Patents Examined by Charlie T. Moon
  • Patent number: 4910856
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for aligning and assembling disk-shaped works having projections on outer peripheries thereof. A vessel-shaped work is positioned and a plurality of disk-shaped works in a stacked condition are guided to a position on the opening edge of the vessel-shaped work by the work guide means, and then the pin provided for up and down movement on the rotary head is either inserted between adjacent ones of the projections of the disk-shaped works or contacted with and stopped by an upper face of one of the projections of the disk-shaped works. Also when the pin is stopped by the upper face of the one projection, as the rotary head is rotated, the pin is moved in the circumferential direction of the disk-shaped works so that it is disengaged from the upper face of the one projection and the engaged with an adjacent one of the projections of the disk-shaped work. Thus, the disk-shaped works are finally rotated in an integral relationship by the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4910853
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved apparatus for joining a plurality of pieces of sheet metal or other sheet material items by first drawing and then laterally extruding portions of the material to be joined into an enlarged shape which will permanently mechanically interlock the sheet material pieces. The apparatus utilizes a novel die construction in which portions thereof are resiliently biased toward one another and pivot or slide laterally in response to lateral extrusion of the joining material, and which is applicable to conventional "lanced" type joints as well as to a novel leakproof joint. A method of forming a leakproof joint between a plurality of pieces of sheet material and a method of fabricating a novel die construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin G. Sawdon
  • Patent number: 4909474
    Abstract: On a track for electromagnetically levitated vehicles, side guide rails are positioned on and secured to a beam-like support member forming the track by an apparatus made up of a transportation frame extending in the long direction of the support member and by installation truss frames located on and extending transversely of the transportation frame. Side guide rail installation arms are pivotally mounted on the installation truss frames. With the arms in an outward position the guide rails can be placed on and held by the arms. By pivoting the arms inwardly the side guide rails can be located along the outer sides of the support member. By raising the installation truss frame, the guide rails can be located relative to stators mounted on the underside of the support member. In addition, the final position of the guide rails can be established by moving the installation truss frames transversely of the transportation frame and relative to a plate strip on the upper surface of the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Buchler, Walter Lippert, Lorenz Maier
  • Patent number: 4909673
    Abstract: A process for attaching an injection pipe with injection valve means to the inside wall of a tubular pile section comprising: drilling holes at a plurality of points along a generatrix of the pile section said holes passing through the wall of the pile; preparing an injection pipe having substantially the same length as the section of the pile to which it is to be attached; connecting said injection pipe with injection valve to said pipe, the spacings between said valve means corresponding to those of the said holes drilled in the wall of the pipe; engaging said injection pipe in the interior of the pile while positioning the injection valve means into said holes drilled in the pile; and welding said valve means to the wall of the pile from the exterior of the pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite: Soletanche
    Inventors: Herve Barthelemy, Michel Brochier, Jean-Paul Geffriaud, Yves Legendre
  • Patent number: 4907336
    Abstract: In a method of the present invention, a wire stent, having a cylindrical shape defined by a series of alternating longitudinally overlapping opposing loops, is fabricated from a wire formed into a planar serpentine configuration. The wire is centered over a semi-cylindrical trough in a flat plate and then pressed into the trough by a forming bar so that a portion of the wire assumes the semi-cylindrical shape. A pulling tool, having a hook at one end, is engaged at the hook with the exposed loops of the serpentine configuration for pulling the exposed loops over the exposed portion of the forming bar to form a generally cylindrical shape from the wire. Once the wire is extracted from the trough and the forming bar is removed, a folded balloon catheter is inserted through the cylindrical shape and the wire is tightly pressed about the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Cook Incorporated
    Inventor: Cesare Gianturco
  • Patent number: 4907326
    Abstract: In order to simplify, and to render easier, and to avoid manipulating difficulties of small-diameter pipes, which have to be separated and singled in the processing at a separating distance (6) and which have to be transported after the processing either within a factory or to different manufacturing or treatment stations or between factories, and in particular of pipes (1) with the bulges present or to be applied at their ends, such as pipe-connection nuts (26), protective caps (27), it is disclosed that the pipes (1) are separated continuously with a fixed distance (6, 6a) in between the pipes and are disposed at such a distance in a direction parallel to their axis, and are further separated on a moving support (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Dietzel, Gernot Dolch, Walter Muffke
  • Patent number: 4908177
