Patents Represented by Law Firm Hauke and Patalidis
  • Patent number: 4624585
    Abstract: A retainer bushing for connecting a male member such as a shaft, rod or pin, for example the coupling pin of a motor vehicle clutch pedal, to a mechanical component having a bore accepting the shaft, rod or pin in the bore, for example the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder hydraulically connected to a slave cylinder actuating a clutch release mechanism. The retainer bushing has a flange at one end and one or more longitudinally projecting tangs at the other end. Each tang, which is elastically deflectable outwardly and inwardly, has a radially inwardly directed abutment surface for engagement with the other end of the bore when the flange is engaged at one end thereof, and an inwardly radially directed prong for engagement in a groove formed in the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: Richard A. Nix, Thomas J. Kudzia
  • Patent number: 4624291
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately, but simultaneously, filled with hydraulic fluid after simultaneous evacuation of atmospheric air from the apparatus modular units and test of the integrity of the modular units, and the pre-tested and prefilled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: David J. Compton, Richard A. Nix, Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4624290
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. A leakproof quick-connect connector is placed between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, preferably at the end of the conduit where it connects to the master cylinder or the slave cylinder, one member of the connector forming part of the master cylinder or slave cylinder. The apparatus, after assembly, is filled with hydraulic fluid, the two members of the connector being held momentarily engaged. After filling, the connector is broken, and the filled components are shipped to a user. After installation of the apparatus for operation of a mechanism such as a clutch release mechanism, the two connector members are reconnected, and the connector members having been provided with a one-way locking member can no longer be separated such as to preserve the integrity of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: David J. Compton, Richard A. Nix, Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4623772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing a workpiece by electrical discharges by way of an electrode tool, machining pulses of relatively low power being obtained from a machining pulse generator. A cross-slide table provides the workpiece with a translation cyclical motion during polishing. Input control circuits enable the machine operator to program a chosen speed of translation for the cyclical motion, the radius of circular translation and the time of duration of machining. A counter counts the number of cycles being effected and a discriminator stops the pulse generator as soon as the chosen number of desirable cycles is obtained, such number being inversely proportional to the amplitude chosen for the translation motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Charmilles Technologies S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Fery, Roger Delpretti
  • Patent number: 4621565
    Abstract: An electrical switch for sensing operation of a hydraulic cylinder, the switch being normally open and closing an electrical circuit when the cylinder is pressurized to effect a desired operation only when there is fluid at a predetermined pressure in the cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is the slave cylinder of a motor vehicle clutch hydraulic control and the electrical circuit controlled by the switch is, for example, the motor vehicle engine starter motor relay circuit, such that the starter relay circuit is inhibited unless sufficient pressure is present in the cylinder, corresponding to the pressure necessary to cause the slave cylinder output member to fully release the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventor: Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4620431
    Abstract: Inprovement in a golf club straightening device for straightening golf club irons, the device having a base, an arrangement for clamping the head of the golf club iron, an arrangement for examining the loft of the golf club iron, and an arrangement for examining the lie of the golf club iron, the improvement comprising an arcuate loft arm mounted stationary in respect to the base and upstanding therefrom, a swingarm mechanism comprising a pivot support stationary in respect to the base and upstanding therefrom and including a bifurcated swingarm pivotally mounted on the pivot support, upper and lower clamps moveably carried on the bifurcated swingarm for clamping the head of a golf club iron so that the front face thereof is flat against the rear face of the bifurcated swingarm, the swingarm being pivotally moveable in respect to the arcuate loft arm and being capable of being made fast in respect thereto by being clamped thereagainst, the arcuate loft arm having an angular scale thereon for determining the l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Douglas P. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 4617855
    Abstract: An interlock switch mounted in the end of a hydraulic slave cylinder adapted to operate the release mechanism of a motor vehicle mechanical clutch, the slave cylinder being hydraulically connected to a master cylinder having an input member operable by the motor vehicle clutch pedal. The switch is adapted to close the motor vehicle starter relay circuit for a position of the slave cylinder output member corresponding to full release of the clutch, such that the clutch must be fully released in order to allow starting the motor vehicle engine. Preferably, the switch takes the form of a pair of concentric sleeves, each carrying appropriate contacts for closing the circuit, one of the sleeves being reciprocable in unison with the slave cylinder output member, and the other sleeve being automatically adjustable for initial position adjustment and for subsequent readjustment to compensate for wear of the clutch, such that closure of the switch always corresponds to a full release of the motor vehicle clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: David L. Wrobleski, David K. Mienko, Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4617443
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the surface finish of a workpiece machined by an EDM apparatus having an electrode tool mounted in a tool holder insulated from the rest of the apparatus structure, the EDM apparatus comprising a pulse generator applying electrical discharges across the electrode tool and the workpiece, and wherein a parasitical capacitor is formed by the tool holder insulated from the rest of the apparatus. The parasitical capacitor, connected across the pulse generator output, is charged and discharged during operation of the pulse generator, and the discharge energy of the parasitical capacitor is added to the energy of the electrical discharge supplied by the pulse generator. For the purpose of obtaining a smooth surface finish on the workpiece with decreased energy of the machining electrical pulses, a compensating inductance is placed in series in the discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Charmilles Technologies, S.A.
