Patents Represented by Attorney Paul M. Craig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5111555
    Abstract: A hose clamp with an ear-like structure which is adapted to be selected strengthened to achieve desired holding ability and/or re-tightening forces, as needed. This is achieved in one embodiment by complementary ear-like structures in the overlapping inner and outer band portions with the free ends of the inner and outer band portions connected with the corresponding overlapping, respectively, overlapped band portion. In addition or in the alternative, the ear-like structure is strengthened by external and/or internal strengthening members made of spring steel with predetermined spring characteristics whereby in one particular realization, the strengthening member can be readily installed and disassembled from the ear-like structure by the insertion and removal of pin-like retaining members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5096235
    Abstract: A rapid coupling arrangement, especially for engine blocks of internal combustion engines in which all bores in the engine block are non-threaded bores which can be made in a single operation. The coupling arrangement further includes a bushing member which assists in retaining a spring member that can lock a tubular connecting member in place after its insertion into the bushing and engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5096234
    Abstract: A hose connection for high pressure installations and a method for making the same in which a nipple provided with externally projecting beads or ribs, preferably of annular configuration, is internally expanded by an expanding tool while the hose is constrained against radially outward movement by a sleeve-like member. To enhance the holding ability of the connection, the sleeve-like member is provided with inwardly extending annular grooves, preferably so arranged that the deepest point of the annular grooves are located between peaks of adjacent beads or rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5070580
    Abstract: A clamp structure with one or several plastically deformable ears whose holding ability is increased by an external strengthening member surrounding the plastically deformable ear in its non-deformed condition; the lateral portions of the strengthening member are thereby so constructed and shaped that an application of a force to the lateral members will cause the ear to be plastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5031301
    Abstract: A high pressure coupling for hose-like objects in which the nipple structure includes a main portion, a connecting nipple portion extending from the main portion in one direction and a nipple portion extending from the main portion in the opposite direction. A sleeve-like member made from tubular stock is adapted to be securely connected to the nipple structure by crimping, flanging or the like. The nipple portion includes outwardly projecting, rounded-off ribs cooperating with rounded-off grooves in the sleeve-like member so that the hose inserted between the nipple portion and the sleeve-like member is held securely in position after the nipple portion is internally expanded with subsequent reduction of the cylindrical surface of the sleeve-like member. Both the nipple structure as well as the sleeve-like member are made from appropriate stock machined accurately to the required dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5001816
    Abstract: For the connection of two edges of areal parts which extend at least along one common section essentially parallel to one another, at least one retaining element is arranged at the one edge which form-lockingly engages from behind, as viewed in the edge direction, in a recess in the other edge. At least one projection arranged laterally offset at the one edge in relation to the retaining element in the direction of the engagement from behind, abuts form-lockingly at the part with the recess essentially in the edge direction. For the connection of the terminal edges of open ends of a ring-shaped clamping band, analogously a retaining tongue is provided, preferably in the center of the one edge with lugs projecting on both sides from the tongue which form-lockingly engages from behind in an essentially congruent recess in the other edge also arranged essentially centrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5000233
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting and tightening an open clamp about an object to be fastened in which a first jaw-like member causes the band end portion intended to constitute the inner band portion to be placed about the object to be fastened, a second jaw-like member then causes the other band end portion of the clamp intended to constitute the outer band portion to be placed about the object to be fastened in such a manner that the outwardly extending hook or hooks in the inner band portion is or are adapted to engage with the corresponding aperture or apertures in the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4998326
    Abstract: A clamp structure of the open type with mutually overlapping inner and outer band portions, in which two ears are provided disposed diametrically opposite one another and at least the outer band portion is provided with an additional opening on the side of its ear opposite the free end of the outer band portion to balance the clamp structure when installed on an object to be fastened thereby. For larger clamp sizes, the inner band portion may also be provided with an opening located on the side of the outwardly extending hooks of the mechanical interconnection opposite the free end of the inner band portion. The inner band portion may additionally be provided with an outwardly extending hook adapted to engage in the opening provided in the outer band portion so as to keep the two band portions axially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschioen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4991266
    Abstract: A mechanical interlock for an open clamp structure which includes a clamping band having an outer band portion and an inner band portion, intended to overlap in the closed condition of the clamp structure. The inner band portion is provided in the area near its end at least with an outwardly extending combined guide and support hook whose inclined guide and support surface is formed by its rear edge facing away from the free end of the inner band portion; the rear edge forming the guide and support surface is thereby non-rectilinear, as viewed in the axial direction of the clamp structure, to facilitate assembly of the clamp structure and minimize down-time of the machine for punching out the clamp structure. To further improve its holding ability, the rear edge includes a widened portion at least near the area where the outer band portion comes to lie when the clamp is installed on an object to be fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4987651
    Abstract: An earless clamp structure to which elastic stretchability is imparted by one or more clamping band sections which essentially consist of lateral band portions converging toward one another from each end of the section. The lateral band portions define therebetween a window-like opening resembling an hourglass. The method in accordance with the present invention involves the step of removing certain material portions from the clamping band to obtain a section with non-rectilinear lateral band portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4832380
