Patents Examined by Carmine Cuda
  • Patent number: 5146649
    Abstract: The hinge device according to the present invention is constituted by a first element provided with a guiding surface for the rotation about a predetermined axis of a second element which is provided with a surface movable about the axis and thus suitable for cooperating with the guiding surface.According to an essential feature of the invention, at least the second element is further provided with a series of interconnected grooves which form respective housings for a resilient element which is positioned in the grooves; the resilient element, which is generally constituted by a leaf spring, and a portion of which is clamped on the first element or is integral therewith, forms the connecting member between the first and second elements, allowing to the latter a movement along the guiding surface, and imparting to both elements a resilient restoring force towards predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: NEOFORM S.n.c. di Bortolo Da Pra' & C.
    Inventor: Bortolo Da Pra'
  • Patent number: 5146650
    Abstract: An enclosure for terminal blocks for interconnecting conductors of multiconductor cables includes provision for two or more terminal block modules. A lid is pivotably hinged to a box-like base section, by dowels trapped in slots of hinge hooks by free ends of latch arms, with both hinge hooks and latch arms molded integrally to the rear wall of the base section. A single-piece molded clip is also defined by the hook and latch arm joined to a common base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: James W. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5144719
    Abstract: A battery lift handle which has a `U`-shaped rigid hand grip, a lift cord extending from the base of one of the legs of the hand grip and terminates at its other end in a head, the second leg having three slots, the uppermost slot opening to one side of the second leg, the lowermost slot extending upwardly from the base and opening to the other side of the second leg, and the intermediate slot extending laterally, so that the cord head can be inserted in the second leg very quickly by a single hand action of positioning the head into the upper slot, pulling the cord through the intermediate slot and then downwardly through the lowermost slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Rope & Marine Supplies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney I. Arthur
  • Patent number: 5144720
    Abstract: A releasable double-hinge device for an automobile console box that makes the box lid capable of being opened from either lateral side by simply sliding it sideways. The opened lid can be closed by a simple action of pushing it down. A number of pivotal pillars 3, each provided with a lock shaft 3b, are pivotally arranged on respective anchor pins 3d and kept upright along each of the lateral edges of the box main body 1 by means of respective recoil springs 4. A same number of lock sections 2a are arranged along and under each of the lateral edges of the box lid 2 in such a manner that the lock shafts of the pivotal pillars are received in respective slots 2b of the lock sections 2a to form a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Aihara, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5144777
    Abstract: A grommet assembly for a wall panel and method of installation. The grommet assembly includes a grommet structure for insertion into the aperture made through a wall panel and includes pivotal locking arms for locking at the back face of the wall panel. An insert sleeve provides a circular wall that upon insertion into the grommet pivots the pivotal lock arms of the grommet. The insert sleeve is further provided with snap-engagement members that snap-engage to the circular wall of the grommet so that the grommet assembly is fastened together and to the wall panel. A retention ring may be used prior to cutting an aperture in the wall to secure fabric, or other wall coverings, around the aperture to be cut to prevent displacement or tearing, and to protect the outer wall surface. The method includes the field installation of the grommet assembly from one side of a wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Allsteel Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Fishel, Nancy K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5142738
    Abstract: A hinge device to be used between a rotatable component and a stationary component to work as a pivoting device and to permit a restrained rotation of one component in relation to the other due to a high viscosity grease and the torsional force of a coil spring inserted therein in a predetermined angular range; and subsequently to restrain the rotating speed by means of the high viscosity grease and the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juji Ojima
  • Patent number: 5142740
    Abstract: A toilet covering hinge assembly for mounting a toilet covering to the rear of a toilet for rotation of the toilet covering about a hinge axis between a lowered and a raised position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge element which is provided at the rear end of the toilet covering and is formed with a bore extending along the hinge axis. A hinge shaft extends through the bore in a rotatively fixed relation thereto so as to be rotatable together with the toilet covering about the hinge axis. One end of the hinge shaft is received by a support member provided on the side of the toilet for allowing the hinge shaft to rotate together with the toilet covering relative to the toilet. A retainer spring is secured to the hinge element adjacent to the bore for latching the hinge shaft against an axial movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Amaki, Tsutomu Okumoto
