Patents Examined by James B. Marbert
  • Device for locking the beads of a tire
    Patent number: 4776377
    Abstract: A device for locking the beads of a tire against flanges of a multi-piece rim comprises two main parts. The first part having an approximately cylindrical shape is formed essentially of a flexible material. It is strapped by a second part which is nonextensible radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin
    Inventors: Pierre Susini, Philippe Bouchereau
  • Device for collecting dog droppings
    Patent number: 4776621
    Abstract: A collector for dog droppings includes a stick provided with a support bell at its ground-side end. The stick includes at its lower end an extension which projects through the support bell and is rotatable relative thereto. Connected to the extension is a receiving insert which includes two semicircular plates with one plate movable relative to the other stationary plate so that the insert can be opened and closed for collecting and retaining the waste in the collector and for subsequent disposal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: Egon Streit
  • Articulated link for the connection of two ends of the track of a tracked vehicle
    Patent number: 4775198
    Abstract: An articulated element of a track comprising two parallel faces consisting of two superimposed parts with holes for articulation bolts. The contact sides of the articulation parts have teeth which mesh with one another and move parallel to the pivoting plane. To lengthen the articulation element, the teeth move transversely and are undercut in such a way that under the effect of a tractional force they bring together the parts of the faces of the articulation elements. To facilitate the manufacture of this articulation element and to reduce its cost, the flanks (9,10) of the teeth (5) and the toothspaces (1) are straight over the whole of their length and end freely on their longitudinal side (7 and 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Intertractor Viehmann GmgH & Co.
    Inventors: Theobald Bokamp, Franz-Joachim Helfrich
  • Vehicle wheels
    Patent number: 4773711
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim includes a pair of spaced-apart tire bead seats, axially outwards of each bead seat a tire retaining flange, and axially inwards but immediately adjacent thereto a circumferentially extending tire toe engaging groove. The groove is subdivided in the circumferential direction by at least three bridge members each of which is short in the circumferential direction and traverses the groove to provide a bridge surface substantially at the top of the groove such that the bridge surface may support a normal tire bead when used on the wheel or alternatively a tire with a bead retention toe may engage the toe in the groove to provide bead retention in use.Preferably four to eight bridge members are provided.The resultant wheel safely carries a normal tire or a TD type of tire with a projecting, bead retaining toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: SP Tyres UK Ltd
    Inventors: Phillip N. Griffiths, Mathew Simpson
  • Wafer handler
    Patent number: 4773687
    Abstract: A wafer handling technique allows for picking up a wafer from its front side. One or more vacuum ports pull the periphery of the wafer into contact with a ledge raised from a broad surface, providing a friction force that prevents lateral movement of the wafer. A port in the broad surface of the handler flows pressurized gas onto the wafer, thereby preventing contact between the handler and the interior of the wafer. The handler may be sized to be relatively thin, and to cover less than half of the surface of the wafer, thereby allowing for readily loading wafers back-to-back in a furnace boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Bush, Gary J. Reichl
  • Vehicle canopy
    Patent number: 4772064
    Abstract: A canopy for use with an open vehicle to protect the driver and/or occupants of the vehicle from sun rays, etc. The canopy includes a plurality of base members attached to the vehicle at spaced locations thereon; a portable, rigid, transparent shield member for covering at least a portion of the vehicle, the shield member including a body member and including a plurality of head members attached to the body member at spaced locations thereon; and a plurality of elongated post members removably attaching the shield member to the base members, each of the post members having a lower end removably attached to a respective one of the base members and having an upper end removably attached to a respective one of the head members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Larry M. Moore
  • Flap valve for a dispenser
    Patent number: 4771925
