abstract: A jewelry box is disclosed for holding a necklace or the like therein, which has a removable lid with two apertures through which the posts of a pair of earrings can be placed, with the earring clasps being attached to the posts on the underside of the lid. The decorative portion of the earrings are preferably in the form of flowers which greatly enhance the appearance of the jewelry box when the earrings are attached thereto. The earrings can be easily removed and worn if desired. Indicia on the upper surface of the lid may provide the outline of leaves and stem for the decorative flower portion of the earrings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Inventor: Patricia A. Manley
  • Method for making nuclear fuel rods
    Patent number: 4024209
    Abstract: A mold cavity is only partially filled with nuclear fuel particles and is closed. The volume of the cavity is then reduced until the fuel particles substantially fill the mold cavity. The mold may be heated and a fluid solidifiable binder injected into the mold cavity to fill the interstices between the fuel particles while the cavity volume is further decreased during injection of the binder to avoid formation of voids. Flow of excess binder through an upper vent passage assures complete filling of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventors: Albert S. Ballard, Roy G. Cooper, Dwight E. Davis
  • Radiation-sensitive control circuit for driving lamp at various power levels
    Patent number: 4024428
    Abstract: An exposure system is described employing a lamp and means for controlling the exposure time period during which light from the lamp at a preselected level is passed through a light path to an exposure plane. Light is detected in the light path and the brightness of the lamp is adjusted according to the sensed light to provide the preselected level of light output from the lamp during the exposure period. Also described is a method for operating such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Optical Associates, Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald Bachur, George E. Richardson
  • Coated particles
    Patent number: 4022660
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel particle wherein a core, up to about 250 microns in diameter, of a normally solid fissionable material is completely encased in a shell having at least two concentric layers. A yielding of carbonaceous material about 5 to about 50 microns thick is disposed inward of a layer of substantially impermeable refractory material, e.g., pyrocarbon, up to about 100 microns thick. Examples of the yielding layer include carbonized synthetic polymer resins and sooty pyrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventors: James R. Johnson, Harold G. Sowman
  • Air drag reducing means for bluff vehicles and the like
    Patent number: 4022508
    Abstract: Means for reducing the air drag on bluff vehicles are disclosed which facilitate improved fuel mileage and reduce induced air turbulence adjacent the vehicle. In one embodiment the air drag reducing means employs an airvane member secured in spaced relation to an air flow guide element in kit form for mounting adjacent a corner edge of the bluff surface to prevent separation of air flow from the corner edge and adjacent rearward surface of the vehicle and develop a net forward thrust on the air drag reducing means. Another embodiment includes an airvane member and means for mounting it adjacent a smooth curved windward corner edge of a bluff surface on the vehicle so as to define an air flow passage through which air passes from the bluff surface in attached relation to the corner edge and adjacent rearwardly extending surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Systems, Science and Software
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Kirsch, Edward A. Day
  • Composition of matter for the coating of plant products for their preservation and process of making same
    Patent number: 4021262
    Abstract: A coating which breathes and limits transmission of moisture and which is particularly adapted for coating plant products such as citrus fruits, avocadoes, mangos, and peppers. The coating comprises Candelilla wax in an aqueous dispersion, an unstable soap, xylene, and/or toluene, or their equivalent. The aqueous coating is made by a particular process to provide a coating on the plant product of desired characteristics, the process providing an oil in water emulsion with particles having a size between 0.1 microns and 0.1 millimicrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Instituto Mexicano de Investicaciones Tecnologicas, A.C.
    Inventors: Josefina C. Morales Guerrero, Juan Manuel Lomelin Gallardo
  • Speed reducer and housing therefor
    Patent number: 4020715
    Abstract: A speed reducer is contained in a modular housing that includes a body having a chamber for mounting the gear train and power shafts and which is open at two opposing ends, an end member for mounting the speed reducer and forming an oiltight seal with the body at one of the ends, and another end member forming an oiltight seal with the body at the other of the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Steel Belt, Inc.
    Inventor: Merle L. Sollars
  • Disinfection system and method
    Patent number: 4019983
    Abstract: A rapid and efficient method for disinfection of waste liquid such as sewage effluent by means of a fluid disinfecting agent, (e.g. ozone or chlorine) in which the disinfecting agent and all of the waste liquid to be treated pass through a turbulent flow zone within a limited period of time. Also disclosed is specific apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Houdaille Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikkel G. Mandt
  • Method for manufacture of Ricotta cheese
    Patent number: 4020186
    Abstract: In the method of the invention, skim milk is transferred to a setting tank. The skim milk is acidified and heated to provide a coagulum in whey. The coagulum is separated from the whey and blended with a sufficient amount of cream to provide a mixture having the desired fat level in the finished Ricotta cheese. The mixture is then comminuted to provide a Ricotta cheese product having a texture similar to that associated with Ricotta cheese produced by conventional cheesemaking techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Kraftco Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Edwards
  • Electric power generator
    Patent number: 4020368
    Abstract: An electric power generator of the type employing a nuclear heat source or the like and a thermoelectric converter is described wherein a transparent thermal insulating medium is provided inside an encapsulating enclosure to thermally insulate the heat source and thermoelectric generator. The heat source, the thermoelectric converter, and the enclosure are provided with facing surfaces which are heat-reflective to a substantial degree to inhibit radiation of heat through the medium of the encapsulating enclosure. Multiple reflective foils may be spaced within the medium as necessary to inhibit natural convection of heat and/or further inhibit radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventor: Homer Charles Carney