Patents Examined by Patrick R. Scanlon
  • Patent number: 4811198
    Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes temperature sensing member 11 for sensing a temperature on a predetermined sampling cycle to produce a measured value, predicted value computing member 10, ST13 for predicting a predicted value corresponding to a converged temperature in view of the measured value produced, by the sensing member, first judging member, 10, ST21 for judging that a predetermined drop of the measured value has continued for a predetermined time interval, alarming member for alarming in response to an output generated from the first judging member that the prediction by the predicted value computing member is not available, and display member for displaying the measured value or the predicted value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ota, Isao Kai
  • Patent number: 4809550
    Abstract: The disclosure in the specification sets forth a digital diving meter providing information on an axis to be readily observed in reading the information along the axial line of the display. The display is incorporated within the diving meter movement having a cover thereover. The cover comprises a cover for the digital dive meter having a handle extending therefrom at an axis form the axial line of display for ease of holding and reading the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: U.S.D. Corp
    Inventor: Mark Faulconer
  • Patent number: 4805316
    Abstract: A printed circuit carrier which is deposited on a mobile table and has two spaced-apart holes is aligned with reference to the printing unit by two locating members one of which is fixed to the table and the other of which is movable relative to the table toward and away from the one locating member. The locating members are expandible and contractible and are introduced into the holes of a carrier on the table in contracted condition to be thereupon caused or permitted to expand and to thereby center the carrier on the table. If the distance x between the axes of the holes in the carrier on the table exceeds or is less than an optimum distance x', the table, the locating members and the carrier on the table are shifted in the longitudinal direction of a line connecting the axes of the holes in a direction counter to the direction of movement of the other locating member relative to the one locating member through half the difference between x and x'.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Ezio Curti
  • Patent number: 4805309
    Abstract: A gauge for travel along and continuous monitoring of deviations in the dimensions of a structural channel member or the like includes a wheeled carriage which carries individual gauges for tracking and monitoring deviations in the web width, flange angle and flange height of the member as the carriage moves therealong. The gauge is adjustable for use on members having different nominal web width and flange height dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Koike
  • Patent number: 4805312
    Abstract: In an engraving head for apparatus for engraving printing cylinders, a drivable engraving tool and a sensing organ contacting any printing cylinder being engraved by the drivable engraving tool are mounted on a common fixture. A damping element is located between the sensing organ and the engraving tool for at least substantially barring transmission of oscillations from the sensing organ to the engraving stylus, while preserving a firm and accurate guidance of the drivable engraving tool by the sensing organ contacting the printing cylinder. Damped sleeve structures and collets for mounting a sensing stylus include such damping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: MDC Max Datwyler Bleienbach AG
    Inventor: Max Datwyler
  • Patent number: 4803786
    Abstract: Precision parallel mechanical float for compliance automation gaging, parts handling, assembly and other operations involving a combination of tolerance misalignment. Parallel plates separated by three precision resiliently preloaded flat end rods provide resilient yield in a parallel plane as well as tilting under predetermined loading together with automatic recentering through restoring spring bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Valeron Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Cusack
  • Patent number: 4798004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement detecting apparatus incorporating therein a detector of phase discriminating type electrostatic capacity system. The detector includes a first and second sensing members, which are provided on sections movable relative to each other. The first sensing member is fixed on a support plate provided thereon with an indicator, and the second sensing member is provided on the side of a movable plate, such as a spindle supported by a case body. These sensing members are set at predetermined positions by a position checker allowing the visual inspection therethrough when the support plate is secured to the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4793717
    Abstract: Indicating device suitable for visibly indicating conditions such as the application of force or pressure or the exposure to a critical temperature. The device includes a porous pad containing an indicating dyed chemical, a wick maintained in spaced relation to the pad and a snap action activating means. The activating means forces the wick into contact with the pad and dyed chemical migration provides visible indication of the application of force or pressure. The indicating dyed chemical may be frozen and the activating means engaged. Upon reaching a critical temperature the frozen chemical melts allowing dye migration into the wick and a visible indication of exposure to the critical temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Wendell J. Manske
  • Patent number: 4790074
    Abstract: An apparatus tests rack teeth of a rack member for a rack and pinion vehicle steering gear. The apparatus comprises a support for mounting the rack member for longitudinal displacement and a helically toothed test pinion member having an axis. A carriage mounts the test pinion member for rotation about its axis and in driving engagement with the rack member. A resilient biasing spring urges the test pinion member into engagement with the rack member and provides a predetermined lateral spacing between the longitudinal axis of the rack member and the axis of the test pinion member. A screw adjusts the biasing force of the resilient biasing spring at the predetermined lateral spacing. A drive effects displacement of one of the rack and test pinion members to impart displacement to the other of the rack and test pinion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: TRW Cam Gears Ltd.