    Abstract: An apparatus for the marking of wires and the like comprises a preparation board consisting of a base portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having an extension piece thereon with a plurality of spaced, essentially flat tabs extending therefrom. Flexible, tubular heat recoverable sleeves are positioned on the tabs in a temporarily deformed manner to present a flattened writing surface on each of the sleeves. After writing or otherwise placing identifying indicia thereon, the sleeves are removed from the tabs and recover their original tubular shape. The sleeves are then positioned coaxially about the wires to be identified, and are permanently heat shrunk thereon. The entire installation is accomplished at the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph D. Hartner
  • Patent number: 4903385
    Abstract: A method for making card roller rings for open-end spinning machines provides that a sawtooth wire (3) is wound onto a tube (1) of multiple ring length (a) and that the teeth (7) of the sawtooth wire (3) are removed at spacings corresponding to the ring length (a) to form a respective circumferential plunge-cut groove (9) extending down to the foot portion (8) of the sawtooth wire (3). Subsequently the sawtooth wire windings (12, 13) within the plunge-cut grooves are secured to the tube (1), whereupon the tube (1) with the sawtooth wire wound thereon is separated into individual card roller rings (2) substantially along the center of the plunge-cut grooves (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Schmolke
  • Patent number: 4901420
    Abstract: The method of making and using a flexible protective pad device includes forming a spine or base member with a plurality of lateral arms or projections extending from same. The lateral arms or projections extend from opposite sides of the spine or base member. The tips of the lateral arms or projections are coated or covered with resilient material such as liquid rubber, and resilient cushions are affixed or applied to the spine or base member to form the overall device. In using the device it is positioned upon a component on an article such as a boat to be protected, and the lateral arms or projections are bent about the component to substantially conform to the component. The spine or base member likewise may be shaped to conform to the component. Then an overall cover is applied over the protective device or devices as installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignees: Marie E. Keithley, Steven W. Keithley, Gwenn M. Kelly
    Inventor: Howard W. Keithley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4901425
    Abstract: A water heater device including an inner tank for containing water surrounded in spaced apart relationship by an outer shell. The top end of the water heater device is closed by a cap, and the bottom end of the water heater construction is closed by a floor connected to the outer shell. The inner tank has a concave bottom wall. A collar of thermal insulation material, such as fiber glass is located in the annular space between the inner tank and outer sleeve proximate the bottom end of the water heater device concentric with the annular space such that the collar is in contact with the interior wall surface of the outer shell, in contact with the exterior wall surface of the inner tank, and in contact with the floor of the water heater device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Soltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4901423
    Abstract: An article and method for shaping a sheet of material around an object such as a flower pot, the article comprising a ring-shaped collar adapted to be secured around the object. The collar may comprise pinch rings or barbed piercing elements, disposed about the periphery of the collar for attaching the sheet of material to the collar, or the collar may be adapted to be secured around at least a portion of the object so that the sheet of material is held between the object and the collar. The article also may be used alone for shaping a sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 4901426
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a brake pedal rod comprising the steps of forming an end-piece from a readily machinable material having an aperture forming means for attachment to a brake pedal. A shank piece is formed of materials preferably having greater strength under compressive load than the end-piece, and then a flat end of the shank piece is attached to the end-piece to form a pedal rod, said end having spaced arcuate surfaces in threaded engagement with the end-piece preferably along interference threads capable of resisting unthreading forces of the order of 5-40 inch pounds or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Charles E. Laue
  • Patent number: 4899430
    Abstract: The method for removing a head portion with a shank section from a shaft of a golf club is effected by an assembly comprising securing means for fixing the position of a shaft of the golf club along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Head grasping mechanism is mounted to rotate with respect to the securing mechanism and the longitudinal axis of the shaft secured in a fixed position. The head grasping mechanism is effective to hold the head during rotation thereof, thereby turning the head about an axis of rotation. Drive mechanism rotates the head grasping mechanism about the axis of rotation while applying pressure to the head in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and away from the fixed shaft. The method includes the step of heating the outer surface of the hosel section of the head portion for expanding the material therein with respect to the shaft. After the heating step, the pressure is applied to the head while the head portion is still heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Robert Farino
