Patents Examined by Steven N. Meyers
  • Patent number: 5655801
    Abstract: A gate latch has a handle with a cojoined adjustably sized elongated rigid metal rod, which rod is rotatably disposed in sleeves frictionally retained within a drilled hole in a fixed post of a fence. The rod is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel threaded through holes. The handle has a transverse hole and is mounted to the rod by a bolt passing through the handle hole and one of the rod holes disposed at the end of the rod on the outside of the post. The rod is operably connected to a spring return locking plate for locking a gate rod which gate rod is fixedly mounted to an openable gate. The user first drills the post hole to receive the elongated rod slidably disposed in the sleeves, and then cuts the elongated rod to a length to accommodate the thickness of the post, and then attaches the handle at the hole adjacent the cut end of the elongated rod. The user in operating the gate latch rotates the handle downwardly which in turn rotates the elongated rod in the post hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Michael Casey
  • Patent number: 5655241
    Abstract: A mattress cover assembly for use with a zoned posturized mattress includes a cover with a stretchable top panel and a topper pad, lying generally loosely on the cover top panel. The mattress cover and topper pad are constructed so as to permit the direct application of and distribution of pressure from atop the mattress through the covering topper pad and cover and into the resilient mattress core without significant distortion of that pressure or weight and particularly without distortion which is not only caused by hammocking of the cover fabric or covering pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Larry Higgins, Earl W. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5655391
    Abstract: A padlock has an outer body part which prevents the application of torque from a wrench to force the shackle open. One or both ends of the padlock are also configured to prevent application of a wrench, the configuration being generally conical spheroidal or tapered configuration preferably at least at the shackle end of the body of the padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: R.P.L. Industries Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Russell Phillip Long
  • Patent number: 5655798
    Abstract: A door hold-open latch and dual release mechanism includes a first latch for maintaining the door in its closed position and a second latch for maintaining the door in its open position. A first latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the first latch. A second latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the second latch. A third latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located on the ground for also releasing the second latch. The operator can actuate the second latch from either the cab using the second latch release or from ground level using the third latch release. Alternately, the third latch release can also release the first latch, and the operator can actuate the first latch using the third latch release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kaveney, James L. Nicholls, Joseph A. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5655800
    Abstract: A manually actuated pin-type door locking assembly is shown. The pin-type locking assembly includes a housing having a locking pin confined within a locking cavity and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. A rotary shaft actuator is rotatably mounted to the housing and is connected to the locking pin via a swing arm. The swing arm is spring biased. By rotating the rotary actuator shaft back and forth, the locking pin is moved between the unlocked position and a locked position where the locking pin effectively locks the door of a vehicle to an adjacent frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen R. DeMarco
  • Patent number: 5655864
    Abstract: In an expansible fixing plug having an internal bore passing right through the plug body into which an expansion bolt in the form of a nail or screw is to be driven, the internal bore is arranged helically wound around the center line and at least for a part of its length has a diameter that is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the expansion bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventors: Manfred Haage, Gunter Seibold, Bernd Plocher, Bernd Hein, Wilfried Weber
  • Patent number: 5653133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles having a steering wheel and a brake. The device disclosed comprises a brake guard movably mounted to a fixed portion of the brake, a lower elongated member which hooks on to the brake guard, an upper elongated member which is locked to the lower elongated member, a Y bar spaced a distance adaptable to be placed around the steering wheel and a locking bar and a claw member. When the device is secured with two padlocks movement, of the steering wheel and the brake pedal is prevented. In addition the air bag is prevented from theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Frank Passantino
  • Patent number: 5653484
