Patents Examined by Casey Jacyna
  • Patent number: 5191920
    Abstract: A lifting and stabilizing mechanism for an apparatus such as a bag elevator assembly for an automated filling machine having a stationary frame and a generally horizontal carriage mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. The carriage is carried on a plurality of geared belts which each criss-cross the frame in an opposing "Z" configuration, and are alternately wrapped over and under opposed drive wheels and tensioning wheels rotatably mounted on the carriage. The opposing belts maintain the carriage in its horizontal orientation, and the drive wheels are rotated to provide the lift force for controllably raising and lowering the carriage. The drive belts are attached to and extend along vertical brace members of the frame using one of various clamping assemblies, and the vertical alignment of the carriage is augmented by a pin and channel guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Harold R. McGregor
  • Patent number: 5190197
    Abstract: A flexible dispenser for a box of disposable gloves, having an elastic strap for mounting the dispenser on the sun visor of a vehicle. The dispenser has a case formed with front and back panels. The back panel has a continuous surface of a hook and loop fastener material so that it can be attached in a separate, remote location in the vehicle, such as on the dash board, the door or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Ronald J. Novak
  • Patent number: 5190082
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously filling separate compartments of a duvet by pneumatically fluidizing material from a drum with pulsed jets of air using a venturi effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Wool Research Organization of New Zealand, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian M. Watson, Ian D. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 5190083
    Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing and monitoring output and consumption of fluids in the microgravity conditions of outer space. The dispensing system conveniently dispenses a plurality of fluid from distinct output ports into a corresponding suitable receptacle. Each consumer is identified at a point of delivery of the fluid and fluid dispensing and/or consumption is monitored and displayed according to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Ashis S. Gupta, Leonard F. Antao
  • Patent number: 5188157
    Abstract: An extensible oil cap includes an extensible telescoping funnel which has a plurality of cylindrical sections with each recesses disposed on the outer and each raised portion disposed on the inner thereof for slidably moving up and down, and tightly locking with one another and a cutting flange extended from the bottom of the telescoping funnel for making various size of an oil inlet port, and a closure with a tubular cutter for easily opening an oil can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Albert Lee
  • Patent number: 5186371
    Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a vehicle with a tailgate or other rear access assembly characterized in that the spare tire carrier is adapted to swing away outwardly from the vehicle and is provided with a swing-down device which allows a spare tire to be lowered into ground contact for easy removal of the spare tire. The swing-down device includes a tire support plate and an assist arm is pivotally coupled to the tire support plate for controlling the movement of the tire support plate when the latter is unlatched from the spare tire carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thadius F. Jozefczak, Kent W. Madill
  • Patent number: 5186221
    Abstract: A fuel vapor filter (10) for use with a fuel nozzle (22) for filtering fuel-entrained vapor (60) displaced from a fuel tank and a fuel tank fill tube (18) during refueling. The filter (10) comprises a housing (12) containing a filter (14). An external boot (16) encloses the fill tube (18) during refueling. A splash shield (46) prevents splashing of liquid fuel on the filter housing (12). The filter (10) of the present invention protects people and the environment by preventing the escape of fuel-entrained vapor from the fuel tank during refueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: James E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5186224
    Abstract: A filling device for transportable containers and other suitable receptacles for the receipt of liquids, which facilitate a reliable and particularly feasible indication of faulty conditions encountered during operation in consideration of the handling thereof. A valve which closes off a filling tube of the container is actuated in dependence upon the connecting conditions of the filling device to the container; such as a tank container. When the filling device is not adequately coupled with an inlet pipe or any other device of the tank container, flow of liquid filling material cannot be initiated inasmuch as this flow is positively inhibited by the valve. Pursuant to another aspect, a vent or relief valve is automatically actuated in dependence upon the connected condition. The vent valve is also only first opened then when there has taken place a satisfactory or proper coupling with the respective tank container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Schirmacher
  • Patent number: 5184652
    Abstract: A universal medication port includes a cylindrical member having an internal bore with a plurality of radial passageways extending therefrom. A plunger is disposed within the internal bore of the cylinder, the plunger having an internal bore with a plurality of radial passageways extending therefrom. The plunger is movable in response to insertion of a needle-less hypodermic syringe into the internal bore of the cylindrical member so as to align the respective passageways in the plunger and the cylindrical member with one another to establish a fluid path from the syringe through the internal bore of the plunger and respective passageways in the plunger and the cylindrical member to a receptacle, such as a vial, an intravenous bottle or intravenous delivery system, in which the cylindrical member is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Fan
  • Patent number: 5179981
    Abstract: A self-diagnostic method for an on-board CTIS (10) for sensing system faults and/or vehicle conditions requiring system shut down. Includes a method for preventing operations of the CITS if the pressure in the air tank has not reached a desired minimum when the vehicle speed exceeds a reference speed for a preselected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford W. Hicks, Brian R. Blust, James A. Beverly, Gary R. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5178197
    Abstract: A pre-pay fuel system having a fuel nozzle with automatic cutoff provisions when a full tank exists or unwanted tank pressure conditions are detected is also provided with a low fuel pressure controlled cutoff. The fuel pressure cutoff allows rapid response to permit fuel flow when high pressure exists in the nozzle and provides a nozzle flow cutoff after a predetermined time delay when low fuel pressure exists in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Healy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 5176302
