Patents Assigned to Textron
  • Patent number: 4826252
    Abstract: A snap-in clip for holding a retainer ring and wheel cover assembly in place on a wheel rim, wherein the clip includes a center strip for abutting against a portion of the retainer ring, three clip extensions formed on one edge of the center strip for extending through openings in a radially outer portion of the retainer ring, and a pair of U-shaped loops formed on the other edge of the center strip for snapping into place around an upturned inner peripheral edge portion of the retainer ring. A pair of retention fingers are also formed on the other edge of the center strip for being resiliently urged into an annular groove in the wheel rim to securely retain the wheel cover concentric thereon. A pair of shock tabs are also formed on the one edge of the center strip with swaged projections formed on the side edges thereof for engaging respective notches in the wheel rim to prevent rotation of the wheel cover assembly relative to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Tatar
  • Patent number: 4823464
    Abstract: A shield for a string trimmer using a rotating flexible cutting element defining a circular perimeter including:a base wall generally parallel to the plane of the rotating cutting element and having a rear portion; andan arcuate rim member extending downwardly from a portion of the base wall, the rim member and the perimeter defining a pair of oppositely directed volute pathways each terminating in an opening, each of said pathways having a minimum width adjacent to the rear portion of the base wall which gradually increases in width from the rear portion to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Gorski
  • Patent number: 4824332
    Abstract: A windshield washer pump including comprising an impeller chamber having a reversible impeller rotatably mounted therein and an inlet for windshield washer fluid communicating therewith. Dual outlets communicate between the impeller chamber and opposite ends of an adjacent outlet chamber. A piston is slidably mounted in the outlet chamber intermediate axially aligned tubular discharge passages extending from the outlet chamber. Oppositely disposed projections are formed on the piston for being alternately urged into engagement with the tubular discharge passages, permitting the alternate pumping of fluid through the tubular discharge passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: McCord Winn Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie G. Perkins, James W. Grim
  • Patent number: 4821859
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a self regulating rotor for a centrifugal clutch. The rotor is designed to reduce the clearance between the rotor and the the drum by being stressed above its elastic limit as speeds above the normal engagement speed whereby any enlargement of the rotor diameter that occurs above the eleastic limit results in a permanent set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Lakhbir S. Suchdev, Jack E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4823057
    Abstract: The motor control for a universal or D.C. electric motor controlled by opposing SCRs in parallel includes a comparator for controlling timing of firing of the SCRs based on a comparison of a sensed motor speed error signal and a synchronous ramp and also includes a circuit for sensing motor current as representative of motor torque and generating a motor shut-down signal when the sensed torque or current is greater than a setpoint value. When the shut-down signal is generated, the sensed speed error signal is overridden or prevented from being input to the comparator by deactivation (reverse biasing) of a current switch (diode) and results in the SCRs being deactivated. When the motor is restarted, a soft start circuit provides an alternate gradually increasing speed signal to the comparator in lieu of the sensed speed error signal for a selected short time after restart to gradually increase motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Eley
  • Patent number: 4819912
    Abstract: A guide for prevention of fouling of rope or cable wound on a capstan is a short helical ramp at the driven end of the capstan, which ramp guides the rope onto the cylindrical capstan body. The capstan rotates conventionally; the ramp is fixed concentrically. The ramp winds through an arc which is less than 360.degree.. In another embodiment, an arm connects to the ramp. The ramp with connected arm, is free to rotate near the driven base of the capstan. The rotatable ramp/arm assembly allows the rope to approach the capstan from any radial angle and be properly wound onto the capstan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Greenlee Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Plummer
  • Patent number: 4819540
    Abstract: As applied to mounting a mortar in a combat vehicle, the mounting structure includes a weapon carriage supported on a support frame having one end hingedly mounted to the vehicle floor and another end releasably latched to cross-pins on the vehicle floor. The support frame includes a central pivot shaft and a peripheral roller track while the carriage includes a hollow hub receiving the pivot shaft and retractable spring biased ball rollers in rolling engagement on the track during rotation of the carriage for weapon repositioning. A spur gear is carried on the carriage and rotated by a hand crank and meshes with a stationary gear on the support frame to rotate the carriage about the pivot shaft. A clamping collar is provided on the pivot shaft to engage and force the carriage against the support frame with the ball rollers retracted to releasably lock the position of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Cadillac Gage Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore A. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4819692
    Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect hydraulic coupler is provided especially for connecting rigid hydraulic members where no axial movement of the coupling halves can be achieved. The quick coupler comprises a male connector attached to one hydraulic line and a female connector attached to another hydraulic line. The male and female connectors each include an annular check valve that is spring-biased against a poppet seat to prevent loss of hydraulic fluid when the coupler halves are disconnected. The male connector has an annular coupling nut surrounding and confining the male check valve. When the male and female connector halves are aligned, the coupling nut can be moved axially toward the female connector and rotated to engage threads on the outside circumference of the female connector. Tightening the coupling nut onto the female connector forces the male check valve to extend and to form a seal with the female check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Rohn L. Olson, Jose G. Caero
  • Patent number: 4815939
    Abstract: A transversely twisted hollow airfoil member is provided by diffusion bonding together airfoil components each having a skin or shell in the form of a partial airfoil twisted transversely along its length and one or more internal support ribs having bonding surfaces which are not twisted transversely along their length. Each support rib extends substantially normal to a bonding plane defined by bonding surfaces on the support ribs. As a result of the rib and bonding surface orientation, the airfoil components can be forged and the components bonded together at elevated temperature in short times between dies movable by high pressure toward one another normal to the bonding surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Airfoil Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon S. Doble
  • Patent number: 4816347
    Abstract: A combination of unique properties of (i) high strength and stiffness at temperatures up to about of 1500.degree. F., (ii) good room temperature mechanical properties including good ductility and (iii) improved resistance to matrix cracking is achieved in a titanium structure by forming a hybrid titanium alloy matrix composite in which the matrix consists of layers of at least two alloys, i.e. a high temperature-resistant titanium aluminide alloy and a ductile, lower modulus titanium alloy, that are bonded metallurgically to each other in various embodiments. A reinforcing material in the form of filaments, fibers or wiskers, e.g. silicon carbide, can be embedded within either or both types of the titanium layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Avco Lycoming/Subsidiary of Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Rosenthal, Joseph A. Goebel
  • Patent number: 4815193
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve clamps the work during a drilling step, following which a tubular anvil moves within the sleeve to support the work while a rivet is thrust into the work with an interference fit. The tubular anvil is then withdrawn and moved with an anvil pin to form an upset head. If desired, the pin can then be retracted, and the outer portion of the upset head partially sheared by the tubular anvil and flattened against the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Cherry Division of Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Saul Gutnik
  • Patent number: 4813325
    Abstract: A rotary saw blade having a substantially circular disc with opposed parallel faces and a centrally located opening through the disc to receive a drive member to rotate the disc. The outer edge of the disc has a plurality of equally spaced depth gauge protuberances located around its periphery and a pair of spaced holes extend through the disc adjacent to the outer edge at each protuberance. A saw tooth is attached to the disc on one face at alternate pairs of holes and a saw tooth is attached to the disc on the opposite face at the remaining pairs of holes. Each saw tooth has a cutting edge and a depth gauge and the depth gauge on each saw tooth has a shape and a size which are complementary with a depth gauge protuberance on the outer edge of the disc, and a face of the depth gauge on each saw tooth is in contact with a face of a protuberance on the outer edge of the disc. Each saw tooth is attached to the disc by rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gelman
  • Patent number: 4812235
    Abstract: A filter element constructed of stainless steel. The element includes a pair of filter media concentrically disposed to receive parallel flow of the filtrant. The element is adapted for disassembly to remove the filter media. The various component parts of the filter element may thereafter be easily cleaned and the filter media replaced. The filter media after being removed may also be cleaned and reused if desired. The component parts include appropriate guard assemblies to protect the filter media during handling and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Don J. Seleman, Roy F. Honzik
