Patents Examined by Evon C. Blunk
  • Patent number: 4131237
    Abstract: A spreading implement has laterally extending conveyors of different lengths that form a boom to each side of a hopper. At the outer ends of the conveyors, rotatable spreading discs are mounted spaced apart from one another and each conveyor is an endless belt in a channel shaped guide. A slideable flow control is positioned beneath a port in the bottom at each side of the hopper to regulate the amount of material fed to the conveyors. Driving means, including a power take-off connection and a belt and pulley transmission move the conveyors and rotate the discs. At the end of each conveyor, a downwardly extending guide allows material to flow to a lower disc. Each boom is pivoted to the implement frame with a latch and pivot connection to be displaceable about a vertical axis to a rearwardly extending transport position. Also, each boom is comprised of spaced apart beams that are comprised by two portions that are interconnected with a further pivot and a latch connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: C. van der Lely NV
    Inventors: Ary van der Lely, Cornelis J. G. Bom
  • Patent number: 4131235
    Abstract: A dual-function valve assembly for an irrigation system typically having a plurality of sprinkler heads disposed at different elevations downstream from a control valve. A spring-loaded check valve prevents drainage of the sprinkler lines through the lower heads when the control valve is closed. A second valve in the assembly closes to prevent excessive flow if a sprinkler head is damaged or removed. The valve assembly is especially useful in unattended, automatically actuated irrigation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Irrigation Specialties Company
    Inventor: Calvin A. Lieding
  • Patent number: 4131320
    Abstract: Thin articles such as letters are conveyed over a supporting fluid layer formed against a track surface along which they move. This layer is built up by jets issuing from nozzles located on both sides of the track surface and opening flush with the latter. The nozzles are oriented towards the center line of the track with somme inclination in the direction of motion of the articles, in order that the velocity of the jets presents a longitudinal component parallel to this direction and a transverse component pointing towards the center of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: BERTIN & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Volat, Jean-Louis E. Pichon
  • Patent number: 4131181
    Abstract: A portable lift for industrial uses in which an upright post is supported on a base and has a carriage slidably supported thereon. Load carrying members extend forwardly of the carriage and a pulley is mounted on the carriage and in a pulley housing mounted on top of the post. A winch is supported rearwardly of the post, and a cable passes from the winch through the pulley housing downwardly to and around the carriage pulley then upwardly through a conduit in the pulley housing and is tied off at the winch support. A brace extends downwardly from the winch support to the base thereby to provide counter acting balances for the load. The combination disclosed, permits loads twice the rated winch capacity to be lifted without rocking, tipping or other unwanted oscillatory movements in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Inventor: Howard H. Vermette
  • Patent number: 4131318
    Abstract: A coin collection apparatus includes a collection chamber and a vacuum mechanism for applying a vacuum to the collection chamber. A plurality of inlet holes are formed through a top wall of the chamber and a conduit connects each of the inlet holes to a separate and discrete source of coins. A discrete stopper is located at each inlet hole and is biased to a blocking position for individually blocking each of the inlet holes. A solenoid is connected to each of the stoppers for moving the stopper against the bias force to allow communication between the conduit and the collection chamber. Timing mechanisms periodically activate the vacuum mechanism and the solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Inventor: Curtis Deem
  • Patent number: 4131420
    Abstract: A two-piece quick connect-disconnect coupling connecting a conveyor roll to a drive train. The coupling comprises a first section rigidly secured to the conveyor roll and a second section operatively connected to the drive train and a retaining screw detachably connecting the second coupling section to the roll and locking the gears of the first and second coupling sections together in an engaged, intermeshing relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Company
    Inventor: Alfred H. Miller
  • Patent number: 4130196
    Abstract: A package elevator for a ship includes a plurality of slotted or tined trays carried by pairs of forked followers pivotally attached to a pair of chains driven in unison in parallel endless paths with upper driving sprockets and lower idler sprockets. Each follower is keyed to a shaft journaled in a link of one of the chains, and has an inner follower arm and an outer follower arm. The arms carry follower rollers projecting into cam tracks which guide the rollers so that the trays are in return positions lying along the chains in a return course, project outwardly from the chains in an elevating course and are moved from one of these positions to the other as the trays are moved around the sprockets. The cam tracks include cam blocks having cam grooves therein which turn the follower arms and trays only 90.degree. relative to the chains as the trays are traveling around the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Transco Northwest, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J. Schwab
