Patents Examined by Kenneth J. Dorner
  • Patent number: 5640793
    Abstract: A device for exhibiting flat articles consists of a profiled frame, which surrounds a picture on all sides round its outside. A flange is formed on an inwardly directed web of the profiled frame which is in register with a further web running parallel to the rear side of the picture frame, the flange facing towards the viewer and having a sheet of glass fixed to its end, the glass closing the profiled frame on the side facing the viewer. The picture is pressed against the side of the web facing away from the viewer by elastic pads, which bear against a rear wall connected to the rear side of the profiled frame. The edge and the marginal region of the sheet of glass are received by a rectangular recess of the picture frame. Since the inwardly directed web is in register with the outwardly directed further web, the face side of the picture is located in a plane behind the rear side of the picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Glasbau Hahn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Fischer
  • Patent number: 5641235
    Abstract: A motor vehicle ball joint assembly includes a ball stud having a ball stud axis with a shank portion and a ball end centered thereon. A bearing liner has an open end disposed over the ball end with the open directed toward the shank portion. The bearing liner has a bearing surface engaging the ball end. A plurality of slits extend from the open end of the liner, defining a plurality of flex members. The flex members operably deflect to receive the ball end. When the ball end is completely inserted in the liner, the flex members return to a locked position, axially retaining the ball end in the liner. A stem engaging element has a stem axis and extends radially from the bearing liner. The stem engaging element has metal engaging threads. A rigid plastic case envelopes the bearing liner. The rigid plastic case and bearing liner and the rigid plastic case cooperatively positively lock the ball end within the bearing liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Garth Maughan, John W. Hill
  • Patent number: 5641236
    Abstract: A coupling for joining a pair of tubes having ends has a ball having a substantially spherical outer surface and a center and formed with an outwardly projecting pin extending along an axis radial of the ball and center. The pin is dimensioned to fit snugly into the end of one of the tubes. Another pin dimensioned to fit snugly into the end of the other of the tubes has a seat shaped to complementarily fit against the surface of the ball. The other pin is secured to the surface the ball at any of a multiplicity of angular offset positions thereon. A threaded bore is formed in the ball and centered on a bore axis traversing the center and another bore is formed in the other pin, opening into the seat, and centered on a bore axis extending at an acute angle to the respective pin. A screw extends through the bore of the other pin and is seated in the threaded bore of the ball. Normally the bore axis of the threaded bore extends at an acute angle to the axis of the pin of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Karl-Heinz Schrader
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Karl-Heinz Schrader
  • Patent number: 5641013
    Abstract: A stabilizing camouflaging blind which is attachable to an archery bow by means of a stabilizing rod adapted to fit the archery bow's stabilizer mounting hole. The stabilizer rod includes a round bracket and a sliding bracket to which the blinds support arms are attached. Included also is a camouflage curtain which attaches to the support arms and contains a sight window. The movement of the sliding bracket, which causes the support arms to extend and retract, determines the tautness of the camouflage curtain (ie: curtain is tightest when sliding bracket is in its foremost position). In addition, a predrilled hole, which is positioned to be below the sliding bracket in its foremost position, allows for the insertion of a security pin to hold the blind in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Charles Richard Wingfield
  • Patent number: 5640808
    Abstract: A security reinforcement device for a doorjamb with a striker plate on an inner face of the doorjamb comprising an elongated flat reinforcing bar having a recessed area on one side edge thereof. A facility is for mounting the elongated flat reinforcing bar onto a rear surface of the doorjamb, with the recessed area located at a forward bent portion of the striker plate, so as to prevent a break-in of a door caused by a sudden force applied to the door by an intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventors: Al Simeone, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5641237
    Abstract: A sleeve for coupling a tool to a handle includes a collar, a shank and a pair of resilient clips. The collar defines proximal and distal ends, and includes an exterior surface which converges from the proximal end toward the distal end. In addition, the collar includes a central bore for receiving a shaft of the tool. In an especially preferred form, the central bore is so dimensioned as to fit closely around a shaft of the tool. In addition, the exterior surface of the collar meets an interior surface of the central bore at a right or acute angle. Then, the portion of the exterior surface of the collar near the juncture with the interior surface of the central bore acts as a knife edge to scrape deposits such as caked mud from the shaft of the tool as the shaft is inserted into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: True Temper Hardware Company
    Inventors: Barry R. Albert, Christopher T. Rich
  • Patent number: 5638640
    Abstract: A safety device for engagement to the rotary shaft of a spring-loaded overhead door assembly so as to cover an adjustable end of the coil spring which imparts counterbalancing torque to the shaft. The safety device includes a cup-like sheath having a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall having an axial opening therein. A tubular sleeve extends from the end wall around the opening and a threaded passage is present in the sleeve. A threaded fastener is threaded into the passage, the fastener being recessed in the passage and having a head whose outer surface is uninterrupted except for a plurality of spaced-apart small holes whereby the fastener can only be rotated by a tool which is sized to fit in said passage and which has a plurality of prongs which register with said holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Wayde D. Harbeck
    Inventors: Wayne D. Harbeck, Dale V. Hecker
  • Patent number: 5638701
    Abstract: A small patch of flexible sheet material defines in its medial portion a hole to receive a fastening post of an earring to be carried, by a human earlobe. One surface of the patch is coated with adhesive material to adhere the patch to an earlobe. The adhesive coated surface may be provided with a protective cover for removal prior to patch use. The patch is positionable on one or both sides of a human earlobe with the hole defined in the patch coincident with an earring post hole defined in that earlobe, to reinforce the earlobe tissue about the earring post hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Karen E. Dempsey
  • Patent number: 5639021
    Abstract: A delivery container with a signaling system to indicate delivery of materials. The delivery container signaling system is comprised of a push mechanism within the container attached to a signal plate within a transparent base extending across the bottom of the delivery container and upward over the rear of the delivery container. The movement of the push mechanism rearward within the delivery container causes the enclosed signal plate rearward and upward across the container rear when delivered materials are pushed into the container against the push mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Timothy K. Jasinski
  • Patent number: 5638639
    Abstract: An emergency door, such as a fire door which closes automatically in case of fire, includes a nose piece which moves to an extended position when the door is closed to provide a seal of the gap otherwise present between the forward edge of the door and an adjacent door frame or door, and generally also interlocks with a mating portion of the adjacent frame or door. An addition latching element may be provided to extend from the top edge of the door and be received in a keeper when the door is closed. Door operating hardware, preferably all mounted interiorly of the door except for a push bar on one side of the door and a door handle on the other side, is operable to retract the nose piece and latching element when it is desired to open the door. The nose piece and latching element are held in retracted position when the door is open. A release device releases the latching element and nose piece to extend to extended position when the door is moved to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: E. Carl Goodman, Wallace D. Pack, Michael D. George, Ronald A. Smart, Ronald L. Richardson, Craig Bell, Michael Hazlett, James D. Porter
  • Patent number: 5639176
    Abstract: A clamping arrangement designed to join an outer component having a cylindrical recess to an inner component having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface which is concentrically arranged in the cylindrical recess. The clamping arrangement includes an inner cone element, an outer cone element and a center cone ring which cooperates with one another to clamp the inner component in the cylindrical recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Ralph Mullenberg
  • Patent number: 5636462
    Abstract: A message display sign apparatus includes a display panel having front and rear faces, a multiplicity of light emitting elements disposed on the front face of the display panel for displaying a built-in message on the display panel being defined by groups thereof being arranged to form the letters of the two words, a mounting panel having upper and lower faces, and a hinge pivotally interconnecting an edge of the display panel to an edge of the mounting panel such that the display panel and mounting panel can undergo pivotal movement relative to one another between a message display position in which the rear face of the display panel is angularly displaced away from the upper face of the mounting panel and a storage position in which the rear face of the display panel is disposed adjacent to the upper face of the mounting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Robert M. Kleiman
  • Patent number: 5636476
    Abstract: In a device for opening and closing a window, a casement moves between a closed and an open position with respect to a stationary frame. This is done by a longitudinally displaceable toothed rack, which effects the movement of the casement of a carrier. In order to obtain a space saving, easy to operate device. Not only is the casement moved by the toothed rack, but the casement is also moved by a moveable closing element in the frame between its latching position and unlatching position with a stationary carrier located on the frame. Both carriers are connected respectively to the toothed rack by means of an independent coupling, which is rendered effective and ineffective at an associated change-over location. These two change-over locations are arranged in a specific place in the path of longitudinal displacement of the toothed rack, respond to the associated coupling and are automatically effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Wilhelm Weidtmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Eikmeier, Dietger Frick, Werner Riedel
  • Patent number: 5634751
