Patents Examined by Thuy M. Bui
  • Patent number: 5430972
    Abstract: An indoor plant growing apparatus includes a hood disposed above an open-top plant receptacle for plants and a soilless medium. The hood contains optional lighting to provide illumination for a growing plant. A water reservoir is disposed below the plant receptacle and a wick is provided near the base of the container to draw liquid such as water and nutrients to plant materials with the receptacle. A dispensing bottle provides a metered discharge of fluid into the reservoir, thus extending the maintenance intervals required. The receptacle is releasably joined to the base to allow cleaning of the plant and/or soilless medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Richard A. Wianecki
  • Patent number: 5392853
    Abstract: The system prevents water flowing freely up and down an open borehole. A hose of stretch elastic rubber is inserted into the borehole and, once installed, is filled with water from the surface. The hose inflates and expands, plugging the borehole. Used with multi-level sampling apparatus, lengths of the hose plug the borehole between the sampling ports. The lengths of hose are mechanically supported between couplings by means of stiff plastic hose passing inside the hose, between the couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Solinst Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald A. Toon
  • Patent number: 5380252
    Abstract: The following technical means is provided to achieve a chain shift operation with a minimum of the guide pulley travel distance, to improve speed change efficiency and operatability, and to prevent the speed change assembly from protruding sideward:At a forward location of a sprocket cluster (2), a link base (8) of a pantograph link mechanism (12) is supported by a chain stay (7), and from this, an inner link (9) and an outer link (10) are extended. To respective free end portions of these links, there is connected a movable member (11), which pivotally supports a chain guide (15) which is elastically urged. The guide pulley travel control means (18) functions in such a way that when the pantograph link mechanism (12) is deformed, it would cause a guide pulley (13) of the chain guide (15) to move inward axially of the hub shaft and at the same time forwardly downward substantially along a radial path of the sprocket cluster (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignees: Maeda Industries, Ltd., Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Iwasaki, Tohru Takeda, Masao Ohta
  • Patent number: 5378198
    Abstract: A continuous V-belt transmission comprising: a primary pulley and a secondary pulley individually including two sheaves supported on shafts and made axially movable relative to each other; a belt made to run on the two pulleys; mechanical actuators individually including first members and second members for moving the movable sheaves of the two pulleys on the basis of the relative rotations of the two members: and pressure regulating mechanisms for applying an axial force corresponding to a transmission torque to at least one of the pulleys. In an unshifted state, the rotations of the pulleys are transmitted from the externally threaded portions integrated with the movable sheaves to the carriers of the planetary gear mechanisms so that they are transmitted through the ring gears to toe internally threaded portions on the basis of the sun gears being stopped. At this time, the externally threaded portions and the internally threaded portions are rotated integrally with the pulleys at the same r.p.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuzo Moroto, Shiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 5370713
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for dividing plant materials (4) comprising, a first conveyor (2) to transport a tray (3) or the like so as to selectively position generally upstanding plant material disposed in the tray, harvesting means (7) to grip and sever the plant material (4) adjacent its base when selectively positioned by the first conveyor (2) and to transport the plant material to a dividing station (D), image signal generating and processing means (6) to scan the cutting and cutter means (10) responsive to a division signal from said image signal generating and processing means (6) to divide the plant cutting (5) according to predetermined rules related to the structure of plant material, and planting device (13) to transport and position the divided plant material (17) in a growing medium (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: The Commonwealth Industrial Gases Limited
    Inventor: Kurt Hanseler
  • Patent number: 5363922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for installing a submerged water pump in an artesian well at a desired depth or lifting the pump to do necessary maintenance in an easy manner. The device has two portions, an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is, in general, simple slinging and lifting mechanical devices whereas the lower portion has the configuration of an iron core of a car wheel surrounded by a rubber tire which is supplied with compressed air from an air supply source outside the well. The pump is fitted to the lower side or base of the lower portion and lowered into the well to the desired depth by the upper portion of the device before the tire is supplied with the compressed air. The tire is then supplied with the compressed air and, as a result, inflates to extend against the inside wall of the casing of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Abdulaziz A. Al-Megren
  • Patent number: 5361854
