Patents Represented by Law Firm Kinney, Lange, Braddock, Westman and Fairbairn
  • Patent number: 4432629
    Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs mounted on a spindle assembly has a conveyor to intermittently convey the spindle assembly along a generally horizontal conveyor path. The spindle assembly is conveyed to a plurality of processing and drying stations on the conveyor path. At each processing station, the spindle assembly and film discs mounted thereon are rotated at a first rate of rotation and the film discs are contacted with processing fluids. At a first drying station, the spindle assembly and film discs are rotated at a second higher rate of rotation. At the second drying station, the spindle assembly and film discs are again rotated at the first rate of rotation. Tempered air is blown through the drying stations and a movable dryer hood encloses the drying stations to prevent fluid from being cast from the spinning film discs into the rest of the processor and to direct the tempered air through the drying stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Pako Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry A. Caflisch
  • Patent number: 4431134
    Abstract: A microcomputer controlled digital thermostat is powered by supply voltage derived from a large capacitance (e.g. 3.3 farad) voltage supply capacitor. The voltage supply capacitor is normally charged by an AC voltage which is derived from the furnace and which is rectified by a full wave rectifier bridge. Time and temperature data are stored in read/write RAM storage. The microcomputer controls operation of the thermostat as a function of sensed temperature and the stored time and temperature data. A voltage sensing circuit senses the supply voltage from the voltage supply capacitor and prevents the supply voltage from being provided to the microcomputer and other portions of the thermostat control circuitry when a prolonged interruption of AC power causes the supply voltage to decrease to a predetermined value. The supply voltage continues to be supplied to the read/write RAM to retain the stored time and temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: MicroComm Corporation
    Inventors: Donald B. Hendricks, Austin R. Larson
  • Patent number: 4431009
    Abstract: The open end of a catheter is inserted in the blood vessel of a patient. The catheter is connected by hollow tubing to a physiologic pressure transducer. The tube is filled with an intermediate pressure-transmitting fluid such as a physiologic saline solution. An infusion device between the patient and the transducer constantly flushes the system with a slow flow of fluid. Blood pressure variations are transmitted through the fluid to the transducer, which converts the pressure to electronic information and transmits the information to a monitor for display. Between the infusion device and the transducer is a variable restrictor which damps the pressure waves in the fluid. This restrictor is used to tune the system to eliminate resonant waves, which distort the monitoring reading. In one form, the variable restrictor includes a valve having an orifice, the effective size of which is reduced or enlarged by compressing and releasing a deformable, flexible ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Biomedical Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Marino, Jr., Matthew E. Bellin
  • Patent number: 4431294
    Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs carried on a rotatable spindle includes a conveyor for conveying the spindle intermittently from a first end of the processor along a generally horizontal conveyor path to each of a plurality of stations along the conveyor path. The intermittent conveying of the spindle by the conveyor is cyclical, with each cycle of the conveyor having a transport portion during which the spindle is conveyed from one station to another and a processing portion during which the spindle is positioned at one of the stations for processing. The spindle and film discs mounted thereon are rotated when positioned for processing at each station, and a rotation sensor at each station senses a failure of the spindle to be rotated. The processor also has a spindle sensor which senses the presence of the spindle adjacent the first end of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Pako Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Baker
  • Patent number: 4429980
    Abstract: A processor for processing undeveloped photographic film discs carried on a rotatable spindle includes a conveyor for conveying the spindle intermittently along a generally horizontal conveyor path. The spindle has a follower magnet attached adjacent one end thereof and has an axial direction which is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the conveyor path. A plurality of stations for processing the film discs are spaced along the conveyor path, with a drive magnet rotatably mounted adjacent each station in spaced axial alignment with the follower magnet of the spindle when the spindle is positioned at that station. Operably connected to the drive magnet is a drive motor for rotating the drive magnet to cause the follower magnet, spindle and film discs mounted thereon to be rotated due to magnetic coupling of the drive magnet and the follower magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Pako Corporation
    Inventor: Clare K. Miller
  • Patent number: 4429484
    Abstract: An animal snare support includes an upright shank portion, ground support structure integral with the shank for fixedly positioning the shank with respect to the ground, a substantially horizontal bar portion integral with and extending away from the shank at the top end of the shank, and a snare support collar integral with the horizontal bar portion. The support collar has an opening therethrough, the axis of which lies at an acute angle above the horizontal. An animal snare consisting of a length of flexible multi-filament steel snare wire has an anchor end portion extending through the snare support collar and a loop end portion extending outwardly from the collar. A snare lock encompasses the loop end portion and an intermediate portion of the wire to form a snare loop. When the snare is set, the snare lock will be positioned adjacent the snare support collar, and the axis of the snare wire then supporting the lock will lie at an acute angle above the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Inventor: Ardell M. Grawe
  • Patent number: 4428239
    Abstract: A differential pressure transducer of the diaphragm displacement type uses optical techniques to measure disphragm displacement. White light from a source is conducted by optical fibres to the transducer and interference is produced between light reflected at a thickened region of the diaphragm and a partially reflecting end face of the light conductor which is lapped flat and parallel to the diaphragm surface. The interfering reflected light is conducted back to a prism where it is dispersed onto photo-arrays. The wavelengths of dark fringes in the spectrum are measured to determine the displacement of the diaphragm. Measurements can be made on both sides of the diaphragm and used to eliminate dependence on reflective index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Rosemount Engineering Company Limited
    Inventor: James S. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4428409
    Abstract: A truncated generally conical or tapered member is mounted on a movable ramhead of a hydraulically operated log splitter. A wood splitting wedge is mounted on the frame of the log splitter opposite the tapered member of the ramhead such that a block of wood may be placed between the ramhead and wedge. The narrow end of the truncated conical member is a size to engage and center the log and retain the log from lateral and vertical movement as the log is split. The tapered member has a taper selected to insure that the end of the member will penetrate the wood at a controlled rate as the splitting force of the ramhead increases. The time element, established by the controlled penetration rate, is of primary importance. Should an operator inadvertently have a portion of his hand, between the log's end and ram face, the time element allows for removal of the operator's hand before it would be crushed between the log and ram face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventor: Francis J. Roetzler
