Patents Represented by Attorney Roger A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5354103
    Abstract: A technique for quick insert connecting tubular fluid pressure conduits into spaced ports having internal seal rings in a common side of a valve or block. A plastic spring lock member with apertures coinciding with the ports is disposed over the ports. The apertures are chamfered on a common side and slotted for permitting resilient expansion. The spring lock member is retained by a cover bolted to the block with clearance apertures over the ports. Upon insertion of a conduit with an annular convolution adjacent the end, the convolution cams against the chamfer expanding the slotted aperture permitting the convolution to snap through and the conduit to be retained in the port with the periphery of the conduit end contacting the internal seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Torrence, Kathryn D. Loew, Anthony M. Oliver, Peter J. Malone
  • Patent number: 5350891
    Abstract: A wobble stick control switch assembly for operating remotely adjusted vehicle outside rear-view mirrors. The stick is guided through orthogonally intersecting slots to move a cylindrical holder having insert molded wiper contacts over the surface of a circuit board having pairs of stationary contacts for reversible remote servomotor control. A barrel member having a shorting bar in one end is disposed rotatably within the cylindrical holder and has a rectangular slot engaged by the end of the stick. Rotation of the stick in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction rotates the barrel to cause the shorting bar to connect separate pairs of stationary contacts on the circuit board to select as between plural remote locations to be controlled, e.g. left or right outside mirror adjustment motors. Rotation of the stick to an intermediate neutral position causes detents to lift the shorting bar from the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Albert F. Ditzig
  • Patent number: 5350889
    Abstract: A switching assembly having some conductor strips molded in the base and extending outwardly to form connector terminals. Other conductive strips are disposed on the surface of the base and have the ends extending outwardly to also form connector terminals. The conductive strips have other portions bent upward to plug directly into a printed circuit board. A plurality of switches are mounted on the base and a switch is mounted on the circuit board directly above a base mounted switch. User movement of cover mounted rockers actuates the base mounted switches through push pins passing through clearance holes the circuit board. The circuit board mounted switch after user effected rocker actuation absorbs overtravel resulting from continued user movement of the rocker and is operative to move a sliding plunger in the circuit board to operate the base mounted switch directly below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Lauritsen
  • Patent number: 5341566
    Abstract: A method of attaching and sealing a straight walled tubular fitting to a block or valve body. The end of the tubing is closely fitted in a counterbore which has an undercut groove with a recessed elastomeric seal ring with the inner edges of the groove chamfered. A tubular insert having a thickened wall portion at one end is received in the tube so the thickened wall is coincident with the seal ring. A tapered punch is driven in the thickened end of the insert, causing the tubing wall to bulge locally and expand into the chamfered groove to secure the tube in the block and seal against the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Algird R. Quitschau, Dennis K. Seals
  • Patent number: 5342255
    Abstract: A drive axle differential has the shift fork for the differential locking curvic clutch collar slidably received over a push-rod and registered against a flange on the push-rod. The push-rod has one end slidably received in a bore in the differential carrier and the other end threadedly engaging an air pressure power piston. A slot is provided in the threaded end of the push-rod for an adjustment tool and a locking screw is threaded against the push-rod after adjustment. The piston cover containing the air pressure control signal port then attached to the differential carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven G. Slesinski, Bruce A. Muselin
  • Patent number: 5336859
    Abstract: An illuminated rocker switch having a transparent actuator in the form of a light pipe pivoted on the switch housing. The light pipe has a set of generally parallel spaced arms each transmitting light to a separate projection surface on each arm from the common edge of an aperture illuminated by a lamp. A separate arm receives light from a separate lamp at a second light receiving surface and transmits light to a projection surface on the end of the separate arm. An opaque actuator cover is attached to the light pipe and has transparent regions adjacent each projection surface for illumination. The cover has an opaque shroud tube received on the separate arm and shields it from illumination other than from its own lamp. The light pipe carries a shorting bar which, upon user movement of the actuator switches between stationary contacts on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Guy A. Wojtanek, Jaime Lopez, G. Scott Grafer
  • Patent number: 5336995
    Abstract: An in-axle shaft speed sensor has an annular configuration and is attached to the axle differential bearing adjustment ring. An annular sensor housing ring has a radially inwardly extending flange with inwardly cantilevered tabs formed therein for absorbing by localized axial deflection the clamping loads of attachment screws. The stator ring is configured for an axial air flux gap with the rotor poles and is axially adjacent the housing ring and has cut-outs therein to permit free deflection of the tabs and prevents axial distortion of the stator ring and mis-alignment of the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporati
    Inventor: LaVerne A. Caron
  • Patent number: 4613157