  • Patent number: 4897911
    Abstract: In the method for placing a plastic tube having a predetermined inherent stiffness into existing openings or through-passages a hardenable material, usually a hardenable synthetic resin, is applied onto the wall of the tube before placing the latter into the opening or through-passage. This hardenable material hardens completely only after a certain time period, i.e. after the tube has been brought into its desired position, to thereby increase the original inherent stiffness of the plastic tube. The device for carrying out the method includes apparatus for applying the stiffening material onto the wall surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventors: Rachid Keldany, Keith J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 4897913
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for installing weather stripping in a body door opening. In its preferred embodiment the present invention provides a robot which can load itself from a weather stripping station, transfer the weather stripping to the body door opening, and install the weather stripping within the body door opening. The present invention also provides an end of arm tooling device for a robot above described. The present invention also includes a vehicle produced by the robot above described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen St. Angelo, Jr., George C. Carver, David W. Patterson, Owen K. Fremont
  • Patent number: 4896413
    Abstract: A Coal Mill Roll bearing race puller for removing a bearing race from the lower journal housing of a coal mill and a method of removing a roll bearing race are disclosed. The bearing race puller includes a puller base which is receivable within a lower journal housing of a coal mill below a bearing race to be removed and at least one puller segment that is operatively coupled to the puller base so as to extend beyond an outer peripheral edge of the puller base member and under a circumferential lower edge of the race. According to the preferred method of the present invention, a hydraulic jack is fixedly coupled to the puller base member and is used to push/lift the puller base member and attached puller segment(s) out of the lower journal housing and to thereby push/lift the race out of the lower journal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Charles M. Wisner
  • Patent number: 4896416
    Abstract: An anchor element is provided with a body of bonded particulate material, e.g. a sleeve of silicate bonded sands. The element is received in a borehole with the sleeve adjacent the blind end. When a compressive force is applied between the ends of the body, the particles move closer together to form an annulus of compacted particulate material bridging the element and the wall of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventors: Ernest Cranko, Roger K. Moore
  • Patent number: 4894900
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle 10 having a nozzle body 12 to which is attached a banjo-type inlet stud 16, by means of heat shrinking. After the shrink fit attachment, a blind passage 20, 22 in the delivery tube portion 134 of the inlet is drilled through to penetrate the nozzle body and form a leak-tight fuel delivery path. A locating plate 106 is supported by a bore 96 in the cylinder head 80 adjacent the nozzle and orients the nozzle into a preselected orientation. In one nozzle embodiment 70, the tip 76 is sealed against the cylinder head socket 84 by a frustoconical copper annular seal member 82 that is preferentially loaded toward the inner seal diameter. The nozzle cap 14 forms a spring chamber in which a spring subassembly 42 including upper and lower spring seats 48, 46, a spring 44, and stem 186 and pedestal 84 piloting the spring, cooperate to permit independent setting of the valve lift off stop limit F and the spring preload B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Stanadyne Automotive Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Rausfeisen, David A. Chace, Leon P. Janik
  • Patent number: 4895475
    Abstract: Method of constructing an assembly having as one element a right circular cylinder with center bore and accurately machined and lapped circular surfaces and perpendicular end faces, and as another element a hollow shaft fitted and joined within said center bore in a manner unable to transmit distorting strain to said cylinder when said shaft has a coefficient of expansion greater than that of said cylinder. The shaft either has an interrupted exterior with severely limited contact areas for joining adhesively to the bore surface or is of other structure that is incapable of straining the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Donald L. Carter
  • Patent number: 4893394
    Abstract: A method of attaching a female element having an annular riveting portion to a panel and the installation apparatus. The method includes driving a punch through the female element into a panel supported on a die member forming an unsupported cone-shaped panel portion in the cavity of the die member. The punch includes an axially extending piercing end which pierces a small opening in the cone-shaped panel portion and an arcuate drawing portion which is driven against and through the panel opening, enlarging the panel opening. The annular riveting portion of the female element is then driven into the cone-shaped panel portion and through the panel opening, drawing the panel portion into a tubular shape engaging the external surface of the riveting portion. Finally, the riveting portion is driven against a center post of the die member, radially outwardly deforming the free end of the riveting portion and forming a mechanical interlock with the tubular panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Muller