Patents Examined by John Malcolm White
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Patent number: 4691492Abstract: The present tile is adapted to cooperate with similar tiles to form a tiled surface, and is formed from a relatively thin sheet having a periphery disposed symmetrically about a central axis. When the tile is installed the central axis coincides with a line defining free water flow down the tile between upper and lower tile portions. The tile has first and second raised ribs extending symmetrically as mirror images of each other on each side of the central axis. Each rib has upper and lower rib portions which are interconnected so as to extend continuously between the upper and lower tile portions to increase stiffness of the tile. The stiffened tile is better able to resist weight of a person walking on the roof, and also resists a tendency for the lower portion of the tile to lift when wind blows onto the roof. The upper rib portions are smaller than, and complementary to, the lower rib portions so that the lower rib portions of an upper tile can fit over upper rib portions of a lower tile.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1985Date of Patent: September 8, 1987Assignee: Creative Metal Designs Ltd.Inventor: Patrick J. Kane
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Patent number: 4671086Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a locking arrangement in response to an electrical control signal to unlock a closure member, employs a pair of first and second piston cylinder assemblies that are facing one another and disposed in alignment with one another within a housing for actuating alternatingly in response to the control signal. The assemblies have reciprocatively mounted plungers for moving extensively toward and away from one another along a rectilinear path of travel. A shuttle is slideably mounted within the housing and connected on opposite sides to the distal ends of the plungers to move toward an actuated one of the cylinder assemblies. A locking cam disposed on the shuttle receives and locks a roller to position the roller partially outwardly of the housing within a side opening in the housing, and a pair of first and second unlocking cams enable the roller to move inwardly of the housing when either one of the cylinder assemblies is activated.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1985Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Protech PartnershipInventors: H. Frank Fogleman, Randall E. Parrish
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Patent number: 4660441Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system is intended for the kind of automatic power transmission which comprises at least three forward gear ratios and in which ratio changes are effected under power by releasing one clutch interconnecting the transmission input and output through one engaged gearset simultaneously with engaging another clutch interconnecting the input and output through another engaged gearset. The control system comprises hydraulic gear actuators each for engaging and disengaging a separate gearset. Electro-hydraulic valves control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the actuators in response to ratio selection signals derived in an electronic control. One set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage first and second gearsets while a second set of electro-hydraulic valve states is arranged to engage both second and third gearsets.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1985Date of Patent: April 28, 1987Assignee: Automotive Products plcInventor: Alastair J. Young
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Patent number: 4658670Abstract: Outside of the oil seal attached to the side gear shaft position in the final reduction gear apparatus, a guide member is installed which has an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the main lip of the oil seal and has a guide surface concentric to the main lip; the side gear shaft is pushed along the guide surface of said guide member, whereby the interference between the side gear shaft and the main lip of the oil seal can be minimized, thus preventing damage to the main lip and assuring the normal function of the oil seal to prevent oil leakage; and the assembling of the side gear shaft is facilitated through exact and easy centering of the side gear shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1985Date of Patent: April 21, 1987Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyoshi Yasui, Hiroshi Hori
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Patent number: 4658554Abstract: An insulated roofing system is provided in which a waterproof membrane is applied to the roof deck. Extruded panels of closed cell polystryrene foam are provided on top of the membrane, thus protecting the membrane from thermal cycling, ultraviolet rays, and physical damage. The foam panels provide excellent insulation and are resistant to water. A waterproof plastic film is bonded to the under surface of each panel positively to exclude water. The foam panels are extruded and are provided on the upper surface with integral ribs spaced by grooves. Concrete panels are laid directly on top of the polystyrene foam and lie gravitationally on the ribs. The ribs provided for ventilation and moisture removal on hot, dry days.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1984Date of Patent: April 21, 1987Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Elizabeth Riley, Wayne E. Petersen
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Patent number: 4656783Abstract: Insulation of structures making use of plastic strips which are proportioned and disposed to achieve a desired insulation effect.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1984Date of Patent: April 14, 1987Inventor: Pentti Ahonen
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Patent number: 4653350Abstract: An adaptive shift control system for regulating the operation of a fluid operated torque establishing device associated with a specified speed ratio in a motor vehicle automatic transmission. Shifting from a currently engaged speed ratio to the specified speed ratio includes a completion phase during which fluid is supplied to the torque establishing device in accordance with a predetermined pressure schedule to initiate and progressively increase the transmission of torque therethrough. The time required to complete a specified portion of the speed ratio progression is identified and compared to a reference time representative of the time required to complete the progression when the shift quality is not degraded. The predetermined pressure schedule is adjusted based on such comparison so as to adaptively compensate for sources of error which affect the increase of torque transmission through the torque establishing device during the completion phase and cause the shift quality to be degraded.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1985Date of Patent: March 31, 1987Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Robert C. Downs, Larry T. Nitz, Joseph L. Wanamaker