    Abstract: A blind fastener having a body, a core bolt, a nut and a sleeve. The core bolt passes through an axial bore of the body and includes an externally threaded portion at an inner end thereof. The nut has an enlarged head, a reduced diameter stem and a threaded bore for engaging the threaded portion of the core bolt. The sleeve is located between the enlarged head of the core bolt and a conically shaped inner portion of the body. An inner end portion of the sleeve is fixed to the stem of the nut. In a preferred embodiment, the inner end portion of the sleeve is crimped to the nut and has a thickness sufficient to engage the nut across the full width of an annular shoulder of the nut during setting of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners
    Inventors: Edgar L. Stencel, Paul P. Krawiec
  • Patent number: 5634296
    Abstract: A door controlling device for opening and closing a door in a wall has a first arm, one end of which is mounted to the wall and the other end of which is pivotally attached to the second end of a second arm. The first end of the second arm is pivotally attached to the top of a door and is adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis at the first end thereof. An electric motor attached to the device has a shaft which drives a gear train, and an output shaft of the gear train is connected to the input end of an electrically operated clutch. The output shaft of the clutch is connected to the first end of one of the arms such that upon the simultaneous engagement of the clutch and the energizing of the motor, that arm will be rotated about the horizontal axis at the first end and will cause the door to be opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Carol A. Hebda
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hebda
  • Patent number: 5634297
    Abstract: A door opening/closing apparatus, which can cause quick and smooth start of movement of a sliding door in an emergency, without any possibility of breakage of the door due to quick movement, so that it can be used reliably and safely. When an operating member is released from its lock, it is pulled along with the sliding door, by a uniform force. To start movement of the operating member, a pushing member mounted on a slidable member is pushed by the spring forces of two coil springs, thus aiding the operation of pushing the operating member and permitting quick and smooth start of movement of the operating member, sliding door, etc. With the screwing of an adjustment screw, the spring force of an adjustment spring is adjusted. The adjusted spring force causes a pushing member to be pushed against a guide member via a pivotal member and a pushing member to effect adjustment of the speed of movement of the operating member for braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Teraoka Auto-Door Hanbai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumio Ito
  • Patent number: 5634286
    Abstract: An improved display sign (10) comprising an extruded frame (12). A rear panel (14) is provided. An element (16) is for mounting the perimeter of the rear panel (14) in a removable manner to a back portion of the extruded frame (12). An inner transparent panel (18) is placed within a front portion of the extruded frame (12), so that the perimeter (18) will butt against an inner portion of the extruded frame (12). A front transparent panel (20) is also provided. An element (22) is for mounting the perimeter of the front transparent panel (20) in a removable manner to the inner transparent panel (18), so that a sign (24) can fit between the inner transparent panel (18) and the front transparent panel (20). A facility (26) within the extruded frame (12) between the rear panel (14) and the inner transparent panel (18) is for producing light, so as to illuminate the sign (24) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Robert D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5634737
    Abstract: A coupler for conveniently coupling an articulated arm to a laser housing whereby the laser beam need not be realigned down the articulated arm each time the arm is coupled to the laser housing. The coupler includes a kinematic plate attached to the laser housing, a sleeve rotationally attached to the plate forming a center bore, and a connector attached to an articulated arm. The connector has a cylindrical shaped projecting member that inserts into the bore of the sleeve. Races are formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical member. The sleeve has roller bearings protruding inside the bore to engage the races. Ball bearings are attached to the end of the cylindrical member to engage the kinematic plate. The races are shaped such that when the sleeve is rotated, the cylindrical member is forced toward the kinematic plate until the ball bearings are secured against the kinematic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Voss, Kevin P. Connors
  • Patent number: 5634589
    Abstract: A mailbox accessory for indicating mail delivery frictionally grips the entry flap on a mail box of the type having a downwardly tilted entry flap for opening the box to receive mail. The accessory provides bistable positions for a mail delivery flag when the mail box flap is closed, one such position set by the box user when closing the flap after picking up mail cocks the flag into an uppermost position and the other such position pivots the flag into a lowermost position when the entry flap is opened to remove delivered mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Don L. Greene
  • Patent number: 5634287
    Abstract: A sign (10) includes a sign housing (16) defining an internal cavity (32). The sign housing (16) includes front and rear faces (18, 20) having indicia or an instruction thereon and slotted apertures (22) defining the indicia. A lens housing (60) is secured within the cavity (32) and includes raised surface portions (26) which protrude through the slotted apertures (22). Light emitting diodes (28) are positioned within the lens 15 housing (60) to illuminate the indicia. The sign housing (16) and lens housing (60) are sealed to protect the LEDs (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Transpec Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Lamparter