Patents Examined by S. D. Schreyer
  • Patent number: 4205239
    Abstract: A two-hand safety system utilizing an operator's skin resistance is provided to control the operation of a work fabricating tool. An operator must place both hands on a pair of spaced electrodes in order to initiate operation of a radio digital signal generator which transmits a digital signal to a receiver. The receipt of the digital signal in conjunction with a predetermined positioning of a freely slidable work holder energize a circuit to control the operation of the work fabricating tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerold F. Arts, William L. Owen, Jr., Bernie D. Tull, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4203345
    Abstract: An automatic visual music teaching device for displaying the structure of coded chords. The device comprises a plurality of actuable switches for selecting a desired coded chord. Signals associated with the actuated switches are temporarily stored and are indicative of the desired coded chord to be visually displayed. A further switch is activated to transfer the stored signals indicative of the desired coded chord to a decoding circuit. The decoded circuit feeds a memory system to select in a matrix the composite parts of the desired coded chord in accordance with a coded data signal sent to it by the decoder whereby the composite parts of the desired coded chord are visually indicated on a visual display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventors: Maurice Collin, Michel Lapointe, Andre Collin
  • Patent number: 4204129
    Abstract: This invention relates to the transmission of electric power and in particular provides an electric power-transmission system having reduced vector regulation, voltage drop, and power loss through the inclusion of capacitance in the cable in series between the generator and load by utilizing electric conductors, i.e., connective links, having capacitance distributed along the length of the cable. Such capacitance is achieved by dividing a conductor into two parts which are separated by dielectric material such that the two conductor parts are in capacitive relation along the length of the cable and by connecting one conductor part to the generator and the other conductor part to the load such that the distributed capacitance is in series with the generator and load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Simplex Wire and Cable Company
    Inventor: Loren H. Hutchins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4204127
    Abstract: In a power utilization system having loads drawing energy from a utility company, some loads are adjustable and, as part of computerized power demand control system, loads are regulated as well as switched ON or OFF in order to meet an assigned power demand limit. The adjustable loads draw power in accordance with a local supply controller, such as a tap changer, but regulated amounts of power are established by the computer with a set point which is a function of the demand error calculated in an outer loop by the power demand control system and maintained by the computer in a closed loop from an individual power meter and with the established set point. The priority schedule and error computations take into account the amounts of power drawn by adjustable loads as well as the amounts drawn by loads which can be shed, or reconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Woodward C. Carter, II
  • Patent number: 4204128
    Abstract: An adjustable time delay relay is provided which is particularly suitable for automatic transfer switches and other applications requiring a relatively long time delay during periods when electrical power is not available. The relay includes a relay coil connected across a large storage capacitor supplied from an AC power source through a diode.The timing function is provided by a separate timing capacitor which, upon discharge through an associated adjustable resistor, operates a switching transistor to establish a low impedance path across the relay coil, thus discharging the storage capacitor and de-energizing the relay. Such a construction eliminates the need for a close tolerance, high value storage capacitor and provides a high degree of time delay reproducibility despite variations in power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Kruper
  • Patent number: 4201926
    Abstract: A novel electronic control circuit which may be used in different types of electronic engine control systems is disclosed. Illustrative usage in various types of electronic spark timing control systems contemplates 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engine configurations as well as single or multiple pick-ups. The circuit is intended for fabrication as an integrated circuit device to provide a low-cost unit which is advantageous in mass production usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: LaVerne A. Caron
  • Patent number: 4198574
    Abstract: A timing control circuit for use in automatically and intermittently operating electrical appliances, such as lamps, for security purposes in homes, offices and other buildings. The circuit is adapted to plug into a conventional wall socket and to receive conventional two-prong plugs of electrical appliances. When enabled, the circuit intermittently applies power from the wall socket to a connected electrical appliance so that the appliance is turned on and off automatically over some period of time. The circuit includes manually operable switches to enable a user to select the intermittency or on-off pattern of operation of the appliance and the period of time over which such pattern is developed. Controlling turn-on and turn-off of lamps, radios, or the like gives the appearance of occupancy of a dwelling and therefore discourages would be burglars and prowlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Beehive International
