Patents Examined by Michael J. Kyle
  • Patent number: 6776421
    Abstract: A fluid sealing system constructed according to the invention includes a fluid housing having at least the fluid ports disposed in laterally fixed, parallel relation to one another. Within each port there is disposed a fluid seal. At least two associated fluid conduits are provided having distal ends which are extendible into their associated fluid ports into sealing engagement with the fluid seals. A retaining plate supports the conduits in laterally spaced, parallel relationship with one another in such a way that the conduits can move relative to one another in the lateral direction to enable the conduits to be installed together as a bundled unit while enabling for adjustment in the lateral spacing of the conduits during installation to achieve matched alignment between the spacing of the conduits and the fixed spacing of the fluid ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Florence, Kenneth John Hill, Troy Michael Kinne, Kenneth Joseph Seyuin, George E. Arlt, David Michael Kubiak, Michael L. Arrand
  • Patent number: 6772478
    Abstract: A caster assembly for supporting an article comprising a housing, a ball bearing, and a bearing retaining member, wherein the housing has a bore extending completely through a central region thereof such that a first opening and a second opening are created on opposite faces of the housing, the first opening defining an annular inner shoulder with a reduced diameter, the ball bearing having a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the bore such that the ball bearing is adapted to rotate within the bore, the diameter of the annular inner shoulder at the first opening being less than the diameter of the ball bearing to allow partial emergence of the ball bearing from the first opening yet preventing the ball bearing from completely exiting the first opening, the bearing retaining member being affixed to the housing at the second opening to retain the ball bearing within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Herder, Larry B. Stepniak
  • Patent number: 6773018
    Abstract: A watertight antenna assembly adapted for mounting on a mounting surface includes a sealing gasket having a body portion and a peripheral edge, and a continuous sidewall formed with the peripheral edge. A radome is releasably mounted to the sealing gasket forming a cavity therebetween. The sealing gasket includes a sealing projection that extends continuously along an inside portion of the sidewall and is configured to abut the radome to form a seal. A downwardly depending lip is formed of deformable material and extending continuously along a bottom portion of the sidewall. When the sealing gasket is compressed against the mounting surface, the lip sealingly deforms against the mounting surface forming a watertight seal therebetween so as to prevent ingress of water into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Andrew Corp.
    Inventor: Francisco X. Gomez
  • Patent number: 6772481
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (1) used for a foldable cellular telephone, comprising a pair of abutment members (5, 6), a bias means (7) biasing the abutment members so that the abutment members are pressingly brought into contact with each other, a projection (54) extending in the radial direction of one abutment member (5), and a recess (64) allowing the access of the projection thereto formed in the other abutment member (6), wherein the recess (64) is formed of an inside recess and an outside recess on the radial inner and outer sides of the other abutment member, and the inside recess is formed along the center line of the other abutment member and the outside recess is formed so that the width thereof is increased from the inside recess to the outside so that the side surface of the recess is generally formed in a dogleg-like configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Shinichiro Koshikawa, Katsuya Imai
  • Patent number: 6769695
    Abstract: An improved support for a seal is provided in the form of a back-up ring that reduces or eliminates the gaps between a pump plunger and a high pressure cylinder of a pump. The support includes a back-up ring having opposed first and second faces with a wall thickness disposed between the faces. The back-up ring includes a frustro-conical concave surface on the first face and a frustro-conical convex surface on the second face. Also provided are a packing assembly including at least one back-up ring and a reciprocating pump incorporating the at least one back-up ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: KMT Waterjet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6769696
    Abstract: In a cylinder head gasket with a metallic gasket plate comprising a combustion chamber opening enclosed by a bead which is elastically deformable in its height, and a stopper surrounding the combustion chamber opening and delimiting the deformation of the bead, the stopper being formed by elevations of a sheet metal layer of the gasket plate which are obtained by deformation of this sheet metal layer, in order to obtain such a stopper which is resistant to deformation, the stopper is designed such that in sections through the sheet metal layer along circular cylindrical surfaces coaxial with the combustion chamber opening the stopper respectively comprises a row of discrete elevations following one another in a circumferential direction of the combustion chamber opening and corresponding depressions located directly opposite these elevations in the sheet metal layer, and in a plan view of the sheet metal layer in the area of the stopper, the total area occupied by the elevations is at least half of the total
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventors: Armin Diez, Tobias Gruhler, Wolfgang Fritz
  • Patent number: 6754936
    Abstract: A replaceable grip for a handle of an adjustable spanner with a hole for hanging (26) which comprises a body (1a) made of an at least semi-elastic material adapted internally to at least a part of the section of the handle (23) and means of securing (2,15,16,24,24′,25) to fix the body (1a) to the handle (23), the body (1a) of the grip (1,1′) comprising a through-hole (20) in a position coincident with the hole for hanging (26) of the handle (23), an internal axial void (1b) with a double-“T” cross section adapted to the cross section of the handle (23) at different points of the contour of the handle (23), while the first means of securing (2,15,16,24,24′,25) each comprise flat blocking elements (2,9,24,24,″,24′″) which cover at least opposing edges of said through-hole (20), securing means (15,16,25) which penetrate into the through-hole (20) tightening the blocking elements (2,9,24,24,″,24′″) against the grip (1,1′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Irega, S.A.
