Patents Examined by Randolph A. Reese
  • Patent number: 5429397
    Abstract: A corrugated pipe has a solid joint which is formed fixedly on an end portion of the pipe by polymerization and solidification of a reaction solution which polymerizes quickly at room temperature in such a manner that the joint has a first cylindrical portion which has a first predetermined length from the end of the pipe in the axial direction, or the first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion which is elongated axially outwardly from the first cylindrical portion to a second predetermined length. The first or second cylindrical portion has a locking mechanism such as an annular groove or flange which is so formed as to detachably connect the joint to the joint (H) of another mating corrugated pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Shiro Kanao
  • Patent number: 5429108
    Abstract: An air-operated toy gun including a gun body, a triggering device, an air pump device, and a projectile. The air pump device is arranged inside the gun body and has an air cylinder. A blow tube that is connected to the air cylinder has an end extending out of the gun body. A piston is driven by the triggering device within the air cylinder to produce compressed air. The tubular projectile, made of a medium hard foam material and closed at one end, is mounted on the front end of the blow tube. When compressed air, produced by the movement of the piston in the air cylinder by movement of the triggering device, exhausts from the blow tube; the projectile is ejected forward, resulting in an amusement effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Yin-Wang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5429340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular security fence and, more particularly, to a plurality of interconnectable fence panels, each fabricated of weather proof recyclable materials. The fence panels can be produced in a variety of colors and sizes ranging from decorative landscaping fences to privacy fences. No staining or painting is required. These fence panels are formed to interconnect with one another and are secured together, preferably, through the use of threaded fasteners. Each successive panel conceals the unsightly fasteners which secure the preceding interconnected panel. The fence panels require virtually no maintenance. A number of panels can be interconnected prior to distribution, thus providing preassembled sections of fence. Optional panels may be formed to include utility boxes to accommodate electrical devices such as light fixtures, receptacles, and security devices. A fence of this type is durable, demanding little repair, and is not likely to fall prey to vandalism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Anthony M. Young, Anthony J. Gary
  • Patent number: 5429197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to soil agitation, and in particular to machines which are used to dig decompacted soil and agitate the turf on sporting greens, such as golf greens and football fields. The present invention in particular presents a new type of blade for the soil agitation device, the blade being mountable to a soil agitation device and having a leading cutting edge which presents a shallow angle of attack to the soil. The leading edge slopes away from the top part of the blade at an angle to the horizontal which is preferably in between 15.degree.-35.degree.. The blade preferably mounts "bullets", protruberances from the side of the blade, which assist in decompaction of the soil. These bullets are mounted in between the top and bottom of the blade, which is different from the prior art blades, which are mountable to the bottom of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: David J. Livingstone
  • Patent number: 5429394
    Abstract: An assembly includes a quick connect cartridge which is inserted into a port of a valve or manifold in a pneumatic system for coupling external fluid lines of the system to the valve or manifold. The components of the quick connect cartridge and the O-ring seal are mounted on the tubular shank of a plug. The plug is used as a shipping pin and is also used to install the components into a port of the valve or manifold. Normally, the plug is withdrawn from the port after the components are inserted in the port. If it is desired to keep the port closed after initial installation of the components, the plug may be retained in the port until it is time to connect the port. If it is desired to leave the port permanently closed, the plug remains in place. The plug can be an open plug allowing testing of the valve in which case a dust plug is provided for shipping puposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Darwin Olson
  • Patent number: 5429195
    Abstract: An operable coulter frame is removably mounted on a farm implement of the type having a tool bar with foldable ends. The operable frame includes a central shaft rotatably mounted on the tool bar, and a pair of auxiliary shafts rotatably mounted on the foldable ends of the tool bar. The auxiliary shafts engage the central shaft when the tool bar and foldable ends are located in a coaxial operable position. A support bar is mounted to the central shaft, with auxiliary support bars mounted to the auxiliary shafts, for pivotal movement with the rotation of the associated shafts. Ground working tools are mounted on the support bars and movable between a lowered operable position located forwardly of the tool bar and tool bar ends, and an upper storage position raised above the tool bar and tool bar ends. A drive motor is mounted on the implement and connected to the central shaft to raise and lower the support bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph J. Turnis
