Patents Examined by Ernest G. Cusick
  • Patent number: 5303859
    Abstract: A first support ring is arranged for positioning about a forward threaded portion of a magazine tube to complementarily engage a bottom surface of the associated gun barrel, wherein a second ring is arranged for locked engagement with the first ring upon directing the associated magazine tube cap into abutting relationship with locking spheres mounted in a projecting relationship relative to the forward walls of the second support ring. A mounting plate is oriented between the butt stock and the butt pad of the associated shotgun, wherein a flexible sling member is arranged for securement between the second support ring having a mounting lug and the mounting plate having a mounting plate mounting lug extending beyond the respective second support ring and the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Timothy J. Jenkin
  • Patent number: 5303858
    Abstract: A mounting rack for pickup trucks that have a cargo bed with upstanding lateral side walls where the rack includes a pair of base forming rails adapted to be surmounted on the top fenders of the truck cargo bed, a pair of rigid frames attached centrally to the respective rails in a position upstanding from the side walls or top fenders of the truck cargo bed and at least one cross beam interconnecting the uppermost portions of the said rigid frames. The rack further includes cargo support cradles shaped like "U" shaped bail members carried by each of the rails and projecting laterally from the cargo bed of the truck to support bikes or other additional cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Brent A. Price
  • Patent number: 5302785
    Abstract: A compact molded case circuit breaker operating mechanism crossbar assembly allows a unitary crossbar design to be used within a wide range of circuit breaker ampere ratings. A common phenolic crossbar and a metal staple are used for the higher ratings. An L-shaped filler in combination with the crossbar and staple are used to adapt the crossbar to the staple for the lower ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David Arnold
  • Patent number: 5301723
    Abstract: An LNG refueling facility includes a nozzle for mating with the receptacle on a motor vehicle to deliver a flow of LNG to the vehicle's tank. The nozzle is supplied with a flow of dry gas to purge moisture-laden air from around surfaces which mate with the receptacle to prevent freezing of moisture on the mating surfaces when the nozzle turns very cold. The nozzle also includes a boot enclosing mechanical linkages for latching the nozzle to the receptacle. Dry gas is supplied to the interior of the boot to displace air from around the mechanical linkages and thereby prevent moisture from freezing onto the mechanical linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Hydra Rig, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Goode
  • Patent number: 5301722
    Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of fuel spillings that originate from fuel dispensing apparatus, including gasoline and diesel fuel service station pumps which incorporates a filtering system for preventing solids from accumulating in the bottom of the spill collection pan and allowing fill material to be placed between the collection reservoir of the spill collecting pan and the fuel pumps which contributes to the fire prevention features of this apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Todd, Deborah A. Joines
  • Patent number: 5299605
    Abstract: A vapor recovery system for a fuel filling installation in which the recovered air-vapor mixture is pumped to the submerged end of a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is connected to a closed tube which extends along the bottom of an underground fuel tank. The closed tube has a porosity that generates very small bubbles from the air-vapor mixture that flows through the fuel within the tank. A vent pipe for the underground tank separates air from the air-vapor mixture through decreasing density separation by means of a large cross-section for the vent pipe and by providing baffles in the pipe interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Nuovopignone-Industrie Meccaniche e Fonderia SpA
    Inventors: Giorgio Bergamini, Ernesto Paris
  • Patent number: 5299607
    Abstract: An emergency shut-off valve is designed to be retrofitted into an existing gasoline nozzle by interposing the shut-off valve between the handle assembly and nozzle assembly of an existing gasoline dispensing nozzle. The inventive shut-off valve is spring biased in a closing direction and is held open by a protrusion extending proximal of the nozzle portion of the existing gasoline dispensing nozzle so that with the shut-off valve assembled between the existing handle assembly and nozzle assembly, the valve is held open. A sleeve having a weakened annulus holds the nozzle assembly onto the shut-off valve. If a driver drives away from a gasoline dispensing pump with the nozzle remaining within the gas tank opening, the weakened area fails allowing the sleeve to separate and the nozzle assembly to remove itself from the shut-off valve causing the shut-off valve to instantaneously close preventing fuel spillage. Embodiments of vapor recovery structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Anthony T. Monticup, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5297594