    Inventor: Ignacio Aguirre EreƱaga
  • Patent number: 6755061
    Abstract: The individual keys in a set of keys are configured to fit together in a compact arrangement, with the heads of the keys being in alignment with one another in one direction and stacked against one another in another direction, and with the shanks extending essentially in alignment with one another but spaced apart along the heads. A set of keys may be formed using two outer key configurations or by using the two outer key configurations, together with a central key configuration. One or more of such sets of keys may be stored in a holder including pockets for their storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jacob Sholom Herzenberg
  • Patent number: 6746019
    Abstract: A seal assembly (10) includes a first seal element (12) defining a fist sealing surface (14); displacement means including at least one electromagnet (20) operatively coupled with the first seal element (12), the displacement means being operable to displace the first seal element (12) via the, or each, electromagnet (20); and a second seal element defining a second sealing surface (28) associated with the first sealing surface (14), the first and second seal elements providing a seal. The invention extends to a combination comprising a gas turbine and a seal assembly. The invention further extends to a method of controlling a spacial relationship between respective sealing surfaces of two seal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Eskom
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Liebenberg, Johan Francois De Villiers
  • Patent number: 6745603
    Abstract: Described herein is an electromagnetic locking device which integrates mechanical lock components in a hollow metal door frame with electronic access components. The physical and mechanical modifications comprise a magnetic field generating device, an appropriately shaped metal housing and a cam retaining locking bar. The method for integrating a magnetic field generating device and cam retaining locking bar with previously installed mechanical lock components minimizes service costs and replacement of doorframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Barry Shaw
  • Patent number: 6739594
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement between two radially adjoining components of an assembly that rotates during operation, in particular between the rotor and the rotating blade of a gas turbine component includes a sealing element in a depression of an inner one of the two components at the boundary surface to the outer one of the two components. The sealing element is designed in such a way that it does not or does only slightly project beyond the depression during assembly and that, during rotation of the assembly, the centrifugal force acting on it produces a sealing joint between the components. The present sealing arrangement permits an easy installation of rotating blades to the rotor of a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology LTD
    Inventors: Alexander Beeck, Ulrich Rathmann
  • Patent number: 6739597
    Abstract: A seal for a drain that includes a seal body having an annular portion and an integral disk portion. An outer sealing surface and inner sealing surface are defined on the annular portion. A handle extends from a first surface of the disk portion. The disk portion defines at least one scribe line adapted to facilitate removal of the disk portion from the annular portion when a pulling force is applied to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Nicolia, Chris Majocka, William Verdecchia
  • Patent number: 6739593
    Abstract: A device for reducing the sealing gap between a rotating component and a stationary component inside a rotary turbo-engine through which a flow passes axially and in which the rotating component and the stationary component each have a surface portion arranged separated by a sealing gap and providing sealing structures on at least one of the two surface portions, one of the sealing structures being an abradable planar sealing structure. The surface portion opposite the abradable planar sealing structure likewise has an abradable planar sealing structure, and the two sealing structures bound the sealing gap in a planar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Reinhard Fried
  • Patent number: 6735991
    Abstract: A tamper resistant lock assembly is disclosed which is configured to prevent keyless operation of the lock assembly. The tamper resistant lock assembly includes a lock housing having a bolt slidably supported therein and a strike. The lock housing is secured to a mounting plate which is adapted to be fastened to a movable member such as a door. The strike is adapted to be fastened to a support member such as a door jam at a position to facilitate engagement between the bolt and the strike when the movable member is in a closed position. The strike includes a C-shaped catch member defining a recess having an opening which is configured to receive an engagement portion of the strike when the movable member is in the closed position. The engagement portion of the strike is also C-shaped and defines a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Alan E. Lurie, Joseph Thomas