  • Patent number: 5428908
    Abstract: A method of hydraulic dredging employing apparatus and a procedure for subsidence dredging for subsurface removal of sandy strata which results in subsidence, or drop in elevation of the bottom deposits of a body of water, wherein sand is mined laterally beneath the surface by a combination jetting/siphoning device and is transported from the site of dredging by pipeline apparatus connected to pumping apparatus to an adjacent beach location; and wherein the procedure employs removal of hydraulic pressure which results in subsidence or sinking of the upper layer of marine deposits where the amount of subsidence is directly related to the subsurface quantity of material removed and the removed material is used for beach nourishment with minimal damage to shellfish or finfish inasmuch as the surface beneath the deposits are left intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 5429196
    Abstract: A hitch for connecting and disconnecting implements to a tractor. A hitch with a tapered opening that can rotate in any direction is connected to a tractor's lift arms and stabilizer bars. When the hitch has made contact with the implement being used a retaining pin is inserted through the hitch to secure the implement while in use. To disconnect the implement, remove retaining pin from the hitch and store in the tab on the side of the hitch and drive away from the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: William C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5429447
    Abstract: A turnbuckle assembly (20) for a vehicle steering linkage (10) includes a sleeve (50), a nut (52) and a threaded rod (30). The sleeve (50) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced knobs (80) located on its outer surface (78). The nut (52) has a base portion (84) and a skirt portion (86). The base portion (84) of the nut (52) has an internal thread (90), and is received on the threaded rod (30). The skirt portion (86) of the nut (52) has an internal groove (98), and extends over the end portion (60) of the sleeve (50). The nut (52) is movable from a starting position to a clamping position. When the nut (52) is in its starting position, the knobs (80) on the sleeve (50) are received in the groove (98) in the nut (52). The knobs (80) and the groove (98) then establish a releasable mechanical interlock holding the nut (52) in its starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Ruey E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5428909
    Abstract: A bucket arch, used on dragline buckets, has a pair of side sections and an arch center section disposed therebetween. At least one lug is attached to the arch center section and exerts a force on the center section along a force axis. In the improvement, the center section is angled with respect to the side sections and has an axis generally coincident with the force axis. Such angled center section at least greatly reduces the twisting forces imposed on the arch by the lug. Such center section also greatly reduces the wear or friction on the center section of the arch resulting from the drag chain rubbing thereon during tipping of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Darryl L. Immel
  • Patent number: 5427186
    Abstract: A method for forming a blade adapted to be attached to an earthworking vehicle and the resultant wear resistant blade has a wear surface assembly which includes a carbide insert sandwiched between a steel plate and a composite material within a pocket on the front surface of the blade spaced from the blade cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Adrian, James C. Henehan, Phillip J. Shankwitz
  • Patent number: 5427183
    Abstract: A double spring reset standard and spring bracket therefor particularly useful for intermediate tillage operations at depths of approximately 13 inches wherein high average draft loads are in the range of 2000 pounds. The moment arm that the springs must resist to keep the standard from tripping during normal operation is minimized by bringing the draft force line closer to the standard pivot. The spring bracket which must be able to resist extremely high torsional stresses is fabricated from 0.375 inch thick metal blanks in a single cold die operation and includes offsets and specially designed edge flanges to reduce edge stresses at the offset bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Paul D. Parker
  • Patent number: 5427084
    Abstract: A water balloon toss sling includes a pouch having a substantially triangular-shaped shallow cup-like configuration adapted for seating a water-filled balloon, a first length of cord attached at a pair of opposite ends along one side of the pouch and being adapted for placement over outwardly extending fingers of a person's hand, and a second length of cord attached at one end to an opposite end of the pouch and being formed into a loop at the opposite end of the cord for encircling a wrist of a person such that the pouch is suspendable below the person's hand, permitting rotational movement for tossing a water balloon from the sling. The pouch has a pair of spaced first and second corners and a third corner being equidistantly spaced from the first and second corners. The first length of cord is attached at its opposite ends to the first and second corners of the pouch. The second length of cord is attached at one end to the third corner of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventors: Phillip E. Arnold, David M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5427471
