Patents Examined by Michael J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 4204418
    Abstract: A machine and method whereby a metallic stick is pressed into a mold which is moved along two axes substantially perpendicularly to the stick so as to make the end of the stick follow the mold while it is softened by heat produced by passage of an electric current between the mold and the stick, the stick only being moved in its axial direction while the mold is only moved in the two substantially perpendicular directions to this axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Nippon Dentan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toraji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 4203312
    Abstract: Helically corrugated tubing with corrugations of variable depth is manufactured in a twisting machine by rotating one end of a deformable tube relative to the opposite end and simultaneously applying axially directed forces to the tube to progressively develop the helical corrugations in the tube wall. The depth of the corrugations is varied by means of a tapered mandrel which is located within the tube while the corrugations are being formed. Tubing sections with variable depth corrugations define flow paths in which the effective cross sectional area varies correspondingly, and such sections are useful in various heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Spiral Tubing Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Perkins
  • Patent number: 4203379
    Abstract: A stainless steel tub is made from sheet metal panels which are pressed to position and then welded instead of being drawn from a metal blank. The tub is made from a flat metal sheet having a bottom panel and four side panels with each side panel attached along one edge of the bottom panel. The side panels are pressed from the flat position to an upright position with respect to the bottom panel, and the pressing steps are performed with a press having an upper die constructed with a slot which receives and permits movement of one upright side panel within the slot during the time that a second adjacent side panel is being pressed upright for subsequent connection to the first panel. The press also is constructed to produce a curve in a side margin of the second side panel simultaneously with and as part of the step which pressed the first side panel to the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventor: Theodore C. Lambertson
  • Patent number: 4202287
    Abstract: An easy open ecology end consisting of a removable section defined in an end panel and a tab for severing the removable section is disclosed herein. The removable section or disc is defined by a weakened score line and the tab has an opening edge aligned with at least a part of the inner edge of the score line with the opening edge having primary contact means for producing initial rupture of the score line. The tab is attached to the end using a unique method which will produce internal stresses in the metal of the tab so that the tab is constantly urged toward the surface of the end. The tab also has an opening therein aligned with the removable section and is designed to be locked into the opening created by severing the weakened line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: National Can Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur P. Zundel
  • Patent number: 4200051
    Abstract: A side seamless composite type collapsible tube having a tubular nipple section, a shoulder section and a tubular barrel section for receiving an extractable content is provided. The tube sections are formed of a continuous wall of metallic material having a wall thickness from about 20 to 70.mu. with at least a portion of the tubular barrel section coated with a synthetic resinous layer of from about 50 to 500.mu. thick. A method of forming the tube from a metallic blank material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignees: Kyodo Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha, Lion Hamigaki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Nakahara, Norihiro Tsujii, Kenichi Nakanishi, Katsuaki Terada, Yuji Sakai, Toshitaka Sunahara, Shinobu Ito
  • Patent number: 4198842
    Abstract: Described is a portable hand operable tube crimping device. The tube to be crimped is manually moved to the crimping die by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly connected to a drive means and the crimping die is manually operable by engaging a toggle assembly connecting a three piece male die set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pawlaczyk
  • Patent number: 4197757
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cold forming of a metal billet into a desired geometrical configuration including the steps of feeding the billet into a die cavity while the cavity is open, closing one end of the die cavity with the billet confined therein and disposing an anvil in the opposite end of the die cavity to define an annular space between the anvil and the die cavity wall, closing such annular space, applying a first pressure against a selected area of the billet sufficient to cause the billet to commence extrusion about the anvil and to fill the die cavity, thereafter increasing the volume of the annular space between the anvil and die cavity wall into which the billet is extruded while maintaining a substantially uniform second pressure against the billet in opposition to the flow of the metal, the magnitude of the second pressure being less per unit area than the first pressure whereby the metal flows substantially uniformly in the course of the extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Hackett
