Patents Examined by Bradley I. Vaught
  • Patent number: 4709601
    Abstract: A long nose locking hand tool having a pair of opposing jaw members, a fixed handle and a movable handle and lever locking means therebetween for maintaining a toggle relationship between the jaws when in a closed position; and wherein each of said jaw members comprising a jaw face configuration having a total jaw length to average jaw height ratio of from about 6.5 to about 11.5 with a through jaw hardness range of from about 53 to about 57 Rockwell C, with said jaw members made of an alloy spring steel, said jaw members having a nominal parallel opening when they are spaced apart, no greater than about 1/4 inch, thereby enabling said jaw members to clamp a workpiece therebetween with parallel jaw faces by flexing to the parallel condition when closed and returning to their original unstressed state when released of clamping pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Petersen Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Petersen
  • Patent number: 4708043
    Abstract: An apparatus for forwardly and laterally indexing a strip provided with an angular blanking pattern along a zigzag path is provided with an adjustable indexing cam mechanism. Forward and lateral indexing assemblies are provided as an integral unit whose operation is synchronized with that of a strip processing machine by means of a direct drive arrangement. The extent of lateral indexing is adjustable by altering the degree of eccentricity of a master cam plate provided within the indexing cam mechanism. The indexing cam mechanism provides the apparatus with dwell periods within which the strip is subjected to one or more operations, for example, blanking, with the dwell periods being independent of the degree of eccentricity of the master cam plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: The Cly-Del Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Greguoli
  • Patent number: 4708279
    Abstract: An internal alignment clamp for use in welding together the confronting ends of a pair of end-to-end pipe lengths comprises a body having an arcuate segment at the opposite ends of which are pivoted a pair of force applying arms movable into and out of engagement with the inner surfaces of such pipes. Mounted on the clamp body is a radially adjustable carriage equipped with a pair of driveable wheels that support the clamp for movement longitudinally of the pipes. An extensible and retractable ram is connected to the force applying arms and to the carriage and is operable to extend the arms and retract the driveable wheels, thereby enabling the arcuate segment of the clamp and the arms to bear against the inner surfaces of the pipes and conform their configurations. An insert is provided to span any gap which exists between the confronting ends of the arms in their expanded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Inventor: Timothy C. Dearman
  • Patent number: 4706414
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to rotatably support a propeller in a vibrating media, the propeller including a tubular hub having an annular end surface, the apparatus comprising a mounting bracket, a hub member rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket for rotation relative to the mounting bracket about an axis and including an annular surface perpendicular to and centered on the hub member axis, and a clamping device releasably and fixedly connecting the propeller hub to the hub member with the annular end surface of the propeller hub engaging the annular surface of the hub member for enabling rotation of the propeller with the hub member relative to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Muzik
  • Patent number: 4706528
    Abstract: An adjustable wrench having a fixed jaw, an adjustable jaw which is movable to adjust the gripping distance between the fixed jaw and the adjustable jaw, a sliding jaw portion which is provided as a gripping member on either of the fixed jaw or the adjustable jaw and serves as a wedge to decrease the gripping distance between both the jaws in its sliding in one direction, and a mechanism which automatically returns the sliding jaw portion to its original retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Daiya Seiko Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Inoue
  • Patent number: 4705661
    Abstract: A fast neutron nuclear reactor having a vessel filled with liquid metal and sealed in its upper part by a box slab having a central opening in which is placed a plug-cover-core overhanging the core of the reactor. The central opening is surmounted by a cell containing the handling and storage mechanism for the plug-cover-core and a mechanism for handling the assemblies. The latter can be moved on annular rails and can be collapsed against the wall of the cell, in order to permit the manipulation of the plug-cover-core. A radial passage connects the cell to a transfer station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Electricite de France Service National
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Cransac, Patrick Jogand, Michel Sauvage
  • Patent number: 4703677
