Patents Represented by Attorney James T. Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz FitzGibbon
  • Patent number: 6155573
    Abstract: A one-piece, reusable hub seal unit for heavy duty axles and the like. The unit includes a stiff but flexible casing covered with an elastomeric portion. The casing has a radial flange, a slightly axially inclined sleeve portion, and a purely axial portion ending in a free edge. The elastomeric covering is thin adjacent the free edge, gradually increases in thickness throughout the slightly inclined axial extent and finally contains a radial section covering the flange and having two or more sealing ribs. A cover holds the seal unit in place when it seals snugly in the counterbore. When the cover is removed, the seal may be removed by hand from the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Simms
  • Patent number: 6139775
    Abstract: A biodegradable, non-toxic firefighting concentrate composition. The preferred compositions include 4 to 40 parts of a C.sub.16 -C.sub.18 tertiary amine having 2-10 ethoxy or other solubilizing groups per mol, 1 to 15 parts of a carboxylic acid having 6 to 16 carbon atoms; 1 to 6 parts of a C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 alcohol and 0 to 10 parts of C.sub.4 -and lower alcohols, and enough water to create a total of 100 parts by volume. The concentrate is usually diluted up to 100 times (v/v) with water, and is also effective when mixed with foam-forming materials. In addition, the composition is useful with soil bacteria for remediating soil contaminated with hydrocarbon fuel and for facilitating fuel dispersion and degradation within bacterial-action sewage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Hazard Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Thames
  • Patent number: 6119714
    Abstract: A valve cap for an installation having interior air pressure. The cap includes an upper sleeve portion with a central recess for receiving a pair of pressure indicating inserts. The inserts are received in the recess, and each displays one digit of a desired inflation pressure on its upper surface. The inserts also have a formation thereon which enable them to be snapped snugly in place within the recess. Other embodiments include a tray nesting with the inserts. A single insert is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Karl G. Otzen
  • Patent number: 6116577
    Abstract: A lift assembly for use in a repair shop or the like. The assembly includes at least one mast extending generally vertically, and a relatively movable component including a lift frame assembly. The lift frame assembly includes at least one longitudinal member and at least one work-engaging member. A vertically movable lifting assembly is also provided, which includes a movable element. The lift frame is movably secured to the mast by at least one guide assembly which moves substantially vertically along the track of said mast. The mast includes a portion with a slight curve or straight section inclined in the direction away from said fork leg while the curved or other mast allows free but confined movement of said guide assembly as said lift frame travels vertically throughout a range of vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: McCanse Engineering, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Edson McCanse
  • Patent number: 6109615
    Abstract: An oil seal for a locking differential mechanism. The seal assembly includes a generally flat plate with a first generally circular oil seal adjacent an outer margin of the flat plate, a circular inner margin defining an opening in the flat plate with a second oil seal surrounding the inner margin, an oil outlet opening lying in an otherwise imperforate area between the first and second margins, and a cover for the flat plate with the cover and plate defining between them a passage for oil extending from a point radially outside the first seal to at least a point adjacent the oil outlet. The seal takes in a supply of oil from the differential sump and supplies it through the oil outlet to a multi-plate clutch which is activated only when the two axles undergo rotation relative to each other and thereby actuate a Gerotor type oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventors: Greg G. Gildea, Joseph D. Galvin, Brian Davis
  • Patent number: 6094836
    Abstract: An air dryer having dual, spin-on canister assemblies. The unit also includes first and second valve bodies, each containing a moist air inlet valve, a dried air outlet valve and an exhaust and drain valve assembly. A single control valve assembly allows the exhaust valves to open in response to air pressure and close in the absence of pressure. The moist air inlet valves are responsive to high external air pressure for biasing the valves open. The dried air outlet valves have a small orifice therein to allow air to bleed therethrough when the valves are closed. The canisters each include inner and outer imperforate sleeves, and passages arranged such that incoming air passes between the sleeves, through the desiccant and out the dry air outlet valve. When the control valve shifts, the air flow is reversed and the desiccant is regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Mahoney, Monte Salzman
  • Patent number: 6076225
    Abstract: A number of forms of painting trays and accessories are disclosed. These include a paint tray having an upper or intermediate foam pad across the top thereof to prevent spillage. The paint will only flow through the foam at a very slow speed. One embodiment is disclosed wherein the paint tray includes a cover and has a plurality of variable porosity pads. Another unit includes a round tray, a round pad, and a round applicator unit. Several painting accessories are described, including a painting pad having a plurality of wells therein as well as being made from a porous, sponge-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Gerhard-Sorenson Corp.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6021961
    Abstract: An anti-crossover nozzle with two principle pieces that snap together, having a forward end portion with a dispensing opening, a rear end portion which includes at least a pair of inlets. Each inlet has a center passage, therethrough and at least two valve leaflets biased by their own inherent resiliency to a normally closed position covering openings in the passages. There is at least one point of attachment formed between an interior surface of the rear end portion and the valve leaflets. The leaflets are displaced from their normally closed position by the force of incoming liquid foam components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Flexible Products Company
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Patent number: 6013691
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a foam frothing alternative for blowing or frothing single component foams using gases which are incapable of being liquified within the limits of DOT aerosol cans, referred to herein as non-liquefiable gases. In this invention, it is demonstrated that non-liquefiable gases such as CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2 O can be used to provide foams using conventional single component foam chemical raw materials. The present invention provides an adhesive/sealant, expanded by a non-liquefiable gas propelled from a container initially and expanded by a blowing agent consisting primarily or exclusively of a non-liquefiable gas and formulated from a moisture curable polyurethane prepolymer using a low molecular weight isocyanate of two or more functionality. In one or more variations, the compositions of the present invention contain solubility enhancers for non-liquefiable gases such as CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Insta-Foam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Braun, Jess Garcia, Dawn Kissack, Gina Pietrzyk, Deborah Schutter
  • Patent number: 6003871
    Abstract: A two-piece cartridge-type seal for wheel bearings and the like. The seal element contains a radial flange having a seal attached thereto and a mounting flange portion. The wear sleeve portion includes a cylindrical flange receivable over a rotary part, and a radial flange having an extension with an inner surface which engages a part of the seal during installation only. In use, the radial flange of the wear sleeve is engaged by a tool, and this radial flange deflects slightly to push the seal element into a desired position of installation, whereupon, when the tool is removed, the radial flange springs back and creates a slight working clearance between these parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard W. Poll
  • Patent number: 5974910
    Abstract: An accumulator piston for an automatic transmission. The piston comprises two components, the first and second being cup elements welded together with their closed ends in abutting relation. The lower cup includes a curled back portion with a radial flange having an axially extending bi-directional oil seal thereon, and spaced apart recesses in the curled back portion to permit oil to flow therein. The upper cup includes a radial flange of reduced diameter compared to the lower cup flange. The flange also has a lip seal thereon. The piston is spring-loaded and moves up and down in a bore and counterbore in response to fluid flow on either side of the piston to absorb shifting shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Paykin, David Dobbs
  • Patent number: 5957051
    Abstract: An apparatus for inking the fountain roller of a press. A main body has a longitudinal extent substantially equal to that of the fountain roller, a blade holder disposed beneath and attached to the main body. The main body and blade holder combine to provide several ink channels of narrow width, with the channels terminating in spreader portions. There is a blade in the blade holder which extends to a position adjacent but not touching the fountain roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Richard G. Atwater