  • Patent number: 4193284
    Abstract: Came is cut and molded by a tool having oppositely disposed cutting blades with oppositely disposed faces one of which is flat while the opposite is beveled such that a piece of came being cut produces a right-angle end on one piece and a pair of beveled surfaces on the other piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventor: Nathan O. McCrary, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4192060
    Abstract: In an electronic calculator essentially comprising a multidigit display, a keyboard and a data processor unit, a multidigit liquid crystal display is deposited together with integral key actuators of the keyboard of a flexible circuit film which carries electrical conductor leaves in a desired pattern. The conductor leaves to be in contact with terminals of the liquid crystal display are formed to extend in the direction of length of the liquid crystal display to thereby establish room for a battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Washizuka, Shintaro Hashimoto, Masaru Kakumae, Yuuichi Sato, Isao Fujisawa, Yukihiro Inoue, Sadakatsu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4192244
    Abstract: A novel method of making an easy-open can end closure for insuring better control over the integrity of the closure, especially in tougher sheet metal such as steel, comprises the steps, after forming and longitudinally scoring-to-fracture the closure, of (a) providing a swageable strip of the metal extending along an edge of the line of fracture and overlying that edge, and (b) then swaging and dilating that strip radially into more intimate overlapping relation to the line of fracture to cause it to tightly close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Kelley, Richard P. Moldas
  • Patent number: 4188814
    Abstract: An elongated sheet of stainless steel material includes alternately spaced apart laterally extending slots and ridges formed by removing a length of material and then applying downward pressure within the slots to form downwardly extending rounded slot edges. Upward pressure is applied along a line between the slots to form rounded ridges having oppositely extending downwardly sloping surfaces which merge into flat surfaces extending to the adjacent slot edges. The opposite sides of the floor members include downwardly extending side walls which slope inwardly towards each other such that side walls of adjacent floor members form elongated openings which increase in width downwardly. An A-shaped strengthening member may be provided under the floor member along its center line and supported by vertically disposed end channels the upper legs of which have downwardly extending return bend portions providing rounded edges therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Mahaska Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon L. Dodge, Lewis D. Comstock, David J. Richards, Donald L. Brackett
  • Patent number: 4186678
    Abstract: There is disclosed an easy-opening convenience end for generally cylindrical containers in which an end closure has a push tab or gate panel formed out of the thickness of the end closure and displaced beneath the plane of the end closure with a folded protective edge circumscribing the outer periphery of the gate panel, except for a limited portion which defines a hinge section between the gate panel and end closure. The folded edge tapers or otherwise merges into the thickness of the end closure adjacent to the hinge section, and a line of weakening or separation is formed between the fold and gate panel by a metal shearing operation so as to permit opening of the end closure by depression of the tab inwardly about its hinge section.Modified forms of ends incorporate relatively broad reinforcing areas in the closure surrounding opposite sides of the gate panel to facilitate initial separation of the gate panel away from the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Entech Corporation
    Inventor: Neal J. McConnellogue
  • Patent number: 4185576
    Abstract: A new tamper-proof closure and apparatus for forming such tamper-proof closures is disclosed herein. The closure includes a cap having a plurality of circumferentially spaced slits separated by bridges with a plurality of lines of weakness extending perpendicular to the slits and aligned with the respective bridges. The lines of weakness have a residual thickness which varies between opposite ends. The apparatus includes a cutting and scoring tool having a first elongated member that defines a cutting edge which has spaced V-shaped recesses and a second member having an elongated surface extending across each of the recesses with the elongated surface having a plurality of projections that extend perpendicular to the cutting edge and are centrally spaced with respect to the V-shaped recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: National Can Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. George
  • Patent number: 4185487
