Patents Examined by Judy J. Hartman
  • Patent number: 4695046
    Abstract: A specimen holder clamp for a microtome comprising a fixed jaw which is fixed relative to a guide member and a movable jaw which is movable along a path defined by the guide member. The clamp is provided with a first infinitely adjustable rack, and the movable jaw carries a second complementary incrementally adjustable rack for coupling engagement so that when the second complementary incrementally adjustable rack engages with the first infinitely adjustable rack, fine adjustment of the clamp can be effected, and when the second complementary incrementally adjustable rack is disengaged, coarse adjustment can be effected. The second complementary incrementally adjustable rack is normally biased into engagement with the first infinitely adjustable rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Cambridge Instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Berleth
  • Patent number: 4691896
    Abstract: An optical fibre transmission line is installed by first installing a conduit having one or more bores and subsequently inserting flexible, lightweight optical fibre members containing the optical fibres into the bores.The optical fibre members are propelled by employing the fluid drag of air, or another suitable gas, passed at high velocity through the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: British Telecommunications
    Inventors: Michael H. Reeve, Stephen A. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 4691904
    Abstract: An equipment handling device is provided comprising a frame having forward and rearward ends and opposite sides. At least one extensible column structure extends upwardly from the frame. A pair of arm members are rotatably mounted on the column structure adjacent the upper end thereof and are adapted to hold equipment to be worked upon in a fixed position with respect to the arm members. The arm members are pivotable about a horizontal axis such that the equipment can be moved to a selected position for work thereon. A locking mechanism locks the arm members against rotation from the selected position. The device includes upwardly curved portions extending forwardly from the frame such that the device can be pivoted upwardly and forwardly for picking up the equipment to be worked upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Robert J. Williams
    Inventor: Max D. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4690378
    Abstract: An elongated main beam is provided with support wheels at its opposite ends and a parallelogram-type lift arm assembly is pivotally mounted from a first end of the main beam for swinging movement between a lowered substantially horizontal position closely overlying the central portion of the main beam and an inclined position in which a lifting head carried by the upper end of the lift arm assembly may be used to support one side of a vehicle in an elevated position. A slide or follower is mounted on the second end of the main beam and a fluid motor is operatively connected between the main beam and the slide for forcibly shifting the latter along the main beam toward the first end thereof. Force arm structure is pivotally connected between the follower and a midlength portion of the lift arm assembly and is operative to raise the lift arm assembly to a vehicle elevating position responsive to actuation of the fluid motor to force the follower along the main beam toward the first end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Automotive Collision Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis R. Jarman, Virgil H. Hinson
  • Patent number: 4685660
    Abstract: A workholder (6) has a contoured bonding surface (7), which essentially matches a contoured surface (4) of an airfoil (1). A plurality of studs (8) are disposed within a plurality of tapped holes (9) located about the workholder bonding surface. In operation, the studs are extended outwardly from the surface, and both the studs and bonding surface are contacted with a release agent (10). A curable resinous material (11) is applied to the bonding surface and studs, and an airfoil positioned next to the bonding surface, sandwiching the resinous material therebetween. After curing, a plurality of tapped holes (13) are formed in resin layer (11), with the extended studs fixedly positioning the airfoil relative to the workholder. Removing the studs provides heatless release of the airfoil from the workholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Dillner
  • Patent number: 4685661
    Abstract: A programmably controllable vise has mechanisms for automatic adjustment of orkpiece position relative to three orthogonal axes. The positions of the vise jaws (during clamping) establish workpiece position along a first axis, and stop members (e.g., piston actuated stops) selectively extendable from the jaws establish workpiece position along a second axis. Two levelling bars supported adjacent the jaws by respective servo-actuators (e.g., double-acting piston type actuators) which adjust the bars along the jaws establish workpiece position along the third axis, as well as workpiece tilt about the first and second axes. Because the adjustments may be made automatically, the vise may operate unattended, with workpieces being loaded and unloaded by a robot. The vise jaws preferably incorporate replaceable jaw elements which are constructed for attachment and removal by a robot and which may be machined to accommodate non-prismatic workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, James P. Peris
