Patents Examined by Robert L. Spruill
  • Patent number: 5353576
    Abstract: Copies (22) of preferably folded or stitched printed matter are transferred by means of a loading device (20) from a preceding station to a stacking device (30). The copies (22) are stacked in the stacking means (30) into stacks (120), positioned on a bottom (96). The bottom (96) can be lowered together with the stack (120) lying thereon. During this movement, the bottom is lowered simultaneously into a banding means (106) which applies itself to the bottom and the side walls of the stack. Thereafter the banding means (106) is closed tightly on top of the lowered stack (120), by means of sealing rams (118). The stack (120), with the loop wrapped around it, is then carried off, and the lowered bottom (96) or its partial bottoms (98, 100) return to their upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: Sesto Palamides, Aldo Palamides, Stefano Palamides
  • Patent number: 5212849
    Abstract: A device for opening and shutting in two directions a lid disposed rotatably on an opening of a box body includes a pair of rotary shafts and a pair of lock shafts severally disposed in opposite lateral parts of the opening of the box body, coil springs for interconnecting the rotary and lock shafts on the respective sides thereof and urging the lock shafts toward the corresponding rotary shafts, and an operating member for causing the lock shafts to be moved away from the corresponding rotary shafts against the resilient force of the springs. The opposite lateral parts of the lid have first engaging holes for engagement with the rotary shafts and second engaging holes for engagement with the lock shafts severally formed therein. The springs produce a pressing action to enable the lock shafts to be independently released from the corresponding second engaging holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Aihara
  • Patent number: 5205016
    Abstract: A door holding device for motor vehicle doors includes a door holding rod which is swivelably attached to a structural door component, a door or a door post. The door holding rod extends with its other end through a holder housing mounted on another structural component or the like. The door holding rod has along its length increased thickness portions which protrude outwardly transversely of the longitudinal direction of the door holding rod. The door holding rod is freely swivelably mounted on a carrier member by means of a clinch bolt or a screw bolt. A spring load is applied to the door holding rod in axial direction of the swivel bearing of the door holding rod. The clinch bolt or screw bolt is mounted secured against rotation in the opening of the carrier member. The clinch bolt or screw bolt additionally has a knurled profiling in engagement with the opening of the door holding rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwachter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Kulot, Heinz-Walter Heinemann, Jurgen Brockhaus
  • Patent number: 5201097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide or key to be employed with a conventional butt hinge for different positioning of one leaf with respect to the other to be adjusted to raise or lower the door without removal of the pin upon which the leaves are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Darrell R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5199132
    Abstract: A hinge for motor vehicle sun visors formed in an L-shaped one-piece body member (1) including a the mechanical device (3,4) designed for receiving and retaining the corresponding free ends (2a, 2b) of the sun visor frame, having a longitudinal frame holder (3) for holding the free end (2a) of the frame (2) and longitudinal tabs (4) to hold the other free end (2b); reinforcement device designed to ensure the firm connection of the one-piece body member (1) with the sun visor body including fins (5 or 6, 7 or 9); and a connector (10) designed to receive an additional device (11,12) for holding and retaining the support shaft on which the sun visor is pivotably mounted. The additional device for holding and retaining the support shaft, which is located in the connector, can include a spring (11,12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Industrias Techno-Matic, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas
  • Patent number: 5195210
    Abstract: A door hinge includes a hydraulic retarding device for cushioning the closing action of a door. The hydraulic retarding device has a cylinder body which confines a fluid operating space to receive hydraulic fluid therein. The fluid operating space includes a pair of longitudinally extending cylindrical spaces and an intermediate longitudinal passage provided between and communicating the cylindrical spaces. A vane unit is provided in each of the cylindrical spaces and has a blade which defines a longitudinal clearance with an inner surface of the cylinder body. A baffle extends longitudinally into each of the cylindrical spaces and is disposed between the passage and a respective one of the vane units. The baffles are substantially arc-shaped in cross-section and face away from each other. A gate valve is provided in the passage between the baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Simpson Lee
  • Patent number: 5195214
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge housing in the form of a cup which can be sunk in a mortise in the back of the door of a piece of furniture and which has a cup portion made of metal from whose upper margin a mounting flange projects integrally in the position properly mounted on a door and overlaps areas of the inside of the door adjoining the mortise in the door, and whose margin is curved toward the inside of the door, so that in the mounting flange there is formed a shallow recess open on the inside of the door, and having a socket plate of plastic disposed between the mounting flange and the inside of the door, which can be releasably joined to the mounting flange and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Lautenschlager, Reinhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5195215