    Abstract: A laser positioning and measuring system for an earth boring apparatus is disclosed which includes a unique measuring unit comprising a pair of lasers mounted in a back-to-back relation with targets at their free ends. The targets include a beam passage through which laser beams from the measuring units are emitted. The emitted laser beams strike a target on an adjacent measuring unit. The area of which the laser beam impinges upon the adjacent targets generates a signal to indicate the displacement of the laser beams with respect to the adjacent targets to provide a coordinate and angle signals. The signals are processed in the computer to indicate deviations between the measuring units. The measuring units are spaced along the bore, for example, by attachment near the joints of the individual pipe casings which are pushed through the bore by the earth boring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Lag Steering Systems
    Inventors: Herbert Tull, Frederick Berry
  • Patent number: 5361836
    Abstract: A straddle inflatable packer system includes upper and lower packer assemblies each having an inner elastomer sleeve surrounded by expansible armor members. For well treating operations, the upper packer includes an external elastomer sleeve which covers a lower portion of its armor members, and the lower packer has an external elastomer sleeve that covers an upper portion of its armor members, so that the external sleeves are located adjacent to the higher pressures of injected fluids. For well testing operations, the locations of the external packer sleeves are reversed so that again these sleeves are adjacent the higher well bore pressures during the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Sorem, David M. Eslinger, Bart V. Thomeer
  • Patent number: 5361844
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing fish from a well, said apparatus including a top sub with upper and lower ends, the upper end adapted to be connected to a drill string, a grapple sleeve connected to the lower end of the top sub and a grapple, which in the preferred embodiment incorporates grapple fingers so as to externally engage and grasp a fish in a well slidably mounted within the grapple sleeve. The grapple is mounted to the top sub and extends out of and into the grapple sleeve such that once the fish is engaged the grapple may be withdrawn into the grapple sleeve, which in turn allows for the maintaining of a constant force on the grapple and fish engaged therein. The method of the present invention includes running into the well a drill string having a grappling tool attached thereto, locating the fish by making contact with the grappling tool, engaging the fish with the grapple, and removing the fish from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Gotco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Taylor, Ken A. Penske, Clif E. Cook
  • Patent number: 5360284
    Abstract: A drain inlet provides a hollow concrete shell and has a cylindrical bottom section and a square top section. A first opening in the bottom section includes a first lip formed on an interior wall thereof and recessed from the bottom opening. The first lip includes a first step and a second step. A gasket is adapted to fit within the bottom opening and abut the first step. The second step provides a stop for inserting the drain inlet over a riser. A second opening in the top section includes a second lip formed on an interior wall thereof and recessed from the top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Doug Allard
  • Patent number: 5360063
    Abstract: A wear bushing assembly for a subsea well to protect a casing hanger during drilling latches by use of a collet. The wear bushing includes a tubular member which lands on the upper end of the casing hanger. A metal collet secures to the wear bushing. The collet has slots in it so as to allow it to radially deflect. The collet has an external shoulder which snaps into and latches in a profile formed in the casing hanger. The collet may serve as a protective portion of the wear bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Herman O. Henderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5358060
    Abstract: A plurality of rods each having a bit at a front end are disposed in parallel to one another so that adjacent bits are displaced to some extent forward and backward, and a striking device operatively connected to each of the rods includes a striking block. The striking block includes a single cylinder block having a plurality of cylinder tubes, and a striking piston is slidably fitted into each of the cylinder tubes. The striking block further includes a change-over valve for changing over between a forward movement and a backward movement of each striking piston. A rear end of each rod is connected through an adapter to a shank rod which is connected to the striking device. In the striking device, a spring is provided between a bearing holder which holds the shank rod rotatably and the adapter to push the rod in a forward direction. When the bit is not reached the rock, the rod is pushed forward by the spring to hold the shank rod at a position before the striking point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignees: Furukawa Co., Ltd., Okumura Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ebara
  • Patent number: 5358451
    Abstract: Gear shifting device for a cycle having a chain and pinion transmission is provided, which includes a mobile gear shift assembly adapted to laterally displace the chain for enabling passage from one gear to another gear; transformation elements for transforming rotation of at least one pivoting gear into a lateral displacement of the mobile gear shift assembly; and a control mechanism for controlling lateral displacement of the mobile gear shift assembly. Further, the gear shifting device can include an indexing mechanism to further ensure exact positioning of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: B. G. Innovation (S.A.R.L.)