    Abstract: A variable length tool in the form of a socket extension, screwdriver or other type of tool or tool holder which includes an externally threaded adjustable shaft having an unthreaded portion to prevent removal of the adjustable shaft from the tool. The body of the tool or tool holder is broached only at the end having an adjustment nut or screw for ease of manufacture and to enable some flexing and bending to a slight degree to eliminate critical alignment problems. In some instances, an adapter having a shear-type retaining pin is provided for over torque protection. The adjustment nut or screw is attached to the body of the tool or tool holder by rolling a portion thereof into an angled groove in the body to form a permanent connection and eliminating the need for a retaining ring and angled surfaces are provided between the tool holder or tool and the interior of the adjustment nut or screw to provide larger bearing surfaces and ease of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: James L. Rossini
  • Patent number: 4699028
    Abstract: A spinner ratchet wrench (10) having a normal ratcheting capability and a free-spinning mode used to easily and quickly pre-tighten a nut or bolt (device) prior to final tightening or to remove a device after it is initially loosened. This feature does not require the handle (18) to be oscillated and is particularly useful when devices are located in areas where finger manipulation is difficult or impossible. Free-spinning is achieved by a combination of a three-position pawl (22a) that includes a neutral position as well as the two standard ratchet positions, and a spinner drive shaft (18a) having at opposite ends a primary bevel gear (18b) and a spin knob (18p). When the pawl (22a) is placed in neutral it is disengaged from the ratchet gear (16f) allowing the shaft (18a) to be directly rotated by the knob (18p). As the shaft turns the primary bevel gear (18b) turns a secondary bevel gear (16d) connected to the socket shank (16k).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Raul A. Bosque
  • Patent number: 4699030
    Abstract: A combination allen/socket wrench is disclosed of the variety having a spinoff design. This wrench has a handle, a pair of outwardly extending parallel support arms each have a respective end is integral with the handle. A bar is mounted between the arms and transverse axis. A plurality of members are rotatably mounted on the bar which extend therefrom radially of the transverse axis of the bar. Each of these members has the end portion thereof formed having a polygonal external configuration of a varying size to one another and each of these members also has a polygonal socket bore formed therein of a varying size to one another whereby a comination allen/socket wrench is provided. A resiliently-biased detent clamp means provides for selectively retaining each of the members against rotational movement. In this fashion during use of the desired wrench portion, the handle may be pivoted on an axis relative to said desired wrench portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 4697483
    Abstract: A tool comprising two jaws, the first jaw having a seat for receiving a shaft to which a split ring clip is to be attached or detached, and the second jaw having a head with two selective indexed positions, the first position for detaching the clip and having prong means adapted to contact the ends of the clip, and the second position for attaching the clip and including a seat for holding the clip with its open side facing the first jaw, a receptacle to catch the clip when detached, and means for moving said jaws together in meshing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Herman R. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 4697481
    Abstract: A hammer including a head core and a handle core which are made of a metallic material and are respectively imbedded in head and handle portions made of a resin material so as to form a generally T-shaped integral body. The head core and the handle core are separated from each other by a suitable distance by a portion of the resin material at which the head and handle portions are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Maeda Shell Service Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 4697391
    Abstract: Apparatus for retaining vanes in an abrasive blasting machine includes a rotatable runnerhead having a radially extending channel opening through one face of the runnerhead. A slot is included as part of the channel adjacent the radially outer end of the channel. A vane includes a base adapted to be disposed within the channel and retained there by a retaining pin fitted into the slot. A magnet is disposed in the slot in order to retain the pin in the slot at all times. The base includes a plurality of intersecting planar surfaces overlying the slot that cooperate to (1) enable the pin to be inserted and removed without displacing other machine components and (2) hold the pin securely in place during operation of the machine. The planar surfaces are configured such that the vane can be manufactured in a casting operation without using cores, thereby effecting significant cost savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventors: James H. Carpenter, Jr., Kenneth R. Peters
  • Patent number: 4694712