  • Patent number: 4809139
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for mounting a headlamp assembly or the like relative to an automobile frame member or the like so as to permit generally vertical and horizontal adjustment of the headlamp assembly relative to the frame member for aiming of the headlamp beam. The frame member has an elongate slot for slidably receiving the mounting assembly and the headlamp assembly defines at least one mounting aperture for coupling to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly comprises a slot-engaging member for slidably engaging the elongate slot of the frame member and comprising a pair of spaced a part, parallel and generally horizontal surface portions joined by a transverse support portion and sized to slidably interfit with the slot, and a headlamp engaging member comprising an elongate member pivotally mounted to the slot-engaging member and having mounting structure thereon for mounting at least one outer end portion thereof to the headlamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignees: Ryder Int'l Corporation, Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Stephen P. Lisak
  • Patent number: 4807580
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a trigger mechanism for gasoline operated equipment where a trigger is operatively connected to a throttle by a lever. The mechanism includes latch means which regulates the speed of the engine, and an idle setting means. The latch means also stops or shuts the engine down when it is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard R. Clark
  • Patent number: 4805271
    Abstract: An end connector for connecting an end of a watch band to a watch case. The watch case has spaced lugs adapted to accommodate a conventional spring bar or the like removably engaged therebetween. The watch band is of the expansible type with a row of top links overlying a row of bottom links, and with spring loaded elements for interconnecting the top and bottom links in a manner permitting longitudinal expansion and contraction of the band. The end connector comprises a generally flat shank having a hook portion at one end and a tab portion at an opposite end. The shank is configured and dimensioned for insertion into the end of the watch band between the rows of top and bottom links. The tab portion is bent out of the plane of the thus inserted shank into an interlocked position protruding between two adjacent bottom links, and the hook portion is engaged with the spring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Ripley
  • Patent number: 4802861
    Abstract: A self-aligning electrical connector is provided for aligning and connecting multiple pins of a male coupler with corresponding multiple pin sockets of a female coupler in a blind environment. A cylindrical standpipe is attached to and extends axially from the female connector. The end of the standpipe remote from the female coupler comprises a ramp or cam sloping to a lug slot in the standpipe that extends toward the female coupler. The male coupler includes a lug comprising a cam follower or roller for following the cam of the standpipe. During connection of the couplers, the action of the cam follower on the cam causes axial rotation of the male coupler until the cam follower engages the lug slot to align the couplers. A jackscrew extending through a longitudinal bore along the axis of the male coupler engages a threaded socket located at the axis of the female coupler to draw the pins of the male coupler into mating connection with the pin sockets of the female coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignees: Boeing Vertol Company, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn S. Gaston
  • Patent number: 4800924
    Abstract: An electrical force motor and servovalve combination has a rotary spool directly coupled to the motor shaft without requiring a rotary-to-linear motion convertor; the rotary spool is configured to have a cruciform metering section that cooperates with a flow sleeve having ports and slots configured to produce four-way flow patterns in a reduced length and volume valve package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4802067
    Abstract: A headlamp aiming and leveling device is provided for attachment to an automotive headlamp to facilitate leveling and aiming of the headlamp beam relative to an automotive vehicle upon which the headlamp is installed. The device comprises: a level-indicating device including a housing. At least one, first part of the housing is affixed to a given surface of a headlamp, such that a remaining portion of the housing is movable relative to said affixed part for varying the inclination of the housing in such a fashion as to permit adjustment of the level-indicating device to indicate a level condition. An adjusting arrangement is operatively coupled with the housing at a second part thereof spaced from the part thereof affixed to the headlamp for moving the housing for achieving the level indication while the headlamp is held in a condition wherein the headlamp beam is level. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the adjusting arrangement in the position at which the level condition is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignees: Ryder International Corp., Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Stephen P. Lisak, Harold L. Purdy
  • Patent number: D300415
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Murray L. Cowan