Patents Examined by James A. Leppink
  • Patent number: 5205794
    Abstract: A shift mechanism for a bicycle and the like wherein a chain is shifted from sprocket to sprocket by an operator controlling a lever to position a camming surface to direct a guide pawl to tilt a segment of one sprocket whereby the tilted segment aligns with a nontilted sprocket during chain shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Bicycle Partnership #1
    Inventor: Bruce W. Browning
  • Patent number: 4969514
    Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a pipe section from a well bore includes a structure to be connected to the lower end of a drilling string. The structure includes a cutter at its lower end and a controllable gripping member for gripping the interior of a pipe section. The gripping member is located above the cutter and is adapted to grip the interior of the pipe. The gripping member is such that when in a gripping condition the gripping member remains stationary while the drilling string and the cutter are rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventors: George H. O. Morris, Robert F. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4765402
    Abstract: A self-locating seal assembly is shown for sealing between a well string and the bore of a surrounding well conduit, the surrounding conduit being provided with an internal recess for engagement by the seal assembly. A mandrel has an internal bore, an exterior, and a lower end. A seal body is carried about the mandrel and has an external seal region for engaging the interior bore of the surrounding well conduit and an internal seal region for engaging the mandrel exterior. The seal body provided with a plurality of window openings, each opening having an upper and lower tapered ramp surface. An upper and a lower sleeve circumscribe the seal body about the window openings and are spaced to define a circumferential opening with respect to the exterior of the seal body. A plurality of latch elements are carried in the annular circumferential opening and have camming surfaces which cooperate with the ramp surfaces of the window openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Hughes Tool Company
    Inventor: Sydney K. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4761037
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the removal of layers of concrete, particularly from roadways and motorways. This apparatus includes one or more nozzles located at one end of respective hollow shafts each of which is supported by an articulated joint which is mounted on a movable support. The nozzles are supplied with water by means of a high pressure pump upstream of which there is positioned a preliminary treatment system for treating the water itself. The nozzles are mounted on a movable slide or frame which is controlled by an electronic circuit operable to maintain them at a predetermined height with respect to the surface to be treated. Apparatus is also provided for the elimination of possible hindrances to the free downflow of the water jets against the surface to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Renzo Medeot
  • Patent number: 4760888
    Abstract: A drill bit for core boring of the type provided with a multi-layered bit head, so constructed that when the blades of the upper-layered bit head have become worn out, it is possible to easily withdraw them without removing the bit from the bore. The core boring operation is then continued without delay by using the blades of the newly exposed lower-layered bit head. The drill bit is also so constructed that it is possible to eliminate any displacement of the upper layer blades from their fitted position on the blades of the lower layer blades during drilling by using the upper layer blades and at the same time, it is possible to easily disengage the engagement between the bit body and the upper layer blades when the upper layer blades have become worn out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Tone Boring Company Limited
    Inventor: Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 4754820
    Abstract: A drilling head with an upper body assembly removably clamped onto a stationary spool via a bayonet-type coupler clamp rotated into clamped and unclamped positions by a remote controlled hydraulic motor connected to the clamp by a ring and pinion gear. The upper body assembly has a kelly bushing, a corrugated drive bushing rotatable with the kelly bushing, a drive ring rotatable with the drive bushing a bearing assembly surrounding the drive ring, and an elastomeric stripper connected to the drive ring for rotation therewith. The stripper is adapted for sealing engagement with a rotating kelly drive which slides down through the drilling head. Quick connect/disconnect lubrication fittings on the clamp and upper body assembly are releasably mated upon rotation of the clamp to the clamped position to provide lubrication from a single lubrication line to both the bearing assembly and seals via passageways formed in the outer body of the upper body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Drilex Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Watts, Eric G. Dodd
  • Patent number: 4751758
