Patents Represented by Law Firm Shefte, Pinckney & Sawyer
  • Patent number: 5402951
    Abstract: A textile winding machine having a transport system for recirculating bobbin tube support members carrying empty bobbins, and diverting tube support members carrying partially unwound bobbins, and tubes having remnant windings of yarn thereon into diverting paths is disclosed. Each bobbin has an information transfer device which contains data pertaining to the bobbin tube on which it is carried. At least one reading device is present in the transport system for reading the information transfer device. The transport system comprises a storage path for storing tube support members; a device for diverting tube support members; and a control unit connected to the reading device for controlling the diverting device to divert tube support members which tube support members are determined by the control unit in conjunction with the reading device to the storage path to have predetermined storage path conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Ferdinand-Josef Hermanns, Juergen Breuer, Franz-Josef Flamm
  • Patent number: 5400570
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat shrinking an envelope of heat shrinkable film into close conformity to a product enclosed within the film envelope includes a housing; a first assembly disposed within the housing for directed heated air to at least a first portion of the film envelope; a second assembly disposed with the housing and operable subsequent to the first assembly for directing heated water onto at least a second portion of the envelope, both causing the envelope to shrink into conformity with the product; an arrangement for drying the product after water has been applied thereto; and an arrangement for circulating the hot water into heat transfer relation with a moving stream of the hot air for enhanced water heating prior to its application to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Charles J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5398878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplified control of an automatic yarn winder to enable production of as many full yarn packages as possible. A predetermined total number of full packages to be produced is divided by the number of winding stations of the automatic winder. In the event that the quotient is not an integer, it is rounded off up and down for each winding station to an integer within an upper and a lower limit value with the sum of all the rounded-off values being equal to the predetermined number. The winding stations are taken out of operation individually as each station's rounded-off value is reached. The automatic winder has a detector for detecting the number of finished packages per winding station and memory locations for storing the detected number. An input device for inputting the predetermined values for the respective predetermined number of packages of the various winding stations is coupled with a circuit for deactuating winding stations once the value is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Dieter Mohrke
  • Patent number: 5399028
    Abstract: A support disk assembly and a method of producing a support disk (1) for the bearing of a spinning rotor. The support disk assembly (1) has an exchangeable annular collar (4) that can be secured between fastening rings (5, 6, or 17). The collar (4) has side surfaces (8,9) that extend parallel and orthogonally to the center axis (M) of the support disk assembly in a radially inward annular region (P). The side surfaces (8,9) located in a radially outward annular region (K) of the collar (4) extend convergently and are partly clamped by flanges (14) on the fastening rings (5, 6, or 17), leaving the peripheral bearing surface (10) of the collar exposed for supporting engagement of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Raasch
  • Patent number: 5398494
    Abstract: A sliver opening and fiber feeding device for opening a sliver into individual fibers and feeding the individual fibers to the rotor of an open end spinning machine is provided with a polytetrafluoroethylene coating for the interior surface of the housing of the sliver feeding and opening device, in particular, the trash discharge passage. The polytetrafluoroethylene coating advantageously has a relatively low co-efficient of friction to thereby reduce the affinity of sticky material, which may be present in the sliver due to the presence of insect residue or the like, to stick to the interior surfaces of the device. The polytetrafluoroethylene coating is included on an insert element mounted in the discharge passage, with the insert element being capable of being retrofitted in an existing sliver opening and fiber feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz-Georg Wassenhoven, Elke Hodenius, Ute Kraehe, Udo Papenfuss
  • Patent number: 5398879
    Abstract: An improved carrier for textile bobbins of the type having a disk-like base plate and a bobbin mounting pin upstanding therefrom of an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the tube of the bobbin to be supported and transported, wherein the pin is equipped with a frictional non-slip surface. As a result, if pointwise contact with the inside diameter of the tube occurs, e.g., by relative tilting of the tube, friction is brought to bear to counteract shifting of the tube on the pin. The invention is based on the recognition that in every situation in which relative motion between the bobbin and the carrier occurs, the bobbin becomes tilted on the carrier. The non-slip surface of the pin advantageously comprises an elastic surface, e.g., rubber or silicone. According to another aspect of the present invention, the pin diameter can be adapted to various inside diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Gregor Rueth
