Patents Examined by Glenn T. Barrett
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Patent number: 5337936Abstract: A holder for valuables includes a thin flat container body with one or more compartments with an open top edge and a closure flap extending from a back panel and fastening onto a front panel. A pair of elongate narrow strips of material each have a first end secured to the upper portion of the back panel. A second end of each strip terminates in a belt loop for threading onto a belt worn on trousers. The distance between the loop and the container body of each strip is greater than the height of the container body. This permits the container body to be moved between a concealed position behind the trousers and and accessible position in front of the trousers while fastened to the belt without bending the container body or disarranging the clothing. The container body slips past the waistband of the trousers in moving between concealed and access positions without bending the container body or the contents thereof making it suitable for storing passports, credit cards and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1993Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Inventor: Alvin S. Blum
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Patent number: 5336859Abstract: An illuminated rocker switch having a transparent actuator in the form of a light pipe pivoted on the switch housing. The light pipe has a set of generally parallel spaced arms each transmitting light to a separate projection surface on each arm from the common edge of an aperture illuminated by a lamp. A separate arm receives light from a separate lamp at a second light receiving surface and transmits light to a projection surface on the end of the separate arm. An opaque actuator cover is attached to the light pipe and has transparent regions adjacent each projection surface for illumination. The cover has an opaque shroud tube received on the separate arm and shields it from illumination other than from its own lamp. The light pipe carries a shorting bar which, upon user movement of the actuator switches between stationary contacts on the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Guy A. Wojtanek, Jaime Lopez, G. Scott Grafer
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Patent number: 5336857Abstract: To achieve a small-sized roller contact device having an increased capacity of current flow, the front and rear roller contacts 4a and 4b are arranged such that they face each other with the contact portions 1a and 2a of the first and second fixed contacts 1 and 2 therebetween to bridge-contact the contact portions 1a a and 2a of first and second fixed contacts 1 and 2 from the front and rear sides of the portions of the first and second fixed contacts 1 and 2 which are arranged in parallel to each other. The front and rear roller contacts 4a and 4b are supported by the front and rear roller contact supporting members 5a and 5b, respectively. The driving member 6 extends between the first and second fixed contacts 1 and 2 and supports the front and rear roller contact supporting members 5a and 5b. The springs are installed between the front and rear roller contact supporting members 5a and 5b.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuo Yoshida
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Patent number: 5333321Abstract: An environmentally controlled commercial/public toilet designed to neutralize and confine contaminating agents such as bacteria, odors, vapors and other airborne particles inside the bowl by generating and maintaining a cyclone-type air circulation inside the existing bowl. A standard bowl (70a) with a housing (20a), and an air-trapping cavity (76) created inside the bowl (70a) by a detachable bowl-skirt (73a), confines the contaminating agents during toilet use and improves the efficiency of the air circulation. Sanitizer and odor conditioner cartridges are employed to neutralize the contaminating agents by releasing sanitizing and odor conditioning agents into the air flow circulated inside the bowl (70a). This invention is retrofitable to existing commercial/public toilets.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Inventor: Daniel S. Redford
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Patent number: 5334809Abstract: A temporary electrical junction includes a first electrical contact having a first metal surface; a second electrical contact having a second metal surface; and a plurality of particulate cores having a hardness greater than that of the first and second metal surfaces, the particulate cores being disposed between the first and second contacts. Force is applied to the first and second contacts such that the particulate cores cause elasto-plastic deformation of at least one of the first and second surfaces, such that the first and second contacts are temporarily joined together at least partly along their respective metal surfaces to complete the electrical junction.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Particle Interconnect, Inc.Inventor: Louis DiFrancesco
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Patent number: 5333769Abstract: An infant carrier configured to serve also as a diaper bag, bassinet, and changing surface for an infant. Adjustable straps securely support the infant carrier when the straps are worn across the body and over the shoulder of the person. The infant carrier is configured as a bassinet having raised sidewalls and a cover releasably engaged to the upper edge of the sidewalls, the cover thereby being held in spaced relationship to the bed. The cover and foot sidewall are configured to be opened outwardly from the bassinet and oriented in a position that is coplanar to the bed thereby creating a changing surface. The infant carrier includes various pockets in the foot sidewall and cover to thereby incorporate the features of a diaper bag into the infant carrier. The entire body of the infant carrier is constructed of a fabric that is washable. A support board is received in a pocket beneath the bed to provide the proper support for the bed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Inventor: Mitchell E. Skroski