    Abstract: The leaf bascule bridge activated by a cable system, represents a movable structure which is adapted to opened so as to permit the passage of boats or vessels through the bridge. To achieve this purpose, the bascule bridge is provided with a fixed axis on trunnions attached to the bascule bridge structure, with a cable system for driving the bascule bridge, utilizing a counterweight to counterbalance the weight of the bascule bridge structure and a safety cable to guard against the unexpected uplift of the bascule bridge due wind force. The bascule bridge is activated by a cable system using a pulling force applied to the end of the counterweight for driving the bascule bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Lucian I. Nedelcu
  • Patent number: 4751971
    Abstract: A mobile automatic augering device, capable of augering a hole, entrapping a volume of earth removed from the hole to create a work space above the hole, and then backfilling the hole with the removed earth is disclosed. The present invention is characterized by an augering canister which contains a reversably rotatable auger within it. In operation, the canister is lowered to the earth. An auger is then rotated and lowered through an open, lower end into the earth. Once the auger has been lowered to a predetermined depth, the rotation is stopped, and the auger is raised back up into the canister, thereby entrapping the augered earth in the canister. The canister is raised a predetermined distance so that a work space, between the bottom of the canister and the surface of the earth is formed. After a set time period, the auger is rotated within its canister in an opposite direction, thereby dumping the entrapped earth into the hole to backfill the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Jimmie S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4752277
    Abstract: A control system for an infinitely variable transmission has a transmission ratio control valve having a spool for controlling oil supplied to a cylinder of a drive pulley to change the transmission ratio. The transmission ratio control valve has chambers at both ends of the spool. By controlling the pressure of oil supplied to the chambers in accordance with engine operating conditions, the spool is shifted, so that the speed of changing the transmission ratio is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 4750558
    Abstract: A well bore cleaning tool comprises a plurality of collars which slip onto a pipe casing without welding, and can be securedly attached thereto using any conventional securing means, such as set screws. The collars are interconnected with a cable, disposed longitudinally on one side of the casing, substantially in a straight line. The well bore cleaning tool has utility in bore holes wherein there is a limited clearance or amount of space in the annulus (that is, the region between the exterior of the casing and the wall of the bore hole).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Inventor: Granison T. Alexander, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4750570
    Abstract: Sampling bullets of the type which are fired into rock formation surrounding a wellbore. The core sampling bullet includes an internal core barrel which is defined in part by a core receiving sleeve releasably secured within the bullet structure. Following bullet retrieval, the bullet is disassembled thereby permitting rearward removal of the core sleeve with core entrapped therein. Following extraction from the bullet, the core sleeve protects the core during handling and testing. The removed core sleeve is further closed by end cap members to further secure the core against contamination and against further loss of gas in core sample prior to testing. The bullet construction also provides for efficiency of hydraulic venting during firing and provides efficiently for bullet with core removal by means of one or more cables. Core orientation is also achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Barrett Machine Works
    Inventor: Bracell P. Barrett
  • Patent number: 4749538
    Abstract: The present application is concerned with an extrusion process for an elongated stiff but bendable plastic article which finds particular utility in highway delineators. The article has a central lens shape in the cross-section perpendicular to its major axis which is formed by joining two sheets along both of their longitudinal edges. The sheets both have parallel longitudinal edges and are configured in an arc in their shorter dimension. A reverse radius is provided in each longitudinal edge just before it joins the similar edge of the other sheet to allow the article to be bent 90.degree. across its major axis in the plane of its minor axis without significant plastic deformation. The article is constructed by pressing the cooled edges of thermoplastic sheets that can sustain substantial elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Mobay Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4749304
    Abstract: An asphalt paver, of the type having a power extendable floating screed, is provided with a power extendable auger-like material distribution mechanism, such that the width of the distribution mechanism can be varied with the width of the screed. The variable width distribution mechanism is structurally independent of the floating screed, so as not to impart its reaction forces to the screed.A variable width panel arrangement is incorporated into the power extendable distribution mechanism and is extendable and retractable along with the latter to provide for proper confinement of the paving material during lateral distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Craig
