Patents Examined by Marc W. Butler
  • Patent number: 5471725
    Abstract: A method is provided which provides an improved manner in which to manufacture innerspring constructions including individual springs. A rotating bristled brush is used to urge individual springs along a path from one position to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Simmons Company
    Inventor: Otis Thrasher
  • Patent number: 5472298
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the positioning of a locating ring upon a drill bit. The apparatus comprises a housing having a drill seat attached thereto for slidably receiving the shank portion of the drill bit. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment mechanism which is attached to the housing for positioning the cutting tip of the drill bit at a desired separation distance from the drill seat. Also included is a reciprocal ram assembly attached to the housing for selectively bumping the locating ring into abutting contact with the drill seat subsequent to the insertion of the shank portion into the drill seat and the positioning of the cutting tip at the selected distance relative the drill seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Tycom Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Benjamin Mihai
  • Patent number: 5469620
    Abstract: A flat, thin ring is formed into a modified ring having bridge material between adjacent, initial ball pockets. Movable anvils having a rounded surface are positioned within the initial ball pockets and the bridge material is flattened such that a flat bridge is formed between adjacent final ball pockets enclosing more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface. The movable anvils are then moved such that the final ball pockets do not enclose more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface to facilitate removal of the movable anvils from the final ball pockets. A method of assembling a ball bearing assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Gunter J. Zinken
  • Patent number: 5463804
    Abstract: Aluminum alloy sheet coated with an organophosphonic or organophosphinic acid is joined to an adjacent metal member by means of a polymeric adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive. The coated sheet may be worked into a desired configuration after coating. Assemblies made in accordance with the invention are useful as vehicle parts, including automotive body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Sherri F. McCleary, Gary A. Nitowski, James M. Marinelli, John T. Siemon
  • Patent number: 5463803
    Abstract: A control assembly for hydrostatic transmission having a valve controlling the flow of fluid to the pump includes a pump body member having a cavity with a moveable valve element mounted in the body and connected to a fluid pressure source, and having a neutral position. Linkage including an upstanding pin interconnects the pump to the valve element. A cover extends over the body and is secured thereto. A control shaft extends through the cover having an exterior end with a manual control lever mounted thereon, and an interior end to which a cam plate having an elongated cam slot therein is secured. A detent portion in the cam slot opposite to the upstanding pin defines a neutral position for the pin. A screw adjusts the valve element into a neutral position. A torsional spring in the cover yieldingly holds the control shaft, the control lever, the cam plate, the valve element, and the remainder of the linkage in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Sauer Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Welscher
  • Patent number: 5457864
    Abstract: A device directed to an incomplete seat sub-assembly having a foam cushion member and a trim cover assembly fixed thereto, extending a reversely turned overhang section therefrom. The device basically includes a frame assembly including a support frame having a configuration generally equal in shape to a part of outer peripheral sides of the cushion member, on which support frame, the incomplete seat sub-assembly is turned upside down and placed, a cramp element for securing an end of the overhang section of trim cover assembly to the support frame, and a pressing element for applying a downward pressure towards the support frame, so that the cushion member is pressed and moved downwardly by the pressing element, while the overhang section is turned over relative to the support frame and cover a whole body of the cushion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu Sakaida
  • Patent number: 5456006
    Abstract: A method for making a tube for an automotive heat exchanger is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of feeding the tube stock and turbulator stock into the tube mill; forming the tube stock into a tube; and forming the turbulator stock into a generally elongated turbulator. The method further comprises the step of guiding the turbulator into the tube through an open end of the tube and welding a longitudinal seam along the open end of the tube to complete the fabrication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Alan L. Study
  • Patent number: 5453069
    Abstract: A working roller for applying pressure to a web of material interposed between the working roller and an opposing working surface includes a generally tubular roll-shell with bearings at each end thereof, a pair of stationary journals for supporting the roll-shell for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a stationary internal support structure, and a plurality of internal rollers which bear upon the inner wall of the roll-shell and are mounted to the internal support structure by a plurality of individually adjustable thrust-supports for controlling the outer contours of the roll-shell. The invention allows greater control of the outer contours of the roll-shell to compensate for localized, longitudinally asymmetrical deviations from the desired pressure distribution or spacing between the working roller and an opposing working surface or to permit predetermined, non-uniform pressure distributions or spacings between the working roller and an opposing working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Snyder Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Snyder, Brentin H. Myers
  • Patent number: 5451197
