Patents Represented by Law Firm McGarry & Waters
  • Patent number: 4165092
    Abstract: A mud flap mounting bracket mounts the mud flap assembly onto a truck frame. A mud flap assembly has a seat member, a face plate rotatably seated against the seat member and an arm attached to one end thereof to the face plate. A tension spring has one end connected to the arm and another end connected to a chain which is in turn attached to the seat member through a U-bolt for retaining the face plate seated against the seat member. The seat member has attached at an opposite face a bight section of a first U-shaped bracket. A second U-shaped bracket has its bight section fixably mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Each U-shaped bracket has legs extending outwardly from its bight section. The first U-shaped bracket has a rod rigidly connected to and extending between the leg portions. The leg portions of the second bracket has slots downwardly extending from the side edge of the leg portions. The rod member and slots are sized so that the rod snugly fits within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel K. Herlein
  • Patent number: 4156972
    Abstract: A hitch alignment device includes two components, one component attached to a first engageable member of a hitch mounted to a car and the second component attached to a second engageable member of the hitch mounted to a trailer. Each component has a rod with a reflector plate removably and adjustably clipped near one end thereof. A base plate is removably clipped near the other end of each rod. Each plate abuts a respective engageable member of the hitch. Each rod has a lock washer attached to one end of a stretchable strap. The stretchable strap has a looped outer end. The strap wraps about the respective engageable member with the looped end thereof positioned at the base plate end of the rod so that the rod extends through the loop to retain the strap in the stretched position. The tension of the strap retains the rod in a fixed position to the engageable member of the hitch. The base plate stabilizes the rod against the engeable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: James A. Vankrevelen
  • Patent number: 4157190
    Abstract: A coupler for a trailer and the like, the coupler having a body and cap hinged together at a front portion and closable along parting faces and an internal cavity formed by the body and the cap for a ball which is conventionally secured to the towing vehicle or trailer. The body is rigidly secured to a tongue portion of the coupler. The collar is mounted around the tongue portion and axially slidable over the body and a portion of the cap to latch the cap in a closed position. The collar is biased to a latching position. The body and cap are tapered so that cap snugly engages the two when the cap is in the latching position. The collar is operably coupled to an actuating handle. The handle is pivotably mounted on the tongue portion to control the movement of the collar with respect to the body and cap by movement between two rotationally displaced positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Assignee: The Hammerblow Corporation
    Inventor: Oscar W. Nyman
  • Patent number: 4145916
    Abstract: A cap inspection apparatus has an inspection stand and sorter for sorting defectively capped bottles from properly capped bottles. The inspection stand has a nozzle with a rearward flat bottom surface and a front inclined bottom surface inclined upwardly from the rear bottom surface. An air passage extends through the rear bottom surface. A low pressure air stream is operably connected to the air passage and passes through the nozzle. A pressure sensitive switch means is operably connected to the low pressure air stream. A solenoid valve is operably attached to the pressure sensitive switch means and controls a high pressure air stream operably connected to an air operated cylinder and rod. An ejection block is mounted at the end of the extendible rod for pushing defectively capped bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventors: Gerald J. Bott, William C. Porter, Terrance M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 4144918
    Abstract: A mobile tree harvester includes a shear mounted at the base of a harvesting frame for shearing a tree trunk, a grip arm pivotably mounted to the frame above the shear for gripping the tree trunk, delimbers mounted above the grip arms for removing branches from the trunk, and an endless tract mounted on each grip arm for propelling the tree trunk along the forward frame. Lift arms pivotably couple the forward frame to a main body of a wheeled vehicle. A sway mechanism is coupled to both lift arms to provide for relative movement of one lift arm with respect to the other such that the harvesting frame can sway from the vertical position in a left or right direction. A tilt mechanism is coupled to the harvesting frame, lift arm, and main body to maintain the frame in its vertical ground position as the lift arms lift the frame off the ground. The tilt mechanism also tilts the frame about an axis transverse to the vehicle axis to a horizontal position such that the sheared end of the tree trunk faces rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Inventor: Charles A. Hallstrom
  • Patent number: 4136962
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting and maintaining the orientation of laser and similar construction equipment in a predetermined orientation with respect to a horizontal plane comprises superimposed first, second and third support plates, each of which is preferably annularly shaped for positioning a laser beam generator therethrough. The third support plate is mounted to and between the first and second support plates for pivotable movement about mutually perpendicular first and second axes, respectively. The first or top plate has level vials mounted perpendicular to the first and second axes for detecting the position of the first plate with respect to a horizontal plane. A pair of threaded screws are threaded into the central third plate to adjust the position of the first plate with respect to the bottom or second plate about the two mutually perpendicular axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: Vari-Tech Company
    Inventors: Floyd Brouwer, Roger E. Helms, Fred D. Litty, Merlin J. Applegate
  • Patent number: 4136488