  • Patent number: 5391084
    Abstract: A grounding assembly for use with an electrical distribution panel for grounding electrical cables which includes a support bar that extends generally longitudinally with respect to the panel and which is connected to a grounding block mounted on the panel. A plurality of grounding clips are mounted on the support bar, each of which includes mounting flanges formed with an opening for receiving the support bar, and each of which includes a plurality of flexible arms carried on the mounting flange, with each arm being movable to receive one of the electrical cables and to clamp such cable in place against the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Chatsworth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Kreitzman
  • Patent number: 5390484
    Abstract: A method for automatic silver can exchange operations includes the transport of full sliver cans on a sliver can transport carriage to and between the spinning stations of a textile spinning machine and is particularly suitable for the exchange of sliver cans at spinning stations of the type having a back row position for supporting a sliver can and a front row position for supporting another sliver can. In a situation in which sliver is still being drawn from the frontmost sliver can while the backmost sliver can is empty, the method includes the step of initially transferring the running sliver can to the transport carriage, positioning a can support on the transport carriage for receipt of the empty backmost sliver can, and transfer of the empty backmost sliver can. Thereafter, the method includes the step of indexing movement of a full sliver can on the transport carriage to position the can for subsequent transfer to the back row position of the spinning station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Schwalm
  • Patent number: 5388269
    Abstract: An eye shielding method and apparatus is provided for eyeglass wearers including a generally planar shield having a plurality of notches and score lines formed therein to allow the generally planar shield to be bent into a configuration which substantially covers the peripheral region of the user's head not covered by standard eyeglasses. Mounting slots are provided to mount the shield on the temple of a conventional pair of eyeglasses. The shields may be manufactured in pairs and joined by a frangible joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Practicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley P. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5386684
    Abstract: A coordinating apparatus for insuring the proper positioning of the traveling service unit with a respective work station of a textile machine so that data such as, for example, information concerning the servicing requirements of the respective work station and operating instructions, can be communicated between the service unit and the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Simon, Norbert Coenen
  • Patent number: 5385283
    Abstract: A clipboard attachment for a steering wheel that can be used when the steering wheel is being manipulated. The clipboard attachment has a clipboard and a housing to which the clipboard is attached. The housing securely attaches to the inner rim of the steering wheel. Opposed telescoping securing portions partially enclosed within the housing extend outward and are spring biased to engage the inner rim of the steering wheel. Mating hook and loop fasteners releasably attach U-shaped ends of the securing portions to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Shioda
  • Patent number: 5385036
    Abstract: A warp knitted textile spacer fabric, a process for producing same, and articles utilizing same are disclosed. The spacer fabric is of an at least six-bar Raschel construction produced on a double needle bar Raschel knitting machine by knitting front and back stretchable fabric substructures of respective sets of ground and elastic yarns interknitted with one another in a stretchable resilient stitch construction while simultaneously knitting at least two sets of monofilament pile yarns in a pile substructure integrated with and extending between the fabric substructures to form pile segments extending transversely between the fabric substructures in differing angular orientations to the widthwise and lengthwise dimensions of the fabric, producing a pyramidal truss-like system of pile segments which maintain the fabric substructures in spaced parallel relation yet are resiliently compressible and resist relative shear movements of the fabric substructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Guilford Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Spillane, Mike S. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 5385007