  • Patent number: 4130194
    Abstract: Elongated articles are randomly received through the open top of a housing in which an inclined disc is rotatably mounted. The disc has a circumferential edge adjacent the housing and the edge defines equidistantly spaced openings capable of permitting article to pass therethrough into shafts associated therewith and descending therefrom. A stationary annular support plate is mounted in a plane immediately below the plane of the disc and in registry with the openings, the support plate defining an opening at the zenith of the disc for permitting communication between a respective one of the openings in the circumferential disc edge and the shaft associated therewith. This shaft has a perpendicular axis whereby the randomly received articles gravitate to the nadir of the disc, are revolved by the rotating disc to the zenith while supported in the openings on the annular support plate and pass sequentially through the opening at the zenith into the shaft while being erected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Rationator-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Hugo Schindel, Karl Mecks
  • Patent number: 4130274
    Abstract: In a first embodiment a stop having a plurality of ports is connected to and covers an end of a rectangular sleeve. In a region near the stop a narrow wall of the sleeve also has a plurality of ports. A nozzle coupled to a pump provides a flow of air into the other end of the sleeve and the air exits through the ports. With this arrangement, a rectangular sheet inserted into said other end of the sleeve is fluidly brought into registration with the narrow wall and stop. In a second embodiment, similar to the first, the narrow wall and stop include internal projections against which an inserted sheet is registered. In a third embodiment, similar to the first, a manifold is coupled to the ports and a vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to accelerate registration. In a fourth embodiment, similar to the third, the pumps are replaced with a reversible pump to register and discharge a sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus K. Stange
  • Patent number: 4130247
    Abstract: A spray nozzle apparatus and a method of making a spray nozzle in which a variety of nozzle sizes can be made using several common components. The nozzle head has a threaded base for attachment to a water line which base has an opening passing therethrough for mounting removable nozzle inserts therein with retainer rings. A water-deflecting portion is removably mounted to the base so that a curved portion thereon will deflect water at a predetermined angle. The curved deflector is attached to the base with a single screw and a pair of positioning studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Senninger Irrigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Healy
  • Patent number: 4130192
    Abstract: Transportation apparatus including an endless belt having platforms, pallets or steps attached thereto. The endless belt is driven in a guided loop through load bearing and return runs interconnected by turn-arounds at the ends of the loop. Guide rollers and guide tracks cooperate to guide the endless belt, with the guide tracks associated with the load bearing and return runs being connected in the turn-arounds via dynamic transition apparatus including cooperative guide track structure which enables normal manufacturing and assembly tolerances to be observed while automatically compensating for wear. The apparatus constantly seeks the best adjustment mode, providing smooth operation with minimal noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph K. Kraft
  • Patent number: 4130195
    Abstract: A harpoon or chip conveyor having an arcuate trough fitted with material retaining members or barbs on its inner sides and a plurality of interconnected plows driven in backward and forward or reciprocal motion by a reciprocating hydraulic or air operated power unit. The material retaining members are so oriented that a small vertical portion faces the direction of travel of the material being conveyed. The arcuate trough is generally greater than 90.degree. and less than a complete 360.degree.. An outlet is provided at least at one end of the arcuate trough for discharging the material collected in the trough in response to the reciprocal motion of the plows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Kalamazoo Conveyor Company
    Inventors: Roger T. Becker, Donald L. Burns, Stephen P. Calkins
  • Patent number: 4129205
    Abstract: A method and assembly for providing a continuous supply of articles incorporate the use of an auxiliary supply operating together with a primary or main supply of articles. The main supply of articles is disposed in a stack over an article introducing position. First conveying means moves articles from the article introducing position to a subsequent working station. Second conveying means moves articles into the article introducing position immediately behind said first conveying means to insert an article beneath the stack while maintaining the total number of articles in said stack. That is, the bottommost article in the stack is simply replaced without depleting any of the articles in the stack disposed within the primary or main supply of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Scandia Packaging Machinery Company
    Inventors: Andrew W. Anderson, Milan Mateyka
  • Patent number: 4129208