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Patent number: 5332134Abstract: A bicycle luggage-carrier consisted of a carrier plate having an oblique front extension tube, a front mounting plate having one end fastened to the split front open end of the front extension tube and an opposite end fastened to the seat tube of the bicycle by a clamping plate, two curved seat stay connecting bars bilaterally connected between the front extension tube and the seat stays of the bicycle, and two substantially U-shaped brackets bilaterally hooked on two elongated slots on the carrier plate for carrying backpacks.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Inventor: Ming-Yung Chen
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Patent number: 5330084Abstract: A rack structure mounted to a vehicular hitch socket is provided to include a first support tube received within the hitch socket, with a second support tube pivotally mounted in a selective latching arrangement relative to the first support tube, with a third support tube fixedly and orthogonally mounted to the second support tube containing a plurality of hook legs thereon for engaging a bicycle frame for support of the bicycle relative to the rack apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Inventor: Mark R. Peters
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Patent number: 5322980Abstract: A single, molded one-piece member, having a bottom recess for receiving the levers of a plurality of switches, on which a tie bar is mounted. The member is flexed to spread the walls of the recess, and when it is released, a locking lug moves under the tie bar, holding the lock out in place. A tie wrap is placed under the tie bar and around the adjacent elements of the member locking the member in place. A first form has two such recesses, of different sizes. An alternate form has a single recess, and a cover which is closed down over the base, enclosing the tie wrap. An auxiliary lock can be used for locking the cover. A supplementary locking element may be selectively placed in the recess for accommodating switch levers of different sizes. Another form includes a thumb screw adjustment means for positively holding the locking lug under the tie bar.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1991Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Inventor: Steven J. Benda
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Patent number: 5321218Abstract: An electrical connector, for example a lampholder comprises an on/off switch mechanism including a push bar. The connector further comprises a locking arrangement including an interlock member which extends to the pushbar and moves into and out of cooperation with an aperture in the pushbar. When a cooperating device, for example a lamp, is inserted into the connector the interlock member moves axially into the lampholder to a position at which the pushbar is free to move between "on" and "off" positions. When no cooperating device is connected, the interlock member prevents movement of the pushbar. The pushbar and the interlock member include respective inclined surfaces arranged such that the pushbar will be moved to the "off" position when a cooperating device is removed from the connector.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: First Thought Development Ltd.Inventor: Francis Vause
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Patent number: 5320263Abstract: A support tube is arranged for securement about a golf cart handle, with the support tube arranged for pivotally mounting a support flange structure that is arranged to include a floor and surrounding band member to receive and position a beverage container therewithin.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Inventor: Richard L. Kobylack
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Patent number: 5319169Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism including a collapsible toggle linkage, an operating handle and a movable frame. The collapsible toggle linkage includes a rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within an open rectangular slot in an upper link of the linkage. The operating handle pivots about a first pivot point when moving between ON, OFF and TRIPPED positions. The operating handle pivots about a second pivot point when moving to a RESET position thereby reducing the lateral force component of the operating springs of the operating mechanism for reliable return of the handle to the OFF position. Also, bifurcated movable contact fingers are provided for pivotal movement about a fixed pin to break contact welds and a trapezoidal cross section shaft interconnects the movable contact fingers.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Donald A. Link, Michael R. Larsen, Edward L. Wellner
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Patent number: 5310102Abstract: A vegetable sleever is disclosed suitable for field-wrapping of vegetables such as leaf lettuce at the time of harvesting in order to prevent shipping damage. The sleever contains a steel frame assembly having three hangars for holding plastic sleeves. For each wrapping, a sleeve is individually opened, the product inserted and the sleeve removed from the sleever assembly and placed in a packing container. The sleeves are protected from wind and dirt by a front shroud covering the sides and lower front, and protective flaps on top. The frame assembly may be either used with a harness and attached to the lower leg while working in the field or mounted to a fixed support on a harvester or in a vegetable preparation area.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Inventor: John K. Hougham