    Inventors: Roland A. Warr, Rogers, Peter R.
  • Patent number: 4785663
    Abstract: A level control instrument for controlling and/or indicating the filling level for liquid, powder, granular, especially light-weight bulk material in a container. The level is determined by a single rod shaped vibrator that is actuated by a vibration exciting and measuring system. The vibrator is a rod adapted to act as a bending vibrator which is dampened by bulk or liquid material. The dampening is controlled by the vibration exciting and measuring system. In order to prevent the vibrating energy from being transmitted to the container wall, the vibrating rod has two supports spaced from each other with each located at a nodal point on the rod. One free end of the rod extends into the material containing space of the container. If the two supports are at or near to the points where the vibration nodes appear when the rod is excited to bending vibration it is practically impossible for the vibration energy to be transferred to the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Eberhard F. Hermann
  • Patent number: 4785541
    Abstract: A bow mountable range finder for elevated tree stand use includes a housing and a triangular tubular chamber containing air and medium viscosity liquid. The triangular chamber contains a horizontal venting section, a vertical indicating section, an inclined section and a horizontal reservoir with air and liquid freely movable throughout chamber depending upon the orientation of the range finder. The indicating section is translucent and has a removable graduated scale calibrated for various heights above ground, a battery powered lamp illuminates through the indicating section and scale. A switch is operable by an archer outwardly of the housing.The reservoir section is sized to accommodate approximately one-half the fluid capacity of the indicating section when the range finder is horizontal and thus allows for rapid lowering of the liquid level when the range finder is rotated counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Abner P. Lowry
  • Patent number: 4782699
    Abstract: To prevent electrochemical corrosion in a conventional float operated variable resistance fuel level detector due to alcohol in the fuel a current pulse is applied to the detector unit once a minute for a period of 1/1000 second. A solid state circuit stores the level reading between pulses and drives the fuel gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene V. Gonze
  • Patent number: 4782784
    Abstract: A device for use on ski boats is disclosed which provides a warning to other boats in the area that a downed water skier is in the water by using a motorized electrical device to raise a flag, either automatically when a skier falls and the tow rope is released, or manually when triggered by the motor boat operator or passenger. The device electrically raises the warning flag, and maintains it in an upright position until the skier grasps the tow rope handle, or until the operator releases the manual trigger switch, at which time the flag is returned to a lowered position by a spring. The system of the present invention may be used with one or more water skiers, and uses a positive switch indicator rather than depending on the degree tension in the tow rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Cheryl G. Little
  • Patent number: 4779348
    Abstract: A data plotter includes a table for supporting a record sheet, a carriage movable thereon along one orthogonal axis, and a recording device carried by the carriage and movable with respect thereto along the other orthogonal axis. Relative movement is effected between the carriage and table by means of a drive including a pair of spaced racks mounted on one, each meshing with a motor-driven pinion mounted on the other. The data plotter further includes an electronic synchronizing system for synchronizing the operation of the two motors driving the two pinions along the two racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Nessim I. Levy
  • Patent number: 4777730
    Abstract: A two-part mounting ring (58) mounts a rear sight element (100, 114) of an open gun sight on a rear portion of a telescopic gun sight (10). A forward two-part mounting ring (32) mounts a forward open sight element (28) on a forward portion of the telescopic gun sight (10). The upper portion of the rear mounting ring (58) includes a vertical slideway (74). The rear sight element (100, 114) has a slide body (76, 106) located within the slideway (74) which is adjustable up and down along the slideway (74). A sight line carrying element (98, 112) is secured to the slide body (76, 106). The sight line carrying element (90) may be pivotally attached (94) to the slide body (76), for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis (94), between an upright in use position and an inactive position down close against the telescopic gun sight (FIG. 2). The front mounting ring (32) has an upper major portion (34) and a lower minor portion (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Edward R. Huggins