  • Patent number: 5142739
    Abstract: A joint has two inner and two outer shell halves which are mutually rotatably connected together by a central pivot bolt. A ring plate is coaxially rotatably inserted in a space formed between the inner shell half and the outer shell half of one side of the joint. The ring plate has an extended end on one side thereof with a stop, and is provided with a tensioning spring. Between the two outer shell halves in two rectangular slots is accommodated a locking pawl capable of radially moving into and out of the position notches defined on the curved peripheral edge of a disk portion formed by the two inner halves. The locking pawl can be pushed out of the position notch by a pull handle pivotally connected between the two shell halves, and the stop of the ring plate is able to be moved into the gap between the locking pawl and the notch by return tensioning spring force to prevent the locking pawl from entering into the position notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Palhood Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Sung C. Lin
  • Patent number: 5142735
    Abstract: A door open position fixing device including a presser member adapted to abut against a vehicle door openable up to a predetermined angle defined for every vehicle of different kinds, and a driving mechanism for swingably driving the presser member to make the same press the door in an opening direction thereof and maintain an open condition of the door. The door open position fixing device is provided with a detecting device for detecting a swing degree of the presser member and a control device for controlling the driving mechanism so that the swing degree of the presser member detected by the detecting device becomes equal to a predetermined value preliminarily set for the door of the every vehicle of different kinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Kazunori Konishi
  • Patent number: 5142733
    Abstract: A holder for a floor mat comprises at least one connecting device and at least one connecting member which has complementary connection devices whereby the connecting member may be connected in a releasable manner to at least two adjacent mat holders so as to secure the mat holders together. Preferably at least one of the holder or the connecting member are made from flexible material or are designed to be slightly flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Mogel, John Calvert
  • Patent number: 5140720
    Abstract: Reciprocal attitude angle self-differentiating device (10) for pivotable wheels (11,12;110) of handtrucks, each of the wheels (11,12;110) being respectively rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis (22,23;220) belonging to a wheel supporting body (21,15;210), the body (21,15;210) being rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical axis (29,30;290), in which at least one pair of wheels belonging to the handtruck being mutually coupled by means of a device (10) comprising:a) a first coupling mechanism (14), cooperating with the supporting body (15) of the first (12) of the wheels belonging to the pair;b) a second coupling mechanism (13,25;130,250) freely movable mounted on the supporting body (21;210) of the second wheel (11;10) belonging to the pair of wheels, the second mechanism (13,25;130,250) cooperating with a third mechanism (16,24;240) integral and rigidly connected with the supporting body (21;210) of the second wheel (11;110);c) a fourth, motion transmitting, mechanism (20), cooperat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: New Technologies Srl
    Inventor: Remo Sisler
  • Patent number: 5138744
    Abstract: A releasably lockable hinge device comprises a pair of hingably connected hinge members rotatable about a common pivot and mutually positionable in an at least one mutually releasably locked position by a locking pawl selectively movable between locking and unlocking positions. First and second longitudinally spaced toothed portions of the locking pawl, when biased into a locking position, are interferingly wedgingly engaged with respective corresponding surfaces of the pair of hinge members, in rigidly, bridging interlocking relation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard J. Coggon
  • Patent number: 5136752
    Abstract: A hinge-latch structure is provided for the hood of a lawn and garden vehicle. The hinge structure includes dual pivots at the forward end of the hood to move the hood forwardly, upwardly and then swing it above a lateral axis to provide access to the engine compartment. An over-center spring mechanism serves to assist the operator in opening or closing the hood and further serves as a latch to urge the hood towards its closed position. A sliding seat latch is carried between the rear of the vehicle and the hood to guide the hood into place and prevent contact with control levers carried about the rear of the hood seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Curtis R. Bening, Dean J. Tessenske