    Inventor: Roland Martin
  • Patent number: 4616387
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having bearing surfaces pre-loaded towards each other, the bearing surfaces being originally made in slightly non-conforming geometry and dimensions over the majority of their surface areas in sliding engagement, the areas of the bearing surfaces in engagement being thus less than the total available areas. During use, and through progressive wear-in of the bearing surfaces in engagement, the bearing surface areas in engagement are progressively enlarged with progressive conformity in geometry and dimension, the conforming surface areas being constantly kept in engagement by the elements in the assembly adapted to provide bearing pre-load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: O & S Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4615500
    Abstract: A replacement support bracket and hanger for a relatively expensive component of a motor vehicle exhaust system, such as the catalytic converter, and a method of salvaging such catalytic converter through the use of said replacement bracket. The original support bracket has an aperture through which is passed the catalytic converter exhaust opening flared collar normally clamped onto the end of an exhaust gas evacuating pipe having an end rim provided with a complementary flare. The replacement support bracket has a generally U-shaped cut-out portion. After removal of the original support bracket commonly welded to the housing and to the peripheral surface of the catalytic converter collar, the replacement bracket is clamped in position with its cut-out portion disposed behind the flared neck simultaneously with the pipe end being coupled to the converter flared collar by the same, or similar, clamping bolts and nuts originally used for only clamping the pipe end to the converter collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Layson
  • Patent number: 4613995
    Abstract: A clamp in the form of a generally L-shaped bracket or clip made preferably of a single stamping of spring steel or like material and provided with a threaded member, threading through the base of the bracket or clip. The top of the bracket or clip is provided with an angularly inwardly projecting integral portion terminating in a slightly downwardly bent flange forming a hook. The clamp is used principally for holding a sink bowl, or the like, in an opening in a counter top by cooperating with a generally L-shaped angle-iron strip welded to the underneath of the sink bowl flange. For removably holding the sink bowl in the opening in the counter top, the hook end of the clamp bracket body is engaged behind an inwardly bent flange portion of the angle-iron strip and the threaded member is tightened against the lower surface of the counter top proximate the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: James Ricke
  • Patent number: 4610126
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring parts travelling in a single row on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed in the receptacle in consecutive rows of a plurality of the parts. A part loader, comprising an elbow-joint arm having a pivotable first arm and a second arm mounted on the end of the first arm pivotable relative to the first arm, supports a part pick-up member mounted on the end of the second arm which picks up at least one part from the end of the first conveyor and transfers the part to the receptacle on the second conveyor. Alternatively, the part pick-up member is adapted to pick up a row of parts from the first conveyor and to place one row of parts in the part receptacle, or to rotate a part during transfer from the first conveyor to the part receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: PTX-Pentronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond P. DeSantis
  • Patent number: 4610389
    Abstract: A method for treating a single side surface of a metallic strip, such as a steel strip, by soldering a pair of metallic strips back-to-back along their corresponding edges, preferably inserting a metallic edge insert strips between the two metallic strips at their joined edges. After appropriate treatment of the exposed surfaces of the sandwiched strips, such as dipping in a molten metallic bath, the metallic strips are separated by heating above the melting point of the solder, and peeling the metallic strips away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Comet Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Perovich
  • Patent number: 4609087
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle transmission comprising a clutch disposed in a bell housing and a gearbox having an input shaft driven through the clutch, the bell housing having a mounting face attached upon a corresponding mounting face on the gearbox, an annular hydraulic slave cylinder disposed concentric with the gearbox input shaft operable to release the clutch, the slave cylinder has a radially outward projecting portion provided with a passageway connected to a line in turn connected to a master cylinder. The radially outward projecting portion of the slave cylinder is sandwiched between the mounting face of the bell housing and the gearbox housing, preferably in a groove formed in the inner face of the bell housing. Such a structure permits to assemble the whole hydraulic system and fill the system with hydraulic fluid prior to installation on a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventor: Graham J. Shirley
  • Patent number: 4607670
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus, more particularly for operating a motor vehicle clutch release mechanism, comprising a master cylinder, a slave cylinder and a conduit connecting the master cylinder to the slave cylinder. The apparatus is in the form of separate modular units which are separately filled with hydraulic fluid, and the filled modular units are shipped unconnected to a user. Each modular unit is provided with a leakproof quick-connect connector member, through which filling of the modular unit may be effected, and which mates with a complementary leakproof quick-connect connector member of another modular unit, such that after installation on a utiization device, a motor vehicle for example, complementary connector members are reconnected, thus opening ports in each connector member placing each member in fluid communication with the other. Preferably, the two connector members are provided with a one-way locking arrangement preventing separation of the connector members after coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventors: David J. Compton, Richard A. Nix, Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 4606461
    Abstract: A collapsible container made of a four-sided enclosure having two opposite panels foldable at their center and foldable relative to the two other opposite panels such that the enclosure may be collapsed by folding inwardly the two foldable panels. One unfoldable panel is hingedly attached to a tray in which the bottom of the erected enclosure is disposed and the collapsed enclosure is capable of laying flat in the tray after pivoting around the hinged structure attaching the non-foldable panel to the tray. A lid or cap is also provided for capping the enclosure when in an erected configuration ready to be filled with articles and for covering the tray containing the collapsed container enclosure. Preferably, the tray is mounted on the top of a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Ace Paper Products Co.
    Inventor: Stanley S. Bolton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4602610
    Abstract: A dual-rate fuel flow control system for the gaseous or liquid fuel supplied to the burner of a space heater, comprising a valve controllable to supply full fuel flow to the burner at the start of a heating cycle to deliver full heat to the heat exchanger chamber in which circulates the heat transfer fluid, and controllable to supply reduced fuel flow to the burner simultaneously with starting the circulating of the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the space to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Inventor: George P. McGinnis
  • Patent number: D284878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Inventor: Robert V. Hollister
  • Patent number: D285150
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Toshiro Ikegami
  • Patent number: D286543
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Vincent Jablonski