  • Patent number: 4684113
    Abstract: A universal holding fixture for holding a workpiece having a contoured holding surface. The fixture includes a plurality of workpiece engaging rods which are individually adjustable in height to thereby reproduce the contour of the contoured holding surface. A holding force is generated through the rods to hold the workpiece to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William A. Douglas, Theodore Ozer
  • Patent number: 4682765
    Abstract: Welding jig apparatus for holding bar stock workpieces in an intersecting and aligned relationship to form a metal grating structure includes a number of elongated radial cams located in a spaced apart relationship to each other and in two parallel rows on a work surface. Workpieces are located between adjacent cam faces of cams opposite one another in the two rows when the cams are in a nonclamping position. The workpieces are clamped into the desired position by arcuate cam surfaces when the cams are rotated to clamping position. The work surface is tiltable to one of a number of work positions to facilitate the welding of intersecting workpieces into the grating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventor: Jack Mainville
  • Patent number: 4681305
    Abstract: A vise assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a work device of the type having a working table and a base for supporting the table in an elevated, working position. The vise assembly comprises a pair of jaws selectively movable towards and away from each other along a guide bar to effect clamping about a workpiece. The jaws are attached adjustably to the work device so that the jaws can be repositioned to accommodate various workpiece configurations and hold workpieces in a desired orientation. Additional support is provided for workpieces by an adjustable work bar that is preferably pivotally attached to the work device. The work bar can be moved upwardly to supplement the support for the workpiece provided by the jaws and working table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Robert Green
  • Patent number: 4681300
    Abstract: A beam having intermediate the ends thereof at least one guide for a grab element provided to be detachably connected to the cover and at one end thereof has a support provided to act against a surface outside the cover and at the opposite end thereof a screw spindle, which is rotatably connected to a shoe, provided to act against a surface outside the cover and diametrically opposed to the first-mentioned surface.The beam is further provided with guide means for receiving one end of a lever in such a manner that the lifted up cover can be pivoted about the rotational axis of the shoe to a place beside the manhole opening.The lever is preferably shaped as a spanner and has a key to operate the screw spindle as well as cocks and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Folke N. Drugge
  • Patent number: 4676490
    Abstract: A log holder for supporting a log in a horizontal orientation by engaging one end of the log, thereby leaving the other end free for cutting. The holder includes a base (12), a frame (20) extending upwardly from the base, upper (24) and lower (22) supports mounted to the frame above the base, and a counterweight support (26). The lower support includes an upwardly facing first contact surface (56). The upper support includes a downwardly facing second contact surface (70, 72, 74) that is horizontally spaced from the first contact surface in a first direction. The lower and upper contact surfaces are vertically positioned with respect to one another such that one end of the log (10) can be supported therebetween in a generally horizontal orientation, with the log extending from the lower support in a direction opposite the first direction. The counterweight support is mounted to the frame above the base and is horizontally spaced from the upper support in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Arthur J. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4671493
    Abstract: A stake puller for concrete form stakes both wooden and metal is structured to use the form top as a levering platform. A U-shaped levering head is affixed with angled form grippers at both ends of the opend U. The closed end of the U has a levering arm attached and a pliable protective cover fits over the handle. A sectional scissor structure with each section axially pinned together and having a small control handle centrally fitted is suspended in the U-shaped levering head by a hinge and hanger plate. The two lower sectional leg bars have the tip ends angled outward to form stake gripper toes as a means for grabbing onto and pulling a stake. A depth control blockage is affixed to the underside of the grippers to prevent stake bite-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Gary N. Ravencroft
  • Patent number: 4671500
    Abstract: A symmetrical clamping device for producing bonded uniform panels from narrow strips of wood as well as laminated boards glued together. Includes two relatively long guide plates provided with appropriate linkage mechanism capable of exerting pressure to the entire surface being clamped while applying force to the ends in a direction that is perpendicular to that surface when actuated manually by way of appropriate jack screws disposed at each end of the guide plates or automatically by using power cylinders in combination with linkage and an end bolt incorporated therein, to insure participation of bondable material in the process of clamping and conformation to the surfaces of guide plates which may have a straight flat surface or an irregular shape so as to produce desired final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: William J. Mark
