Patents Assigned to A-T-O Inc.
  • Patent number: 4484364
    Abstract: A shock attenuation system for headgear having an outer protective shell, the system comprising a liner adapted to be secured to the internal surface of the shell, the liner comprising a series of tubes of elastomeric material extending with their axes generally parallel to the internal surface of the shell, and generally parallel to one another. Each tube is open at an end thereof and is elastically deformable under loads applied against the side of the tube, whereby, with the headgear worn by a wearer and upon application of an impact load to the headgear, the tubes in the area of impact deform elastically under the applied load and attenuate the shock upon the wearer from the applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: Hal D. Mitchell, David C. Rust
  • Patent number: 4423524
    Abstract: A suspension system for protective headgear comprising a plurality of straps of a relatively inextensible material extending up in the headgear toward but stopping short of the crown of the headgear secured to the headgear at spaced intervals around the inner surface of the headgear. Each strap is formed with transversely extending pockets and has elastically deformable tubes in the pockets enabling extension of the strap within a limited range of extension upon tensioning of the strap, whereby with the headgear worn by a wearer and upon application of an impact load on the top of the headgear, the headgear moves down toward but stops short of engagement with the wearer's head and the tubes in the straps deform to attenuate the shock upon the wearer from the applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Kralik, Hal D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4406110
    Abstract: The stroke of an air driven power cylinder is controlled through a load means attached to the piston rod, a control valve means connected to the cylinder to control air exhaust from the cylinder on the extension stroke of the piston, and an external cushion valve means operably connects to the control valve means and the load means for air exhaust flow therethrough in a controlled manner but for shut-off of the air exhaust as the piston approaches the end of its stroke to trap some air in the cylinder before the piston stroke ends, the cushion valve means having a member therein of adjustable position for control of the length of stroke of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc. (now Figgie International)
    Inventor: Robert W. McGill
  • Patent number: 4403661
    Abstract: An automatic spray nozzle for use in a fire extinguishing system includes an apertured body member, a closure cap, a frame supporting a novel deflector, and a cylindrical ferrule positioned below the novel deflector and spaced with respect thereto. A strut holds the closure cap and a lever bearing against the strut is releasably retained by a transversely disposed fusible element engaging spaced apertured arms on the strut. The combination of the cylindrical ferrule and the novel deflector including a conical portion provides a water distribution pattern which is much more uniform than the spray patterns produced by the prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Tokar
  • Patent number: 4389635
    Abstract: An attachment which converts a single station, spring powered, temperature sensitive, fire alarm protection device into a remote signalling heat detector for a central fire alarm system, without affecting the internal apparatus of the alarm device or the environmental protection of such internal apparatus. The attachment includes a pivotally mounted member having a shield arm interposed between a magnet and a reed switch, and a lever arm which interacts with a winding key on the alarm device to move the shield arm from between the magnet and reed switch when the alarm is actuated. This movement of the shield arm permits the magnetic force of the magnet to activate the reed switch. The reed switch is connected by wire or radio link to a central monitor. Actuation of the reed switch, in response to actuation of the alarm device, produces an alarm signal at the central monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: A-T-O, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 4360101
    Abstract: An article casing or uncasing apparatus having a conveyor for moving cases through a fixed course wherein a driven case supply conveyor deposits cases onto a driven supply conveyor that has an axially extending opening therein, a driven star wheel positioned in such axial opening parallel to the longitudinal axis of the same and having teeth that protrude upwardly from the case supply conveyor as the star wheel is rotated, the supply conveyor and star wheel being driven in the same direction at upper portions thereof but with the supply conveyor being driven at a faster linear speed than the star wheel or the case supply conveyor to urge the leading end of input cases into engagement with a tooth of the star wheel which retards downstream movement of the case for timed release of a case by continuing drive of the conveyor and star wheel for controlled downstream delivery of individual cases in the apparatus for further processing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. McGill, Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4357787