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a pivotal latching fork, a release pawl engageable with the fork and displaceable between latched and unlatched positions, and a release lever engageable with the pawl for displacing same between its positions and formed with an elongated slot. An outside actuating lever is provided with an entrainment nose aligned with an end of the release-lever slot. Separate inside and outside locking levers are coupled via a spring to a main locking lever displaceable by the inside and outside levers between a locked and an unlocked position. A link lever pivoted on the main locking lever carries a coupling pin projecting through the slot and engageable with the entrainment nose in the unlocked position of the main locking lever and unengageable with the entrainment nose in the locked position of the main locking lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Horst Brackmann, Rainer Kipka
  • Patent number: 5653563
    Abstract: A construction anchor for mounting an object on a structure of masonry, concrete, wood, metal or the like includes an anchoring portion and a cap. The anchor is adapted to be inserted, anchoring portion first into a pre-drilled adhesive-filled hole. The anchoring portion has a threaded bore, which includes an unthreaded close-fit-counterbore portion outward of a threaded portion. The cap prevents dust, dirt and adhesive from entering the threaded bore, and has an upper surface with a removable central area. When the adhesive has set, holding the construction anchor within the hole, the central area is removed, and a screw or bolt is inserted through the hole left by the removal and engaged with the threaded portion of the threaded bore. The unthreaded close-fit-counterbore portion of the threaded bore provides a stretch zone for the screw or bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5653487
    Abstract: A door stopping device comprises a bottom or base element, which when in use, rests stably on a floor and a cover or top element connected to the aforesaid base element and sliding coaxially up and down over it along a substantially vertical axis; the said top element has an integral flat ring protruding at right angles from its bottom edge and designed to engage the bottom edge of a door; elastic means apply a force in an upward direction between the base element and the top element which tends to draw the two elements apart and which, when an external force is applied along the same axis but in the direction opposite to that applied by the elastic means, defines at least one limit position of minimum extension where the said base element is completely covered by the said top element in such a way as to enable the said flat ring to be inserted under the bottom edge of the door; permanent latching means are provided to establish a reciprocal link between the aforesaid base and top elements and defining the po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Alberto Proni
  • Patent number: 5652983
    Abstract: The Sit/Sleep Constructed Pillow provides multiple uses in functioning as a sitting pillow that transforms into a sleeping pillow while providing an envelope that forms a self contained enclosure for compression and stowage. The Sit/Sleep Constructed Pillow is fabricated from one length of material that encloses the pillow loft and forms an envelope that is used along with fasteners to reduce the perimeter dimensions of the pillow for sitting purposes that in turn transforms into a larger dimensioned sleep pillow with a separate fabric head rest and cover while providing an enclosure for compression and stowage of the pillow, an enclosure that can also be used for stowage when not used for pillow compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: John A. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 5651151
    Abstract: An alternating pressure pad has two sets of alternately inflatable cells. The alternately inflatable cells overlie additional base cells in a lower layer of the mattress. These base cells are all simultaneously inflated whilst each of the sets of upper cells are repeatedly inflated and deflated in alternation over an inflation and deflation cycle. During a cycle each set of upper cells is deflated at least once while the patient is primarily supported by the other inflated set of cells. During each inflation and deflation cycle, the additional base cells are reduced in pressure at least once. In this way, even if a part of the patient is temporarily supported only on the lower base cells, the support pressure is temporarily reduced each cycle to minimize pressure effects on the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Huntleigh Technology plc
    Inventor: Rolf Schild
  • Patent number: 5647078
    Abstract: A control panel for an inflatable structure includes a multi-layer planar fluid flow control panel sealed together at predetermined locations to define at least one fluid flow conduit with at least one layer of the panel having a plurality of apertures located in a predetermined pattern that communicate with the conduits. A plurality of discrete, inflatable chambers are sealed in planar orientation to the upper surface of the control panel to form the structure. The apertures of the panel are sealed in registered relationship with the fluid orifices to thereby permit fluid communication between the chambers and conduits of the control panel for selective inflation and deflation thereof. The interior surface of the control panel and chambers is selectively coated with a release material to prevent closure of the conduits and enable coplanar sealing of the chambers onto the panel about the perimeter of the apertures and orifices when disposed in registered relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Dielectrics Industries
    Inventor: Robert W. Pekar
  • Patent number: 5647617