    Abstract: A pot spinning device is disclosed for spinning textile yarn in which the spinning pot has an inner wall and the pot is driven by a magnetic bearing device for rotating the spinning pot. The magnetic bearing device provides radial and axial support of the pot. The magnetic bearing device may comprise at least one electromagnet disposed at each end of the spinning pot. At least the ends of the spinning pot may be formed of a magnetic material positioned to interact with the magnetic bearing device. The magnetic material may be formed as an annularly magnetic portion at each end. At least one sensor may be connected to the magnetic bearing device for detecting a displacement of the spinning pot. The magnetic bearing device may have a control device for stabilizing the position of the spinning pot against displacement due to exterior forces. The spinning pot may comprise a rotor of the electric motor. The electric motor may include an annular rotor on the spinning pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Robert Hartel, Karl-Josef Brockmanns
  • Patent number: 5383061
    Abstract: A rearview mirror apparatus for use by hunters while seated in a tree stand facing a tree trunk, includes a mirror attached to a mounting arm assembly having a spike for removably penetrating the tree trunk for selective mounting thereto and demounting therefrom in a viewing position forwardly of the tree stand seat to provide a hunter with a reflected rearward field of view from a stationary seated position facing the tree trunk. Preferably, the arm assembly includes a jointed arm portion providing at least one ball-and-socket joint by which the viewing field of the mirror may be selectively adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: John T. Lanier
  • Patent number: 5379497
    Abstract: The relative dispositions of the shear cylinder, fabric rest and ledger blade of a textile fabric shearing machine may be inspected and any necessary adjustments thereof may be precisely measured and controlled by the present inspecting apparatus which comprises a linear guide rail mounted to the frame of the shearing machine in precise axially parallel relation to the shear cylinder and a carriage mounted on the rail for linear movement therealong, wherein the carriage is equipped with a detection tool, e.g., a feeler arm assembly, selectively articulable and manipulable into a plurality of dispositions for traveling surface contact with the fabric rest or ledger blade to detect and identify irregularities in linearity or relative disposition to the shear roll or to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Guilford Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Nielsen, Phillip D. McCartney, Majid Moghaddassi
  • Patent number: 5380967
    Abstract: A device for actuating conventional toggle-type and rocker-type electrical wall switches such as light switches, particularly adapted for facilitating switch operation by children and handicapped persons who cannot reach the normal elevation at which such switches are installed, utilizes an elongated operating arm with a portion at one end for operating engagement with the switch, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventors: Carson D. Steen, Robby W. Steen
  • Patent number: 5379498
    Abstract: Shearing operations on textile pile fabrics may be repeatably controlled precisely by controlling operating parameters of the shearing machine to maintain constant the average number of times each pile loop of the fabric is cut by the shearing blades of the shearing cylinder, which is accomplished by calculating a numeric value representing cuts per pile loop as a function of the rotational speed of the cylinder, its number of shearing blades, the widthwise dimension of the nose surface of the fabric rest, and the fabric traveling speed, and selectively adjusting one or more of these parameters as necessary to achieve the desired number of cuts per fabric loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Guilford Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Nielsen, Majid Moghaddassi
  • Patent number: 5380046
    Abstract: A personal information packet to be carried by a child or other person to provide identification and relevant information to authorities in the event of an emergency comprises a folded information card bearing personal information on the shielded inwardly folded side of the card sealed within a transparent plastic envelope to secure the card against outward view of the personal information and against unauthorized removal of the card without breaching the sealed integrity of the envelope. A notice is printed on the outward side of the card to alert authorities that personal information is contained within the packet and a broken line shows authorities where to cut open the packet without obliterating the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Gregory W. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5375691
    Abstract: A peg tray type carrier for transporting textile yarn tubes has a codable, readable and erasable electronic information carrying device such as a memory chip connected to a transmitting-receiving antenna arranged in the area of the central axis of the peg tray to achieve essentially the same effective contactless transmission interval to a compatible transmitting-receiving antenna of a reading, erasing and encoding device, which may be located for example stationarily along a peg tray transport conveyor, essentially without regard to the rotational disposition of the peg tray about its axis. Inductive, capacitive or electromagnetic forms of contactless coupling are possible for information transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Ulrich Wirtz
  • Patent number: D355620
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Global Protection, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Drimer