    Abstract: A reusable greeting card formed of a single-folded sheet having the greeting message provided on the upper portion of the card. The sheet is vertically folded and has at least one removable first sender's signature section extending across the bottom of the card and attached to the card by a frangible section. A second signature section is provided above the frangible area, thus allowing the card to be reused upon removal of the first signature section. Different size envelopes are provided with the card one of which is sized to receive the card only after removal of the first signature portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignees: Steve Drabish, Roger A. Johnston
    Inventor: Steve Drabish
  • Patent number: 4613103
    Abstract: A model railroad crossing bell and flasher employs spaced photocell detectors along the model railroad track. A comparator receives the photocell detector output signals and upon detecting a train shadow provides power to a first oscillator which actuates a pair of light emitting diodes in alternate sequence. Simultaneously, the first oscillator provides power to a second oscillator of a different frequency than the first oscillator. The second oscillator attenuates the first oscillator output signal to create a ringing sound through a loud speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: David B. Lellinger
    Inventor: Benjamin Waranowitz
  • Patent number: 4158764
    Abstract: The device includes a coiled conductor formed of an alloy having a high electrical resistance and has an outer tubular casing of plastic material which is inert to acid or alkaline solutions. A flexible sleeve braided of fibrous glass material is slidably assembled on the coiled wire and the sleeve with coiled wire within is inserted as a subassembly into the outer tubular member to form an assembly for immersion in the liquid to be heated. Opposite ends of the heating cable extend above the liquid for attachment to electrical connections from a source of electrical power. Ground wires may also be provided to permit running of the electrical energy to ground in the event the outer tubular member is ruptured in service. Support rods are usually provided to anchor the cable to the desired configuration when immersed in the liquid to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Inventor: Frank J. Yane
  • Patent number: 4142675
    Abstract: A thermally responsive device for valving a common fluid signal port between two separate fluid pressure sources and simultaneously actuating an electrical switching means. The electrical switching means is isolated from the fluid valving means and pressure ports. A thermal sensing means is operative in response to predetermined temperatures to move a valve means for valving the common signal port between the separate fluid pressure sources. The valve means employs a unitary valve member having spaced seals for seating against individual valve seats for alternately isolating the individual pressure source ports from the signal port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar W. Maltby
  • Patent number: 4128044
    Abstract: A novel electropneumatic servoactuator utilizing a fluid pressure control signal chamber and a duty-cycle control valve alternating between a fluid supply pressure port means and port means venting the chamber to the atmosphere and controlling fluid pressure in the chamber. The control valve is driven by electromagnetic means comprising a coil responsive to an electrical input signal. Pressure responsive actuator means moves in response to the chamber pressure level for providing a mechanical position output. Feedback means senses movement of the actuator means and throttles the fluid flow in one of said port means. In another aspect of the invention, an auxiliary dump release valve armature means is also driven by the coil in preferably magnetic series circuit arrangement with the control valve and coil for rapidly porting the control chamber to the atmosphere for emergency release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Larson, William A. Treadwell, James Seaver
  • Patent number: 4116182
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for an internal combustion engine in which the rate of flow of exhaust gas from the outlet manifold to the inlet manifold of the engine is controlled as a function of engine load and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Cyril E. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4078328
    Abstract: In a construction toy set, a connector unit or spider member has a central disk-shaped portion with a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom with each arm having a bulbous portion formed at the end thereof, the bulbous portion being slightly elongated in cross section in a direction transverse to the arm. A deformable plastic tube is received thereover in a manner which permits pivotal motion of the tube about the bulbous portion. The spider member has an aperture of slightly oval configuration formed in the central portion thereof for receiving a deformable plastic tube therein in frictional engagement therewith. The connector may also have a shoulder portion formed at the root of each arm for engaging the end of the plastic tube when assembled over the bulbous portion for restricting pivotal movement of the tube about the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Sultra Corporation
    Inventor: Larry W. Rayment
  • Patent number: 4062708
    Abstract: A relatively low temperature nitrogen gas generating composition is disclosed which consists essentially of (a) from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of an oxidizer selected from the oxides of iron, nickel and cobalt, said oxidizer having a primary particle size in the range from about 0.1 micron to about 7 microns in diameter; and, (b) at least 50 percent by weight of an alkali metal azide. Optionally, less than about 10 percent by weight of an alkali metal perchlorate may be included as a booster. The nitrogen gas generating composition provides the nitrogen gas at a low enough temperature but at a sufficiently high speed, without generating a large quantity of finely divided solid residue particles. A major portion of the combustion residue is a coherent porous solid sinter or fused mass of residue particles which autogenously provides both self-filtration of ejected particles and sorption of any molten combustion product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Goetz