  • Patent number: 6735992
    Abstract: To endow such a device, of the type with a bolt (1) actuated by a key (2), with a high level of tamper-proofing and security without compromising its simplicity and reliability, the device includes two bolt-guiding members (3, 4) carried by one of the two elements, and the bolt includes a key-inserting aperture (114), two guiding ramps (112, 113) cooperating with the guiding members, and a third guiding ramp (115) cooperating with the key (2) when the latter is inserted into the aperture (114), in order to selectively actuate the bolt (1) from a locking position to an unlocking position, and vice versa, by rotation of the key. Use: devices for closing roadway or footway manholes, or underground technical chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Pam CRD
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Hauer, Patrice Vauthier
  • Patent number: 6728991
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a caster assembly for supporting an object. The assembly includes a caster wheel, a support member rotatably supporting the wheel and first and second side support pieces mounted on the support member. The support member includes a base support surface for engaging and supporting a bottom surface of an object. The first side support piece includes a first support surface adapted to engage and support a first side surface of the object. The second side support piece includes a second support surface adapted to engage and support a second side surface of the object. At least one of the side support pieces is slidably mounted on the support member and is adapted to be moved relative to the other side support piece to permit adjustment of a distance between the between the first and second side support surfaces to accommodate objects of different widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Waxman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Yeung Anthony Lai, John Henry Schaffeld
  • Patent number: 6726211
    Abstract: A sealing device including a fitting portion fixed on a first surface forming an annular gap with a second surface; and a seal supported by a support provided at the fitting portion and including a plurality of axial lips whose tips come into contact with the second surface. The annular gap is sealed for the purpose of isolating a sealed side and a non-sealed side, and ribs for pumping a sealing fluid to the sealed side are formed on the lips at the non-sealed side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Kuroki, Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6725505
    Abstract: A deformable grip is provided for a manual implement or other substrate such as a handle for a cooking vessel or a hair brush or the like, wherein the grip resiliently conforms to individualized anatomical contours and preferences thereby providing enhanced user comfort with reduced fatigue. The deformable grip includes a resilient outer sleeve mounted on the implement in a position for manual grasping during normal use, wherein this outer sleeve encloses at least one internal cavity containing a selected quantity of shape-deformable balls to provide the outer sleeve with a deformable tactile feel during normal use. These resilient balls are sufficiently deformable to accommodate injection into the cavity through a hollow needle passed through a small puncture port formed in the sleeve, followed by return to a normal size and shape sufficiently large to prevent backflow leakage through the puncture port to the sleeve exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Willat Ergonomic Technologies
    Inventor: Boyd I. Willat
  • Patent number: 6722810
    Abstract: An outer shaft is spline-fitted to an inner shaft and, after thus assembling the shafts, an adjustment screw is moved inwards in the radial direction while being fastened. An interval in the radial direction between a screw member and a receiving member of a diameter-expanding member is thereby expanded, thereby thrusting the inner shaft outward in the radial direction against the outer shaft. A thrusting force acting in the radial direction on the inner shaft against the outer shaft can be adjusted by controlling a fastening force of the adjustment screw. It is therefore possible to easily adjust a slide resistance between the two shafts and surely prevent a “backlash” between the two shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 6719300
    Abstract: A metal gasket for sealing a region whereat there exists three pairs of sets of opposing surfaces between a cylinder block, a chain case and a cylinder head of a chain driving engine. The metal gasket includes an elastic seal member provided on an inner rim of a chain opening formed in said metal gasket, and a storing structure for liquid gasket material used for sealing. The storing structure defined is an enlargement of the chain opening oriented to coincide with a juncture of the region whereat three pairs of opposing surface areas exist, the enlargement defining a cavity in which is housed liquid gasket material and a through hole is provided externally of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Fujino, Katsunori Ueda, Toshihiko Kumasaka, Masaya Seki