Patents Examined by Mervin Stein
  • Patent number: 4169639
    Abstract: A module capable of being grouped into multiples to define various articles of furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets. The module is constituted by top, bottom and side panels whose edges have longitudinal bores therein and are cut to form complementary tongues and grooves creating corner joints, whereby the panels may be compactly packaged and shipped in the flat state and thereafter assembled on a site to create a box-like module having rectangular front and rear openings. The joints are held together and the structure stabilized by a removable strut connector constituted by a pair of intersecting arms each acting as a bridge between a set of diagonally-opposed corners at the rear opening to form a truss, the arms being pivotally interconnected and being provided at their ends with laterally-extending pins that are insertable into the corner bores so that one may collapse the module simply by removing the strut connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Inventor: Colman Zola
  • Patent number: 4168555
    Abstract: A water mattress having a portion of its volume occupied by air or gas filled bodies lowers the total mattress weight without sacrificing its desirable characteristics. The gas filled bodies comprise independent, elongate, parallel chambers having sidewall members which are secured to the bottom panel of the mattress. The chambers are positioned at approximately the horizontal midplane of the mattress such that it exhibits the conventional uniform weight distribution characteristics found desirable in such devices. Air is supplied to or released from the chambers through access fittings on the chambers and water mattress. The water filled mattress weighs substantially less than a conventional mattress having the same external volume. Furthermore, the chambers tend to inhibit the sloshing and highly under-damped natural harmonic motion typical of conventional water mattresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Kuss Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4168676
    Abstract: Forming electric field in and out of the vertical overlap portion, bottom peripheral joint portion and top peripheral rolled portion of a paper cup made of paper or like material lined with a laminate, supplying charged powder particles in the space of said formed electric field to effect powder coating on said portions and with subsequent heat treatment, sealing layers are formed on said portions to become water tight; providing outside electrodes at the outside of said vertical overlap portion and folded portions and providing opposed electrodes in the inside of the paper container, providing a powder supplying means for blowing powder to said sealed portions and masking means for masking the portions not powder coated to securely seal said vertical overlap portion and folded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Onoda Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Itoh
  • Patent number: 4168103
    Abstract: A drawer-lock device that simultaneously locks multiple drawers from one activation point only, wherein the device can be actuated by a centrally located lock mechanism or by a lock mechanism located on either the side of a pedestal of a desk or of a cabinet. The lock device comprises an actuator member having an elongated rod which is operably connected at one or both ends to a crank arm, whereby the rotational movement of the connecting rod is transferred into a linear movement for the spring-loaded lever arm, the lever arm being interconnected to a vertically disposed lift bar, wherein the lift bar includes one or more locking tabs that are adjustable to correspond to each spring loaded keeper member mounted to the respective drawers thereof, wherein the locking tabs are positioned on the vertical lift bar for locking engagement with the keeper members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Inventor: Magnus F. Hagen
  • Patent number: 4167795
    Abstract: A fluid-filled bladder-type mattress includes a plurality of panels periodically disposed at oblique angles between upper and lower surface members of the bladder mattress for suppressing motion. In one preferred embodiment, a single bladder chamber is filled with a liquid fluid, and panels comprising a plurality of planar membrane members are bonded along angular lines alternately and at oblique angles to the upper and lower surface members of the bladder in a herringbone bonding pattern to provide an open inner structure promoting wave energy dispersion and dissipation. A mattress embodying the invention minimizes horizontal motion and fluid wave propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Liberty Vinyl Corporation
    Inventor: Everette M. Lambert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4165908
    Abstract: The device comprises a pair of locating pins extending outwardly of an edge surface portion of one of the cabinets and adapted to be received in complementary through openings in the corresponding edge of the adjacent cabinet to be connected, the outer ends of the locating pins being conically rounded to provide for horizontal and vertical alignment by cam action. An elongated, lever controlled interlock member serves to interclampingly engage turned down skirt portions of the thus aligned cabinet edges to retain the cabinets in interlocked relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Shelley Manufacturing Company, a division of Alco Food Service Equipment Company
