Patents Represented by Attorney James T. FitzGibbon
  • Patent number: 4934668
    Abstract: A multi-purpose seal assembly for a gas-pressurized spring including a rigid positioning unit and an elastomeric body portion covering part of the positioning unit. The positioning unit is of generally annular form with a cylindrical outer diameter alignment surface and an inner diameter cylindrical guide surface. The elastomeric body portion includes spaced apart bevelled surfaces tapering toward each other to define an annular, radially outwardly acting static seal lip, and at least one pair of bevelled surfaces tapering towards each other to define a radially inwardly acting primary sealing lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Vassmer
  • Patent number: 4916889
    Abstract: A towed mower having a rectangular frame and a pair of diagonally related blade spindles is described. The mower of the present invention includes both a wide side and a narrow side and an associated shroud assembly. A pair of blade spindles each carry a rotary mower blade covered by the shroud assembly. The mower may be used in either a wide mode or a narrow mode and the preferred embodiment provides an arrangement of parts for easy retorientation between the wide and narrow modes. Separate outlet doors are provided for both the wide side and the narrow side on the shroud assembly and hitch-engaging posts are disposed at each corner of the mower frame to engage a pair of wheel suspension arms and a pair of hitch-engaging brackets. The hitch-engaging brackets and the wheel suspension arms are secured to the posts in a manner which allows ready removal and/or pivoting of the suspension arm or the hitch-engaging bracket so that the mower may be re-oriented from the wide mode to the narrow mode and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: K-W Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Molstad
  • Patent number: 4875668
    Abstract: A mail processing machine which includes a folder bar, a creasing element and pressing roller assembly for maintaining an array of sheets in a folded over form in a reduced height stack for insertion into mailing envelopes. A table supports the lower surface of sheets to be processed by the machine, pusher bars engage and intermittently advance the sheets downstream of said machine. The folder bar extends transversely of the downstream direction and is arcuately movable to impart a fold to the array of sheets. A creasing element moves up to engage the lower surface of the stack, and two opposed pressing rollers, each with its own drive mechanism, are resiliently urged together to apply a pressing force to the array of sheets passing between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Computer Output Processors and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf A. Spyra
  • Patent number: 4778019
    Abstract: A sealed, air-containing vehicle suspension assembly. The assembly includes an endless track unit trained over a pair of wheel units each supported by the end portion of an axle, a pair of side plates, and a pair of dynamic seal assemblies. The dynamic seal assemblies each include a diaphragm portion with its outer margin secured to outer margins of the track unit and its inner margin carried by support units extending inwardly from the track. The primary seal unit has a tubular cross section and its inner sidewall affixed to the inner diaphragm margin. A part of the primary seal outer sidewall has a smooth sidewall sealing surfaces which engages an inwardly facing surface of its associated end plate along a path generally parallel to the travel path of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: William R. Bertelsen
  • Patent number: 4767407
    Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly is provided for intravenous use, such being for positioning a catheter into a vein. The needle assembly includes a lumen having more than one diameter which is provided in association with a tip structure having multiple beveled surfaces in order to provide a needle assembly that is especially suitable for use with patients who are elderly or in ill health or who have veinous construction or collapse due to trauma or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Inventor: Scot J. Foran
  • Patent number: 4732537
    Abstract: An air operated pump and motor unit with a rotor head assembly, an impeller head assembly, and a spacer tube unit disposed between these assemblies. The impeller head includes a pumping chamber and a liquid impeller assembly, and the rotor head includes a rotor housing, a cover assembly, and a rotor element. The rotor has a hub carrying a drive shaft and the rotor includes a plurality of radially extending blades and a spider unit joining the rotor hub to the blade carrier. The rotor hub and the spider lie adjacent the inner end of the housing and the carrier lies adjacent the cover, so that the rotor subdivides the rotor chamber into upstream and downstream chambers communicating with each other through passages in the spider. In use, the air passes from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber through the openings in the spider and from the downstream chamber to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Kusz, Thomas J. Danowski
  • Patent number: 4718194