    Abstract: A pipe connection in which pipe ends are provided with flared ends within the area of the joint edges, and in which a clamping ring with a U-shaped internal profile in a cross section is adapted to be tightened radially inwardly; the inner end faces of the clamping ring and the flared end faces are inclined toward the pipe axis so that the joining edges are urged toward one another in the tightened condition of the clamping ring; the clamping ring is provided with at least one plastically deformable, lug-shaped ear adapted to be tightened by contraction thereof to thereby establish a permanent connection which can be reopened only by destruction of the clamping ring; the surfaces of the clamping ring which engage with the end faces of the flarings may be further provided with means, e.g., in the form of notches, teeth, serrations or embossments to prevent rotation of the ring relative to the joint edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4811581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preforming a substantially flat blank of an open clamp adapted to be mechanically interconnected near the free ends thereof into a circular clamp having a configuration at least approximately the configuration of the clamp when installed about an object to be fastened onto a relatively fixed, generally circular part; as the flat blank is being fed through the machine, it is performed into a generally circular shape with the free ends thereof axially spaced from one another; the pair of rollers feeding the blank may also be so shaped in their external contours that the lateral edges of the blank are bent out in the generally radial direction; additionally the blank is automatically stopped after an initial short feed through the machine to permit stamping of a predetermined part of the flat blank; the entire operation which is preferably pneumatically controlled is thereby automatically cyclically operated as soon as a flat blank is inserted into the machine a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4787822
    Abstract: A volume control for a multi-nozzle rotary pump filling system in which a plurality of rotary pumps are driven from a common drive. Each pump is connected with its own nozzle by way of a connection that includes a volume control operable to adjust the back pressure on the rotary pump to thereby vary the amount of product dispensed by the nozzle. In case of more viscous products, a by-pass line which includes a relief valve is also provided between the inlet side of the control unit and the in-feed side of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: National Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard N. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4776310
    Abstract: An assembly for locking together in sliding relationship a yoke with a sliding block with one of the walls of a crankcase and having a channel apparatus isolated from the crankcase volume throughout rotation of the crankshaft for transmitting lubricant from an aperture in one of the walls of the crankcase via the yoke to lubricate the sliding block and crankthrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: R P & M Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Gray
  • Patent number: 4756137
    Abstract: A capping machine in which open containers are successively brought to a capping station where a respective container is held against rotation to permit closing of the open container by rotating movement of a cap fed from a reservoir to a pick-up station; a head frame assembly of the machine includes a spindle assembly carrying a chuck at the lower spindle end and drivingly connected by way of an adjustable clutch and by way of a positive drive connection with a driving motor; additionally, the spindle assembly includes a double-acting pneumatic cylinder to cause reciprocation of the spindle in its axial direction; the various components of the head frame assembly are balanced about a pivot shaft on which they are mounted for pivot movement in unison so that the actuating force for pivoting the head frame assembly can be kept relatively small; in operation, the head frame assembly is pivoted from a capping position where the chuck is in alignment with the open end of the container, into a pick-up position whe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: National Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 4754668
    Abstract: A pincer-like tool for tightening clamps of the type provided with overlapping band portions each including an outwardly projecting embossment that extends generally in the circumferential direction of the clamp and offers an engaging surface disposed substantially transverse to the circumferential direction and located at the end of the embossment remote from the free end of the respective band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 4712278
    Abstract: A clamp structure, especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears; to permit the use of conventional pliers, the tool-engaging surfaces in the inner band portion are formed by two tab-like members pressed-out of the inner band material which engage in an aperture of the outer band material that is also provided with its own tool-engaging surface in the form of a cold-deformed embossment pressed-out of the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: RE33639
    Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band and with at least one plastically deformable so-called "Oetiker" ear to be contracted to tighten the clamp structure about the object to be fastened; to assure a substantially smooth; gap-free transistion in the circumferential direction within the area of overlap, for example, of an inner and outer band portion in the area of mechanical interlock or of an insert member and corresponding parts of the clamping band, a tongue portion is provided at each free end of the inner part which is adapted to engage in a corresponding aperture in the respective outer part when the ear is contracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: RE33744
    Abstract: A clamp structure especially for use in applications in which space conditions do not permit any projecting parts such as plastically deformable ears, and in which outwardly extending hooks adapted to engage in apertures are used to mechanically interconnect the clamp structure; to enable tightening of the band about an object to the fastened, cold-deformed pressed-out embossments are provided in inner and outer band portions, which extend generally in the circumferential direction so that each pressed-out embossment remains integral at least on both sides thereof, where the tool-engaging surfaces thereof are able to withstand very large tightening forces in the circumferential direction which permit a secure tightening of the clamp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: RE33934
    Abstract: A clamp structure with a clamping band having open ends adapted to be mechanically interconnected by outwardly extending hooks in an inner band portion operable to engage in corresponding apertures provided in an outer band portion; at least one plastically deformable ear is provided in the clamp structure for tightening the clamping band about an object to be fastened by plastic deformation of the ear; a substantially gap-free transition in the circumferential direction from the inner band portion to the ring-like configuration of the clamp structure defined by the clamping band is obtained by the use of a tongue-like extension at the free end of the inner band portion which is operable to engage into a tongue-receiving aperture or channel provided in the outer band portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker