Patents Examined by Michael J. Forman
  • Patent number: 4901927
    Abstract: A dual shower head assembly for use in personal showers to allow two people to shower independently at the same time, one person to shower in a conventional manner or one person to shower with two separate sprays. The assembly includes an upper shower head, a lower shower head, a substantially "S"-shaped connecting conduit, a diverter valve assembly and an adjustable shut-off valve. The diverter valve assembly is adapted for threaded engagement with the water supply pipe protruding from the shower wall and defines a pair of water outlets, one of which communicates with and is pivotally connected to the lower end of the connecting conduit. The shut-off valve is carried by the diverter valve assembly and communicates with the other of the water outlets in the diverter valve for selectively allowing water flow therethrough. The lower shower head communicates with and is pivotally mounted on the shut-off valve, downstream of the diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Jesse Valdivia
  • Patent number: 4901922
    Abstract: A stream of liquid is formed having a substantially smooth outer boundary surface contacting ambient atmosphere, and light is introduced into the steam closely adjacent the formation of the stream and in the direction of flow of the stream to be guided downstream by total internal reflection of light in the stream. Exit of light from the stream may be controlled by modifying the outer boundary surface of the stream or by introducing matter into the stream. The light is varied automatically in accordance with the temperature of the liquid in the stream to provide a visual perception of the temperature of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventors: Herman P. M. Kessener, Georgius J. C. L. Bruls
  • Patent number: 4901925
    Abstract: An article for generating foams from foamable liquids and pressurized gases comprising a housing encompassing a hollow porous element in fluid connection with the gas source through an inlet port in the housing, a mixing chamber comprising the space between the walls of the porous element and housing in fluid connection a source of the foamable liquid wherein the liquid and the gas diffusing thereto through the wall of the element mix to form the foam which is discharged without passing through pores the article further comprising, if desired, a valve to prevent entry of the gas to the porous element, and therethrough to mix with the liquid, whereby the liquid is dispensed in its liquid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blake, III
  • Patent number: 4899938
    Abstract: A nozzle adapter is removably mounted on the end of a liquid spray gun to provide a variety of spray patterns and to reduce or eliminate the atomization of the spray liquid. The nozzle adapter is formed by a liquid material discharge member which is removably mounted on the spray gun and an outer pressurized air adjustment member which is removably adjustably mounted on the discharge member. A cone-shaped nozzle of the discharge member projects outwardly through an air passageway formed in a front wall of the air adjustment member. A tubular stream of pressurized air is projected outwardly through the air passageway and surrounds a stream of liquid discharged through an opening in the nozzle tip. Adjustment of the tubular air pattern provides for various liquid spray patterns and varying amounts of atomization of the discharged liquid. The discharge member may alternatively be mounted on a spray gun without the air adjustment member mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: John W. Havrilla, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4898329
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly 32 which extends into a flow path 18 for working medium gases is disclosed. Various construction details which decrease the amount of heat transfer to the fuel are developed. The assembly includes an external heat shield 50 and an internal heat shield 98 which provide longitudinally overlapping insulating gaps 52, 102 between the fuel and the hot working medium gases. In particular, the insulating gap 52 extends to the inlet 94 of the fuel nozzle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin J. Davis, Gilbert B. Wilcox, Richard R. Wright
  • Patent number: 4896834
    Abstract: A high speed non-incendive rotary painting assembly including a high voltage power supply, an air supply means and a paint supply means is disclosed. The rotary painting assembly comprises a non-conductive body. A high speed, non-conductive turbine is connected to a non-conductive atomizer bell. In one embodiment, the non-conductive turbine is connected to a non-conductive rotatable shaft which mounts the non-conductive atomizer bell. In another embodiment, the non-conductive shaft is fixed. The non-conductive shaft rotatably mounts a non-conductive turbine and rotary atomizer bell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: The DeVilbiss Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Coeling, Richard Weinstein
  • Patent number: 4893752
    Abstract: Novel nozzle designs useful for forming atomized sprays of fine liquid droplets in a continous gas phase or fine gas bubbles in a continuous liquid phase, for a variety of purposes, are described. In one embodiment, the nozzle comprises a multiple number of orifices communicating with a single source of both liquid and gas, usually air, to spray in different directions away from the nozzle. In another embodiment, both gas and liquid feeds to the nozzle are effected at the same end, opposite to a single spray orifice or a multiple number of spray orifices. Also described are a plurality of designs for replaceable orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Turbotak Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Spink, Edward F. Spink
  • Patent number: 4892252
    Abstract: An adjustable part circle sprinkler assembly including a sprinkler body structure and a sprinkler head structure mounted thereon for rotational movement in either direction about an upright axis. An interior water flow path from an inlet in the body to a stream discharging outlet in the head includes nozzles directing streams onto a reversible flow directing mechanism for driving an impeller selectively in either direction. The impeller is connected with the head to rotate the same by a gear driven speed reducer and a slip clutch. A part circle pattern control assembly is mounted in an open top of the head closed by a conveniently removable anti-vandal cap structure. The pattern control assembly cooperates with a lever and resilient post reversing mechanism for the reversible flow directing mechanism. Manual movements of the head are accommodated by the slip clutch which protects the gear driven speed reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4892456
    Abstract: A freight container and trailer combination for transporting the container over land is provided with a self-contained automatic system for unloading the container. A load-supporting belt extends along the floor of the container from a wind-up roll at the forward end of the container. The trailer has a drive drum suspended beneath the back end thereof, and the belt be attached to the drive drum through securing straps. When operated, the drive drum pulls on the belt to move a load out of the container. A drive mechanism is provided at the front end of the trailer for engaging the wind-up roll and rewinding the belt thereon when the container has been unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Rolflor Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham L. Hodgetts
  • Patent number: 4890792
    Abstract: The nozzle assembly comprises a cap and a bushing for mounting to the front of the body of a trigger sprayer in communication with a passage in the trigger sprayer. The cap is mounted to said bushing and is rotatable on the bushing between three positions, they being a stop position, a spray position and a foam position. The nozzle has first passage means and the cap has second passage means. The respective first and second passage means are arranged to communicate with each other in the rotated spray position and in the rotated foam position of the cap. The cap is provided with foam generating means within the cap and in communication with the respective passage means when the cap is rotated to a foam position for generating foam on actuation of a trigger of the trigger sprayer to which the nozzle assembly is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: AFA Products Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Martin, Joseph W. J. Maas
  • Patent number: 4889283
    Abstract: The present invention provides a means for generating and controllably terminating a laminar flow stream of fluid to give the effect of slicing the output stream perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis. The diverting means of the present invention is formed as a unitary assembly with a laminar output nozzle, and is disposed in a water tight tank coupled to the laminar flow nozzle. For diversion of the laminar flow stream, a continuous flow of water is controllably diverted by an electrically controlled solenoid valve into the path of the laminar flow stream. This diverting stream diverts the direction of the output flow so that it is captured within the tank and merely allowed to drain therefrom. By providing the diverter as an integrated assembly with the laminar flow nozzle, the diverter may be adjusted one time, and thereafter may be disassembled, reassembled, etc., without requiring further adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Wet Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Fuller, Alan S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4886211
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a nozzle producing a jet axially of the nozzle, and a rotor configured to deflect the axial jet laterally of the nozzle. The rotor is formed with a socket receiving a pin, and a high viscosity fluid in the rotor socket is effective to apply a retarding force to the rotor during its rotation with respect to the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignees: Agroteam Consultants Ltd. 2, Plastro-Gvat
    Inventor: Amir Cohen
  • Patent number: 4884746
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle having two concentric flow paths, the interior flow path comprising a first swirl chamber having a first diameter, an exit chamber having a second diameter selected to be smaller than the first diameter, and a convergent section joining the first swirl chamber and the exit chamber. The exterior flow path comprises an annular second swirl chamber formed about the periphery of the exit chamber. The interior flow path has a fuel and air mixture flowing therethrough while the exterior flow path has air only flowing therethrough. Fuel in the interior flow path is caused to lie in a film and flow circumferentially about the internal wall of the first swirl chamber by air entering into the first swirl chamber through inlet holes which are configured to direct the air tangentially along the internal wall surface of the first swirl chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Radial Turbine International A/S
    Inventor: George D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4883227