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Patent number: 5310974Abstract: An electrical switch mechanism for actuating and deactuating a power take-off (PTO) drive connectable to ancillary equipment is disclosed wherein the operating member for the switch mechanism first requires a linear movement and then a rotary movement in order to complete actuation of the switch to render the PTO drive operative. In order to render the PTO drive inoperative quickly, the switch mechanism can be deactuated by striking the operating member, although the PTO drive can be rendered inoperative by reversing the movements of the operating member.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1993Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Churchill, Michael E. Langford, John G. Appleton, Alvin J. Budd, Michael P. Rodgers
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Patent number: 5308943Abstract: A touch button switch includes a body (10) having a conductive actuator (28) slidable from one end against a surface (62) to actuate a switch (61) on a board (52) which is held in place by hook latches (53) engaging mortises (55) in the circuit board. The surface (62) may provide conduction from the touch pad to electronic motionless switch circuitry (66) so that the touch button is usable either as a tactile switch touch button, as a motionless touch button, or both. Or, the actuator can be blocked from sliding by means of a spacer (68); and the switch (61) may be replaced by a structure (61a) holding an electrically conductive surface (62a), or not: either way, the touch button will then operate only as a motionless touch button. Or, the surface (62) can be disconnected (65) from the circuit (66), or the circuit (66) can be not installed, to operate only as a tactile switch touch button.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Christopher P. Screven, Bruce P. Swaybill
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Patent number: 5305936Abstract: A combination bicycle/ski carrier has a carrier frame attachable to an automobile, supports for one or more cycles, and ski carriers which are retractable when not in use to avoid damage to cycles on the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: Neil Nusbaum
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Patent number: 5302788Abstract: Molded case circuit breaker having collapsible toggle linkage with rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within open rectangular slots in upper link, bifurcated movable contact fingers loosely guided for pivotal movement about fixed pin to break contact welds, helical compression springs biasing bifurcations against faces of a stationary connector, trapezoidal cross section shaft biasing shaft against a fixed corner of clamping strap and frame, increasing clamping force and increasing tool clearance, operating handle which changes pivot point moving to RESET position, reducing lateral force component of operating springs for reliable return of handle to OFF position, dual stops for movable contact fingers to spread impact forces along fingers, greater contact separation in poles not containing operating mechanism, slot motor laminations providing metal reinforcement to separate arc chamber housing which is cooperatively interlocked with base to distribute structural strength, terminal cover wiType: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Donald A. Link, Michael R. Larsen, Edward L. Wellner
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Patent number: 5299722Abstract: A double lid truck storage box that includes a rectangular box arranged for mounting in a standard pickup truck bed to extend thereacross and includes a double lid for closing thereover. The rectangular box and double lid are preferably formed of steel, or like material, and include a top lid that is hinge connected along a rear wall lower edge to a lower lid rear wall upper edge, and which lower lid rear wall lower edge, is hinge connected to an upper edge of the rectangular box rear wall, such that the respective hinges are aligned vertically with one another to allow for individual opening of the top lid off of the lower lid and the lower lid off of the rectangular box. The double lid provides, from the rectangular box rear wall, for clearance as from a pickup truck cab and bed forward wall as the double lid is lifted.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Inventor: Dale S. Cheney
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Patent number: 5298706Abstract: A computer keyboard employs a single monoblock structure to both support the keys and to define the aesthetic enclosure. The monoblock has multiple key supports into which key bodies are slidably mounted. The keyboard includes a switch membrane disposed on top of the monoblock and a dome sheet positioned on top of the switch membrane beneath the key bodies. The dome sheet has multiple resilient domes with openings formed therein to provide access for the key bodies to corresponding key supports. The domes support the key bodies and provide the "spring-like" feel during operation of the computer keys. The switch membrane has annular switch contacts positioned about the monoblock key supports beneath the domes. As one of the key bodies is depressed, the associated dome buckles and actuates the annular switch contact. The computer keyboard is low cost due to having only one structural component and is quiet due to the position of the rubber or elastomer dome sheet beneath the key bodies.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Key Tronic CorporationInventors: George P. English, Stephen S. Damitio
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Patent number: 5297709Abstract: A container holder is operably mounted to the front of an instrument panel for minimal intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The container holder includes a housing having a slot therein with an elongate width, and a drawer operably mounted in the slot and sequentially movable between a retracted position for storage adjacent the instrument panel, an extended position aligned with the slot, and a lowered use position extending outwardly into the vehicle passenger compartment. The housing includes a notch adapted to engage a mating lip on the instrument panel for positioning and supporting the container holder thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Prince CorporationInventors: Ronald A. Dykstra, Michael M. Warsaw