Patents Represented by Law Firm Stephenson and Boller
  • Patent number: 4659391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing flash and other excess material from sand cores in which the cores are showered with impact particles of relatively soft material and contained in moving air streams issuing from a plurality of nozzles directed against opposite sides of cores being cleaned. Low pressure air from a blower is used at the nozzles to obtain a high density of particles in the moving air stream and provide for engagement of the particles in a gentle manner with the sand cores so as to minimize surface erosion of the cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: B & U Corporation
    Inventor: Udo Kuehn
  • Patent number: 4648521
    Abstract: A composite metal and plastic tank consisting of a metal frame assembly with a replaceable hollow plastic container mounted therein. The plastic container has downwardly inclined flow channels formed in its base to insure complete drainage of the container when desired and the bottom wall of the frame assembly is flat to enable handling of the tank with conventional fork lift equipment. A comprehensive dunnage plate is interposed in the frame assembly between the container base and the frame bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Hoover Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Thomas, David L. Waltke, Gary Gibson
  • Patent number: 4642941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a window regulator comprising a generally flat tape having sufficient flexibility to follow a curved path of substantial radius but being sufficiently rigid to transmit in compression, when guided in a functionally rigid track, sufficient force to regulate a vehicle window, said tape having at one side a series of transversely extending substantially rack shaped teeth, the ends of said teeth being spaced from the edges of said tape to leave flat side guide portions, and a functionally rigid but bendable track comprising a channel having reversely bent guide flanges spaced to receive the toothed portion of said rack.A drive pinion is in mesh with the rack teeth, and preferably the track is curved to present a concavity to the drive pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Staran, Ronald B. Czulinski, Albert J. Hammond
  • Patent number: 4633053
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machine with automatically replaceable electrodes. The machine includes an electrode holder with a clamp operable to alternately receive and release an electrode, an electrode cartridge containing a plurality of stacked electrodes and a shuttle movable toward and away from the electrode holder. When the shuttle is moved toward the electrode holder, it removes an electrode from the cartridge and moves it into alignment with the electrode holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Raycon Corporation
    Inventor: Jayadeva R. Puthran
  • Patent number: 4632179
    Abstract: An improved heat pipe comprising a duct having disposed at opposite ends thereof an evaporator with wick-lined hollow fins in the form of extended corrugations thereon, and operable to supply heat to the evaporator comprised of a gas combustor having an internal volume for containing the evaporator and combustion air for supply to a combustion chamber located therein; a wick capable of transporting liquid by capillary action lining substantially all internal surfaces of said heat pipe; an external heat sink operable to remove heat from the condenser; and a heat transport medium contained by said heat pipe. The evaporator is further comprised of a coarse porous material lining and completely filling the spaces within the hollow fins open to the evaporator for increased structural stiffness and ease of fabrication; and a porous mass completely filling the evaporator for increased compressive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Stirling Thermal Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Roelf J. Meijer, Benjamin Ziph
  • Patent number: 4628704
    Abstract: A new and improved surge tank for the refrigeration circuit of an automobile air-conditioning system is fabricated from tube stock and comprises a unitary main cylindrical body having a sidewall and end walls. The end walls are formed by friction spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Michigan Special Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Kilby
  • Patent number: 4629252
    Abstract: The seat back for a bench vehicle seat is mounted for movement with an adjustable sector between an upright or dress-up position and a full reclining position, and may be positively locked in any intermediate position of adjustment. In addition, the seat back is releasably pivoted to the sector, and is automatically released for forward pivotal movement to a horizontal position when the sector is pivoted forwardly to a limiting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Myers, William H. Jones
  • Patent number: 4623229
    Abstract: An articulated arm for conducting the beam of a laser to a point of utilization which moves relative to the laser. In the preferred embodiment the articulated arm is supported in a generally vertically depending manner from a stationary laser. The articulated arm terminates in a focusing clamp assembly which is positioned by an industrial robot. The articulated arm following the motions of the robot. The articulated arm comprises joints through which the laser beam is conducted and which contain mirror assemblies for changing the direction of the laser beam as it passes through each joint. A joint may include a rotary coupling member on a main body providing relative rotation of the axis of one of the incident and reflected laser beams about the axis of the other. The mirror assemblies include adjustable shim mechanisms which provide for the precision adjustment of the mirrors to secure alignment of the incident and reflected laser beam along the intersecting path segments through each joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Photon Sources, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Galan
  • Patent number: 4618124
    Abstract: Method for installing conduit in a confined wall space are disclosed. A tape is introduced into the confined space behind the wall and is extended to an outlet point by moving a tool along the exterior wall surface. The tool has an electromagnet which attracts a metal roller on the end of the tape, drawing the roller against the interior wall surface. The tool has rollers, or wheels, allowing it to roll on the exterior wall surface, and hence the extension of the tape is by means of combined roller action on both surfaces of the wall. At the outlet, conduit is attached to the tape and is pulled into the confined space by retracting the tape. Retraction of the tape may be accomplished by a drum onto which the tape is wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas Flowers
  • Patent number: 4617166