    Abstract: The two piece foamer nozzle assembly comprises a first piece including a body having a front end and a rear end and a second piece releasably connected to the first piece. The first piece has a first cavity in the body thereof opening onto the rear end thereof and being adapted to be received over a nozzle bushing mounted at the front end of the body of a hand manipulatable pumping apparatus. The nozzle bushing is of the type which will eject fluid into the first cavity in a swirl or spiral manner. The first piece further comprises a barrel portion having a second cavity opening onto the front end thereof and an intermediate wall within the first piece between the first and second cavities. The intermediate wall has an orifice extending therethrough with a rear end communicating thereof with the first cavity and a front end communicating with the second cavity. The swirl of liquid is ejected in a spray pattern from the front end of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: AFA Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. J. Maas
  • Patent number: 4881688
    Abstract: A device for insulating the spray liquid source from the high tension voltage of an electrostatic spray system when using an electrically conductive spray liquid. The device comprises a spray gun (13), a supply line (12) which connects the spray gun (13) to a spray liquid reservoir (10) and which includes a vessel (16) containing a barrier forming liquid (17) of low electrical conductivity and a density other than that of the spray liquid. The vessel (16), which is substantially non-conductive is connected at its inlet end (24) to ground potential and at its outlet end (19) to the same high potential as the spray gun (13). An electrode means (22; 25) is provided in the vessel (16) to expose the spray liquid passing through the vessel (16) to at least one intermediate potential for controlling the tension gradient in the barrier forming liquid by limiting and controlling the charging of the spray liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Bo A. Hankvist, Peter N. Kling, Rolf T. Spongh
  • Patent number: 4880159
    Abstract: A glue head/line flushing system uses compressed air to circulate a cleaning agent or solvent from a reservoir and through filtering elements to a solvent manifold. The glue head/line is connected to the solvent manifold and the glue and/or glue particles are flushed from the glue head/line. The glue head/line is then connected to an air manifold to remove any remaining particles of glue and also any solvent from the glue head/line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Coffey
  • Patent number: 4880164
    Abstract: A one-piece high-solids nebulizer has a body which, in use, is substantially horizontal, and has an upright groove formed across one end. Extending through the body are a gas passage and, above it, a parallel liquid passage of larger cross-sectional area, each terminating in an outlet orifice opening into the groove. A gas inlet to the gas passage may be connected to a source of gas under pressure, and a liquid inlet to the liquid passage may be connected to a source of liquid under pressure and to be nebulized. The body is tapered to both sides of the groove to reduce the area of the body bordering the groove, and this end of the body is also bevelled from below to reduce the depth of the groove below the gas outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Michael N. A. Noordermeer
  • Patent number: 4878619
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system having a spray gun capable of alternatively selecting a low pressure aerated cleaning or high pressure non-aerated rinsing mode. The system further has an interchangeable and disposable fluid cartridge with a combination metering and check valve. The cartridge is sealingly engagable with the gun by use of a bellows fitment. The system utilizes the principle of increased or decreased flow volume to alternatively draw fluid from the cartridge or bypass the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Environmental Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Norman
  • Patent number: 4878621
    Abstract: A nozzle, and gun for using the nozzle for projecting material outwardly therefrom. The gun has means for receiving a supply of material and a valve for controlling passage of material through the gun. The nozzle has a housing, and a passage in the housing. The passage has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The passage extends, from its first end, into the interior of the housing and opens into a chamber in the housing at the second end of the passage. The first end of the passage has a first surface flared outwardly at an average angle no greater than 75 degrees from the longitudinal axis. A shaft extends from the chamber through the passage and terminates, at a tip, at a location adjacent the first end of the passage. The shaft is positioned in the passage to provide a symmetric orifice between the passage and the shaft. The tip has a second surface flared outwardly at least 15 degrees from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Michael J. Krueger
  • Patent number: 4878617
    Abstract: A variable area, convergent-divergent (10) nozzle for directing the flow of exhaust gas from an aircraft turbine engine to achieve thrust vectoring about yaw, pitch and roll axes includes a convergent section (16) and a divergent section (18) each comprised of hingedly connected planar members (201-214, 301-322) selectively positioned by actuators (101-114) for defining deformable gas directing flow ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolph J. Novotny