Patents Assigned to Harpers
  • Publication number: 20020030027
    Abstract: A structural support system such as a cantilevered shelving system for use in cooperation with a wall that faces an opposing surface includes a standard to which at least one shelf can be mounted. The standard is positionable in a generally upright orientation against the wall so as to support the shelf. A buttress, which is preferably adjustable in length, is positioned to span the distance between a point on the standard and the opposing surface so as to abut both the standard and the opposing surface and brace the standard in the generally upright orientation against the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
    Inventor: JOHN H. WELSCH
  • Patent number: 6349444
    Abstract: A connector for multi-directionally mounting and securing a manual cleaning implement, such as a broom head, to a shaft, includes a main body portion having a collar for receiving the shaft. The main body portion has an upper mounting flange for mounting to an upper surface of the cleaning implement. The upper mounting flange has an opening therein for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt. The connector includes at least one lower mounting flange having a depending portion for extending around a side surface of the cleaning implement and a hook portion for mounting to a lower surface of the cleaning implement. The fastener is inserted into the opening in the upper mounting flange for multi-directionally securing the connector to the cleaning implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Harper Brush Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Don Sander
  • Patent number: 6328558
    Abstract: A purge chamber for providing a controlled atmosphere for the treatment of materials comprises a housing within which materials to be treated may be passed through and subjected to a cross-flow of purging gas entering and exiting through a multiplicity of inlets and outlets positioned along the length of the housing. Exiting gas may be recycled and re-entered in combination with fresh gas. In practice, materials to be treated may be conveyed through the chamber while the atmosphere surrounding the materials is continuously exchanged. Flapper doors, spanning the width of the chamber, are positioned along the path of travel of the materials being treated to direct the cross-flow of purging gas and prevent the entry of unwanted gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Harper International Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Dover, Carl Vander Weide, Edward V. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20010040324
    Abstract: An anti-vibration apparatus for actively damping an object vibrations by generating control forces for reducing the vibrations includes a first actuator for generating a first control force, and a second actuator which generates a second control force and is driven on a driving principle different from that for the first actuator. The first actuator generates forces in the vertical and horizontal directions. The second actuator generates a force in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
    Inventors: TAKEHIKO MAYAMA, YUKIO TAKABAYASHI, SHINJI WAKUI
  • Patent number: 6308967
    Abstract: A dual position hand truck includes a central frame having two side rails and a toe plate. Positioned at an upper end of the central frame is a U-shaped handle bar which has a hand gripping portion and two extended legs with castered wheels attached at their respective bottom ends. The handle bar is pivotally attached to the frame by a fixed shaft and a pair of support brackets. The support brackets also allow the extended legs to slide along their length. Attached to the support brackets is a spring biased locking bar which locks the handle bar against rotational movement relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Harper Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Stallbaumer, Robert D. Rahn
  • Patent number: 6254691
    Abstract: A feather duster and dusting method according to which the respective end portions of a plurality of curved feathers are attached to a handle and the feathers are oriented so that the other end portions of the feathers curve radially outwardly from the axis of the handle in one general direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Harper Corporation
    Inventor: Jeff Campbell
  • Patent number: 6237638
    Abstract: A manifold tube is formed from a straight length of thin wall tube initially having a uniform circular cross section. A first segment of the tube is left in its initial circular cross section configuration. The first segment includes an inlet end of the tube. A second segment of the tube is flattened to form opposed flat wall portions spaced apart by a distance smaller than the diameter of the circular portion and separated by side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than the diameter. An inlet fitting is attached to the inlet end of the tube. A bend is formed in the first segment of the tube between the inlet end and the second segment. Burner valves and on oven control valve are secured with metal-to-metal contact to the flat wall portions in the second segment of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: Joseph L. Asta, David A. Casolari, Patrick J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6149065