    Abstract: A honing machine for honing ball bearing races or other arcuate grooved surfaces that extend around the circumference of cylindrical workpieces comprises a workpiece support assembly for rotatably supporting the workpiece in the machine, a spindle drive mechanism for rotating the workpiece, and an oscillation mechanism for holding and oscillating a honing stone in abrading engagement with the arcuate surface of the workpiece as the workpiece is rotated. The oscillation mechanism includes an oscillating tool holder for holding the honing stone and a mounting mechanism for rotatably supporting the oscillating tool holder. The mounting mechanism is tiltable by means of a lift cylinder and toggle linkage to lift the stone out of engagement with the grooved surface of the workpiece for insertion and removal of successive workpieces into and out of the honing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Wunder
  • Patent number: 4135588
    Abstract: The boring and compacting tool comprising an elongated shaft having a front conical section and a rear cylindrical portion. A front helical spring is wrapped about the conical section and attached thereto at the ends thereof. A cutting head is threaded onto a front end of the conical portion. A distinct annular cylindrical collar fits about the cylindrical section of the shaft and is removably secured thereto. A rear helical spring is fitted about the conical portion of the shaft behind the collar and is threaded about the shaft in the same direction as the front helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Schreves, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Wagner
  • Patent number: 4133553
    Abstract: A coupler for a trailer and the like, the coupler having a body and cap hinged together at a front portion and closeable along parting faces and having an internal cavity formed by the body and the cap for the ball which is conventionally secured to either the trailer or the towing vehicle. The body forms a major portion of the ball cavity and includes a ball centering upper surface which extends substantially laterally across the upper surface of the cavity, forming a self-centering bearing surface for the ball. An automatic closing device is formed on a front portion of the cap and body wherein insertion of the ball into the ball cavity automatically closes the cap with respect to the body. The closing device includes a protrusion on the cap at an opposite side of the hinge where the cap encloses the ball cavity. The protrusion extends through an aperture in the body and projects into the ball cavity when the cap is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: The Hammerblow Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4129313
    Abstract: A ski device comprises a ski with a substantially rigid combination handle and seat member pivotably mounted on the forward portion of the ski. The member forms a handle for a skier standing upright on the rear portion of the ski when the member is pivoted upwardly from the ski, and the member forms a seat for a skier sitting on the ski when the member is pivoted downwardly into contact with the ski. A foot rest and holding strap are provided for stabilizing the skier while seated on the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: James L. Benson
  • Patent number: 4128960
    Abstract: A weight arrestor for attachment to downriggers; the weight arrestor has an elongated coiled spring surrounding a downrigger cable. The spring radially flexes under stress exerted by the cable and slides up and down on the cable. The spring is adjustably coupled to a fastener. A cord is desirably fastened to both the spring and fastener. The fastener automatically secures the cord when tension is on the cord. The fastener is pivotally mounted onto a downrigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Larry L. Marek
  • Patent number: 4124184
    Abstract: A door catch including a housing mounted on a door, a lever arm pivotably mounted to the housing, a shank portion pivotably mounted to a midportion of the lever arm, the shank portion extending beyond the edge of the housing and adapted to fit within a keeper mounted adjacent a door. The lever arm and shank are movable between a closed and open position. The lever arm is spring biased to the open position. A rod extends through the shank portion and fits through slots in two flange portions of the housing. A latch is pivotably mounted on the rod and extends through aligned slots in both the shank portion and lever arm. The latch is spring biased to engage the lever arm adjacent the slot therethrough. The latch is movable to a releasing position whereby the lever arm and shank move to an open position and the shank disengages from the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred R. Juergens
  • Patent number: 4124315
    Abstract: A floor finish applicator comprises a frame mounted on wheels for movement in any selected direction, a liquid finish storage tank mounted on the frame, a finish applying mechanism adapted to deliver finish from the outlet of the storage tank to the floor, and a finish spreader adapted to spread the finish out into a smooth even finish after it has been applied to the floor. The finish spreader is mounted behind the frame and is movable in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of movement of the frame. The finish spreader is resiliently biased to remain in a predetermined position but is mechanically movable in either transverse direction. A roller is provided at one or both ends of the spreader in order to provide a rolling contact between the finish spreader and the wall of a room being finished. The applicator may be used to apply any type of liquid to a floor, including waxes, varnishes, cleaners or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Melton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Melton
  • Patent number: 4122687
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for a refrigeration unit having an evaporator coil through which cooling fluid is circulated. Air is forced across the evaporator coil and valve means directs the flow of air into an enclosed freezer compartment or alternately to a warmer enclosed refrigerated compartment which has a temperature above 0.degree. C. The air normally passes into the freezer compartment until the evaporator coil reaches a predetermined low temperature, below 0.degree. C., then the flow of cooling fluid through the coils is stopped and the valve means directs the air flow to the refrigerated compartment to defrost the evaporator coil. When the evaporator coil reaches a predetermined high temperature above 0.degree. C., the temperature cooling fluid will once again be circulated through the evaporator coils and the valve means will again direct the air flow through the freezer compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas M. McKee