    Abstract: A cleat-former machine, of the type which utilizes two rotating wipers, permits removal of formed cleats sideward from either end of the bending blade, and can be used with workpieces whose length exceeds that of the wipers. L-shaped side plates, which support between them a bending blade and a wiper arm mechanism adjacent the aft bending edge of the bending blade, have cutouts provided in their upper edges in registration with the ends of the bending edge. A rocker-arm clamping assembly, rotatably mounted on a shaft above and aft of the bending blade, is rotated to clamp and unclamp a sheet metal workpiece relative to the blade by a tilt lever outward of the side plate, aft of the cutout, at their level, and operated off the aft side of a circular cam supported outward of said side plate and rotated by the gear train. Side access to the ends of the blade bending edge is thereby provided. In the method of the present invention, especially useful in fabricating L-shaped duct workpieces, 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Engel Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Dallas L. Merideth
  • Patent number: 4184242
    Abstract: A split beveled retaining ring and method for constructing the same is characterized by a beveled groove seating flange being formed by bending the radially inner or outer edge portion of a split ring body at an angle to the plane of the ring body. A grinding operation may be employed to remove protruding material from the bent annular flange on the side of the ring opposite the groove seating surface thereon to provide a flat bearing shoulder normal to the ring axis while permitting enough of the beveled flange to be received in the groove for safe part retention. Alternatively, the part abutment surface of the ring body may be maintained in substantially the same plane as the terminal portion of the bent beveled flange either by indenting the ring body to form a new part abutment surface or by bending the groove seating flange twice in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Inventor: John A. Petrie
  • Patent number: 4184444
    Abstract: A container which includes a thermoformed or injection molded rigid or semi-rigid plastic body and a metal end seamed upon and closing one open end of the body. Critical shaping of the plastic container body permits seaming a conventional metal end upon the body with conventional seaming techniques and tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Wescan, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R. Woodley
  • Patent number: 4182152
    Abstract: An improved grid sleeve bulge tool designed for securing control rod guide tubes to sleeves brazed in a fuel assembly grid. The tool includes a cylinder having an outer diameter less than the internal diameter of the control rod guide tubes. The walls of the cylinder are cut in an axial direction along its length to provide several flexible tines or ligaments. The end of each alternate tine is equipped with a semispherical projection which extends radially outwardly from the tine surface. A ram or plunger of generally cylindrical configuration and about the same length as the cylinder is designed to fit in and move axially of the cylinder and thereby force the tined projections outwardly when the ram is pulled into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Vaill, William D. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4177746
    Abstract: The side wall of a container is joined to the bottom portion thereof by a first frustoconical portion and a first semi-torroidal portion which, in turn, is joined to a second semi-torroidal portion; and, a bottom closing portion. In one embodiment the second semi-torroidal portion is joined to the bottom closing portion by a second frustoconical portion; a third semi-torroidal portion; and, a third frustoconical portion. In another embodiment the bottom closing portion is substantially flat but adapted to be domed outwardly under pressure and "cricket" inwardly when pressure is relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Lee, Jr., Joseph W. Wallace, James M. Woolard
  • Patent number: 4176446
    Abstract: A process of anchoring and assembly of contact springs of miniature relays provided for mounting on printed circuit boards is disclosed. Each electrode, associated with a contact spring, extends the latter outside the relay and includes a fixing lug provided with semicircular cuts determining two fixing fingers. Each electrode is inserted into a slot of the relay support wall and is submitted to a force which causes the semicircular cuts to be deformed. This results in both fingers away from each other, penetrating the relay support insulating material and housing therein by deforming this material within said cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene M. Quere, Pierre M. Le Rolland
  • Patent number: 4172376
    Abstract: A multiple station tube bender includes a rotatable table upon a platform adapted for incremental rotary movements and for intermittent raising and lowering. The horizontally disposed support rod is adapted to axially mount a tubular workpiece to be bent. A radially extending rod support is mounted upon the table for journalling the rod and including a gear mechanism for variably rotating the support rod for angular orientation of the workpiece before bending. A series of spaced bending stations are arranged around the platform, each including a bending brake assembly at varying center distances from the table and adapted for successive and progressive forming of bends in the workpiece at spaced points along its length. After each bend, the table automatically elevates and rotates the workpiece in a horizontal plane to the next bending station and lowers the workpiece into registry with the bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Inventor: Frank Sassak