    Abstract: A modulating thermostat for a gas oven includes a body with supply, main and pilot passages. Feeder passages from the supply passage to the main and pilot passages provide a pilot gas flow for a pilot burner and a minimum combustion bypass flow to a main oven burner. The feeder passages are drilled along paths leading from mouths of the main and pilot passages and adjustment sleeves installed at the mouths adjust the gas flows for particular oven and fuel requirements. A temperature modulating valve assembly in the supply passage includes a valve member cooperating with a valve seat in the body to modulate gas flow and maintain an oven temperature set by rotation of a valve stem at the front of the thermostat. The thermostat is calibrated by rotating a sleeve accessible through the hollow stem at the front of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David B. White, Charles S. White
  • Patent number: 6099227
    Abstract: A telescoping gripping and lift assembly for use with a flat bed truck or the like includes a pair of gripper arms, each of which is attached to a transverse lift housing which, in turn, is pivotably attached to the rear of the flat bed. Each of the gripper arms is telescopically extendable relative to a respective opposing end of the lift housing between grip and release positions via a pressure equalizing gripping piston & cylinder unit positioned within the lift housing. In addition, each of the gripper arms is a two part construction with an outer sleeve encompassing an inner sleeve and with a respective hydraulic telescoping cylinder selectively extending and retracting the larger outer sleeve relative to the smaller inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Shellhammer
  • Patent number: 6082397
    Abstract: A gas distribution connector and a gas distribution manifold assembly are provided for gas burners for a gas stove. The gas distribution manifold assembly includes an elongated gas distribution manifold defining a gas distribution chamber. The gas distribution manifold includes a first aperture formed in a first wall and a second aperture formed in a second wall. At least one gas distribution connector is mounted on the gas manifold. The gas distribution connector includes a connector body defining a gas passageway including a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The connector body includes a downwardly depending connector body portion slidingly received through the first manifold aperture and extending within the manifold chamber, locating the gas outlet within the manifold chamber. The downwardly depending connector body portion includes mounting means for mounting engagement with a fastener received through the second manifold aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David A. Casolari, Christos Vassiliou, Joseph L. Asta, James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: 6037754
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply circuit is provided that converts an input DC or AC voltage to a constant DC output voltage. The circuit uses a combination of a switch and an inductor at the output stage. When the switch is open, a current through the inductor decreases linearly until it reaches zero. Then the switch is closed, and the inductor current increases linearly until it reaches an upper limit, at which time the switch is opened, and the inductor current starts decreasing again. The upper limit of the inductor current is computed by a support circuit, and thus it does not need to be provided by sensing the input voltage independently. The computation uses the durations ratio D of a recent fall time duration of the inductor current divided by a recent rise time duration of the inductor current. The maximum inductor current is computed by multiplying a constant current value by D.times.(1+D). The result is a circuit with resistive only input impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Raymond G. Harper
    Inventor: Raymond G. Harper
  • Patent number: 6031207
    Abstract: A kiln, useful for sintering basemetal capacitors comprises an inner zone having vertically oriented gas dispersion conduits for the inlet and radial dispersion of gas and vertically oriented electrical heating elements. Each gas dispersion conduit comprises a porous or perforated inner tube for a porous or perforated outer tube concentrically positioned around the inner tube. The annular space between is filled with a porous refractory medium, such as a bulk ceramic fiber. The temperature of the inner zone is controlled by the electrical heating elements. The gas is evenly heated as it passes radially from the inner tube through the porous refractory medium and then through the outer tube. Surrounding the inner zone is a multiplicity of stacks of substantially horizontally-oriented trays on which the material or articles to be sintered or otherwise treated are placed. The circle of stacks of trays is surrounded by an outer heating zone comprising an outer ring of electrical heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Harper International Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Dover, Edward V. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6025679
    Abstract: An illumination control system uses two photocells, one directed toward an illuminated lamp and the other directed from the ceiling downwardly into the illuminated zone. A feedback signal is derived from the two photocell signals and a reference intercept signal. The feedback signal and a reference set point signal are input into an error amplifier. The error amplifier generates a control signal for setting the illumination in controlled lamps. The photocell signals are variously scaled to provide balancing between them and matching with the intercept signal. Scaling factors and intercept signal level arc set in a calibration procedure that establishes feedback circuit response consistent with a design set point transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Raymond G. Harper