    Abstract: A holder for the handle of a container comprises a substantially rigid, continuous wire-like member bent to form a belt receiving portion and an integral handle receiving portion. The belt receiving portion stabilizes the position of the holder and the handle receiving portion is provided with first and second locking portions through which the container handle must pass before resting at the bottom of the handle receiving portion. The container is thus maintained in a stable, convenient position when the wearer is moving his body and/or walking, freeing the user's hands for other operations while at the same time permitting convenient access to the contents of the can and further providing a sturdy and yet small and lightweight holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: Edwin Smith
  • Patent number: 5176189
    Abstract: A device for transport of material between chambers at different pressures, comprises a feed chamber, a main chamber having an upper housing with an inlet and a lower housing with an outlet. The feed chamber is coupled to the main chamber at the inlet, and a first slide valve opens and closes the inlet. A second slide valve for opening land closing the outlet may be provided. At least one hollow gasket with an essentially closed wall, preferably an inflatable gasket, is provided between the upper housing and the first slide valve for sealing the inlet; and, at least one gasket with an essentially closed wall, preferably an inflatable gasket, may be provided between the lower housing and the second slide valve for sealing the outlet. Alternatively, a first flap valve for opening and closing the inlet is provided which is pivotally coupled to the upper housing at one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Andritz Actiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Perchthaler, Franz Krappmann
  • Patent number: 5176187
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for evacuating refrigerant for recovery from a conventional refrigeration sytems, e.g. automobile air conditions, preferably by attachment to a manifold having multiple evacuation devices, e.g. compressor, vacuum pump, transfer pump with the evacuation devices discharging through self-closing quick connect valves into at least one flexible accumulator, e.g. a bag mounted onto a manifold, and with an additional transfer pump evacuating the bag gradually to a recovery system which can be a conventional refrigerant recovery condensing unit with purification. Facilities for receiving bags filled from refrigeration systems which are remote from the system, e.g. home refrigerators, can be provided to weigh the contents into the manifold for recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Ashland Oil, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. H. Grant
  • Patent number: 5174346
    Abstract: An improved fuel dispensing nozzle of significantly reduced size and weight has a single diaphragm that provides the vapor regulating function as well as providing the excess pressure and excess vacuum shut-off functions. Improved shut-off function is obtained by ensuring that chamber pressure is the same as that at the spout tip disposed in the vehicle fuel tank fill pipe. The improved fuel dispensing nozzle design also reduces the amount of accidental fuel spillage which may occur when refueling is concluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Healy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 5174482
    Abstract: A holster for a magazine of an automatic pistol, the magazine being slid into a carrier box that slides longitudinally in the elongated rectangular pouch with a flexible flap cover having a snap fastener to attach the cover to the pouch; the carrier being biased by a coil spring urging the carrier upward to expose the magazine which is contacted by the cover to prevent the magazine from removal until it is handled by the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Safariland Ltd., Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Rogers, Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5174481
    Abstract: A strap or cloth web personal carrier for a bat, ball and mitts, The carrier includes a collapsible pocket made from a plurality of cloth webs or straps, or a shallow net or solid nylon bag to receive a ball and the barrel end of a bat. The collapsible pocket has a cloth web or strap around the top to reinforce the pocket. The reinforcing strap may be elastic, or may include overlapping Velcro fasteners for tightening around the bat being carried. An elongated strap or cloth web is secured to, and extends out from, the collapsible pocket, and includes a sliding loop at its outer end which is looped around the bat near the top of the bat handle to define a sling. The combination is conveniently carried over the user's shoulder like a rifle sling, with the bat extending across the wearer's back to define part of the carrier. Additional small loops are provided on the strap for carrying mitts or other accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: David W. LeDune
  • Patent number: 5170516
    Abstract: The specification discloses a plural purpose seat attachment for a bucket, and a combination bucket with the seat attachment. The attachment has a cap composed of a polymeric rim and a polymeric plug interfitted with the rim. The rim has an underside annular recess to receive the bucket rim, and a central opening defined by an interior wall. The plug has an exterior wall of a size and shape complementary with the rim interior wall. An O-ring seal and retainer is retained in an annular recess in the plug exterior wall, and compressibly interfits with the rim interior wall to seal the opening and to frictionally retain the plug in the rim until the plug is intentionally removed. The bucket bail interfits with notches in the rim to secure the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: William R. Davison
  • Patent number: 5168908
    Abstract: A non-spill funnel for introducing liquids and flowable materials into tanks or containers which includes a bowl which is integrally formed with a pour spout or nozzle and wherein the nozzle includes an outwardly spaced arcuate flange which extends in spaced relationship thereto for purposes of engaging the sidewall of the fill spout opening into the tank or container so as to retain the nozzle against the sidewall thereof so that a visual inspection may be made as to the level of liquid or other flowable material relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Glenn Boyum
  • Patent number: 5168905
    Abstract: An in-line liquid filling machine and method of filling containers. In certain embodiments a a single row of containers is indexed past a plurality of filling nozzles which are in turn interconnected with a manifold which receives a single fill of material from a dosing structure. If all nozzles are dispensing simultanteously a total fill of material is received at one time, the nozzles distributing aliquot parts of the total fill to the row, with each container sequentially passing under each filling nozzle. If only alternate groups of nozzles are to be filling at any one time, the fill delivered by the dosing structure is proportionate to the total fill as the nozzles dispensing the fill are proportionate to the total number of nozzles. The dosing structure typically includes a single pump. Filling-time and indexing-time cycles typically are performed sequentially, but in certain embodiments they may be performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Oden Corporation
    Inventor: Iver J. Phallen