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle having a turbine located in the nozzle portion which is driven by the flow of fuel. The turbine rotates an impeller also located in the nozzle which draws in the vapor during pump. The nozzle also has a hydraulic system which automatically shuts off the nozzle when fluid is displaced in an accumulator cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Joshua E. Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 5297595
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing fuel having a volatile hydrocarbon component into an on-board fuel storage tank of an automotive vehicle with reduced discharge of fuel vapors into the surrounding atmosphere, the apparatus including a fuel filler cap having at least one centrally positioned aperture extending therethrough through which a suitably configured fuel directing nozzle can pass. The fuel directing nozzle includes a vapor conveying line located in the interior of the nozzle capable of being brought into fluid communication with a vapor collection chamber located in the fuel filler cap such that, when engaged, a circuit is completed, fuel can be introduced into the on-board fuel storage tank of the automotive vehicle and any fuel vapors generated or displaced during the operation can be returned to the remote storage site or another suitable vapor collection facility remote from the automotive vehicle without contacting the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: K. J. Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clay Haile, Ram D. Bedi
  • Patent number: 5297596
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly in combination with a beverage brewing apparatus for controllably dispensing and directing a cleaning material into a brewing chamber of the beverage brewing apparatus. The brewing chamber has a receiving mouth through which the cleaning material is dispensed. The dispensing assembly includes a hinge part, a funnel body, and components to finding a hinge joint. The funnel body is generally conically shaped, having a pouring port at one end and a dispensing port at the opposite end. The pouring port is enlarged relative to the dispensing port forming the conical shape of the funnel body and facilitating ease and accuracy in dispensing a cleaning material into the brewing chamber. The funnel body is attached to the hinge part and is hingedly associated with the hinge joint for movably positioning the funnel body into and out of communication with the receiving mouth of the brewing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Anson
  • Patent number: 5297597
    Abstract: A container filler indexing counter is provided for an automatic filling machine, which consists of a conveyor having a belt and guide rail for carrying a plurality of containers therealong. Two cylinders are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the conveyor, in which the first cylinder is positioned as an incoming stop gate, while the second cylinder is positioned as an exit stop gate to form a filling area therebetween. Two fiber optic sensors are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the guide rail of the conveyor, in which the first fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers entering the filling area, while the second fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers leaving the filling area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Herzog
  • Patent number: 5295523
    Abstract: Package or container product filling apparatus that can easily be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled comprises a hopper and manifold to supply a plurality of package dosing filling tubes in turn insertable in multiple packages simultaneously. The manifold supplies a plurality of flexible tubes leading to a plurality of bellows type reciprocable dosing pumps. The dosing pumps in turn supply product through flexible tubes to the filling tubes. Any parts through which product passes or contacts are simply connected requiring no tools for disassembly or assembly. The bellows chambers and check valves of the dosing pumps are constructed of inexpensive plastic and discarded when the apparatus is disassembled for cleaning because they are relatively difficult to clean with absolute assurance that no product remains to contaminate a subsequent different product. The remaining mechanical portions of the dosing pumps do not contact the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Aliseo Gentile
  • Patent number: 5295522
    Abstract: A reusable isolation enclosure has a closure member adapted for purging gases from the enclosure. The closure member includes filters and vapor and moisture drains. Replacement of ambient environmental gases in the sealed enclosure is provided. A purge gas is provided by the gas replacement system which quickly connects to the enclosure and quickly disconnects from the enclosure. Suction cups surrounding the ends of gas connection lines form the interface to the filter membrane and form a sealed connection with the closure member. No other mechanical connection than the suction cups is required. The outlets and inlets of the purging system and the exhausting system are automatically disconnected by a spring valve when the isolation container to be purged is removed. When the closure member of the isolation enclosure is placed upon the purge system the weight of the package compresses the valve spring opening the valves, permitting the purge gas to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. DeAngelis, Gary M. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5295521