    Inventors: Raymond G. Harper, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Patent number: 6015322
    Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes an upper body portion covering the electrode wire. The upper body portion contains a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. A ceramic material is formed to define the electrically insulative support member having an electrode wire receiving opening for receiving and positioning an electrode wire proximate to the gas burner and a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. The electrode wire is inserted in the electrode wire receiving opening and then the formed ceramic material including the inserted electrode wire is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David Baker White, Darryl Williams
  • Patent number: 5997289
    Abstract: A rotary calciner for the treatment such as thermal treatment of particulate solids equipped with riffle flights, each in the form of an inverted V shape. The flights are arranged in at least two rows on the inner circumferential wall of the calciner, the rows being staggered so that the apex of each riffle flight is directly beneath the space between two riffle flights in the row above. The riffle flights provide continuous mixing and improve gas-solid contact curing rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Harper International Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce J. Dover
  • Patent number: 5957679
    Abstract: A direct spark ignition control system is provided for controlling for a gas fireplace burner. A solenoid is operatively controlled for supplying gas to the gas fireplace burner. A high voltage spark ignition circuit is operatively controlled for generating ignition sparks near the gas fireplace burner. A flame sensing circuit coupled to the gas fireplace burner provides a feedback signal to activate and deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit. A timing and control circuit provides a control signal to energize the solenoid and provides a control signal to deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit and a control signal to deenergize the solenoid after a set time period with the burner flame feedback signal activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: Joseph J. Cacciatore
  • Patent number: 5934578
    Abstract: A round bale cutter has an open bale loading side and a cut hay exhaust side with a bale receiving area on a floor in between. The cutter includes a housing with a gap on the hay exhaust side extending the length of the machine just above the floor and a hay reprocessing chamber attached to housing and extending outward and downward from the gap. A rotary cutter drum equipped with knives about its periphery is supported on a drive shaft which extends from end to end of the housing, with the cutter drum being positioned in the gap in contact with a hay bale in the bale receiving area. The hay bale is initially cut by the drum, propelling cut hay strands into the hay reprocessing chamber where they circulate long enough to hit the rotary drum knives again. The twice cut strands, which are small enough to be used in feed mixing operations, are then expelled through an exhaust side opening in the hay reprocessing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Heber M. Ramer
  • Patent number: 5927969
    Abstract: This invention relates to a batch type rotary calcination system where the gas used to heat and chemically react a particulate material is cross-flow contacted with the particulate material. This cross-flow is achieved by locating a gas inlet and a gas outlet adjacent an apertured cylinder containing the particulate material. The apertures on the cylinder are covered by a screen designed to permit gas flow through but prevent the escape of particulate material from the system. The gas inlet and gas outlet are so positioned to provide a continuous gas cross-flow through the particulate material being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Harper International Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Dover, Edward V. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5924860
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly is provided for use with a gas stove top. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base with an inlet receiving a mixture of gas and primary air. A burner cap is supported by the burner base. The burner base and the burner cap together define a burner fuel chamber. The burner cap includes a plurality of main burner ports where the air and gas mixture exits and burns in the presence of secondary air. A spark ignition assembly is operatively associated with the burner base for igniting the mixture. The burner cap includes an ignition pocket for capturing gas for reignition for drafts or door slam conditions. A venturi assembly communicates with the burner base inlet providing the air and gas mixture. The venturi assembly includes mounting features for mounting the gas burner assembly to the gas stove, thereby eliminating the need for fasteners to secure the burner base to the gas stove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: Dale Massey, Darryl Williams
  • Patent number: 5911572
    Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes a threaded outer wall portion for receipt within a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cooktop wall. The threaded outer wall portion is threadingly inserted in the corresponding cooktop aperture for positioning the spark ignition electrode assembly with the gas burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: Darryl Williams