  • Patent number: 4776099
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in the measurement of the thickness of a wet coating applied to a supporting surface includes a measuring disk having a support axis, a circumferential edge, the radial distance between the support axis and the circumferential edge varying at points along at least a portion of the edge, and indicia indicative of a coating thickness around that portion of the circumference. A disk support member supports the disk in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coating and permits rotation of the disk about the support axis within the plane so as to permit a measurement of the thickness of the coating to be made. The disk support member includes at least one support leg adapted to penetrate the coating and rest on the supporting surface to position the disk in the substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the coating surface and to maintain the disk in the orientation while a measurement is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Paul N. Gardner Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Maynard R. Euverard
  • Patent number: 4771631
    Abstract: A device for measuring the moisture content and basic weight of paper in a gravimetric and more accurate manner than before. The device includes a cutting device for cutting the sample from a specimen sheet, a balance for weighing the sample, a computer for computing the moisture content and the basic weight of the sample, an output device for printing out the results of the moisture content and basic weight as well as a controller for controlling the device automatically and advantageously a drying device for drying the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventors: Olavi Lehtikoski, Martti Nissinen
  • Patent number: 4772131
    Abstract: Improvements in electronic apparatus connected with operation of ultrasonic thermometers consisting of an initiating electrical pulse generator which permits selection of the repetition rate at which the ultrasonic thermometer is to be operated, and, to avoid electrical interference caused by power switching, selective commencement of the initiating electrical pulse relative to the power line. Electronic amplifying and transmitting circuitry receiving the reflected information signal pulses from the ultrasonic thermometer amplify the pulses for transmission to pulse processing circuits remotely located from the furnace, assuring that sufficient signal amplitude is received by means of a returned automatic gain control signal to the amplifying and transmitting circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Thermosonics, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Varela, Thomas M. Kerley, Andrew R. Gariepy
  • Patent number: 4770115
    Abstract: An indexing line guide for a copy stand having an upright pallet for supporting sheets with horizontal lines of text to be copied. The pallet has a guide rail along one side edge, the rail having a row of rack teeth on the rearward side. A slide is received on and secured to the rail for longitudinal movement, the slide including a line guide that extends over and parallel to the lines of text on the sheet. The slide has an escapement that cooperates with the rack teeth as the guide rail and which is actuated by a lever adapted to be tapped by the user. When the lever is actuated, a pair of teeth in the escapement reverse their relation to the rack teeth momentarily and then reengage the rack teeth at the next lower position. With this operation, the line guide is repositioned immediately below the next line of text on the sheet to be copied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Richard R. Gillum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4768377
    Abstract: It will thus be seen that the method for measuring the level of a liquid contained in a reservoir which is subjected to varying accelerations is carried out by means of a level sensor which signals when the level of the liquid drops below a predetermined level, and a warning device which is activated if the sensor signal is applied thereto uninterruptedly for a predetermined minimum period of time and results in maximizing functional reliability of the warning signal issuing means during all types of movement situations of the reservoir, while false alarms are virtually eliminated. This is accomlished in that each occurrence involving the uninterrupted application of a sensor signal for a period which is longer than the predetermined time period (t.sub.1) is registered as an event, and in that the warning device is activated after a predetermined number (n) of events have been registered within a predetermined period of time (m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Erich Habelmann, Wolfgang Zabel, Horst Beisenkotter, Knut Gebhardt