    Abstract: A window sash support and movement lock assembly reciprocably disposed within an associated track element. The sash support and movement lock assembly includes a body with a center opening and guide surfaces on each end. A cam unit is received in the center opening and, upon cam rotation caused by tilting of an associated window sash, the guide surfaces are biased apart and into snug engagement with parts of the track element; one part of one of the guide surfaces also carries one or more pins which then engage an end wall of the track unit to provide a secure locking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Balance Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack R. FitzGibbon, Lawrence Versteeg
  • Patent number: 4709066
    Abstract: A new composition of matter comprising an acrylic silicate of the type having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R=alkyl, aryl or H,R'=R or ORY=alkyl, vinyl, aryl, or fluoroalkyl ##STR2## A=Y or H; and B=oxyalkyl, oxyaryl, oxyfluoroalkyl, oxyalkylacrylate, alkyl esters, aryl esters, fluoroalkyl esters, or acrylic esters.This composition may be reacted with polymerizable acrylic esters to form optically transparent, machineable polymers useful in various applications, including use as gas-permeable hard corneal contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Fused Kontacts of Chicago
    Inventor: Dwain R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 4693572
    Abstract: A bifocal contact lens blank having a front surface portion which is subdivided into distant and near vision front surface segments. The distant vision segment surface is defined by a partially spherical front surface with a first radius of curvature, and the near vision segment surface is defined by a spherical segment front surface portion with a smaller radius of curvature. The distant vision segment lies in the upper part of the lens blank and the near vision segment in the lower half; the surfaces meet along a locus of tangent points lying generally centrally of the lens and joined to each other on either side of this locus by a pair of offsetting front surfaces which extend between the lowermost edges of the distant vision segment surface and the uppermost edges of the near vision segment surface. These offsetting surfaces lie generally perpendicular to at least one of the segment surfaces, substantially along a meridian of the lens front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Fused Kontacts of Chicago, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Tsuetaki, Shiro Sato
  • Patent number: 4689190
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite seal assembly. A primary sealing ring in generally frustoconical form is cut from a cylindrical billet of a resinous fluorocarbon material so as to have first and second principal surfaces each inclined with respect to the axis of the billet. The ring thus formed is supported against movement by disposing a relatively rigid annular casing unit adjacent the ring, with the ring lying within the casing opening, and bonding the casing element to the seal ring by molding an elastomeric collar of thin cross-section between a portion of the second surface of the ring and a part of said casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Glenn Peisker, Keith Christiansen, Gil Jaime
  • Patent number: 4689046
    Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis with an annular body portion and at least one valve leaflet moveable between open, closed, and intermediate positions. The body includes leaflet ear support formations, each with a contoured recess having spaced apart, tapered arcuate guide wall surfaces and spaced apart convex ear support surfaces. Each valve leaflet includes mounting ears with upper and lower support surfaces of generally trapezoidal outline, a generally flat end face portion, and two spaced apart guide surface portions tapered so as to lie in closely spaced apart relation to the tapered guide walls in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: CarboMedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Bokros
  • Patent number: 4676775
    Abstract: A fluid administration apparatus which comprises a fluid receptacle and a fluid administration conduit assembly having a hollow fluid administration tube, a handle and a hollow spike unit extending axially outwardly from said handle said handle and said fluid tube being adapted to be positioned exterior to said receptacle and said spike being adapted to be positioned within said receptacle, said spike including a shank and a tip and said receptacle comprising two fluid chamber separated by a pierceable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: David M. Roxe
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Zolnierczyk, David M. Roxe
  • Patent number: 4643436
    Abstract: A seal having a primary seal element including a casing element of annular form made a relatively rigid material and having an at least partially elastomeric sealing lip body bonded thereto, and a single or one-piece wear sleeve and unitizing casing portion including a radial flange acting as an axially exterior protective element preventing relative axial movement of the associated primary seal in one direction, an axially extending wear sleeve portion having a cylindrical outer diameter surface facing toward and sealingly engaged with the seal band portion of the primary lip, and a second, unitizing or locking flange of reduced thickness and reduced diameter with respect to the protective flange and preventing axial removal of the primary seal unit in the other axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Jackowski
  • Patent number: 4641882
