Patents Examined by Keith Kupferschmid
  • Patent number: 5054673
    Abstract: A vehicle ski carrier system carries a plurality of skis oriented in a position inclined from the vertical. The ski carrier system includes hinged lower and upper arms, and ski carrier inserts attached to each arm. The ski carrier inserts have opposed, alternating flat holding members and curvilinear compression members. When the arms are opened, a pair of skis can be placed against a holding member on the lower arm, and when the arms are closed, an opposing holding member on the upper arm closes on the opposite side of the skis and the opposed holding members are then urged tightly together by the compression members. The ski carrier inserts are of a modular construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Rola Roof Racks International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dixon
  • Patent number: 5055642
    Abstract: A push button switch comprising a body, a cover, a push button and a diaphragm type movable contact. The casing body and cover (or the casing body, cover and push button, or the casing body and cover provided with a push button section) are concurrently formed by monolithic molding and are integrally connected to each other through a hinge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsuku Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Muneyoshi Miyata
  • Patent number: 5054528
    Abstract: A float valve is provided on an upper wall of a fuel tank and arranged to close a first port formed in the upper wall with a float actuated by the fuel level in the fuel tank. A vent tube is provided for communicating the first port with the atmosphere through a carbon canister. A solenoid operated valve is provided adjacent the float valve. The solenoid-operated valve has a vertically movable plunger, a spring for biasing the plunger to a second port to close it and a solenoid for attracting the plunger upon energization thereof so as to open the second port. The plunger is arranged to engage with the float valve so as to open the first port when the solenoid is energized. A switch is provided in a filler pipe so as to be operated by a filler nozzle inserted in the filler pipe for energizing the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shirou Saitoh
  • Patent number: 5054671
    Abstract: A quick-draw handgun holster is contoured and designed to be worn beneath clothing in the abdominal area with the gun lying obliquely with its butt only extending angularly upwardly for engagement by a lateral, substantially horizontal movement of the hand of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: David D. Farley
    Inventor: Robert L. Else
  • Patent number: 5054527
    Abstract: The head is determined by a valvular body defined by a housing (4) inside of which there is a sealer bushing (5) of the annular discharge outlet (7), which is crossed through by a vertical tube (8) whose bottom end can penetrate into the bottle (1) to be filled. The bushing (5) is axially connected to another segmented one (11) which pressed on the tube (8) by means of peripheral elastic rings (13). Both bushings incorporate both elastic inside rings (14-15), one of the non-slip type (14), which adjusts into the cylindrical periphery of the tube (8). Between the annular bed joint (6) of the sealer bushing (5) and the discharge outlet (7) there are two radial ducts (16-17) one (17) of which is connected to a discharge valve and the other (16) bifurcates to connect to both pressure (18) and vacuum (19) units of temporary and alternate operation. The bottle is pushed along its base in order to adjust hermetically to the discharge outlet (7) provided with an elastic bushing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Zona Industrial De Montras
    Inventor: Alain Rozier
  • Patent number: 5054526
    Abstract: Marine tankers and cargo tanks for storing hydrocarbon liquids are provided with treated flue gas which is heated to a temperature at least about equal to or in excess of the liquids to be stored in the tanks to minimize the generation and emission of hydrocarbon vapors during loading, storage and transfer of hydrocarbon liquids with respect to the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5053591
    Abstract: A silicone seal is molded-in-place to a frame and toggle lever pivotally mounted in the frame, the seal integrally providing a closed loop bead gasket on the lower surface of the frame surrounding the periphery of a switch cavity at the upper surface of a base. Lamp sockets are formed through the base and frame outside the closed loop gasket surrounding the switch cavity, the sockets being surrounded by additional closed loop gaskets integral with the seal, and further comprising lamp receiving resilient boots integral with the seal disposed in a front opening pocket of the frame for convenient insertion/removal of lamps from the front of the switch. A rocker button snaps onto a stub end of the toggle lever within the pocket to overlie the lamps, the button being provided with one or more windows and selected indicia. A panel gasket is molded-in-place to an under surface of a peripheral flange on the frame in the same molding operation as the aforementioned seal, and may also be an integral part of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Theurer
  • Patent number: 5048577
    Abstract: A cylindrical valve having a fuel dispensing passage and a vapor receiving passage therein which are both simultaneously blocked or unblocked by butterfly valves controlled by a plunger which protrudes from one end of the cylinder and has a rack defined thereon which engages with pinion gears which in turn engage two valve shafts and rotate the valve plates. A spring or similar biasing element moves the plunger to the position under which the valve plates close the passages whenever the plunger is not forcibly depressed against the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: James Kuusisto
  • Patent number: 5042538
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a dust free environment in the filling and discharge of bins and other containers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dual seal which seals directly against a gate assembly. The invention also provides for the introduction of air between inner and outer seals to prevent contaminants from reaching the product. Dust covers are employed on the fill station and discharge station and also on the fill and discharge ends of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Custom Metalcraft Inc.
