Patents Examined by Philip Kannan
  • Patent number: 5283979
    Abstract: An improved locking feature for a watertight hatch incorporates a positive break-open feature to facilitate opening when the hatch is jammed with ice and/or debris. A plurality of radially extending/retracting locking bars cooperate with closing cams such that, when the bars are extended, the hatch is drawn into tight engagement with a sealing gasket. When the locking bars are fully retracted, in order to release the hatch for opening, at least selected ones of the locking bars cooperate with opening cam means whereby full retraction of the bars forcibly displaces the hatch in an opening direction with a high mechanical advantage, initially breaking the hatch free of any restricting ice formation or packed debris. Thereafter, the hatch may be readily opened by being manually lifted in a conventional manner. The arrangement makes it entirely feasible to configure the hatch cover to be flush with its surroundings, so as to be useable in sidewalks, for example, where there may be heavy pedestrian traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Presray Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Carlson, Robert Elwell
  • Patent number: 4071917
    Abstract: A hammock includes a bed formed of a supporting sheet gathered at each end and suitable for joinder to spaced anchors. A second sheet forms a canopy over the bed. One side of the canopy is joined to a side of the supporting sheet. The medial portion of the second sheet is supported above the bed by a rope between the anchors. The other side of the second sheet forms an extendable fly for providing additional shelter. A net extends between the medial portion of the second sheet and the other side of the bed. They are joined by a zipper for permitting access to the hammock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Inventor: Hector Mojica
  • Patent number: 4035872
    Abstract: The respective ends of a heavy fabric, for example, a woven dryer fabric or felt each provided with an array of connectong loops are joined with the help of a gap closing device. The gap closing device is detachably attached to the fabric when the latter is supplied to the user. When the fabric is being installed on the machine, the ends are pulled together by the gap closing device so that the arrays of loops are held in proximity and easily intermeshed to form an elongated tubular passage. A pintle wire is inserted into the passage to complete the joint. The gap closing device is then removed. A preferred gap closing device is a slide fastener, of which one tape is detachably attached to each end of the heavy fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: JWI Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald George MacBean
  • Patent number: 4036244
    Abstract: A vaulted membrane structure that has a series of substantially curved vertical arches that can be arranged in a modular construction to support a flexible membrane that is attached to the arches and tensioned between them in a formed inward depression to minimize vibration and flutter and to increase its ability to withstand heavy live loads such as snow or pulsating loads created by high winds.This construction applies particularly to comparative small shelters where the membrane can slide in its fastener on the arch, or slide along the arch to stretch the membrane over the arches when it is fabricated in one piece or in multiple sections.The membrane is tensioned in several ways: by pulling the membrane towards the base or by pulling the arches apart by anchor lines and/or by end closures that are fastened to the base, or by adjustable purlins or jacks between arches to force them apart. A combination of two ways is also used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Tension Structures Co.
    Inventor: Carl F. Huddle