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Patent number: 4649763Abstract: Multiple-speed, hydrokinetic-mechanical change-speed gearbox controlled by an hydraulic control valve system for a motor vehicle comprising multiple ratio gearing and a simple planetary gear unit located between the hydrokinetic portion and the multiple ratio gearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1985Date of Patent: March 17, 1987Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Kurt Graef, Egon Axt, Hans-Peter Wirtz, Friedrich Lauscher, Werner Potzsch, Peter Korfer, Paulus Sastrarahardja, Werner Croonen, Josef Serf
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Patent number: 4650046Abstract: The transmission includes a rotary shaft for transmitting drive to driving wheels of the vehicle, a fixed gearbox casing and a hill holder between the shaft and the gearbox casing. The hill holder, when operative, inhibits reverse movement of the vehicle and includes in series a sprag clutch and a multiplate brake. Fluid is supplied from a fluid operable control system for operating the brake and controls the rate of engagement of the brake.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1985Date of Patent: March 17, 1987Assignee: Automotive Products plcInventor: David Parsons
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Patent number: 4646891Abstract: An improved automatic clutch control system for controlling a vehicle master clutch (14) drivingly interposed a throttle controlled engine (12) and a change gear transmission (10) in an automatic mechanical transmission system (AMT) is provided. The control provides at least one modulated clutch engagement mode of operation wherein the clutch is moved rapidly from the fully disengaged to the incipient engagement position (A), and is then moved in a modulated manner, according to logic rules, to the fully engaged position. A monitored clutch actuator (22) parameter is compared to a reference value (C) to determine the expected point of incipient engagement of the clutch. The reference value is periodically updated, to compensate for wear and the like, by monitoring the sensed or calculated value of the monitored clutch actuator parameter at the time a monitored system parameter (108, 110) responds in a manner predictable for the instant of incipient engagement of the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1985Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Eugene R. Braun
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Patent number: 4646486Abstract: A feedthrough assembly for conduits basically has a wall formed with a throughgoing passage extending along an axis and having a radially inwardly directed wall surface. At least one conduit passes axially through the passage. A lining member in the passage receives at least one elastomeric adapter member having an outer surface complementarily radially outwardly engaging the wall surface and an inner surface snugly surrounding and engaging the conduit. A tightening unit has a tightening member that presses the inner and outer surfaces of the adapter member sealingly against the respective conduit and wall surface. One of the members is formed with at least one hollow chamber open radially inward at its inner surface and a mass of material generally fills the chamber. This material reacts endogenetically and emits a fire-inhibiting gas when heated substantially. The bulk of the fire-retarding material is provided in the adapter block.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1985Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Inventor: Werner Hauff
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Patent number: 4645046Abstract: A parking lock mechanism for a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission provided with a synchronizer for engaging a forward gear train and a reverse gear train with a main shaft of the transmission. A parking lock position in a shift pattern of a selector lever is located adjacent a reverse position so that the selector lever can be shifted to the parking lock position passing through the reverse position. This means that the selector lever can not be shifted during forward driving of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1985Date of Patent: February 24, 1987Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Takano, Masahiko Takahashi
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Patent number: 4644704Abstract: A system for preventing debris from a sloping roof from clogging a gutter provides a panel of fine screening such as insect screening stretched taut between an upper margin cemented to a roof and a lower margin cemented to the outer edge of a gutter. A plurality of resilient tubular spacers in parallel downward array beneath the screening space it from the roof, causing water to flow through the screening and pass down the roof between the screening and roof. Water is retarded in the process, inhibiting overshoot of the gutter. Water may drop directly into the gutter at the lower border; the lower border is steeper in slope than other portions to shed debris better.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1985Date of Patent: February 24, 1987Inventor: John S. Pedgonay
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Patent number: 4642963Abstract: A prefabricated building system comprising wall panels having interior and exterior surfaces with insulation positioned therebetween. The interior and exterior surfaces may be of any suitable finish and appearance, depending on the building to be constructed. Each of the panels is provided with releasable locking devices on the side and/or end edges thereof which are constructed to enable the panels to be locked to adjacent panels, sills or the like after the panels have been positioned in their desired location in the building. The releasable locking devices are actuated from the exterior of the panels so that they can be conveniently locked together or unlocked, if desired, after they have been positioned in their desired locations. Each panel comprises a frame formed of elongated channel members for strength and load bearing capability. The channel members are provided with spaced clip members which serve to support the insulation between the interior and exterior surfaces of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1984Date of Patent: February 17, 1987Inventor: Anthony A. Borges