  • Patent number: 4749303
    Abstract: A lightweight surface heater suitable for repairing asphalt pavement, or the like, which conveniently folds for trailering. Air and gaseous fuel are mixed and forced down through refractory blanket to burn on its lower surface, radiating heat to the roadway. A hinged middle allows one half of the heater with trailer tongue and tires attached to its top to be folded upside down underneath the other half during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventors: Gregory J. Keizer, Carl W. Morris
  • Patent number: 4749375
    Abstract: A flat disc 1 having a central aperture is deformed on its periphery by spin-forming the metal of the disc so that the metal projects from each side of the plane of the disc and thereby forms a cylindrical rim 6 which is parallel to the axis of the disc. One or a plurality of series of V-grooves 8 are then formed on the outer surface of the rim. The metal is spin-formed in such manner as to cause it to be laterally extruded thereby forming a rim which has a definite thickness independent of the thickness of the initial disc constituting the web of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Aubecq Auxi S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Guevel, Louis Dutresne, Herve Foucher
  • Patent number: 4749043
    Abstract: Subsurface safety valves of the tubing and wireline retrieveable types operated by a control fluid responsive annular piston in an annular cylinder sealed at opposite ends by a two-way static and dynamic metal-to-metal seal assembly which includes central Bellville loading washers, a spacer ring on each side of the loading washers, and a Bellville sealing washer at each end of the spacer rings. The metal-to-metal seals are useful in a number of applications requiring the sealing of pressurized spaces between spaced concentric parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corp.
    Inventor: C. Mark Rodenberger
  • Patent number: 4747811
    Abstract: A belt tensioner has a shaft having an oil reservoir in a lower portion thereof and having an external thread and rotatably mounted in a body, a torsion spring provided between the body and the shaft so as to urge the shaft in a rotational direction, and a cylindrical rod having an internal thread engaged with the external thread of the shaft. A lower end of the rod being projected from the body so as to be operatively connected to a tension pulley for a belt. The torsion spring and both the threads are arranged to project rod by the rotation of the shaft urged by the torsion spring. An oil passage is provided in the shaft so as to communicate the oil reservoir with the bore above the internal thread of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Sawafuji, Masahiro Ozawa, Hiroshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 4747809
    Abstract: A torque sensitive squeeze control for a variable ratio pulley drive system has a fluid translating unit, such as a pump, disposed in the input torque path. One member of the fluid translating unit is rotated by the input drive shaft while another member is fixed for rotation with an input pulley shaft. If a rotational difference between the input drive shaft and the pulley shaft is present, the fluid translating unit is effective to increase the pressure in the squeeze control piston of the input pulley thereby increasing the torque capacity of the pulley. A speed differential will occur when a torque difference between the two shafts if present. The hydraulic control for the output pulley is via a controlled servo valve mechanism which permits operator control of the drive ratio between the pulleys independently of the squeeze force on the input pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 4747725
    Abstract: Device for a pole-shaped element (1), which is attached against a base (2) adjacent to a ground plane (3) in such a way, that it is released when made subject to a collision within a region adjacent to the base (2). One or a number of straps (4) are arranged extending between a first point of attachment adjacent to the upper portion of the pole-shaped element (1) and a second point of attachment in relation to the ground plane (3), adjacent to the base (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Sven R. V. Gebelius
  • Patent number: 4747812
    Abstract: A V-ribbed belt having a plurality of ribs on a belt base along the lengthwise direction of belt and a method of manufacturing such V-ribbed belt. The belt according to the present invention is used for driving of driers, auxiliary machines for motor cars, washing machines, etc. Ribs of the belt are formed solely of rubber and are provided with a surface layer comprising a non-woven fabric at the outer surface thereof. The thickness and the weight per unit area of the non-woven fabric are in the range of between 0.01 and 0.3 mm and between 3 and 100 g/m.sup.2 respectively. The non-woven fabric can contain a coefficient of friction reducing agent, where necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuoka, Masaki Ochiai