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing fluid having a volatile organic component from one container, for example, a fuel storage vessel to a receiving container such as an on-board fuel storage tank of an automotive vehicle with reduced discharge of organic vapors into the surrounding atmosphere, the apparatus including a filler cap having at least one positively sealing quick connect fitting through which fluid can be introduced which is releasable attachable with a mating fitting located on the filler nozzle of an external fluid delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: K.J. Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Ram D. Bedi
  • Patent number: 5295517
    Abstract: A process and device for filling a vessel with a liquid. The vessel is placed on a lifting plate and guided up to a filler spout a predetermined distance measured from its base, the vessel's opening being lifted into a sealed filling position below the filler spout. The vessel is filled up to a predetermined filling level by opening a valve associated with the filler spout, whereupon the supply of liquid is terminated, and a volume of liquid still present between the valve and the filling level flows into the vessel. This after-flowing liquid volume is controlled as a function of the vessel height so that in the case of a vessel having a height smaller than a mean vessel height there is an afterflow of a larger volume of liquid than in the case of a greater vessel height where the afterflow is of a smaller volume of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Egon Ahlers
  • Patent number: 5293653
    Abstract: A device for the production of steam for installing on the roof of a new or existing shower standard box, so as to transform a standard shower box into a sauna. The device has a compact box-shaped roof having a fan for forced air circulation and an instantaneous vaporizer supplied directly by the water source by means o a solenoid valve operated intermittently by a timer interlocked by two thermostats. The box-shaped roof is used together with a covering screen for closing the part of the box top which is not covered by the box-shaped roof itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Sea di Filipponi A. & C. - S.n.c.
    Inventor: Alberto Filipponi
  • Patent number: 5293912
    Abstract: A wine breather is disclosed which comprises a cylindrical and horn shaped container (10) which tapers downwardly from an inlet (12) to an outlet (14). A valve (16) is arranged at the outlet which has an annular outlet passage (42) angled at a transverse angle to the longitudinal axis of the container (10). Wine is poured into the open end (12) and passes through the container (10) to exit the passage (42) in a thin sheet forming a generally hemispherical flow of wine which presents a substantially large surface area of wine for contact with the air to cause the wine to breathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventors: Timothy J. Wildash, Alun F. Bartsch
  • Patent number: 5293650
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for replacing part or all of a toilet flush valve, which facilitates mounting in a variety of toilets and which enables saving of water. The assembly includes an adapter (30, FIG. 6) for mounting on older types of overflow tubes, which includes a ring member (70) having a gap (72) and a leaf spring (80) extending across the gap. After the adapter is moved down along the overflow tube and lies at its base, the spring is pushed in to cause a hook (84) at one end to ride along a ramp (90) from a second tooth (88) to a third tooth (92) and engage the third tooth, to tightly clamp the ring member in place to prevent turning. A closing delay cup (116, FIG. 9) that can be used on a valve member, includes a plurality of holes and at least one plug (126) that is molded to the cup and can be cut off and used to plug one of the holes (120) to adjust the amount of water saved in each flushing. A valve member includes a tank ball having an enlargement (160, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventors: Adolf Schoepe, Kabir Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 5294027
    Abstract: A base is mounted to a frame and a pair of foldable basket sides are mounted to the base and to a rim above the base. A pair of basket ends are displaceably mounted the rim. The sides are folded and the ends are displaced to an upright position to cooperate with the base and the rim for forming a rigid basket. The sides are folded and the ends are displaced so that the rim is adjacent the frame, whereby the rim receives a flat surface so as to render the apparatus in a table top configuration. Legs are provided for clamping the apparatus to supporting bars on a wheelchair or like equipment, whereby the independence, productivity and comfort of a user in a variety of environments is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Bel-Art Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Armando N. Plastina
  • Patent number: 5293652
    Abstract: A pool winterizing system including a pool cover-sheet and a housing that is disposed beneath the periphery of the cover-sheet and in communication with the environment exterior to the cover-sheet. The housing defines an inlet duct and an outlet duct, each of which provides an independent air-flow path between the environment exterior to the cover-sheet and an inflation chamber selectively defined between the cover-sheet and the pool. A blower is disposed within the housing in the inlet duct and provides for inflation of the pool cover-sheet. A flap is hingedly attached to the housing above the outlet of the outlet duct and is biased toward a position in which it covers the outlet duct outlet so as to control the pressure to which the pool cover-sheet is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Jere P. Furr