Patents Examined by Andrea Chop
  • Patent number: 5720569
    Abstract: An apparatus with a fastening member secured to a body against falling down, for example a winged screw (14) which, with interposition of a holding plate (30), is connected by threads through a so-called keyhole opening (36) to the body (22) of a mounting (10), in particular for holding a spotlight, the holding plate (30) securing the winged screw (14) against falling out but making a repositioning of the winged screw (14) for a different fastening position possible, for which purpose the holding plate is displaceably held on the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sachtler Aktiengesellschaft Kommunikationstechnik
    Inventors: Michael Jonischkeit, Karl Maslo
  • Patent number: 5720123
    Abstract: A frame that includes a depth image lenticular photograph as the frame surrounding a planar print or object of interest to the viewer. The frame can be a reflection print or a backlit transparency of a real object or a graphical creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roy Y. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5718531
    Abstract: A release device is actuated to release a workpiece by operation of either of two elongated shape memory metal alloy (SMMA) members. Each SMMA member has on one end a feature that engages a fitting on the workpiece, while its other end is mounted to a housing. A heater on each SMMA member raises its temperature to a transition temperature at which it returns to an unstressed (e.g. shorter) length, thereby releasing the workpiece. The two SMMA elements may be disposed in opposite directions from the housing or may be coaxial or offset and disposed in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Charles Mutschler, Jr., Philip Olikara, David George Reed
  • Patent number: 5713146
    Abstract: A unit for displaying merchandise in a picture frame look with advertising graphics as a background, the merchandise being encapsulated in a clear, thermoformed container housed by the frame, making the merchandise pilfer-proof and giving it a high gloss finish, the graphics background and the thermoformed container being easily changed by sliding them in and out of the frame, all while the display is mounted in the retail environment without requiring any additional tools, fixtures, or disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: James R. Reeves, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5713693
    Abstract: The invention concerns a shaft-hub joint between two equiaxial machine parts for transmission of high torques in a power train--a first machine part on the power input end and a second machine part of the power output end. The machine parts are joined to each other in a fashion movable relative to each other but rotationally fixed, and a positive-locking overload relief mechanism is provided between the machine parts, the individual locking elements of which are prestressed in the sense of locking. The overload relief mechanism locks the two machine parts against axial thrust up to a specific adjustable limit value whereby the positive locking will be eliminated when the limit value is exceeded. The interlocking elements comprise bolts with a head surface beveled in wedge fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: J.M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Lindenthal
  • Patent number: 5706595
    Abstract: A wave-producing decoration including an elongated liquid container which has an outwardly and downwardly projecting bubble collector integrally formed at a bottom center. The bubble collector communicates with the liquid container and collects any possible bubbles in the container. In addition, the bubble collector has a shape suitable for engaging a seat member partially exposed from a support member of the decoration, such that the liquid container may laterally sway with the pivoting seat member, causing liquid in the container to flow in waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 5706594
    Abstract: A rotational color-liquid decoration including a base is set forth and a disk rotatably disposed on the base. The disk defines a closed space which is partitioned into multiple compartments in parallel with a surface of the disk. Each of these parallel compartments has a clear central area and an outer peripheral zone surrounding the central area. Colored liquid is sealed in each compartment to be carried by liquid collection units in the peripheral zone to a higher position when the disk is rotated. When the colored liquid in respective liquid collection unit reachs a certain position, it drips from an outlet of the liquid collection unit and passes the clear central area to be flattened into changing patterns in varying colors, serving as a dynamic decoration. A clock may be attached to a back side of the clear central area of the disk to enable the decoration to additionally function as a timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 5695296
    Abstract: A connector for plates, including a connector body having a base plate bent at its intermediate portion to form plate insert recesses and, and pin insert holes formed through the base plate; a pin member having a shaft portion and a head portion formed at one end of the shaft portion, the shaft portion having elastically deformable locking lugs, the other end portion of the shaft portion being inserted in at least one of the pin insert holes; and breakable connecting portions integrally formed between the other end portion of the shaft portion and the inner circumferential surface of the at least one pin insert hole, for connecting the pin member and the connector body. With this structure, the plates can be reliably connected and fixed together by the connector with a simple operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideya Miura
  • Patent number: 5692852
    Abstract: A quick connect system for attaching excavator buckets and other tools to the arm of a hydraulic excavator. The excavator bucket has a first and second mounting plate connected thereto in a spaced parallel relationship. Each mounting plate has a front and rear mounting assembly aligned to receive the front and rear pins respectively of the arm of the hydraulic excavator. Each mounting assembly has a U-shaped opening formed therein for receiving one end of one of the respective front and rear pins and has facilities for securing the respective pins to the mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Entek Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Vearl L. Collins
  • Patent number: 5687497
    Abstract: A heat-activated amusement display disposed within the walls of a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Moore
  • Patent number: 5688066
    Abstract: An expansion dowel includes an axially extending cylindrically-shaped expansion sleeve (2) having an axially extending expansion region (5) with one of axially extending slots or grooves therein and a central bore (4) tapering inwardly toward a leading end of the sleeve facing in the setting direction (S). The central bore (4) is shaped to receive an expanding member (6). The expanding member (6) has a trailing end face in contact with a safety element (11) for preventing axial displacement of the expanding member (6) opposite to the setting direction. The safety element (11) has a radially outer circumferential surface that can be enlarged in the circumferential direction by a pin-shaped member (7) having a conically-shaped region which can be driven in the setting direction into the safety element. The expanding member (6) is shaped at its trailing end region for receiving a leading end region (9) of the pin-shaped member (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Loose