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a flap valve for a dispenser for viscous fluids. More particularly, this invention is directed to a flap valve having a body with a cylindrical valve opening therein, produced by injection molding which is circularly symmetrical to the cylindrical valve opening and extends outwardly around the axis of symmetry, wherein at least one spoke bridges the valve opening diametrically and has a sprue wart in the center thereof, said body cooperating with a flap which closes said cylindrical valve opening, the center part of which flap is arched away from the sprue wart out of the plane of its edge, which edge sealingly fits over the edge of said cylindrical valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Albert Stoffler, Dietholf Mehl, Lorenz Eckers
  • Undercarriage for multiple-axle, cross-country vehicle
    Patent number: 4772076
    Abstract: In an undercarriage for a multiple-axle, cross-country vehicle, the connection between the vehicle chassis and a support member for the undercarriage is effected through a mechanism including tension member. The mechanism includes two parallel guides with an integrated hydraulic cylinder each. Each parallel guide has at its lower end a fork member in which an eccentric disk is eccentrically mounted. Each eccentric disk is connected to a drive disk, the center of the drive disk coinciding with a point on the eccentric disk located diametrically opposite the eccentric points. Also connected to the lower end of each parallel guide is a control disk. The two eccentric disks are coupled with each other through a first tension member. The control disks are coupled to the drive disk on the opposite parallel guide by means of a second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Fritz Seeber
  • Railroad flatcar with axle guards
    Patent number: 4771703
    Abstract: A railroad flatcar including an elongated center sill having undercarriage frames secured thereto at opposite ends thereof is disclosed. A single axle wheel truck is fixed to each undercarriage frame and suspends the car. Axle guard plate is provided to limit movement of the car laterally of the wheel trucks and to provide a restoring force to the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventors: Rene H. Brodeur, Boris S. Terlecky, Ronald P. Sellberg
  • High strength three-piece wheel
    Patent number: 4770220
    Abstract: A three-piece wheel for vehicle tires for providing a greater positive offset comprising a wheel center, an inner rim and an outer rim wherein the rims are secured at their radially directed bases to a disk mount on the wheel center by a plurality of threaded fastening members. The inner rim defines an elongate curved tire support portion terminating at one end in an inner rim flange and at the other end in a radially directed base. The outer rim is generally T-shaped defining an outer rim flange portion for securing the tire in combination with the inner rim flange on the inner rim, a tire support portion extending over a portion of the inner rim for supporting the tire in combination with the inner rim and a radial base portion disposed inwardly of said tire support portion for supporting said tire support portion and for use insecuring the outer rim to the inner rim and wheel center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mori
  • Holding device for pick-up, transport, and deposit of small components
    Patent number: 4770454
    Abstract: The invention refers to a holding device consisting of holding head and holding shaft for pick-up, transport, and targeted deposit of small components, namely preferably for supplying circuit boards with electrical SMD switching elements.According to the invention, the holding head is designed so that upon a pressure in the direction of the components to be picked up, a bistable switching element is activated and consequently, the adhesion of the component as well, and upon the next pressure in the same direction, it is again deactivated. This saves specific control actions to activate and deactivate a compressed air source or other adhesive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Wilhelm Sedlbauer GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Muscher, Franz Dankesreiter, Franz Dankesreiter, Jr., Manfred Band
  • Passively activated prehensile digit for a robotic end effector
    Patent number: 4770455
    Abstract: A common hydraulic reservoir holds one or more rows of slidable pistons or "fingers" in a base, or "hand". The individual fingers in each row expose graduated cross-sectional fluid application areas to the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir, with the smallest fluid application area in the center of the row and graduating to progressive larger fluid areas towards both ends of each row. The fingers are elongated pistons. Exposed outer ends of each piston extending away from the reservoir, house a transverse pad to contact an object to be held. The transverse pads are universally ball-joint and spring-center mounted in a longitudinally located opening at the outer tapered end of each finger. Simple and effective capacitance metering in the reservoir is provided for each finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Earl R. Collins, Jr.