    Abstract: A hinge arm for a vehicle includes a tubular member having a first portion for attaching a panel thereto, a second portion for pivotally mounting to the vehicle, and a third portion for rigidly interconnecting the first and second portions so that the panel can be stably moved in a defined arc between open and closed positions. The first portion is shaped to provide panel attachment and includes a flattened side, two lateral sides extending therefrom, and an opposite side that is partially deformed against the lateral sides to support the flat side. The second portion includes a flattened wall with a transverse hole establishing an axis of rotation, and an extruded support surface extruded from the wall around the hole to improve durability. The third portion rigidly interconnects the first and second portions, and is shaped to avoid interferences on the vehicle, receive wires for routing therein, and provide drainage for moisture collected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: RAN Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kiefer
  • Patent number: 5195349
    Abstract: This invention relates to a forming machine used for full enclosed die forming etc. The forming machine of this invention consists of inserting a punch into at least one of a pair of dies disposed to face each other, supporting the die having the punch inserted therein by one end of a ring member accommodated in a holder, and disposing the other end of the ring member within a cylinder chamber formed within the holder; the above ring member has a piston member disposed within it, the above punch is supported by one end of the piston member, and the other end of the piston member is disposed in the above cylinder chamber formed within the holder or a cylinder chamber communicated with the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ishinaga, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 5195213
    Abstract: A hinge device comprising a shaft, a coil spring, a shaft holder, and a bracket. The coil spring has a coiled portion wound around the main portion of the shaft. The shaft holder is secured to a first member and holds one end of the shaft, thus preventing the shaft from rotating. The bracket supports both end portions of the shaft, and is secured to a second member. The bracket, therefore, allows the first and second members to rotate relative to each other around the shaft. The main portion of the shaft has a cross section having a short diameter and a long diameter. The coiled portion is formed of a plurality of turns contacting one another. Each turn extends at a predetermined pitch angle to a line which extends at right angles to the axis of the shaft. The turn therefore looks elliptical when viewed in the axial direction, and has a short diameter greater than that of the main portion of said shaft, and a long diameter substantially equal to that of the main portion of said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keizo Ohgami, Takashi Hosoi
  • Patent number: 5195212
    Abstract: A tool handle cover includes a sheet having a pair of opposing slots formed therein which are juxtaposed to form an opening through which the shaft of a hook implement will project as the sheet is wrapped around the handle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Lori A. Colwell
  • Patent number: 5193246
    Abstract: An air cushion grip with a cubic structure and shock-absorbing function to be fixed around the handle of a tennis racket, a hammer, a bicycle or the like, and comprising an outer flat layer and a bottom layer provided with a plurality of round and/or straight grooves, the vertical walls of which form a plurality of air cells which may be either independent or communicating with one another. The air cells may be inflated or deflated with an air valve or pump attached to one of the air cells for adjusting the elasticity and shock-absorbing ability of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Ing-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 5193248
    Abstract: A latching assembly for hingeably connected face-to-face plate members includes an automatic latching assembly for automatically latching said members in a predetermined angular relation to each other when one of the plates is swung away from the other and for automatically releasing and rendering said latching assembly inoperative in response to further opening movement of the members, whereby the members may be returned to their original face-to-face position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Precision Art Coordinators, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Taylor, Victor Motyka
  • Patent number: 5193695
    Abstract: Hinge device (10, 10') having a tubular member (12, 12') and an elongate member (14, 114'). The elongate member (14, 14') is slideable in the tubular member (12, 12'). The elongate member (14, 14') comprises a first portion (28, 28') and a second portion (16, 16'). When the first portion (28, 28') is positioned inside the tubular member (12, 12') the elongate member (14, 14') is swivelable about its longitudinal axis (24, 24'). When the second portion (16, 16') is positioned inside the tubular member (12, 12') the elongate member (14, 14') is not swivelable about its longitudinal axis (24, 24').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Peter L. Mann
  • Patent number: 5193249