  • Patent number: 5133106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a caster (1), in particular a steering roller having a wheel (5, 6) and a locking device, the locking device having a setting element (7) and engagement element (9) which cooperates with the setting element so as to block the travel of the wheel (5, 6) in which a linear setting movement of the setting part (7) can be transmitted via a wedge transmission (10) to the engagement element (9). In order to achieve a development which is as simple as possible from a design standpoint and also has advantageous kinematics, the invention proposes that the engagement element 9 be arranged guided for linear movement in order to effect a linear engagement movement with respect to the wheel (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Tente-Rollen Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Manfred Milbredt, Wolfgang Block
  • Patent number: 5133108
    Abstract: An articulation system for two panels, comprising a flexible hinge (4) and edge sections (1, 2; 3) for the panels, for receiving and retaining the flexible hinge, a flexible hinge (4) having a central tubular portion (13) arranged in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels is provided and includes two flanges (14, 15) adapted to snap lock into the edge sections; the latter comprise channels (L1, L2) permitting this snap locking engagement, and guide surfaces (S, Sc; Sax, Sac, AL) are arranged on respective parts about the median plane of the panels, for guiding their pivotal movement about an axis of rotation passing through the central tubular portion of the flexible hinge. The invention may in particular be used with sectional doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: FTFM la Toulousaine
    Inventor: Paul Esnault
  • Patent number: 5133109
    Abstract: An apparatus for the adjustable attachment of a wardrobe for (42) to a door supporting arm (SA) comprises a first part (1) for attachment to the supporting arm (SA); a second part (7); and, a third part (8) which is mounted to the door (42). Threaded rotatable tangs (27) are provided to adjust the position of the first part (1) with respect to the second part (7) in a first direction. Threaded rotatable tangs (29) are also provided to adjust the position of the second part (7) with respect to the third part (8) in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: O.M.M. di Enrico e Ing. Roberto Natale Mariani s.n.c.
    Inventor: Roberto Mariani
  • Patent number: 5131115
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for maintaining an open door in a selected fixed position includes a keyed shaft which passes through a plurality of elliptically shaped discs via apertures centrally located in the discs are mounted. The long axis of each disc is aligned to that of the other discs and the discs are pressed together from either side along the axis of the shaft between two compression springs. Angled stop members located to the outside of the compression springs displace the discs along their long axis at a small angle from the plane perpendicular to the shaft. The small angle is chosen to produce a substantially circular projection of the discs in a plane perpendicular to the shaft. The shaft, with its mounted discs, springs, and angled stop members, is placed within a housing of cylindrical cross section having an interior diameter selected such that the discs are in frictional contact with the internal surface of the housing and the shaft is thus slidably but frictionally disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: J. Sarto Co.
    Inventor: Julius A. Sarto
  • Patent number: 5131116
    Abstract: An extension handle for a seat adjustment lever enables physically handicapped persons to more easily adjust their car seat. The extension handle includes an extension bar having a lower end portion and an upper end portion terminating in a handle grip. A connecting block is secured to the lower end portion of the extension bar and is adapted to be mounted on the seat adjustment lever. The extension bar is bent so that it extends upwardly towards the top of the top of the seat where it can more easily reached by physically handicapped persons. The extension bar also provides additional leverage which makes the seat adjustment lever more easily to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Shirley Bowdler
  • Patent number: 5127132
    Abstract: Each of two identical hinge plates has projecting from one longitudinal side edge thereof four, spaced, coaxially aligned barrels, two of which have therethrough coaxial bores, and each of the other two of which has a reduced-diameter cylindrical pin projecting from one end thereof. The four barrels of each plate are arranged so that the two barrels containing bores are consecutive or adjacent to each other, and the two barrels bearing the cylindrical pins are adjacent to each other. A hinge is assembled by inserting the pins of each hinge plate coaxially and rotatably into the barrel bores in the other plate. Thereafter a locking element may be inserted between a pair of adjacent barrels to prevent accidental disengagement of the cylindrical pins from the barrel bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: James Karlin
  • Patent number: 5125146
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided which locate and orient a replacement for a damaged axle end on the basis of an opposite, undamaged end, whereupon welding can be carried out to permanently affix the replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Ferrari