    Abstract: A top roll assembly includes a cartridge having an enlarged annular shoulder (A) carried internally intermediate its ends positioning bearings (B) and an alignment spacer with an annular ring (C) opposite the annular shoulder and flanges (D) at each end engaging an inner race of the bearings so as to maintain the bearings in an assembled relation and removably positioned upon a shaft by an end screw (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Grant
  • Patent number: 5450667
    Abstract: In a process for producing a heat exchanger comprising at least one header having a tubular wall is separated into compartments by a substantially disc-shaped transverse partition. The partition is introduced into the tubular wall through an open end of the wall to bring it into the position it has to occupy. Then, the partition is deformed by means of punches comprising annular ribs applied against the two faces thereof by expanding it radially so as to immobilize into position by clamping within the tubular wall. The invention is particularly applicable to condensers for air conditioning units of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Helene Gire
  • Patent number: 5446963
    Abstract: A flat, thin ring is formed into a modified ring having bridge material between adjacent, initial ball pockets. Movable anvils having a rounded surface are positioned within the initial ball pockets and the bridge material is flattened such that a flat bridge is formed between adjacent final ball pockets enclosing more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface. The movable anvils are then moved such that the final ball pockets do not enclose more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface to facilitate removal of the movable anvils from the final ball pockets. A method of assembling a ball bearing assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Alling
  • Patent number: 5437088
    Abstract: An improved golf club wherein the surface of the face of the club is substantially flat, which is achieved by surfacing (milling) the club face, and wherein the edges of scoring lines (grooves) are made relatively sharp as a result of the surfacing operation. The sharp groove edges (and milling lines) of the present invention produce enhanced backspin and reduced sidespin when a golf ball is struck, which results in a relatively straight golf ball flight path, notwithstanding a glancing club impact angle. In addition, milling lines that may be formed on the club face are generally parallel to the scoring lines and hence enhance the club characteristics. The present invention also provides for methods of making a golf club that has the above features, including forging and casting methods. In either method, a club is processed to produce generally smooth and finished features with scoring lines formed in the face of the club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Lawrence Y. Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5432994
    Abstract: A tube expander having a tube expander body, a reciprocable member to be reciprocated with its surface facing a tube to be expanded which is mounted in a heat exchanger unit, and a mandrel mounted on the reciprocable member so as to be inserted into the tube for the expansion thereof. A support fixture, on which the heat exchanger unit is separably mounted, is movably mounted on a mounting table which is disposed towards the moving direction of the mandrel such that the support fixture is transported on the mounting table in the transverse direction relating to the moving direction of the reciprocable member. A holding mechanism is provided on at least one of the mounting table and a peripheral area thereof so as to hold the support fixture or the heat exchanger unit mounted thereon, introduce the heat exchanger unit with the tube to be expanded into a tube expanding area, and discharge the heat exchanger unit from the tube expanding area after expanding the tube thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Kyoshin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Tokura
  • Patent number: 5414919
    Abstract: Lead wires extending out from an electrical circuit device are removed from respective bonding pads to which they are bonded by a lateral shearing action. Shearing can be accomplished either unidirectionally, or with a bidirectional reciprocating movement. A shearing tool is provided with a single shearing projection for a unidirectional shearing, or with a pair of spaced shearing projections for bidirectional shearing. A vertical alignment is established between the tool and a first lead to be sheared, and this initial alignment is also used for shearing the other leads of the device. With the actual bond between a lead and its bonding pad occupying only a minor portion of the available surface area, a subsequent lead from a replacement device is bonded to the same bonding pad as the first lead by forming a new bond at a different site along the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Vicente Soto
  • Patent number: 5410809
    Abstract: A flat strip of metal is formed to provide a depressed center relief portion between two edge portions. Depressions are formed in the two edge portions and center slots are pierced across the center relief portion such that roller receiving slots are formed with slot end depressions at both ends of the roller receiving slots. The partially formed bearing cage is then formed into a circular hoop such that the edge portions form rings at the axial ends of the circular hoop. The resulting roller bearing cage of the present invention may also be formed by other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Alling
  • Patent number: 5404642
    Abstract: A flat, thin ring is formed into a modified ring having bridge material between adjacent, initial ball pockets. Movable anvils having a rounded surface are positioned within the initial ball pockets and the bridge material is reformed such that a substantially flat bridge is formed between adjacent final ball pockets conforming to more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface. The movable anvils are then moved such that the final ball pockets do not conform to more than a 180 degree circumference of the rounded surface to facilitate removal of the movable anvils from the final ball pockets. A method of assembling a ball bearing assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Alling, Gunter J. Zinken