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Patent number: 4641548Abstract: A tank engine drive shaft (1) drives respective tank track drive shaft (20, 30) by way of a continuously-variable ratio transmission variator (200), a transfer system (12, 13, 15) including coupling means (C1, C2, 16, 17), a cross shaft (18, 19) and respective summing epicyclic gears (7, 6). Steering of the tank is achieved by a steer variator (100) also driven (2, 3) by the engine, which outputs differential rotations as further inputs (82, 55) to the summing epicyclic gears (7, 6). The drive line operates in four distinct regimes: reverse, low I, low II and high, by means of an epicyclic gear brake (B), and clutches (H, C1 and C2). The two parts (16, 17) of the coupling means are made to rotate in opposite directions by the annulus (15) of the epicyclics.As the tank accelerates from rest in low I regime, with brake B applied and clutch C1 applied but clutch H disengaged, the cross shaft (18, 19) decelerates.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1984Date of Patent: February 10, 1987Assignee: Leyland Vehicles LimitedInventor: C. J. Greenwood
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Patent number: 4637326Abstract: A money box arrangement particularly for use in the cashier's stations of department stores, on bank counters or the like is proposed. This money box arrangement in particular will make possible a simple and secure carrying of the money between the cashier's station and a central cash office. It comprises a cash insert (10) which can be taken out of the cashbox (4) of a cash register (2), a portable strongbox (12) for receiving the cash insert (10) as well as other reserve money not located in this place, and moreover comprises a cover (14) which can serve for closing off the cash insert (10) and for closing off the portable strongbox (12). This arrangement makes it possible for the change in the cash insert (10) and the reserve money to be carried securely between the cashier's station and the central cash office.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1985Date of Patent: January 20, 1987Assignee: Nixdorf Computer AGInventors: Guenter Baitz, Wilfried Dobring
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Patent number: 4631879Abstract: An interior panel according to the present invention comprises a plurality of support units fixedly arranged on a floor slab, a panel member supported by the support units so as to be located over the slab surface at a predetermined distance therefrom, and a cable separator supported by the support units and dividing the space between the panel member and the slab surface into upper and lower space sections. Cables and electric devices in a signal system are arranged in the upper space section defined by the cable separator, and electric-system cables and devices in the lower space section. A bendable portion is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the cable separator so that an opening to connect the upper and lower space sections is formed by bending part of the bendable portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1984Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Taisei CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Kobayashi, Jiro Kano, Yoshio Kojima, Yoshitoyo Nishite, Yutaka Tsuruta
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Patent number: 4628649Abstract: The invention provides an anchorage device for a cable with multiple strands (2) comprising a block (1) in which the strands are anchored individually by radially clamping about each strand a split truncated cone shaped jaw (3) surrounding this strand and housed in a complementary housing (4) of the block. This device comprises a single thrust member (6) disposed axially opposite the different jaws (3) and a plurality of spacers (10) each interposed axially between said member (6) and a jaw (3) about the strand end (2) clamped by this jaw, said spacers (10) being identical to each other, formed from a metal or an alloy whose deformation/stress characteristic has a long plastic flow plateau and dimensioned so that at the end of the thrust the deformation of each of them has reached, but not exceeded, the plastic flow stage thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1985Date of Patent: December 16, 1986Assignee: Freyssinet InternationalInventor: Pierre Jartoux
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Patent number: 4625486Abstract: A laminated vapor barrier for building insulation including a vapor impermeable bottom sheet and an uppermost backing sheet with an intermediate strengthening fiber array constituted by a plurality of layers of strips of crossedly disposed synthetic fibers, a plurality of spaced and laterally disposed thin supporting strips of a suitable material intermediate the fiber array layers and the bottom facing sheets, a preferably fire retardant adhesive interconnecting all layers into a cohesive self-supportive layered and laminated vapor barrier product, the product being adapted for operatively supporting layered insulating material to the interior underside of a metal building roof structure, or the like, having a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending purlins, interconnected with the building structure, a plurality of supporting hangers depending from the purlins, the vapor barrier material being interengaged with and mounted to the hangers by interengagement support between the supporting strips and suppType: GrantFiled: January 22, 1985Date of Patent: December 2, 1986Inventor: Thomas C. Dickinson
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Patent number: 4620402Abstract: A penetrating roofing fastening and sealing system for securing a flexible sheet, having a plurality of apertures, to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of spaced penetrating fastening and sealing devices, each of which includes upper and lower retainers, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface and the elastomeric sheet has a continuous peripheral portion, adjacent each aperture, confined between opposing flange portions of the upper and lower retainers, the retainers being clamped together in a sealing relationship with the interposed sheet portion. A method for securing and sealing the flexible sheet to the roofing substrate is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1985Date of Patent: November 4, 1986Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Heinz W. Beneze