    Abstract: A horizontal stack foundry molding machine having opposed high pressure horizontally aligned rams adapted to close and then move into the open ends of a mold box filled with sand to make a high quality sand mold, such box being formed by opposed L-shape parts, the L-shape part forming the lower side of the box being horizontally movable after the rams have been retracted to shift the mold formed in the box from between said rams to a position in alignment with a pouring conveyor, a pusher being provided to move such mold from the movable L-shape part onto the pouring conveyor into juxtaposition with previously formed molds to form the horizontal stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: The Osborn Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edmond K. Hatch
  • Patent number: 4129254
    Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine includes a pump, in the form of a cam actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing, to supply fuel at high pressure to a variable volume pressure accumulator chamber and through a flow control orifice to a control chamber in supply flow communication with a fuel injection nozzle assembly having a pressure actuated injection valve controlling the injected charge of fuel from the unit. Flow through the control orifice into the control chamber is selectively controlled by an electromagnetic valve assembly which also selectively controls flow from the control chamber through a drain orifice to a low pressure fuel return or drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest Bader, Jr., John I. Deckard, Dan B. Kuiper
  • Patent number: 4129256
    Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine has a pump, provided by a cam actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing, for intensifying the pressure of fuel delivered to a spring biased closed, pressure actuated injection valve controlling flow discharge out through a spray outlet, to a pressure accumulator and through a throttling orifice passage into one end of a modulation pressure control chamber having an enlarged diameter stem portion of the injection valve therein, the modulation pressure control chamber downstream of the throttling orifice passage being connected by a conduit including a solenoid actuated valve controlling metering orifice with a low pressure fuel drain return line whereby the pressure of fuel in the modulation pressure control chamber acting on the enlarged diameter stem portion of the injection valve is modulated so as to control the seating and unseating of the injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest Bader, Jr., John I. Deckard, Dan B. Kuiper
  • Patent number: 4129209
    Abstract: The buckets of a bucket elevator are attached to selected links of a drive chain by means of brackets on their bottom walls fastened to two projecting lugs on the chain links, the brackets being spaced further apart than the link pins securing the associated links to adjacent links. An apron on one transverse end wall of each bucket covers the gap between consecutive buckets during travel in a straight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Friedrich Mayfeld
  • Patent number: 4129207
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning product being conveyed in a forward direction where a conveying element urges product to be re-distributed laterally for advancement to an adjacent accumulation plate to form interlocking hexagonal close pack clusters. Further distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions takes place along a downwardly sloping contiguous conveyor having a series of flaring spacers until product is finally distributed in a desired fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventor: William A. Cupp
  • Patent number: 4129255
    Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine has a pump including a cam actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing for intensifying the pressure of fuel delivered to a pressure actuated injection valve controlling flow discharge out through a spray outlet, to a pressure accumulator and, through a throttling orifice passage into one end of a modulation pressure control chamber having a spring biased piston movable therein, the piston engaging one end of the injection valve, this one end of the pressure control chamber downstream of the throttling orifice passage being connected by a conduit, including a solenoid actuated valve controlling flow through a metering orifice to a low pressure fuel drain return line whereby the pressure of fuel in the pressure control chamber acting on the piston is modulated so as to control the seating and unseating of the injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest Bader, Jr., John I. Deckard, Dan B. Kuiper
  • Patent number: 4128166
    Abstract: An endless belt conveyor for heavy materials handling is provided in which shock forces generated by the loading of heavy objects onto the conveyor are absorbed in the vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to the conveyor by resilient suspension means such as a plurality of rubber shear spring blocks which are associated with the support structure for the track upon which the conveyor belt moves. The belt is comprised of slat links having a central transverse reinforcing beam and slat link covers surrounding the transverse reinforcing beam which converge to either side of the beam at a point intermediate the vertical distance between the top and bottom portions of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Assignee: Mayfran, Incorporated
    Inventor: Lawrence H. G. Kovats