  • Patent number: 4669342
    Abstract: A retaining device for connecting a tool head with a tapered eye to a tapered tongue of a tool handle. The retaining device includes two threaded, J-shaped bolts, a V-shaped plate having a hole in each leg for receiving the threaded portion of a J-bolt, and two hex nuts. The V-plate is positioned on the outer surface of the tongue with the J-bolts extending through the eye and latching a lower surface of the tool head. When the nuts are threaded onto the J-bolts and tightened, the J-bolts are drawn upwardly and radially outwardly, forcing the tool head into a secure, wedged engagement with the tool handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Inventor: Daniel J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4669712
    Abstract: A high pressure clamping device having a screw vice body, a fixed jaw arranged on one of the ends of the screw vice body, and a slide, which is retained in a guide on the screw vice body and carries a jaw movable relative to the fixed jaw. A reaction block is provided on the other end of the screw vice body to co-operate with a tensioning drive of the movable jaw, which drive consists of a force intensifier or slave unit and a threaded spindle, which can be driven by means of a common crank. The threaded spindle engages in a spindle nut of the slide. The movable jaw is positioned above the force intensifier in the retracted position of the slide and is arranged in the screw vice body between the reaction block and the threaded spindle. The spindle nut which is formed in an extension of the slide, exerts a forward twisting and downwardly directed tensioned pull on the movable jaw in its clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Firma Saurer-Allma GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Krause
  • Patent number: 4667932
    Abstract: An improved electrohydraulic jack is disclosed which includes an electromotor for driving a gear pump to transfer an oil supply between a pressure chamber and a supply chamber for elevating a lifting element of the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: Jesus I. Arbeloa
  • Patent number: 4660549
    Abstract: An adjustable head support for a chiropractic table includes a base with a platen spaced above the base and interconnected for angular displacement relative to the base about an axis longitudinally thereof. An adjustable control system is provided for selectively controlling the amount of angular displacement between the base and the platen. The axis of rotational displacement of the platen is spaced above a head cushion supported above the platen and the axis generally coincides with the spinal column or vertabrae of a patient resting on the chiropractic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Standex International
    Inventors: Frank P. Kowalski, Donald J. Westphal
  • Patent number: 4660817
    Abstract: A multi-step control apparatus is provided for raising and lowering a patient treatment table in response to predetermined successive motions of the foot of an operator. An operating rod mounted transversely of the table has a foot pedal on each end thereof and is biased to a mid position both longitudinally and rotationally. In response to inward pressure on either foot pedal a timing cycle is initiated during which the doctor may then initiate a raising or lowering cycle for the table by stepping on one side or the other of the foot pedal and rotating the operating rod out of a neutral rotational position. However, a raising or lowering cycle cannot be initiated without first moving the operating rod inwardly to initiate the timing cycle so that accidental or inadvertent raising or lowering of the table by simply rotating the foot pedal is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Standex International
    Inventor: Frank P. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 4655444
    Abstract: A holder for stringing a racket includes a base, an intermediate fitted in the base, two holding arms having their one ends respectively pivotally mounted on the two sides of the intermediate, a screw threadedly engaging with the base and the intermediate for forcing the holding arms in inward or outward movement to hold or release the frame portion of a racket, and a clamping piece which together with holding arms clamps the frame portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Exthree Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 4655442
    Abstract: The invention is of an X-Y coordinate positioning device, in which a U-shaped profiled rail is placed on a worktable. Within this rail, a lengthwise slide is moved along the X-coordinate by a first linear drive system driven by a stationary motor. Mounted on this lengthwise slide is a cross-slide for motion along the Y-coordinate. The cross-slide is moved by a second motor-driven linear drive system. In order to reduce the inertial loads, the second linear drive system includes a stationary stepping control motor, which drives a profiled toothed belt. The toothed belt engages toothed guide rollers at the ends of the cross-slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Preh Industrieausrustungen GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Laukenmann, Hans Bardroff