  • Patent number: 4428249
    Abstract: In a processor of photosensitive material, a torque sensor actuates an alarm when a helical gear is subjected to torque in excess of a first predetermined value. The torque sensor includes a helical gear positioned on a shaft and biased against a stop. The gear is slidably attached to the shaft along the axis of the shaft and is fixedly attached to the shaft in an angular direction by a key. A shoulder of a flexible rubber boot movable with the gear along the shaft axis moves with the gear when the torque exceeds the first predetermined value and actuates a switch to warn the operator. In addition, as the torque increases, the gear slidably moves along the shaft past the key, thereby allowing the shaft to freely rotate in an angular direction within the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Pako Corporation
    Inventor: Keith L. Henk
  • Patent number: 4428144
    Abstract: A wire sinker and lure support device includes a pair of trailing wire legs with forward ends and free trailing ends. The forward ends are connected to each other and to an upstanding leg which has a loop for attaching a fishing line and a lure leader. The trailing legs are aligned in parallel and a bored sinker is slipped over the trailing legs to the connection of the forward ends. The trailing leg portions are then spread into a V-shaped support base which holds the sinker on the device. The support base engages the bottom when the device is in operation and maintains the upstanding portion off the bottom, so that a lure on the leader is off the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignees: James L. Wagner, Dennis R. Padrnos
    Inventor: Robert J. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 4427154
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a boom suspension and lift assembly which is mounted to extend laterally from a vehicle for agricultural spraying purposes. The boom assembly comprises a main frame mounted on the vehicle and at least one boom pivotally mounted on the main frame. A suspension system between each boom and the main frame independently absorbs boom motion resulting from vehicle travel over uneven terrain. A boom lifting system is provided to selectively lift each boom relative to the main frame by pivoting the boom about a longitudinal axis adjacent the main frame. For transport or storage, each boom is foldable against a side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventor: LeRoy J. Mercil
  • Patent number: 4427842
    Abstract: A feedthrough apparatus for passing signals through a bulkhead. The feedthrough apparatus has a header shell with a header shell opening therethrough with a swage duct inserted in the header shell opening. An end of the swage duct extends out of the header shell opening and has a communicative means inserted therethrough. A swage plate opening formed in a swage plate is fitted over the end of the swage duct extending out of the header shell opening and is constructed so as to swage the swage duct about the communicative means, securing the communicative means in the swage duct and providing a hermetic seal for the communicative means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Harry V. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4426606
    Abstract: Emergency braking device for a brushless motor comprising damping means connected through a switch to the windings of the brushless motor in case of emergency to dissipate the energy stored in the inductance of the windings of the brushless motor. The impedance characteristics of the damper means are optimized by selecting a capacitance which has a predetermined relationship to the inductance of the motor winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignees: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd., Electro-Craft Corp.
    Inventors: Muneo Suita, Kazuo Mogi
  • Patent number: 4425791
    Abstract: An engine analyzer performs electrical tests on a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine under the control of the digital computer. The engine analyzer includes a hardware cylinder counter which keeps track of the current cylinder number while various engine tests are performed. The hardware cylinder counter is a programmable digital counter under the control of the computer which performs the cylinder count function independent of operation of the computer. The counter has jam inputs for receiving an input count from the computer which represents the number of cylinders of the engine under test. The counter is counted down in response to a cylinder clock signal. The counter is reset to the digital value at its jam inputs whenever its Set input is pulsed. A synchronizing circuit is responsive to a No. 1 cylinder pulse and to a carry-out pulse which is produced by the counter when the count reaches zero. The counter is reset to the input count whenever the No. 1 pulse or the carry-out pulse is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Bear Automotive Service Equipment Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Kling
  • Patent number: 4425370
    Abstract: A process for producing a margarine-type food product includes the steps of: blending a dairy substance such as skim milk with a hydrogenated vegetable oil in approximately a 60/40 ratio; processing the skim milk/oil mixture through a homogenizer to obtain an oil globule size range essentially similar to a fat globule size range found in dairy cream; blending a dairy cream with the homogenized skim milk/oil mixture; and processing the mixture of dairy cream and skim milk/oil through a butter churning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Land O'Lakes, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic A. Graves
  • Patent number: 4425620
    Abstract: An electrical control provides output signals to a group of solenoid valves which control the gear ratio selected by a transmission. The electrical control receives input signals from a mode select lever, an upshift/downshift pulser lever, an engine RPM sensor, a ground speed sensor, a clutch position sensor switch, and a throttle control lever. The mode select lever has a neutral (N) position, a reverse (R) position, a forward manual (FM) position, and a forward automatic (FA) position. Movement of the mode select lever from N to FM causes the electronic control to actuate solenoid valves which select a first forward gear. Similarly, movement of the lever from N to R causes the control to actuate solenoid valves which provide a first reverse gear. Higher/lower gears are obtained by moving the upshift/downshift pulser lever from its normal position to either an upshift position or a downshift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Steiger Tractor, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Batcheller, William E. Martinson
  • Patent number: D272199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Drag Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Rudd
  • Patent number: D272424
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Drag Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Alwin J. Stahel
  • Patent number: D272556
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Berkley and Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. McMickle, James T. Rumbaugh
  • Patent number: D272610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Drag Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Alwin J. Stahel