    Abstract: A container capping apparatus having a generally vertical tubular spindle carrying a cap holding chuck assembly is rotatable about its axis to apply a screw cap to a container with predetermined force. A control rod is vertically movable within the spindle against an actuator spring to release the applied cap from the chuck. An axle carried by the control rod projects through vertically elongated slots in opposite sides of the spindle, and is received in a control collar slidable on the spindle. A cam follower is carried by a yoke vertically slidable on the spindle and an external adjusting nut is carried by the yoke for movement therewith in operative engagement with the collar. The vertical position of the nut relative to the yoke is selectively adjustable, thereby to adjust the position of the control rod relative to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Charles N. Long
  • Patent number: 4346481
    Abstract: A baseball mitt comprising front and back plies forming a mitt body having thumb portion, a finger portion and a portion connecting the thumb and finger portions, and a glove secured to the back of the body with the front of the glove facing the back ply. The glove has a thumb stall disposed generally behind the thumb portion of the body, at least one finger stall disposed generally behind the finger portion of the body, a crotch portion between the thumb and finger stalls, a palm portion, and a hand-receiving opening adjacent the bottom of the mitt. The glove is joined to the mitt body at the periphery of the hand-receiving opening and at the ends of the thumb and finger stalls, but is free of attachment to the body at its palm portion, thereby providing freedom of movement of the palm portion of the glove relative to the mitt body for increasing the flexibility of the mitt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Roland N. Latina
  • Patent number: 4345593
    Abstract: A face mask is connected to a source of breathing fluid through a pressure-demand regulator and a supply line. The regulator admits breathing fluid to the mask on demand and maintains a positive pressure within the mask at all times to prevent inflow from the surrounding atmosphere. The regulator has a flow capacity considerably greater than that normally required, even when gasping or breathing heavily. An automatic shut-off device in the supply line upstream of the regulator permits the peak flow of a predetermined breathing requirement but is responsive to abnormal flow conditions, as for example where the mask is removed from the wearer, to close the supply line and thereby prevent wasting of the air breathing fluid supply. The apparatus can be manually reset to normal operation and will reset itself after the mask is repositioned on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4345592
    Abstract: A pressure demand breathing apparatus having a facemask connected through a pressure demand regulator with a shut-off device that operates automatically to interrupt the supply of air to the mask when the facemask is removed. The device operates with a time delay to permit momentary user-induced high flow rates without interrupting the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Giorgini, John L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4322859
    Abstract: A shoulder pad for football players comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and comprises a chestplate, a backplate and an arch at the top of the shoulder adjacent the neck of the wearer. The chestplate, backplate and arch each comprises a separate, discrete piece of relatively rigid material, the arch being mounted for upward swinging movement with respect to the chestplate and backplate whereby freedom is provided for raising the arms above a horizontal position by permitting upward movement of the arm at the shoulder without substantial interference from the arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Hal D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4320537
    Abstract: A shoulder pad for football players comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is a relatively rigid member of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and has a chestplate portion, a backplate portion and an arch integrally connecting the plate portions. Each member has padding on the inside thereof with the padding at the top of the arch overlying the shoulder. A pair of caps of relatively rigid material fit over the outer part of the shoulders and have shoulder padding on the inside thereof separate from the arch padding. The shoulder padding is hinged to the arch padding for enabling the shoulder padding to swing upwardly relative to the arch padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Hal D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4315478
    Abstract: In a labeling machine the combination with a glue applying roll, pickers and a label magazine from which labels are picked by the picker when the latter has on its surface a layer of glue of a doctor blade supported with an edge at a distance from the surface of the glue applying roll which will provide adequate glue for labeling and pneumatically-operable means operable to retract the label magazine from the path of movement of the pickers when there is a gap in the procession of containers or no containers and simultaneously to move the doctor blade closer to the surface of the glue applying roll to reduce the amount of glue on the surface of the glue applying roll available to the pickers without removing all of the glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney T. Carter
  • Patent number: 4296399
    Abstract: A microminiature palladium oxide gas detector and its method of manufacture. The detector comprises an extremely small coil of extremely fine wire such as platinum which is retained, sealed and insulated with an amorphous ceramic binder. The detector further comprises a catalyst applied to its exterior surface. The detector is manufactured by winding the wire about a mandrel which is desirably molybdenum. The coil is then coated with the binder composition which preferably comprises reduced chromic and phosphoric acids. The binder is then cured to retain the coil and the mandrel is removed by etching or oxidation. The catalyst is then applied which is preferably palladium nitrate in a weakly acidic hydrolyzed solution which has been adjusted to a pH of about 3 with tertiary octyl amine. The catalyst is then dehydrated and calcined desirably using an automatic electronic pulse controlled machine to precisely adjust and control processing temperatures and times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Frank T. John