    Abstract: A boat lift includes a vertical main post mounted on a dock, the lower end of the main post inserted into a body of water adjacent the dock and with the lower end spaced above the floor of the water. A frame includes an outer guide post having a base mounted on the water floor with an upper end above the water level; the frame connected by a single member to the main post. A platform unit for supporting a small boat is slidably connected at both ends to the main post and the guide post, and a cable and winch unit is interconnected among the foregoing elements for effecting a level lifting and lowering of the platform unit into and out of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Byron I. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 5427184
    Abstract: A depth control includes an actuator tube connected for movement with the rockshaft and having a threaded crank supported on the forward end of the tube. A valve operator bracket is slidably and nonrotatably received over the tube and includes a threaded portion engaging the crank threads to positively locate the bracket relative to the tube. The bracket carries a plunger which, as the rockshaft lowers the implement to the working position, is moved into contact with a valve actuator to close a valve and prevent further lowering of the implement. One turn of the crank gives the same positive movement along the tube each time the depth setting is adjusted so that working depth can be set very accurately and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Peck
  • Patent number: 5427182
    Abstract: A one-way pressure bleed off path is provided between the series cylinder depth control circuit and an additional hydraulic circuit for an agricultural implement to prevent pressure build-up and hose expansion that otherwise would cause uneven series cylinder extension and uneven implement depth. A line including an orifice and a one-way check valve is added between the depth control circuit and the second circuit, such as the wing fold circuit for the implement, to bleed off any series cylinder pressure build-up through the otherwise unused second circuit. The orifice limits the amount of oil that is returned to reservoir during operation of the series circuit to lower the implement. The check valve isolates the depth control circuit and the second circuit to prevent unwanted cylinder operation while the wings are being folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 5427038
    Abstract: An agricultural planting machine has a pair of adjacent furrow opening disks that form a V-shaped furrow as the machine advances and a pair of ground engaging gauge wheels respectively mounted for rotation adjacent the opposite sides of the opening disks. The gauge wheels are journaled on the lower ends of a pair of arms having their upper ends attached to the planter frame by mechanisms that permit easy lateral adjustment of the arms to optimize the close spacing between the gauge wheels and the opening disks. Each adjusting mechanisms includes an externally threaded bushing mounted on a shaft and engaging an internally threaded bore in the gauge wheel arm so that rotation of the bushing laterally shifts the arm and the gauge wheel mounted thereon. A locking device is operative between the bushing and the shaft to selectively lock the adjusting mechanism in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Frank E. Ege
  • Patent number: 5427085
    Abstract: A radiation shielding apparatus for an archery bow includes reflective sheets of material adhereable to a bow limb face. The sheets are comprised of different sizes, including multiple height dimensions and different width dimensions. Each sheet has an outer glossy reflective surface and an inner surface. An adhesive is applied to the inner surface to enable the sheets to be removably adhered to the bow limb face. The glossy surface deflects light radiation away from the bow limb to minimize heating of the bow limb. An archery bow in accordance with the invention includes such sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry G. Martin
  • Patent number: 5427417
    Abstract: A protective and aesthetics-enhancing cover for disposition over the open end of a drain pipe projecting outwardly from a building structure. The protective cover comprises a convexo-concave disk which has an outer surface convex away from the building structure and an inner surface concave toward the building structure. The convexo-concave disk is sized so as to effectively hide the drain pipe from view. A tubular mounting flange projects from the disk on the concave surface thereof for coupling to the drain pipe in a telescopic arrangement to thereby hold the cover on the end of the drain pipe. An opening is formed in the disk to allow water to drain from the drain pipe and through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Gabriel Lechuga
  • Patent number: 5427185
    Abstract: Earth working apparatuses and more specifically a ditcher or slope cutting device adapted to be connected with a conventional three point hitch mounted at the rear of a conventional tractor. The earth working apparatus includes a rigid square or rectangular frame having pairs of pivot lugs spaced laterally on a front member thereof for pivotal connection to the lower links or arms of a three point hitch and a pair of centrally located upwardly disposed pivot lugs pivotally supporting an upright member having its upper end connected to the upper link or arm of the three point hitch. A hydraulic ram or mechanical structure interconnects the frame at a point spaced rearwardly from the front and an upper end portion of the upwardly extending member in order to adjust the angular relation between the frame and the upwardly extending member and angularly adjust the frame in relation to the three point hitch and in relation to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: James C. Seal