Patents Examined by Bruce M. Kisliuk
  • Patent number: 5516328
    Abstract: An end surface polishing machine comprises a holding disc for holding a plurality of ferrules supporting coaxially aligned optical fibers. A support mechanism supports the holding disc and places the end surfaces of the ferrules in contact with a polishing disc. A drive mechanism includes a rotation motor for rotating the polishing disc about a first axis, a revolution motor for revolving the polishing disc about a second axis, a first rotating disc rotatable about the first axis by the rotating motor, at least one second rotating disc disposed eccentrically on the first rotating disc, and a third rotating disc connected to the second rotating disc for rotation about the second axis. The revolution axle is supported for revolution around the first axis by the revolution motor and is provided with a through-hole defining a center axis extending along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Seiko Electronic Components Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Kawada
  • Patent number: 5513838
    Abstract: A clamp is more versatile, less damaging, and able to apply a holding force directed from most any angle in its plane of action. This general work-holding clamp consists of several movable clamping units mounted on a circular frame. A clamping unit consists of a clamp screw, a small thumbscrew, and a base. The clamp screw serves its normal purpose, the thumbscrew holds the base in place on the frame, and the base connects the clamp screw to the frame. The circular frame carries all forces between the clamping units, and has a gap to improve versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Scott R. Van Rossum
  • Patent number: 5513547
    Abstract: In a turbine system of the type wherein a first large cylinder having a first flange is connected to a second large cylinder having a second flange by a multiplicity of bolts securing the first flange to the second flange, a method of precisely aligning the first and second cylinders includes steps of (a) loosening the bolts that secure the first flange to the second flange so as to permit the first and second cylinders to be slightly shifted with respect to each other; (b) removing at least one of the bolts from its respective boltholes in the first and second flanges; (c) replacing the removed bolt in the respective boltholes with an apparatus for laterally shifting the first flange with respect to the second flange by a controlled amount; (d) shifting the flanges by using the apparatus; (e) tightening the bolts; (f) removing the apparatus; and (g) replacing and tightening the removed bolt. A unique apparatus for performing the lateral shifting is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Alan R. Lovelace
  • Patent number: 5513545
    Abstract: A tool, comprising a head bolt stud and extractor, useful in the alignment of a cylinder head to an engine block when re-attaching the cylinder head to the engine block following replacement of the cylinder head seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Mark George
  • Patent number: 5514068
    Abstract: A basket style carton is set up by a machine which imparts inward movement to one end wall so as to allow the adjacent locking tab to clear the associated end notch. A first pusher engages the bottom wall and allows the notch to receive the locking tab. Continued inward movement imparted to the one carton end wall causes the locking tab at the opposite end of the bottom wall to clear the associated notch. A second pusher then depresses the bottom wall and allows the associated locking tab to clear the associated notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney K. Calvert, Alton J. Fishback
  • Patent number: 5514028
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single sheet sandpaper delivery system which includes at least one stackable tray having a support surface, with at least two sides, wherein one of each said sides is connected an opposing edge portion of the support surface and extends generally normal thereto, and wherein the support surface has an edge portion laterally spacing the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Christopher A. Ali, Terry L. Ali, Ralf Karlstrom
  • Patent number: 5514026
    Abstract: A symmetrically balanced, integrated, portable, refillable, serviceable, adjustable, self contained tool, suitable for single hand operation, for ejecting a stream of particulate, powdered, or liquid material toward a target combining a supply reservoir containing the materials, a portable propellant container adapted to the supply reservoir, carrying compressed propellant liquid, a propellant release valve delivering propellant from the container via a constricted air jet orifice to a angular mixing chamber positioned above the uppermost level of materials the materials supply reservoir, a delivery conduit connecting the lower portion of the supply materials reservoir chamber to the angular mixing chamber through an adjustment valve, delivering a stream of materials aspirated from the materials supply reservoir by the negative atmospheric pressure deferential created by a Venturi effect to the angular mixing chamber, driving the compressed gas and materials through the connected nozzle containing a cylindric
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Sandair Nevada, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 5512009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing optical chatter for use with a machine that is adapted to perform an operation on a surface of a workpiece by bringing a rotating roller into contact with the surface as the workpiece is advanced past the roller. The roller of the machine has a central axis and is powered to rotate about the central axis. The apparatus comprises an oscillation inducing device that is operably coupled to the roller for inducing an axial oscillation in the roller. The frequency of the induced oscillation of the roller is substantially greater than the frequency of rotation of the roller. The method for reducing optical chatter comprises the step of imparting axial oscillations to the roller during rotation of the roller, the imparted oscillations being of substantially greater frequency than the frequency of rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Douglas E. Earl
  • Patent number: 5512011
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing machine lines from the gasket groove in the flanges of a header box has a support plate mounted for linear movement on rails connected to the header box. The support carries a tool driver which can be pivoted below the support to bring a grinding or polishing tool, rotated by the tool driver, into and out of the groove for grinding and polishing away the machine lines in the groove as the support slides along the rail. This grinds and polishes the grooves while avoiding a wavy effect which was a disadvantage of using a hand-held grinder for the same purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: George S. Millas
  • Patent number: 5512010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved manual wet sanding block having means for supplying liquid from an external source through the wet sanding block onto a surface being sanded, a means for wipe drying a newly sanded surface, a flexible hose connected to an adaptor located on the wet sanding block, a sliding sucker fixed on the hose near the body in order to avoid that the flexible hose touch the floor, and a means for hanging up the wet sanding block in order the avoid the rust. The flow of water is first controlled by a regulator located in a water intake but may instantly be started and stopped by the finger of the operator. The water is delivered onto the sanding surface by perforations located under the wet sanding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Georges Labad, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5512007