  • Robotic end of arm tooling internal gripper
    Patent number: 4770456
    Abstract: The present invention provides an end of arm tooling (EOAT) internal gripper device for a robot. The EOAT of the present invention provides a gripper portion which can be elastically deformed by being extended or retracted by an internal rod actuator. Extension of the actuator rod causes the gripper portion to assume a smaller dimensional shape for insertion into a workpiece cavity. Retraction of the actuator rod causes the gripper portion to increase in dimension therefore engaging and gripping the workpiece. The EOAT of the present invention is extremely useful in applications requiring large amounts of compliance, delicate handling, and/or in environments wherein an air supply is not available or desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Phillips, Jeffrey L. Mummert
  • Vehicle wheel
    Patent number: 4768573
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire vehicle wheel which is employable for emergency running or operation. The unitary or one-piece rim with slanted, inclined or cylindrical rim shoulder and rim flange is provided with an emergency running or operating support which is constructed radially elevated in a cap-like configuration. The tire beads are constructed turnable or rotatable around the bead core and are capable of being shifted or displaced in an eccentric manner upon the rim. The round or square bead core lies upon a radial height or level of at least 0.4.times. the rim flange height in the tire bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Uniroyal Englebert Reifen GmbH
    Inventors: Dionysius J. Poque, Heinz-Dieter Rach
  • Truck bed covering
    Patent number: 4768824
    Abstract: A collapsible truck bed covering structure includes left and right base members fastened to the top of left and right sidewalls, respectively, of the truck bed. Left and right sidewalls are hinged at the bottom to the left and right base members, respectively. Trolleys at the top of the left and right sidewalls are couple to the rails in a top member so that raising and lowering the top member, raises and lowers the sidewalls. Rear and front window frames are hinged at the bottom with a pin and inverted J-slot hinges between horizontal retracted and vertical extended positions and releasably locked by post and keyway structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Garbis Andonian
  • Method of manufacturing axle assemblies
    Patent number: 4768839
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle member, a flange, and a spindle. The flange is provided with a central bore. An end portion of the spindle extends through the central bore of the flange to contact an end of the axle member. A central portion of the spindle contacts a surface of the flange. Separate weld joints are formed between the axle assembly components at the two contact areas. The welding flash around the outer circumference of the weld may be removed to allow for visual inspection. A preferred method of manufacturing the assembly is by a friction or inertia welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Dietmar E. Spindler
  • Cable catch, clamp and cut (grapple)
    Patent number: 4768820
    Abstract: A grapple of rugged construction capable of being towed along the ocean bed for recovery of underwater communication cables; having a scoop with suitable inserts to furrow and "scoop up" cable. Guided, cable is forced into a "floating" and "stationary" clamping assembly. Cable tension acts against a spring-loaded trigger releasing liquid/gas actuating a "wedge/block" via a gas cylinder and piston. The "wedge/block" driven between "floating clamps" having interchangeable inserts, firmly clamps the cable. A signal is transmitted. If the cable is to be uncut the CCC&C is hauled aboard tow vessel, cable intact. If desired to cut cable on a particular side of CCC&C before recovery, diagonally-opposed knives and liquid/gas cylinders are pre-set before submergence. Cutting is accomplished by release of liquid/gas to "hydraulic fluid/gas cylinders" with free-floating pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Robert J. Barone
  • Wheel cap
    Patent number: 4768838
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheel cap comprising a wheel cap body provided with engagement portions to be engaged with a wheel disc, and a linear elastic member mounted to the wheel cap body and adapted to bias the engagement portions in such a direction as to press-contact the engagement portions with the wheel disc, wherein the linear elastic member is in the form of an endless circle having a plurality of loop-like flexible portions along a circumference thereof. With this arrangement, installation of the wheel cap body to the wheel disc may be improved, and a mount space of the flexible portions may be effectively utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fujio Sakamoto
  • Hook assembly
    Patent number: 4767144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hook assembly of the type comprising a lifting eye bolt (2) and a hook (4) mounted in either end of a body (3), and a combined latch-ejector unit (31) rotatable between a first position for locking the opening of the hook (4) and a second position for uncovering the opening of the hook and releasing a load suspended therein, and with operating means (24) for adjustment of the latch-ejector unit between the said positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Inventor: Gunnar Hornberg
  • Trailer and tailgate
    Patent number: 4767150
    Abstract: There is provided an improved trailer and tailgate therefore. The means for attaching the tailgate to the remainder of the trailer is independent of the inside surfaces of the sidewalls of the trailer. Thus the sidewalls are free from obstructions permitting a free flow of material out of a trailer when it is being dumped. A pair of cane shaped rods are received through the top and bottom of the tailgate and are connected to the floor and to the tops of the sidewalls of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Peco, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hall