  • Patent number: 4295227
    Abstract: A shoulder pad for football players comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is a relatively rigid member of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and has a chestplate portion, a backplate portion and an arch integrally connecting the plate portions. Each member has padding on the inside thereof with the padding at the top of the arch comprising an inner portion beneath the arch and an outer portion extending laterally outwardly beyond the arch. The outer portion has front and back sections which are separate toward their outer ends for allowing the sections to spread apart on upward movement of the outer part of the shoulder. A cover pad overlies the separate outer ends of the front and back sections and is hinged to the inner portion of the arch padding for permitting the cover pad to swing upwardly on upward movement of the arm at the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Hal D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4294057
    Abstract: Article packing or unpacking apparatus, including two correlated driven conveyors, the first for articles and the second for moving cases through a fixed course having a horizontal section and with both conveyors having fixed orbits, the article conveyor being in a vertical plane above the horizontal section of the second conveyor; and article grippers are positioned by carrier bars engaged with the article conveyor, which grippers depend from the carrier bars in a lower reach of such article conveyor. A pair of control arms are individually secured to each carrier bar at different ends thereof to engage guides as the article conveyor is moved downwardly towards an inflection area so that the article grippers are presented on vertical axes as they are moved into, along with cases moving through the horizontal section of the case conveyor fixed course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Winiasz, James M. Long
  • Patent number: 4293010
    Abstract: A filler head for delivering a preselected volume of product to a container, the head having a charging cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder to define a product chamber therein. Product is delivered under pressure through a passage to the chamber, the piston being movable under product pressure in a direction enlarging the chamber. Adjustable stop means limit chamber enlarging movement of the piston to determine the preselected volume. A plug entering the passage as the piston approaches the end of its discharge stroke restricts the discharge of product to reduce turbulence. A piston valve is movable between the product passage and an outlet passage, in one position interrupting the delivery of product to the chamber for discharge of product from the chamber through the valve to the outlet, and in another position closing the outlet and permitting delivery of product under pressure to the chamber. The piston valve is removable as a unit from the head, for ease of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4277217
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring loads between conveyors or between a conveyor and a load handling cart, support, or other apparatus includes a split conveyor and an extensible load shifting frame disposed within the split. The shifting frame is provided with load engaging dogs which are selectively actuable above the load conveying plane of the split conveyor to shift the load therefrom and onto a conveyor, cart or the like. Frame and dog actuating means are provided as are conveying methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Miller, Frank M. Lauyans, Edwin T. Hilger
  • Patent number: 4274187
    Abstract: A spring installation tool for article loading machines is provided to facilitate the application of a biasing spring to sets of guide fingers. Fundamentally, the invention includes an elongated frame member having a tubular portion at a first end thereof for receiving the biasing spring. A rod is provided having a ring at one end which encompasses the tubular portion while being maintained in spring-biased engagement at an opposite end thereof with a second end of the frame member. The rod is operative for reciprocating movement with respect to the frame member to effectuate forcing of the biasing spring from the tubular portion. In use, the tubular portion, bearing a biasing spring, is placed over the end section of a set of guide fingers and the rod is reciprocated to force the spring from the tubular portion into securing and biasing engagement with the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O, Inc.
    Inventors: P. Eric Painter, Curtis P. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4269216
    Abstract: A respirator having a combination demand air regulator to provide air to the user on demand and an exhaust check valve. The regulator diaphragm, by its inward movement during inhalation, causes the exhalation valve to close while regulating the intake of supply air. Conversely, the regulator diaphragm, by its outward movement during exhalation, causes the exhalation valve to open while keeping the demand valve closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: A-T-O Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Sullivan, Eugene A. Georgini, Milo R. Simmonds