    Inventor: Delmar R. Wiese
  • Patent number: 5040711
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding lawn care supplies and/or a beverage in combination with a power lawn mower of a type having a handle extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The handle has a horizontally disposed rear member which is usually the part that the operator grasps during operation of the lawn mower. A container is attached to the horiontally disposed rear member and has compartments for receiving such things as insect spray, weed spray, fertilizer containers and bottles or cans of beverages. A loop is attached to the bottom of the container for attaching a spray bottle thereto which may contain weed killer, insect killer or liquid fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventors: Robert D. Niederhauser, Marjorie M. Niederhauser
  • Patent number: 5036894
    Abstract: An intermediate bulk container (I.B.C.) system for handling a flowable material such as a pharmaceutical powder comprises, a discharge station, a transportable station for holding and transporting the powder, and a seal arrangement of the two stations, the seal arrangement being such that seals thereof cooperate one with the other and with the stations, whereby exposure of external surfaces of the system to the powder is obviated during discharge at the discharge station and during transport, so that no powder can escape from the interior to the exterior in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Matcom Limited
    Inventor: Ivan Semenenko
  • Patent number: 5033520
    Abstract: A refuse disposal container for receiving waste comprises a conventional drum, a top assembly for fixing to the upper end of the drum and a rolling support structure for supporting the drum. The top assembly can include a fixing ring or clamping band for embracing the upper edge portion of the drum and a pivotable cover to protect the drum contents from rain and the like. The rolling support structure may be in the form of a cart. The top assembly provides a hollow space for taking up a funnel and further tool. A filling device and a vent device each are provided with a metallic filter screen to protect the container against explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Manfred Kuehmichel
  • Patent number: 5033519
    Abstract: A float actuated valve for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid into a storage tank when the tank is filled to a predetermined level includes a pair of shutter plates movable transversely across the flow passage from an open position wherein the plates are retracted clear of opposite sides of the passage and a fully closed position in which the plates project into and cooperatively block the passage. A spring biased rotary trip plate underlying the shutter plates controls actuation of the shutter plates and may be held by first and second detents in rotative positions locating the shutter plates in the fully closed or a partially closed position. A lower float located within the tank releases the first detent to cause the trip plate to drive the shutter plates from the fully closed to the partially closed position when the level of fluid in the tank rises to a first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: EBW, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick E. Puffer, Leo J. LeBlanc, Robert P. Whitney, Elmer P. Klop
  • Patent number: 5031249
    Abstract: A universal recreational vehicle toilet system with a removable waste holding tank is provided to enable the recreational vehicle manufacturer to have wide latitude in the positioning of the toilet within a recreational vehicle. The toilet system includes an upper section containing the toilet bowl and a lower section forming a base upon which the bowl section is supported in spaced relation above the recreational vehicle floor. A holding tank is partially or fully inserted in the base section and coupled to the toilet bowl for receiving waste therefrom. The holding tank is removable through an opening in the sidewall of the recreational vehicle for disposal of waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventor: Charles L. Sargent
  • Patent number: 5031807
    Abstract: A briefcase is configured as a saddle bag having two soft-sided pouches joined together by a central bridge portion. The pouches are shaped to fit within the space enclosed by the front post, the bottom brace, and the horizontal cross bar of a bicycle frame. Fastening straps are provided for fastening the rear edge of the briefcase to the seat post and the front edge to the bottom brace. An adjustable carrying strap is secured to the central bridge portion of the briefcase to allow it to be used as a hand or shoulder bag. Removable stiffening rods extend along either side of the bridge portion to prevent the pouches from sagging when the bag is lifted by the carrying strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Todd D. Tiffany
  • Patent number: 5032698
    Abstract: A switch device is provided in which the coupling members are flexible in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the driving bar. This allows significantly decreasing the length of the coupling members in the reciprocating direction so that a thinner switch device can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Satoh
  • Patent number: 5027992
    Abstract: Connector headgear which includes a headband, at least one stem or upright for supporting a light-weight display item, and attachment mechanism for attaching the stem to the headband. The stem can be removed and replaced, as desired, to display different types of objects which are light in weight. Preferably, more than one stem can be attached to the headband, e.g., to display multiple light-weight items simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Edward F. Murray, III
  • Patent number: 5025840
    Abstract: An ice cream dispensing machine having at least one storage container for storing liquid ice cream. The storage container is connected to a freezing cylinder that contains a mixing spiral. The freezing cylinder is connected to a dispensing apparatus that includes a vertically movable ice cream cornet holder. Cornet position sensing switches are employed to initiate machine operations. Timing clocks control the dispensing of the ice cream and provide a safety factor with respect to the maximum quantity of ice cream that can be dispensed during a single dispensing operation. The time interval between two successive dispensing operations is controlled to insure that sufficient time has elapsed for complete freezing of the liquid ice cream for the next dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Umberto Carnisio
    Inventor: Rolf D. Tacke
  • Patent number: 5023960
    Abstract: A water saver device to be connectable to the flushing mechanism of a conventional toilet. The device causes the conventional flapper valve of the discharge opening of the toilet tank to close prematurely prior to discharge of the entire contents of the tank. The device is to be adjustable so that during the flushing action of the conventional toilet, between fifty to seventy percent of water is used from what would normally be used. There is a second embodiment which permits selecting of either a full flush or a half flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Srinkarn Ratanagsu
  • Patent number: 5022102
    Abstract: A bathing device comprises an air inflatable bathtub and shampoo bowl of flexible material. When deflated, the bathing device lies flat for convenient storage and portability. When inflated, it expands to form a bathtub in which a person may sit, a sloped backrest against which the person may lean and a shampoo bowl behind the backrest for receiving water used to shampoo and person's hair. Drains are provided for draining water from the bathtub and shampoo bowl upon completion of bathing. A bathing device also comprises an air inflatable shampoo cap of flexible material, which when deflated folds flat. When inflated, the shampoo cap fits and seals with the head of a person to accommodate shampooing the person's hair while confining wash water to the cap. The shampoo cap may be used separately from or together with the shampoo bowl and bathtub, and if desired it may be an integral part of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Maria Louvaris