    Inventors: Frank W. Cooper, Arthur B. Dixon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4165891
    Abstract: A breech block connector for use in securing wash pipe sections together comprising sleeve means, pin means, box assembly means and locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Bob L. Sullaway, Lloyd C. Knox
  • Patent number: 4165893
    Abstract: A connector is described for joining tubes together, particularly plastics tubing as used in laboratories and the like.The connector comprises a first member having a barb-like projection through which the tube can be pushed but cannot be pulled in the reverse direction due to the interaction between the barb-like projection and the surface of the tube. The protruding captive end of the tube passes through a resiliently deformable disc of plastics material preferably Polytetrafluroethylene and in a preferred embodiment the disc is partly housed in a cup-shaped extension from the first member.The assembly of first member and disc is secured within a sleeve by means of a screw-thread engagement between the said sleeve and a further member which acts on the rear of the said first member. The said further member is screw-threadedly advanced into or onto the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Inventor: Robert E. Fields
  • Patent number: 4164907
    Abstract: A device for storing valuables includes a multiplicity of safety deposit boxes arranged in a transportable and releasably-anchorable column, a hollow receiving jacket anchorable in a ground support, and means for releasably anchoring the column in the receiving jacket. The column consists of a plurality of sets of vertically-superimposed safety deposit boxes, disposed adjacent to one another with the sets being disposed side-by-side in a generally circular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Inventors: Michael Piatscheck, Dieter Sievers
  • Patent number: 4161923
    Abstract: A magnetic-brush developer for use in an electrophotographic machine wherein the magnetic brush is used to transport toner-coated carrier particles to an elevated development zone from a pickup zone. A path for so moving the carrier is provided between the magnetic brush roll and an overflow plate, the lower end of which also serves as a doctoring blade. The carrier is moved to the top of the roll where a doctoring blade limits the amount of carrier entering the development zone. Excess carrier is accumulated in an expanded spatial area near the doctoring blade and returned to the vicinity of the pickup zone by falling back between the overflow plate and the housing. An area is provided near the doctoring blade at the top of the roll where no magnetic field is present. The overflow plate is made of non-magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry J. Abbott, William J. Bernardelli, John A. Thompson, Allison H. Caudill
  • Patent number: 4162114
    Abstract: A drawer side panel having a channel extending lengthwise of the face thereof which is outermost in use, the channel being parallel to one longitudinal edge of the panel and having a longitudinally extending lip projecting across the entrance to the channel from at least one longitudinal edge thereof. The panel is used with novel forms of drawer runner and may be adapted to be interchangeably mounted on runners of different construction. Various other novel components are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: L. B. (Plastics) Limited
    Inventors: Leon G. Litchfield, Terence Hardy
  • Patent number: 4161345
    Abstract: A frame for supporting a plurality of interchangeable units of office furniture. The frame both supports the furniture in an upright direction, prevents the furniture from sliding in a horizontal direction and is concealed from view when the furniture is mounted on it. The arrangement of the furniture can be varied by interchanging the positions of the various separate units of furniture carried along the frame. The frame itself can also be advantageously utilized to carry additional equipment pivotably mounted thereon and to provide means for storing such additional equipment when not in use. Because the frame rigidifies the furniture structure mounted thereon, lightweight and inexpensive furniture can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Howard W. Martin
    Inventor: James A. Begun
  • Patent number: 4161331
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, irrigation pipe couplings for movable irrigation systems may include a spherical coupling structure that allows articulation of sections of the irrigation pipe during operation of the irrigation system. A sealing element is provided that maintains a positive seal when the various sections of irrigation pipe of the irrigation system are static or are moving. The internal and external components of the coupling structure and the sealing element of each of the couplings cooperate in such manner that the sealing elements are easily and quickly replaceable should they become worn or damaged. It is not necessary to cause longitudinal separation of the sections of irrigation pipe to which the coupling structures are affixed in order to achieve replacement of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Gifford-Hill & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4160570