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lacombe, Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 5356347
    Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a closed hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and an oil supply passage connected between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic pump selectively generates a first oil pressure lower than a first predetermined pressure level, a second slowly-changing oil pressure higher than the first predetermined pressure level when the transmission is in normal operation, and a third rapidly-changing oil pressure higher than a second predetermined pressure level higher than the first predetermined pressure level when the transmission starts to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kokyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Komura, Hiroshige Makita, Tomoaki Ishikawa, Taro Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 5355623
    Abstract: A new and improved protection apparatus is provided for a plant pot. The protection apparatus is installed in the plant pot which contains a quantity of soil and a plant therein. The protection apparatus includes a planar base member and an array of ridge portions that project upward from the planar base member. The ridge portions are arrayed on the planar base member in an alternating arrangement of planar base member portions and ridge portions. A plurality of apertures is located in the planar base member portions for permitting water to pass from the planar base member portions to the soil in the pot. A slot extends through a portion of the planar base member and through respective portions of the respective ridge portions. The slot permits respective opposing portions of the planar base member and the ridge portions which are adjacent to the slot to be separated by a person installing the protection apparatus in the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Darren K. Brown
  • Patent number: 5351767
    Abstract: Multi-joint stands 126, 127 of drill pipe are assembled and disassembled in a drilling rig 15 by use of a powered mousehole 11 concurrently with well drilling operations conducted by use of a drill string top drive system 23. The powered mousehole 11 has an upwardly open bowl 45 in a floor 17 of the drilling rig which can be rotated about a vertical axis 55. A pipe joint 110 held in the bowl, and depending from it, can be screwed, with controlled levels of torque, into connection with a second pipe joint 113 suspended vertically above the first joint 110 by a hoist system 13 which is separate from hoisting equipment 19 carrying the top drive system 23 over a well bore 21. The second pipe joint 113 is held from rotation by a tong assembly 12, but can move axially against a yieldable support 40 into threaded connection with the first joint 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Globral Marine Inc.
    Inventors: Huey Stogner, Craig A. Watson
  • Patent number: 5352160
    Abstract: An auto tensioner comprises a rocking member the base end portion of which is supported by a fixed shaft so that it can rock freely, and on the tip end portion of which there is a pulley that is freely rotatably supported, a torsional coil spring for applying a resilient force in the rotational direction to the rocking member so that it pushes the pulley onto the belt, a damper device located between the rocking member and a fixed projection located in a base member wherein when the rocking member is turned by the resilient force of the torsion coil spring, the bottom of the damper device and the projection supported by the base member are separated so as to move the pulley quickly, and when the rocking member is turned in the opposite direction, the rocking arm pushes the top end of the damper device, so that the pulley is displaced slowly by the movement of the damper device whereby it does not require much space, and so that it can effectively do away with slack in the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Sakai, Hayato Oumi, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5351766
    Abstract: A flow restrictor for a mud lubricated earth drilling motor consisting of a first seal support non-rotatably coupled to an outer housing and a second seal support non-rotatably coupled to an inner tubular member which is telescopically received within the outer housing. The first seal support having a first seal face and the second seal support having a second seal face. The first seal support and the second seal support are axially movable. A plurality of springs engage the first seal support to exert a biasing force bringing the first seal face into sealing engagement with the second seal face to form a mechanical seal, having a first side adjacent the outer housing and a second side adjacent the inner tubular member. A first fluid flow passage extends from the interior drilling mud flow passage of the inner tubular member the first side of the mechanical seal. A second fluid flow passage extends from the second side of the mechanical seal to exterior of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Vector Oil Tool Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Wenzel, Dean Foote
  • Patent number: 5350028
    Abstract: The adjusting device consists of at least one drill string element (40) integral in rotation with the drill string and fastened to the drill string in the vicinity of the drill bit. Element (40) comprises parts (41, 43, 46) whose outer bearing surfaces are arranged in a cylindric surface with substantially the axis (48) of the drill string as the axis and substantially the nominal diameter of hole (4) as the diameter, distributed around the axis so as to generate, during part of the rotation of the drill string, by reaction of the well of hole (4) on element (40) , forces tipping the drill bit out of the drilling plane. Bearing parts (45, 46) may consist partly of variable-diameter mobile blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Jean Boulet
  • Patent number: 5347672
    Abstract: Several elongated tread plates are pivotally connected together to form the central load-bearing portion of a ramp. Rigid side rails can be latched to the assembly of tread plates to maintain the tread plates with their upper surfaces coplanar. The side rails can be unlatched from the tread plate assembly, whereupon the tread plate assembly can be rolled to compact condition for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Homecare Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Everard, William Gorman