  • Patent number: 5685662
    Abstract: Connection of two longitudinal sections (10, 22) that are at an angle to each other, each longitudinal section (10, 22) having two connecting sides (12) and two wall sides (14), where at least one connecting side (12) of each section (10, 22) exhibits a groove (24) that is undercut on both sides and on both sides of the undercut groove (24) an integral longitudinal flange (30). The first longitudinal section (10) exhibits a transversely cut section face, the end face (16) of the first longitudinal section (10) which is secured at an angle to a connecting side (12) of the second longitudinal section (22). The first longitudinal section (10) exhibits a recess (18) at its end (16) in which a connecting element (60), introduced into the groove-like recess (34) between the longitudinal flanges (30) in the second longitudinal section (22), engages--as a result of which the connecting element (60) forms a mechanical joint by virtue of fit with the end recess (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Rollin, Peter Kreuzwirth
  • Patent number: 5685659
    Abstract: Pivot for articulating the load-bearing components of a jack. The pivot comprises a shaft that rotates in a bore. The components are lengths of U section or have lateral flanges or upright edges that overlap in the vicinity of the pivot. The object is to decrease the weight of the jack. Instead of a solid bolt, the axis is a hollow neck (19) stamped through the sides (15 & 17) or flanges (13) of one component and extending through the bore (18) in its counterpart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: August Bilstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Brosius, Reinhard Holscher
  • Patent number: 5682692
    Abstract: A miniature animated display that operates by driving a steel bar with a motor. The steel bar causes the animation motion by means of the swing base and the U-shaped pedestal installed on the hinged assembled end formed by the two ends of the elastic steel bar. The orientation of the U-shaped pedestal is adjusted according to the position of the inner surface of the sliding path so that the circular magnet thereon is affixed on the inner surface of the sliding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Ming Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 5683196
    Abstract: A flange portion of a ball stud includes a seat surface which abuts a junction face of a concurrent rotation prevention plate. By ensuring that the contact face of the concurrent rotation prevention plate has a larger area than an area of the seat surface of the flange portion of the ball stud, the frictional force between an attached item and the contact face of the concurrent rotation prevention plate is greater than a rotational force applied to the ball stud when a nut is affixed to the ball stud. The ball stud is thus prevented from concurrently turning with the nut during a tightening or loosening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Michihito Toyoda, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5683198
    Abstract: A corner connector (3) joins together two orthogonally disposed sections (1, 2) with C-shaped connecting means. The sections (1,2) have two flanges (11) with a strut (12) on each projecting inwards. The corner connector (3) comprises two angular pieces (4), at least two wedging pieces (5), at least two bolts (6) and at least two clamping pieces (7). The angular pieces (4) have on each flange a wedging surface (22) that press against the nose (14) of the struts (12), and a wedging surface (28) on the side opposite the flange. The wedging piece (5) is drawn by bolt (6) over the wedging surface (28) between the flanges (20), causing the flanges (20) to be tensed against the section. The clamping pieces (7) engage on the projections (13) on the struts (12). The wedging pieces (5) tensed against the clamping pieces (7) do not cause the flanges (11) to be spread apart. This arrangement results in a joint exhibiting high bend strength and high tensile strength in particular by means of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Leutenegger
  • Patent number: 5683074
    Abstract: This invention is an improved temporary guard rail system for use by residential and commercial builders on construction sites in those areas of building structures where an accidental fall may result in serious bodily injury. In particular, the temporary guard rail system of the present invention includes a plurality of upright stanchions having mounting brackets integrally formed or attached thereto that are connected by a plurality of vertically spaced, generally horizontal side rails extending end to end. The vertically spaced side rails are adapted for 360 degree rotational movement in both horizontal and vertical planes. In addition, the tubular guard rails are fabricated in a plurality of sections that may be slideably engaged, one inside another, to provide a telescoping adjustment of length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventors: Harrison G. Purvis, Tony R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5681126
    Abstract: A reinforced bar connecting device fastened to two reinforcing bars to secure them in a line, including two plug members, and two symmetrical, smoothly arched coupling plates mounted around the reinforcing bars and abutted against each other and secured in place by the plug members to hold down the reinforcing bars, each of the coupling plate having a left longitudinal side edge, a right longitudinal side edge, and two longitudinal slots respectively made along the left longitudinal side edge and the right longitudinal side edge, each of the plug member being inserted into one longitudinal slot of each of the coupling plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Hsia-Sen Lin
  • Patent number: 5678339
    Abstract: An integrated picture frame and stand apparatus articulable from a blank of foldable material, and upon articulation, positionable and free standing on a support surface. The apparatus includes a face member, at least one back member, and a frame stand member that co-operate to maintain the picture in place within the frame while maintaining the frame in an upright position. The frame stand member may further include a locking wing member hingedly attached to the frame stand member and a base member, which upon articulation, and through the use of tabs and slots, restrain the positions of all cooperating elements to further maintain the device in its articulated orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Marventano
  • Patent number: 5675920
    Abstract: An animal number ear tag is provided that consists of an improved number tag element that is fastened to a lock pin and is suspended from the ear of an animal. The entire surface area of the lock pin is plated or coated with a layer of temperature-sensitive ink and when the set temperature of the aforesaid temperature-sensitive ink is exceeded, an instantaneous color difference is manifested. The lock pin is in contact with the skin of the animal's ear, therefore, the lock pin not only provides for the ensured positioning of the number tag element, but also indicates whether the animal develops a fever during the growth process. Since such a phenomenon is immediately observed, treatment can be applied earlier, thereby effectively providing for the reduction of unnecessary losses and degree of danger to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Chen-Chen Long