    Abstract: An orthopedic appliance, such as a crutch, adapted to support the body of an injured or handicapped person without the use of his arms and hands. The crutch is adapted to be readily movable with the person and comprises a principal frame assembly having a lower portion adapted to engage and rest upon a travelled surface in position of use, a seat assembly disposed at the other end of the frame and forming body support means for a person. The crutch has at least one handle extending radially outwardly from said frame and spaced downwardly apart from said seat assembly, and it is positioned relative to said frame so as to be able to be grasped by said person while said person is supported by said seat. Preferably the appliance also includes a foot support peg assembly near the bottom, a clip or the like for securing the ankle to the bottom of the frame and a height adjustment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: John Young
  • Patent number: 4637413
    Abstract: A low profile parts washer with a central solvent storage well, a pair of side walls subdivided into upper and lower portions, intermediate wall supporting wheels with the wheel axle lined above the well bottom, a safety cover positioned by a pair of supports and held above the well by fusible link means, a solvent pump and motor and a parts retainer screen covering the opening formed by the intermediate walls and the center solvent well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Llewellyn, Stephen Holden
  • Patent number: 4630417
    Abstract: A floor structure support system comprising a main floor which directly supports one or more computers and one or more additional floors disposed beneath the main floor. The additional floor or floors provide support and mechanical isolation for cables and other electrical conductors, and include sidewalls defining vertical passages to the main floor; one or more of the additional floors may be used as environmental control ducts, with or without sidewalls in addition to those forming the vertical passages. A modular system of support columns, brackets and floor and wall panels is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: William R. Collier
  • Patent number: 4618101
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for use in an airless spray gun wherein the surface finish of the spray nozzle tip is highly polished to create a mirror-like or micro-finish, in the immediate area surrounding the exit orifice of the spray nozzle tip, such that during the use of the spray nozzle, the material sprayed therethrough will not substantially build up or collect on the spray nozzle tip in such a degree that would necessitate the removal for cleaning of the tip, thereby significantly enhancing the performance and operation of the spray nozzle in connection with its spraying operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Richard G. Piggott
  • Patent number: 4616836
    Abstract: A seal having an exterior seal casing which includes a mounting surface and a seal lip body bonded to a portion of the casing, with the seal lip body comprising annular surfaces defining the air and oil side portions of a primary lip which meet along a generally cylindrical locus of measurable axial extent to provide a primary seal band with a plurality of spaced apart hydrodynamic pumping elements located on this seal band. An auxiliary lip is defined by a pair of frusto-conical surfaces meeting along a generally circular locus to provide an auxiliary or excluder lip portion. Said primary and secondary lips are spaced apart by an annular region of generally V-shaped cross-section, and the primary lip dimension or the pumping elements serve to maintain the primary lip seal band spaced just apart from an associated shaft, at least in the regions of the elements. Said auxiliary lip is of reduced diameter in relation to said seal band dimension in the relaxed condition of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Gordon T. Drygalski, Dennis L. Otto, Donald K. Ross
  • Patent number: 4613005
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a grit exclusion and oil retention seal for use in extremely hostile environments. These environments include, but are not limited to sealing oil within cavities forming parts of earth drilling bits and the like. Seals such as these, include the ability to seal oil within a cavity in a reliable manner even under extreme conditions of vibration, mechanical shock, and the presence of grit, sand, water, dirt and mixtures thereof. In order to function properly in this environment, the seal must also provide a certain amount of axial end play so that relative movement of the sealed parts will not permit the seal to leak.In this connection, a heavy duty seal of the type with which the invention is concerned must provide not only a primary or relatively moveable seal, but also a secondary seal. The seal assembly must include means for transmitting torque from the housing or carrier to the primary seal rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Burton K. Olsson
  • Patent number: RE33220
    Abstract: A floor structure support system comprising a main floor which directly supports one or more computers and one or more additional floors disposed beneath the main floor. The additional floor or floors provide support and mechanical isolation for cables and other electrical conductors, and include sidewalls defining vertical passages to the main floor; one or more of the additional floors may be used as environmental control ducts, with or without sidewalls in addition to those forming the vertical passages. A modular system of support columns, brackets and floor and wall panels is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Interstitial Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Collier