    Inventors: Edward G. Price, Lewis C. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 4198573
    Abstract: The Automatic Memory and Environmental Security System is a solid state electronic device to be employed in a motor vehicle for the specific purpose of closing any and all electrically operated windows, and roof panel, and locking any and all electrically operated door locks, which may have been left open or unlocked purposely or inadvertently. The system is also designed to close any and all electrically operated windows and roof panel left open when the surrounding humidity reaches 100% (the appearance of rain, drizzle, etc.). The unit is designed so that there is no interference with the normal operation of the above-named electrical device(s) after being employed in the said vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Paul A. Reneau
  • Patent number: 4196652
    Abstract: A digital electronic tuning device is provided in which an arrangement of light-emitting diodes [LED's] or other display elements indicates when two frequencies are equal. If the frequencies are unequal, the device provides an indication of both the magnitude and direction of the inequality. For use as a tuner of musical instruments, one frequency is provided by a preset clock while the second frequency derives from the musical instrument under test. In operation, a circular pattern of lights on the display elements appears stationary when the instrument is in tune and appears to rotate or spin when the instrument is out of tune. Some information about the harmonic content of the frequency of the signal under test may also be read from the device. In one embodiment, the invention may be used in connection with a stepping motor to automatically tune an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Inventor: Jef Raskin
  • Patent number: 4196356
    Abstract: A condition responsive time proportional control means which has a relatively fast time constant when operating in its proportional band has the time constant expanded by means of a digital counter. The counter is repetitively switched by the condition responsive means and counts the switched operation. During the period that the switched operation is occurring, the time constant is expanded by simultaneously counting pulses from a pulse generating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Kabat
  • Patent number: 4195232
    Abstract: A selection acknowledgment system is disclosed for a laundry appliance having a plurality of function selection switches, a plurality of function indicator lights, and an integrated program chip which controls functions during operation of the laundry appliance. The program chip has a plurality of control lines each of which function as both an input and an output. During an input mode, signals generated by the function selection switches are input via the control lines. In an output mode, the same control lines convey output signals to trigger appropriate function indicator lights. In order to acknowledge operator actuation of one or more of the function selection switches during an input mode, an acknowledgment switching circuit is provided which momentarily turns off all of the function indicator lights as long as one of the function selection switches is depressed, thus indicating to the operator that the function he has selected has been entered into the program portion of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roque D. Marcade
  • Patent number: 4194129
    Abstract: Loading of induction motors is monitored and displayed by meters or alarms by analyzing slip of the armature derived from pulse signals indicating motor shaft speed. A special sensor sensing the motor shaft rotation also provides motor operating temperature signals accompanying shaft rotation speed signals. Corresponding circuitry compensates the load display over motor temperature variations. Also, the motor operating voltage is detected and voltage variations are processed to modify the load display for improved accuracy in the presence of voltage variations and by linearization of the slip characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Dumbeck
  • Patent number: 4194128
    Abstract: A three phase ripple control system for feeding a control signal onto each phase line employs an injection transformer having a primary winding and three secondary windings. A control signal generator is connected in circuit with the primary winding and serves to provide a signal thereto. A respective inductor is connected in series in each phase line and is connected in parallel with a respective one of the secondary windings. The inductors have a value of inductance arranged such that their impedance at line frequency is substantially smaller than the magnetizing impedance of the transformer. The secondary winding thereby introduce a common control signal onto each of the three phase lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: The Horstmann Gear Company Limited
    Inventor: Timothy J. Biglin
  • Patent number: 4193006