    Abstract: A body is provided including a first end defining a vertically extending outwardly opening notch therein and at least one door is pivotally mounted from a corresponding side of the body end for swinging between a closed position across the body end and an open position extending outwardly from the body end. A motor driven drum is jouralled within the body on the side of the notch away from the direction in which the notch opens and an endless flexible drive members includes a positive bright passing about the drum. The free swinging end of the door has a roller journalled therefrom and the side of the first end of the body across which the door extends has a guide roller journalled therefrom, the rollers generally paralleling the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Inventor: Hubert M. Doss
  • Patent number: 4693039
    Abstract: A grinding head assembly especially designed for heavy duty grinding applications, such as maintenance of railroad track rails, is disclosed. The grinding head assembly hereof broadly includes an abrasive grinding stone, a backing plate for the stone having a plurality of attachment bosses, and a backing plate holder having a plurality of complementary boss-receiving cavities. The grinding head assembly disclosed herein provides for fast and easy replacement of grinding stones, and is designed to transmit large quantities of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Vieau, William D. Klempke
  • Patent number: 4691599
    Abstract: An extension handle for the standard automobile wheel lug nut wrench, consisting of a straight length of metal tube having a bore slightly larger than the diameter of the automobile lug wrench handle and having two indentations a short distance from one end, which are shaped to firmly grip the tapered end of the lug wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Jerald Schultz
  • Patent number: 4691598
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for hammering a hardened nail comprises a nail clamping device adapted to clamp a hardened nail, a ring sleeve receiving the clamping device at it's inner surface and an elongated handle connected at the outer surface of the ring sleeve. The clamping device is a truncated cone made of an elastic material and having an axial through center hole and a longitudinal through groove from the axial hole radially outwards to an outer surface of the cone. The ring sleeve has a tappered inner surface to taperingly engage with the truncated cone. The handle has predetermined length and two ends for connecting different sizes of ring sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Min-Shin Lin
  • Patent number: 4690019
    Abstract: A tamperproof fire hydrant which can only be operated with use of a special operating means or tool thus preventing the opening of the hydrant by unauthorized persons for unauthorized use. The hydrant is provided with the usual polygonal end portion of the rotatable operating nut extending out of the top closure member. A dome shaped cap is mounted on the polygonal end portion of the operating nut for free rotation relative thereto, the dome shaped cap having a skirt with the lower edge thereof spaced from the tubular hold down nut or top closure member of the fire hydrant to provide a limited access space to the polygonal end portion for reception of the special operating means. The special operating means is also capable of being used as a tool to remove the nozzle cap off of the usual nozzle and to install the hose coupling on the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Mueller Co.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Daghe, Dennis W. Humes, Mervin D. Stanley, Gary L. Bouc
  • Patent number: 4690612
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor coolant pump impeller/shaft assembly, including an impeller nut with a plurality of conduits formed therein in fluid communication with both ends of a passageway formed in the impeller nut in contact with a portion of the shaft, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the pump. Due to this conduit/passageway combination, coolant is effectively pumped into the passageway to heat the shaft to a temperature approximately equal to that of the impeller, thus creating thermal balance of the pump's component parts and providing improved pump efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
    Inventor: Leonard S. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4686798
    Abstract: A carrier is disclosed for supporting an optical blank in the chuck of a lathe, for machining the optical blank into a lens. The carrier has a substantially cylindrical body formed of a machinable material. The cylindrical body has an opening at a first end thereof through which an optical blank can be inserted, and a retaining portion for securing such optical blank in place. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining portion is an annular shoulder extending inwardly at a second end of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Sola U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Petty, Howard M. Sage
  • Patent number: 4680995
    Abstract: A screwdriver bit has a pair of opposite driving faces which taper toward each other at its bit end which faces are arcuate in form, concave-out and terminate in a bit edge which is double concave in cross section, thicker at both its ends than at its center. The center thickness is made small enough to enter the slot of small screws, and the end thicknesses are great enough that the center of the bit edge does not make contact with the slot of larger screws. A single bit can drive and remove screws of a wide range of sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Naphs, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. LaRue