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding articles with deeply recessed edges utilizing mold halves each of which consists of a center section and end sections that are relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of the mold to enable both lengthening and shortening of the mold. Rack and pinion assemblies are associated with the mold sections so that in response to movement of one end section toward or away from the center section, the other end section is similarly moved toward or away from the center section to thereby enable selective lengthwise lengthening or shortening of the mold halves. This enables the mold halves to be shortened after they are closed on a parison to thereby compress the shape of the parison within the mold to thereby move portions of the parison closer to the edges of the mold cavity. This facilitates a uniform distribution of plastic material along the surface of the mold cavity when the parison is blown into conformity with the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Irwin, Richard M. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4615261
    Abstract: An improved piston ring assembly, particularly for a Stirling engine, comprises a piston ring made from a TFE fluorocarbon such as Rulon which is disposed in a piston ring groove and is acted upon by an annular bi-metal element disposed between the groove and the ring. When the engine is cold, the bi-metal element urges the ring outwardly so that a flat radially outer surface of the ring is forced into face-to-face contact with the cylinder wall. When the engine has warmed up, the force of the element of the piston ring is relaxed and the thermal expansion of the piston ring maintains the outer surface of the ring in face-to-face contact with the cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Stirling Thermal Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Roelf J. Meijer
  • Patent number: 4609340
    Abstract: An accumulator head for blow molding machines having a diverter sleeve that cooperates with other components in the head to form annular concentric flow paths for plastic material between the inlet and outlet of the diverter sleeve to divide the plastic material into two arcuate paths which subsequently meet and split into two more arcuate paths in which plastic material flows in a reverse direction relative to the first two paths and is directed to the diverter outlet. The diverter sleeve thus insures intimate mixing of the plastic material and eliminates the likelihood of a weld line in the plastic material. In addition, the diverter sleeve is mounted for up and down movement with respect to the inlet for plastic material to thereby eliminate dead points in the plastic flow path and facilitate changeover from one material to another in the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Irwin, Rudolf H. Poehlsen
  • Patent number: 4607887
    Abstract: A seat system comprises an encapsulated bolster wherein the seat cushion and bolster are foamed as a unit with the two being connected by an integral joining portion of the foam. Hinge structure may be incorporated into the design to enhance the durability of the construction, foam being foamed onto the hinge structure. The seat cushion and bolster can be advantageously trimmed by extending the seat cover laterally from the seat cushion, over the integral joining portion, and over upwardly and laterally outwardly facing surfaces of the bolster. The cover is trimmed off adjacent a lower edge portion of the bolster where the trimming is concealed from view. Principles of the invention may be applied to various types of bolster systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis F. Vail
  • Patent number: 4605126
    Abstract: A multiple tank and pallet assembly comprising a rectangular pallet and four rectangular tanks arranged in a side-by-side confined cluster on the pallet enabling handling and transport of the pallet and tanks as a unit, individual tanks being removable from the assembly when desired. Each of the tanks is particularly constructed to facilitate discharge of the contents so that the assembly can be used to dispense four different liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Goedken, David L. Waltke
  • Patent number: 4604044
    Abstract: A process and multistation apparatus for injection blow molding a thermoplastic material to form a blow molded container having an integral injection molded handle is disclosed. The process and apparatus feature an injection mold which is closed to form an injection mold cavity with a contiguous injection mold handle cavity. A preform pin is inserted into the injection mold cavity through a preform carrier to form a preform recess into which hot thermoplastic is injected to form a hollow preform having a solid injection molded handle. After cooling the thermoplastic preform the preform pin is withdrawn and the molds are opened. The injection formed preform may be optionally heat treated prior to the preform being enclosed within a blow mold. The blow mold forms a cavity having the final desired container shape and a cavity into which the handle is enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert X. Hafele
  • Patent number: 4603907
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly which includes a frame having side rails with upright webs and upper flanges and a load carrying pre-stretched web mounted on and extending between the side rails. A plurality of J-clips are provided for mounting the web on the side rails so as to maintain the web in its pre-stretched condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane W. Witzke
  • Patent number: 4592245
    Abstract: A window regulator comprises a stiff but bendable elongated guide of general C-shape having inturned retainer flanges, and a flexible tape of a cross-section conforming to the interior of said guide, and slidably retained therein by the flanges. The bottom wall of the guide preferably has a channel therein contributing to its stiffness and providing spaces for fasteners for installing the guide or mounting structure thereon. The portion of the tape exposed between the edges of the flanges is formed with rack teeth for driven engagement with a drive pinion preferably mounted on the guide. A housing for the drive pinion has a connector for connecting to one end of the tape, and the end portion of the tape beyond the guide is thus formed into an expandable loop. In order to avoid subjecting the guide to large stresses due to tape tension, a relatively large gear carried by the guide engages the tape at a major bend of the guide. A spring is connected to the gear to act in window-raising direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Pickles
  • Patent number: 4589301
    Abstract: A linearly infinitely variable mechanism comprises first and second portions which are relatively axially positionable to establish the effective length of the mechanism. A rotary element is axially captured on the second portion. The operative connection between the first portion and the second portion is via a threaded connection of the first portion with the rotary element. The axial capture of the rotary element comprises a twist lock which, when locked, forcefully abuts the ends of the rotary element to preclude its rotation and prevent a change in the effective length of the mechanism provided that the first and second portions are constrained against relative rotation. When unlocked, the rotary element can rotate within its axial capture so that axial forces applied to the mechanism are effective to change its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Griner
  • Patent number: D287937
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Sargent, Michael W. Larime, John R. Selina
  • Patent number: D288905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Platte, Sr.