    Abstract: A multi-stage condition control system of the time proportional type is shown. The control system utilizes a counting means as part of the anticipation for system control. The counting means counts during the time the control system is within its proportional band. When the control system moves outside of the proportional band, the counting stops. A count detection circuit senses the absence of counts thereby indicating that the system is outside of the proportional band. The absence of counts is then used to increase or decrease multiple stages of condition control equipment to bring the system back within the proportional band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Kabat, Arlon D. Kompelien
  • Patent number: 4191894
    Abstract: A proximity detector including a pair of antennae disposed at the front edge of a door with a space; and voltage converters for converting earth electrostatic capacities of the antennae to the corresponding voltages. The proximity detector further includes a first detecting circuit for detecting a differential signal of the outputs of the voltage converters; and a second detecting circuit for detecting a summing signal of the outputs of the voltage converters. The movement of the door is controlled by the output of the first detecting circuit and/or the output of the second detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Noda, Kazuo Tokui
  • Patent number: 4188853
    Abstract: A double acting drum beater device is provided having a beater adapted to strike an adjacent drumhead once for each downward movement of a foot operated pedal, and then a second time during the subsequent upward movement of the pedal. My drum beater device comprises a beater arm arranged to swing in an arc about a rotatable axis defined by a shaft supported by mounting means, which shaft is arranged to undertake oscillatory type movements. A foot pedal having up and down operative movements is mounted adjacent the mounting means and linkage means connects a toe portion of the foot pedal to an arm secured to the shaft in an offset relation. In this way, up and down movements of the toe portion of the pedal cause the connecting linkage and the arm to move responsively and thus cause the shaft to oscillate, with the shaft rotating in a first direction and then in the opposite direction about its longitudinal axis during downward movement of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: John E. Bills
  • Patent number: 4188850
    Abstract: A guitar has a separate body and neck each made of a metallic frame combined with a mass of structural foamed plastic. A solid joint, involving metal to metal contact of the two frames, is provided between the body and the neck and is readily unmade to allow disassembly of the neck from the body for repair or replacement of either the body or the neck. The two frames provide a continuous metallic span from the nut to the bridge to inhibit bending under string tension and also to enhance sustain by reducing damping. The external surface of the neck and body plastic masses may be given a grain effect, color and finish causing such masses to closely simulate wood, yet the use of wood is entirely avoided to avoid its disadvantages such as its tendency to warp, crack or otherwise deteriorate with age and changes in temperature and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Charles W. Kaman, II
  • Patent number: 4187437
    Abstract: A switching apparatus adapted to be used with medium-voltage cable networks comprising switching units each of which is of the single-pole type and each of which includes an encapsulation adapted to be embedded directly in the soil and means for actuating the unit in response to a remote control.The switching apparatus is particularly suited for medium-voltage cable networks in cities where the erection of above-ground distribution facilities is undesirable and expensive. The switching units may, preferably, be designed as vacuum circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Muller, Werner Kohler
  • Patent number: 4186644
    Abstract: A rocker cam for holding a beater head and a resilient belt or strap for operationally connecting the rocker cam to an inclined foot pedal are coupled to each other via meshing engagement by cooperating indentations formed on mating surfaces of the two members and tensile strength of the belt or strap is remarkably enhanced by fortifying members such as steel wires or glass fibers longitudinally embedded in the belt or strap. Stress concentration on a set screw for fixing the belt or strap to the rocker cam can be avoided, permanent strain of the belt or strap after long use is divided into mutually incumulative small fragments and reliable coupling between the belt or strap and the rocker cam assures fair conversion of foot action into beater head movement without undesirable metallic noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 4186315
    Abstract: A condition responsive time proportional control means which has a relatively fast time constant when operating in its proportional band has the time constant expanded by means of a digital counter. The counter is a resettable unidirectional type counter that has two counting channels. The main counting channel provides for the counting function during the normal cycling of the system when in the proportional band. A second channel in the counter acts to enable to the counter rapidly in the event that there is a disruption of the counter when the condition responsive system has been outside of the proportional band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Benton