Patents Examined by Donald M. Gurley
  • Patent number: 5347685
    Abstract: An apparatus for interconnecting with a lanyard a handle of the type used in rapid inflation applications includes apparatus for impaling a first end of a lanyard with multiple spikes to secure the first end to a handle. The lanyard handle is made with a channel having spike-receiving cavities along its extent, and the spikes on a spike-carrying strip impale the first end of the lanyard when the strip is press fit into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Glenn H. Mackal
  • Patent number: 5345806
    Abstract: A device (12; 102) for manipulating sheet metal pieces (P) for a sheet metal processing machine (10; 101) is disclosed. The device (12; 102) comprises a plurality of manipulator units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) with a plurality of gripping elements (32, 50, 52; 118, 126, 134) for gripping and moving the sheet metal pieces (P) so that the units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) cooperate with one another in receiving a workpiece (P) from the associated processing machine (10; 101) and passing another workpiece (P) to the processing machine as well as such receiving from and passing to an associated device (4) for loading and discharging sheet metal pieces to utilize the processing machine (10; 101) as far as possible reducing its down times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Franco Sartorio, Mario Scavino, Stefano Vergano
  • Patent number: 5343729
    Abstract: New technology for fabricating a one-piece cup-shaped can body having a protective organic coating as formed. Such can body is formed free of side wall ironing from can stock comprising flat-rolled sheet metal substrate precoated with protective organic coating and forming lubricant. A plurality of successive diameter-reduction operations are carried out on a planar blank and cup-shaped work product under tension during which side wall height is increased and side wall substrate is decreased in thickness to provide controlled uniformity in side wall substrate thickness over about 85% to about 95% of side wall height for such can body. The fabricating tooling provides for a preselected clearance between a punch peripheral wall and a die cavity internal wall in each of such plurality of diameter-reduction operations to achieve a desired decrease in side wall thickness as the precoated substrate is moved into a die cavity by relative movement of its respective punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5339494
    Abstract: The hinge for the hood of an agricultural tractor includes a reversing plate pivotally mounted on the vehicle body. A first hinge arm has one end coupled to the reversing plate and a second end coupled to the hood. A second hinge arm has one end coupled to the vehicle body and a second end coupled to the hood. The reversing plate is rotated by a manually-operated lever mechanism. A lock mechanism near a front end of the hood retains the hood in a closed position and releases the hood only after a first opening phase, after which the hood can be fully opened during a second opening phase. A gas spring is coupled between the vehicle body and the reversing plate. In the closed position the gas spring helps to hold the hood in the closed position. The gas spring helps to open the hood after the reversing plate is rotated by a certain amount beyond a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dierk Esau, Sinan Hosgoer
  • Patent number: 5339493
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge for interposition between a door and a frame includes a frame leaf, a door leaf pivotably mounted to the frame leaf, and an adjustable mounting assembly mounted to the door and with which the door leaf is engaged. The mounting assembly includes a cover fixed to the door and a base mounted to the cover, with the door leaf being engaged with the base. The base is fixed against horizontal movement relative to the cover, and a horizontal adjustment screw is engaged with the base. The door leaf is mounted to the adjustment screw for movement in a front-rear direction along with the adjustment screw to adjust the horizontal position of the door relative to the door leaf, and thereby relative to the frame. The base is mounted for vertical up and down movement to the cover, and an adjustment screw is provided for controlling the vertical position of the base relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Robert J. MacIntyre
  • Patent number: 5337449
    Abstract: A handgrip for attaching to a link chain to shield a user's hand from injury caused by pinching a flesh, comprised of an elongated sleeve having diametrically opposed recesses therein. The recesses being open at their bottoms for the passing of a threaded fastener therethrough and through a link in the chain passing through the sleeve. A nut received in an associated recess and threaded to the threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: David Lutzke
  • Patent number: 5337453
    Abstract: A butt hinge pin lock is provided for securing standard butt hinges against tampering, by removal of the hinge pins. The device described herein is attached to the door, in a manner, and location, that interferes with the removal of the hinge pins by unauthorized persons. It consists of a locking member, which is mounted on the door, using two or more tamper resistant bolts, and employs hardware on the inside of the door, that allows the device to be easily removed from the inside of the room, when necessary. No modifications to the hinges are required, and modifications to the door consist only in the drilling of access holes for the mounting hardware of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Walter R. Bargesser