    Abstract: An adjustable backset latch which may also function as a spring latch includes a front case and a rear case telescopically movable relative to the front case. There is a bolt axially movable within the front case and a spring biases the bolt outwardly from the front case. A plunger is positioned adjacent the bolt and axially movable within the front case. A spring biases the plunger outwardly from the front case. A swivel is rotatable in the rear case and there is a retractor movable within the front and rear cases and in engagement with the bolt. A pinion connects the retractor to the swivel such that rotation of the swivel moves the retractor and bolt. Backset, the distance between the axis of rotation of the swivel and the front of the faceplate is adjustable. A flexible backset latching element is mounted on the interior of the rear case and has an outwardly extending projection which passes through an opening in the rear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Master Lock Company
    Inventor: Pete Kajuch
  • Patent number: 5644804
    Abstract: A sofabed which includes a first base frame serving as the seat of a sofa or the bed piece of a bed and defining a space for keeping pillows, quilts, etc., a second base frame retractably connected to the first base frame and moved between the retracted position received inside tile first base frame and the extended position to serve as the base frame of a second bed, a seat frame supported on the first base frame, a second seat frame pivoted to the first base frame and set at the desired angle to serve as the back of the sofa the bed piece of the second bed, and two armrest frames adjustably connected to the first base frame at two opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Chung-Chin Chen
    Inventor: Chi-Jung Wang
  • Patent number: 5645386
    Abstract: A force fit connecting element (1), particularly a wheel stud, which may be force fit into in a drilled hole (3) through the exertion of an axial force, having a shank (5) and a stop (4) in the shape of a head, a collar or the like, having a diameter larger than shank (5). The shank (5) has on the side facing the stop (4) a force fit section (10), which is oversized with respect to the corresponding drilled hole (3). The shank (5) has on the side facing away from the stop (4) a section (22) with a fastening thread (23). The force fit section (10) has a multiple-threaded, preferably at least triple-threaded, helical profile (11). The helical profile (11), with respect to the cylindrical surface area of the drilled hole (3), has a contact area fraction (33) of at least 30% and is made by cold forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Damm, Walter Mages, Andreas Mohr
  • Patent number: 5644806
    Abstract: A playyard system with a handle and wheels comprising a floor separable from a playyard and formed of a plurality of similarly shaped rigid rectangular segments. The floor is adapted to be placed around a collapsed playyard to form a generally rectilinear configuration with an upper end and a lower end. A handle is secured to one of the segments of the floor adjacent to the upper end. The handle includes a gripping portion at the upper extent and a generally rigid intermediate wire formed with parallel vertical extents and an enlarged lower extent. The handle also has associated therewith apertured brackets secured to the floor for allowing for the sliding of the wire within the brackets to lower the handle toward the floor when in the stowed orientation and to raise the handle from the floor when in the elevated orientation for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: James F. Mariol
    Inventors: John V. Mariol, Christopher Arens
  • Patent number: 5645385
    Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a punch block to a jaw of a punch press assembly where the action of clamping does not disturb the alignment between the punch block and the die. The device includes a pair of cams residing in a stacked relationship with each of the cams having a tapered aperture therethrough. A bolt passes through the tapered apertures of both cams and through a bore in the jaw to engage a threaded orifice in the punch block. Each of the cams has a generally cylindrical cam surface with a flat formed therein. Once the punch block is properly aligned with the die, the bolt is lightly tightened with the flats of the two cams in planar abutment with one another such that the cylindrical axes of the cams are separated by a first distance. The cams are then rotated with the lower one of the cams rolling on the surface of the jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Long, James A. White
  • Patent number: 5642635
    Abstract: There is provided a lock for securing a vehicle or a component thereof which comprises two half-collars and a locking mechanism for locking the engagement of those two half-collars. Each of the two half-collars includes a first end and a second end, the first ends of the two half-collars being pivotally coupled. The two second ends of the half-collars are lockingly engaged by use of a plug-socket locking mechanism which enables convenient locking and unlocking in a portable, space-efficient assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Su Wen-Chyun
  • Patent number: 5642972
    Abstract: A one-directional captive screw attachable to a panel that is hand tightenable, but requires a tool to loosen once hand tightened. The captive screw includes a screw having a head with a recess and a threaded portion, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw, a one-directional ratchet between the knob and the screw. The ratchet engages to allow the screw to be tightened in a clockwise direction using the knob, and disengages when rotated in a counterclockwise direction, such that a tool is required to loosen the screw by use of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Harry L. Dickerson