    Abstract: A waterjet machining process and system applied to a heat-treated hollow device for cutting a predetermined pattern therein. The hollow device is mounted in the holder that applies rotational, axial, and transverse movements to the hollow metal device as needed in relation to an abrasive water cutting jet stream to cut a predetermined pattern therein. The pattern may be digitized and stored in a computerized numerical controller for moving the holder as necessary to cut the predetermined pattern therein. Inserts may be provided within the hollow device when cutting asymmetrical patterns to protect the inside diameter wall opposite the waterjet from erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Astro Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. De Lucia, Tuong T. Le, Robert W. Jones
  • Patent number: 5509849
    Abstract: To reduce dust and improve the productivity of wet blasting, a blast nozzle and a method of using same are provided for directing a stream of abrasive particles entrained in compressed air to a targeted surface and for injecting a pressurized water stream into the stream of abrasive particles at a point downstream of the orifice of the blast nozzle and in the expansion portion of the nozzle. At the injection point, the velocity of the entrained abrasive particles is substantially equivalent to the velocity of the injected water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Spears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5509334
    Abstract: A driver bit adapted to engage in a recess of a recessed screw which recess is defined as a coaxial superimposition of two equilaterally triangular and cylindrical recesses each having arcuate vertices and arranged with a phase shift of 60.degree. about a center axis of the recessed screw to provide six engagable grooves and six driven vanes. The driver bit includes six driving vanes and six valleys, with each driving vane being shaped in conformity with each groove in the recess of the recessed screw, and with each valley being interposed between adjacent driving vanes and shaped in conformity with each driven vane in the recess of the recessed screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Yugenkaisha Shinjo Seisakusho
    Inventor: Katsumi Shinjo
  • Patent number: 5509848
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing a paint coated surface, in which a polishing tool is held perpendicularly to the surface, are used to apply a predetermined polishing pressure to the surface even when the surface is inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimi Shimbara
  • Patent number: 5509885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a creasing apparatus with a male part with bars and a cooperating female part with grooves. Elastic material elements are inlaid in the grooves of the female part. The elements are pretensioned and locked in their grooves by means of T-shaped end pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: John-Erik Brunlid
  • Patent number: 5509850
    Abstract: An apparatus has a polishing head for polishing an object such as a semiconductor wafer by using a polishing tape stretched between two guide rollers. The head can be rotated so as to change the angle of contact between the tape and the object and also undergo a reciprocating motion perpendicular to the direction of supply of the tape. For this purpose, the apparatus includes a first plate attached to the head and a second plate supported parallel to each other and in motion-communicating relationship by means of rods which are attached to the first plate and penetrate the second plate. The second plate is attached to the rotary shaft of a direct drive motor for causing oscillatory angular motion. This rotary shaft is tubular and an inner shaft for causing the oscillatory motion passes slidably therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Nihon Micro Coating Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Izuru Morioka, Kiyoshi Yui
  • Patent number: 5507686
    Abstract: An apparatus for grinding a metallic workpiece rotating about and centered on an axis and having an annular surface also centered on the workpiece axis has a tool support radially offset from the workpiece axis, continuously rotating about a support axis radially offset from and substantially parallel to the workpiece axis, and having an forwardly axially directed front support face, and an annular grinding tool engaging the workpiece surface, centered on a respective tool axis, and having an axially backwardly directed rear tool face. The tool face is resiliently supported on the support face annularly all around the support and tool axes so that the tool axis can rock relative to the support axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ernst Thielenhaus KG
    Inventor: Martin Wolters
  • Patent number: 5507206
    Abstract: A tool for removing a retaining cap from a hose clamp has a handle to which is attached a retaining cap nest having a cap receiving portion for receiving the capped ears of the hose clamp, an opening in an end of the receiving portion for accepting an uncapped portion of the capped ears, and a pair of lands, one on either side of the opening, for pushing against the legs of the cap during removal from the ears. In one embodiment, the nest has a pair of symmetrically shaped half-sections attached to the jaws of a locking pliers type tool which are placed around the capped ears. When the handles of the tool are squeezed together, a nest is formed capable of retaining the cap after removal from the ears. A preferred embodiment has a handle with a hollow cylindrical jacket attached thereto surrounding a pneumatically operated rod to which is affixed a unitary nest. When in an extended position, the nest can be positioned to grasp the hose clamp retaining cap in the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Solski
  • Patent number: 5507209
    Abstract: A sleeve-type screw holder and driver is shown wherein there is provided an elongated sleeve having a seat formed therein for receiving the head of a screw. In addition, the device includes a screw stabilizer that engages the shaft portion of the screw and stabilizes the entire screw within the elongated sleeve. In order to anchor or set the screw within a securing member, the sleeve is turned until the screw held within the sleeve is properly anchored. Thereafter, the sleeve, including the screw stabilizer, is pulled from the anchored screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Ronnie K. Allen, Danny W. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5507273
    Abstract: A rotating cutting blade and its drive motor are mounted on a wheeled support platform. The blade extends through a skid plate depending from the platform, in order to cut the concrete below the skid plate. The slot in the skid plate has its ends configured to fit within predetermined distances of the corresponding ends of cutting segments on the cutting blade. The cutting segments are configured to have a generally inverted "T" configuration in which a central cutting segment extends radially outward from two cutting segments located on opposite sides of the central segment. The exterior edges of the cutting segments may be square or rounded. The juncture between the central and shoulder segments may be square or rounded. The concrete is advantageously cut before it hardens to 1200 psi, without the use of an added lubricant, or above that hardness with lubricant if the cutting blade is supported within a sufficiently close distance by a skid plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Edward Chiuminatta, Alan R. Chiuminatta