  • Patent number: 5333480
    Abstract: A truing operation for straightening out of true work pieces such as crankshafts, must not again reduce the fatigue strength of the work piece achieved in a previous strengthening operation. This is achieved by a truing operation, wherein locally bounded compressive residual stresses are induced in a surface layer zone of the work piece by a hardening operation, whereby the respective out of true deformation of the work piece is at least reduced. The truing operation is repeated until the out of true deformation is eliminated. The compressive residual stresses are induced in a surface layer zone of the work piece by a locally limited hardening operation, e.g. a surface strengthening rolling operation. By appropriately varying the extent of hardening or the rolling force respectively, any out of true deformation may be even completely eliminated. A machine for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: W. Hegenscheidt Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Garri Berstein
  • Patent number: 5331718
    Abstract: A cylinder repair bracket which is designed to apply a selected degree of telescoping tension on the pistons of fluid-operated cylinders which connect closures such as hoods, deck lids, tailgates and like vehicle body members for movement between the open and closed positions. In a preferred embodiment the cylinder repair bracket includes a pair of hose clamps, one of which is tightly secured to the cylinder housing and the other to the piston of the cylinder. The hose clamps are connected by a band connector to facilitate adjusting the degree of telescoping tension in the piston by tightening or loosening the hose clamp attached to the piston. In this manner, compensation for wear in the telescoping piston-cylinder housing connection can be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Bob W. Gilbert, Bob C. Gilbert, Sr., Vernard K. Brazzel
  • Patent number: 5331717
    Abstract: An improved mechanism is provided for enhancing the towability of castorwheel vehicles. The mechanism leaves the castors that are proximal to the towing force to rotate, while locking the distal castors in alignment with the vehicle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Bradley D. Joslin, Clarence M. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5331719
    Abstract: A door stop is formed from a single flexible band of sheet metal which is symmetrical about a transverse center line and includes an arch shaped central section and two end portions. An underside of one end portion includes a high friction material while the underside of the other end portion is free from that material. The only engagement with the door is provided by the frictional engagement of a high friction material on a center section engaging the bottom edge of the door. The device can thus be used from either direction and provides a symmetrical force on the door preventing movement relative to the stop in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Tom P. Hum, Leon L. Froess
  • Patent number: 5329653
    Abstract: A carpet tack strip includes a strip member having a notch throughout its length. A series of tacks are mounted to the strip member, with the points of the tacks extending above the upper surface of the strip member. Horizontal passages extend between the sides of the strip member. The tack strip is advantageously used when laying carpet on a concrete floor. The strip is placed such that the notch faces the lower end of a wall against which the carpet is to be placed. Nails are placed through the passages and driven into the wall, to securely mount the tack strip to the wall. The carpet pad abuts the outer edge of the tack strip, and the carpet is placed over the tack strip and tucked into the notch. The tack points retain the carpet in place, and the nails prevent the tack strip from being pulled away from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Harry Hultgren
    Inventor: George A. Hultgren
  • Patent number: 5327616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cabinet hinge (10) for hanging a door on a cabinet whose front opening is narrowed by a frame reaching inward at right angles from the side walls, which is at least partially overlapped by the inside of the closed door. The hinge (10) has an arm (28) of sheet metal which has a mounting plate (32) which can be placed on the free edge (16) of a stile (14) of the frame and releasably fastened thereon, whose width corresponds essentially to the width of the edge (16) of the stile (14), and which bears the arm (28) coupled by a link mechanism to the hinge member (22) attached to the door. On the front and back margins of the mounting plate (32) there is created at least one tab (36; 38) bent substantially at right angles against the outer and inner faces of the stile (14). The inner tab or tabs (38) are provided with a pointed or knife-edged projection (40) extending toward the inner face of the stile (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Mepla-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5323512