    Abstract: Modular units for packaging articles to be sold in stores, used to display the articles for sale and which may then be used for storage and easy accessibility in use of the articles by purchasers. The modules are formed of two relatively thin plastic pieces. The pieces are joined together to form a hollow structure with an upper article supporting surface. One or more article holding elements such as recesses or depressions are provided in the upper surface while means are provided on the back of the modular unit whereby it can be mounted on a vertical surface when the articles are displayed for sale, and while being stored for a purchaser and awaiting usage. A protective cover can be provided to permit safe transport of the articles and/or for protection while being displayed and/or stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: Aladdin Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. Bridges
  • Patent number: 4159630
    Abstract: An assembly such as for a tile chute tool for laying tile, plastic pipe or the like or for a crumbing tool either of which tools is adapted to be connected to the digging boom and mobile chassis of a ditching or trenching machine by a four-bar linkage. The linkage is connected to the boom by extensible arm means which can be fixed at one length to maintain the boom and tile chute tool in operable relation to each other for digging and tile laying or other tool function, or released to be telescopically extendible for the digging boom to proceed with digging with the tile chute tool remaining at ground level. A control member tiltable relative to the pivot axis of the digging boom connects to the linkage to alter the position of the tile chute tool bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Schuermann
  • Patent number: 4158999
    Abstract: An improved special purpose window fur use in "drive-in" businesses such as restaurants, banks and the like is disclosed. The window reduces exterior art infiltration without interfering with the normal merchandise-money exchange between attendant and customer thereby significantly reducing the infiltration of carbon monoxide from the exterior of the building into the interior of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Sukolics
  • Patent number: 4158344
    Abstract: An electrostatic coating system in which the workpiece to be coated is charged to a high DC potential. A conveyor moves the workpiece through a coating zone. A separate charge collector disc on the workpiece support passes close to but does not contact a charged conductor. An electrostatic charge is induced on the disc and is transferred to the workpiece. The conveyor is grounded and the workpiece support is connected to the conveyor through a high resistance which completes the charging circuit and drains the charge from the workpiece and support as they leave the coating zone. The ends of the charged conductor are curved away from the path of the charge collector. Insulating plates shield the conductor and limit swinging of the workpiece support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Bagby, Gary L. Demeny, Robert G. Smead
  • Patent number: 4158299
    Abstract: A door lock for motor vehicles, in which a lock cylinder is connected with a lock tumbler by way of an insertable entrainment rod, whereby the lock cylinder is inserted together with a door handle into an aperture provided in the outer body panel of the door; an anti-theft device which is connected with the lock cylinder, engages from behind a locking projection provided at the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Grabner, Rolf Krugener, Hermann W. Kurth
  • Patent number: 4158521
    Abstract: A solution of an oxygenated polyamine, which is the reaction product of dimethylamine and epichlorohydrin, has been discovered to possess excellent stabilization properties when used as a treatment for stabilizing a clay containing formation, for example in the treatment of oil and gas producing boreholes which penetrate clay containing formations. Preferred copolymers of this type which are useful in clay formation treatments include those having epichlorohydrin to dimethylamine mole ratios in the range of from about 0.79 to about 0.93.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: The Western Company of North America
    Inventors: Robert W. Anderson, Bob G. Kannenberg
  • Patent number: 4158338
    Abstract: A wall panel consisting of two laminar units each including a core layer of particulate, sintered, aluminum oxide, a perforated metal shell enveloping the layer, and a continuous mass consisting essentially of elastomeric material enveloping the shell and extending into the layer through the perforations of the shell. The mass bonds the particles in the layer to each other and to the shell, and the two masses constitute a unitary body connecting the shells in a position in which the core layer of one unit projects beyond the core layer of the other unit so as to define a rabbet. Two such panels may engage each other in a rabbet joint in which the projecting core layer parts are spacedly superimposed on each other to provide a burglar resistant connection between the panels which themselves are difficult to penetrate by burglar's tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: Feldmuhle Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Dippold, Wolf VON Tirpitz