    Abstract: There is provided a hardware fitting of the type having a mounting and one or more movable components. There is provided a movable element with the mounting and one or more of the movable components of the fitting can engage with the movable element during at least part of the movement of the movable component(s). The or one of the movable components becomes locked as a result of interengagement of the engagement mechanism with the movable element during such part of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Interlock Industries Limited
    Inventor: Albert G. Bucher
  • Patent number: 5191678
    Abstract: A spring loaded door hinge comprising a rod that moves with the door as the door pivots. Attached to the door frame is a flange. The door is attached to the rod by means of collars. The tails of the coil springs extend from the rod so that they may, depending upon their position, be in position to strike the door frame flange thereby preventing a large shock from being transferred to the door if it is swung open violently. Also the spring hinge allows the door to be easily opened initially with resistance to the door opening being controlled by the positioning of the tails of the coil springs. The springs are distributed vertically to prevent twisting of the door and frame. The tails of the spring coils are hooked so that the can engage the door frame flange if extreme force is placed upon the door when opening. The hooks set a limit as to how far the door may be opened and prevent the spring tail from binding between the flange and the spring coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: T.J. Firari Enterprises
    Inventor: Harold A. Firari
  • Patent number: 5191674
    Abstract: The direction setting device includes a first connector having a tubular member with a casing extending at an incline from the same and in communication with the tubular member, a spring biased key member which is movably provided in the casing, and a second connector. The casing has a pair of aligned elongated slots, and the key member has a through-hole and an elongated through slot. The second connector includes a tubular top portion with a control notch rotatably and slidably inserted into the lower portion of the first connector where the key member extends into the control notch of the second connector. A plate with a control groove which has two differing troughs is pivoted to the housing in such a manner that a pin passes through the through-hole of the key member, and through the elongated slot of the housing to extend into one of the troughs. Movement of the pin in the troughs can lock the second connector or permit it to rotate with respect to the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Hong-Fu Zun
  • Patent number: 5189759
    Abstract: A dual curtain rod unit for installation between opposite walls of a shower stall, the unit having an outer rod, a substantially bow-shaped inner rod of uninterrupted, substantially smooth outer surface construction over its entire functional length, a keying shaft on each end portion of the inner rod, a pair of end plates adapted for attachment to opposite walls of a shower stall, a first socket in a forward portion of each of the end plates for receiving and supporting the ends of the outer rod, and a keying socket in a rearward portion of each of the end plates for receiving and supporting the keying shafts of the inner rod in a mating, sliding fit, non-rotative manner with the bow of the inner rod facing toward the outer rod, the keying sockets being the only points of attachment of the inner rod, thus allowing for the uninterrupted surface thereof along its entire functional length for permitting slide hangers mounted thereon to slide without significant resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Frank A. Poore
  • Patent number: 5189779
    Abstract: A grommet assembly for a wall panel and method of installation. The grommet assembly includes a grommet structure for insertion into the aperture made through a wall panel and includes pivotal locking arms for locking at the back face of the wall panel. An insert sleeve provides a circular wall that upon insertion into the grommet pivots the pivotal lock arms of the grommet. The insert sleeve is further provided with snap-engagement members that snap-engage to the circular wall of the grommet so that the grommet assembly is fastened together and to the wall panel. A retention ring may be used prior to cutting an aperture in the wall to secure fabric, or other wall coverings, around the aperture to be cut to prevent displacement or tearing, and to protect the outer wall surface. The method includes the field installation of the grommet assembly from one side of a wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Allsteel Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Fishel, Nancy K. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5189760
    Abstract: An improved medicine cabinet is constructed predominantly from molded plastic components adapted for rapid assembly. The medicine cabinet includes a forwardly open main housing having preformed grooves therein which cooperate with one or more upright central shelf support brackets to support an array of half width shelf members in a customized geometry of half and full width shelves. The medicine cabinet further includes an improved self-closing hinge assembly for swingably supporting a mirror door from the cabinet housing, wherein the hinge assembly does not require metal parts. The mirror door includes a recessed baseplate for stable nested reception of a glass mirror, in combination with an improved mirror frame adapted for simple snap fit mounting onto the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Zaca, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Aisley