  • Patent number: 4120311
    Abstract: Vacuum operated debris removal apparatus for a power broom comprises an enclosed hopper for collecting debris swept up by the power broom and vacuum removal apparatus for continuously removing the debris from the hopper and conveying the debris away from the apparatus. The hopper has an outlet in the bottom thereof and inclined sides leading to the outlet, so that debris collected in the hopper is urged by gravity toward the outlet. A vacuum manifold is attached to the outlet for applying a vacuum to the outlet. The hopper is independently supported on wheels and attached to the power broom such that the debris removal apparatus can be moved over the surface being cleaned along with the power broom without having the weight of the debris removal apparatus being carried by the brush of the power broom. This support mechanism is adjustable to vary the height of the hopper with respect to the power broom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Gravel-Vac Service Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Dunham, Thomas H. Kiernan
  • Patent number: 4118167
    Abstract: A multiple-cavity extrusion die for coextruding a plurality of indefinite lengths of multiple-layer tubular rubbery material. Core mandrels which extend into openings in the face of the die are adjustable for concentricity with respect to the die by internal or special external adjusting means. Cylindrically shaped core dies have frustro conically shaped forward portions which form extrusion dies with the cores for the core layer of rubbery material and form extrusion dies with a beveled back edge of an adjustable cylindrical cover die. Each of the cover dies is axially adjustable with respect to a respective core die to adjust the speed at which the individual tubes are extruded so that the speed of all tubes can be equalized. Special concentricity plates on the face of the covered dies are adjustably mounted with respect thereto so as to adjust the die openings for concentricity of the cover layer of rubbery material of each tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Cadillac Rubber & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold S. Lund, Thomas L. Stroh
  • Patent number: 4116210
    Abstract: A diverter spout assembly includes a spout having a discharge opening, an inlet and a passageway therebetween. A valve mount is secured at a rear portion adjacent the inlet. The valve mount has a cavity therein which defines an inner chamber having a passage therethrough to the discharge opening. A diverter conduit is operably connected to the inner chamber. The diverter conduit is substantially transverse to the passage through the inner chamber. A jet nozzle is mounted within the inner chamber substantially aligned with the passage. The jet nozzle has a front open end aligned over the front surface of the diverter outlet to minimize water leakage and siphon effects through the diverter outlet when water passes through the discharge opening. A valve is operably mounted on the valve mount to close the inner chamber from the discharge opening so that water supplied from the inlet opening is diverted to the diverter conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4112550
    Abstract: A one piece suspended ceiling hook comprising an upper rail gripping portion and a downwardly extending hook portion. The upper portion includes two inwardly extending and opposing flanges having inner edges spaced apart from each other. A recess is formed within the upper portion with the inwardly extending flanges defining the upper border of the recess. The recess is adapted to receive a lower horizontal rim of a suspended ceiling beam. The upper portion is capable of flexing. Tabs extend outwardly and downwardly from the outer portion of the upper portion for manual movement to an inward position such that the upper portion flexes and the two opposing flanges move outwardly such that the inner edges of the flanges are a greater distance apart than the width of the lower rim of the suspended ceiling beam. The downwardly extending hook portion has edges which about the tabs when flexed to limit the extent the tabs can flex the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventors: Stuart DeWitt, James S. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 4111564
    Abstract: A reference plane producing method and system wherein a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation, for example, a laser beam, is reflected to simultaneously disperse the beam in different directions to form a thin plane of such radiation which can be used, for example, as a construction reference line. In a preferred embodiment a primary cone having its apex projecting towards the incident beam and its optical axis coaxial with the incident beam is used to reflect the beam of light. Various embodiments of a basic apparatus having integral or separate collimating and leveling devices are described. The preferred source of radiant energy is a laser, most preferably a second-mode laser having a donut or annular shaped beam and is projected against an axially aligned conical reflecting surface. The conical surface can be a female cone formed by axially drilling into a transparent transmission tube, such as the emission end of a fiber-optic transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1973
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Inventor: James R. Trice, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4102636
    Abstract: An industrial heating furnace wherein hot exhaust gases from the furnace are heat exchanged in a rotary ceramic heat exchanger with air which is supplied to burners in the furnace for combustion air. The temperature of the gases within the furnace is controlled and the ratio of the flow of gases through the two sides of the rotary heat exchanger is controlled at a predetermined value which is approximately one to maximize efficiency of the furnace operation and to minimize thermal stresses on the ceramic heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Granco Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Phillips, David R. Dietz