    Abstract: A hinge is described having first and second members for respective attachment to two components to be hingedly interconnected. A movement arrestor is provided which serves as a check on the hinging movement of the two hinge members. The arrestor comprises a cam surface on the first hinge member and a roller mounted on the second hinge member. The roller is resiliently displaceable relative to the second member to force the roller into engagement with the cam surface so as to provide the desired check. In accordance with the invention the roller includes a polymer sleeve with which it engages the cam surface, to absorb and thereby reduce the noise and to reduce the wear produced as the roller moves over the cam surface as the hinge is opened and closed. The sleeve material may be PTFE or Nylon and may be snap fitted over the roller and may include an axial slot. The roller and cam surface are conveniently formed from metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: ITW Limited
    Inventor: John B. Little
  • Patent number: 5317795
    Abstract: A retractable carrying handle for a room air conditioning unit that is easily assembled with the main structural member of the unit to provide a high strength, safe means for installing and removing the unit from a window frame or the like for transporting the unit from place to place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore S. Bolton, John H. Michaels
  • Patent number: 5311643
    Abstract: A hinge for a foldable rail section for mounting a container of an oxygen supply unit in an aircraft, with a first hinge part on the rail section and a second hinge part on the edge of the container, and with a container door, which extends in parallel to the longitudinal side of the rail section and is pivotable around a joint on the rear edge of the container. The connection of the hinge to the container is simplified, and a stop is provided for the container door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Marquardt, Roderich Thometschek, Wolfgang Rittner, Alfred Rother, Holger Wollnik, Christoph Bauer, Christian Schnoor
  • Patent number: 5311644
    Abstract: A door hinge having a particularly reliable and solid stop and holding device. The movable part (13) of the hinge lies along the hinge pin (1) between the fixed part (14) and a housing (17) which contains the holding mechanism and is integral with the fixed part (14). In the housing, a pivotable lever (19) is rotationally fastened to the movable part (13) and supports a roller (26) against which one or more notches (42, 45) are pushed by a spring-loaded device (31, 40). The notches define the open positions of the door (11). The housing (17) is sealed and fits onto the fixed part and the hinge pin. The hinge can be used particularly in motor vehicle doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: MGI Coutier S.A.
    Inventor: Armand Laforgerie
  • Patent number: 5307539
    Abstract: A connection for adjustably holding two window hardware members in pivotally connected relationship, including a first hardware member with a first cylindrical opening, a second hardware member with a second cylindrical opening, and a stud. The stud has a flange having two substantially parallel faces and a peripheral surface therebetween, with a rivet portion projecting from one face and a pivot portion projecting from the other face. The rivet portion includes a cylindrical neck extending through the first cylindrical opening and a head on the end of the neck, the flange and the head engaging opposite sides of the first hardware member to frictionally secure the stud against freely pivoting relative to the track. The pivot portion includes a cylindrical shaft eccentric from the cylindrical neck and extending through the second cylindrical opening. A C-ring is disposed in an external peripheral groove in the pivot portion to secure the second hardware member thereto for pivoting about the cylindrical shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Truth Division of SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard P. Bauman
  • Patent number: 5303573
    Abstract: Aluminum automobile wheels are straightened by exerting gentle pressure on the wheel to urge the wheel back to its original shape. If the metal does not move under pressure, the wheel is heated, and pressure again exerted, the process continuing until the wheel becomes round. A C-shaped wheel mount carries a spindle which mounts a hub. The hub rigidly receives the wheel, and the hub is selectively rotatable, and the wheel mount is selectively rotatable about a horizontal axis. The wheel is gently brought back to shape without excess heat or excess working to damage the metal. A final metal spinning step relieves stresses in the metal and brings the wheel to final tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Wheel Wizard International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5303450
    Abstract: A caster wherein the wheel frame and the wheel can be locked in a first axial position of a post which is installed in an upright support serving to turnably mount the frame. When the post is moved to a second axial position relative to the support, the wheel is free to turn in the frame but the frame is releasably held against turning relative to the support. However, if it should become necessary to change the orientation of the frame relative to the support, the frame is turned with a selected force to overcome the bias of a spring which tends to maintain the frame in the selected angular position. Several different angular positions of the frame can be determined by a set of balls which are mounted in a base of the post and by the sockets of a ring-shaped female coupling member which is installed in the frame and whose sockets can receive the balls. The balls are expelled from the aligned sockets to permit turning of the frame relative to the support when the bias of the spring is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Albert Schulte Sohne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Willi Lange