Patents Examined by Tuyet-Phuong Pham
  • Patent number: 5701772
    Abstract: A multishaft combination lock includes a lock body, an alignment sleeve, and a detachable pin. The alignment sleeve has a hole and is rotatably coupled to the lock body to provide access into the lock body. The alignment sleeve has an angled cutout at a first end, with the alignment of the cutout being adjusted by rotating the alignment sleeve. The detachable pin has a floating bushing that can be misaligned with the principle axis of the detachable pin. To lock the multishaft combination lock, the lock body is fitted to the detachable pin through the hole of the alignment sleeve with the floating bushing misaligned with the angled cutout. When the detachable pin is fully inserted into the lock body, the floating bushing is positioned beyond the end of the alignment sleeve within the lock body and becomes misaligned or offset with the alignment sleeve. To unlock the lock, the alignment sleeve is rotated so that the angled cutout is aligned with the floating bushing of the detachable pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth Wang
  • Patent number: 5702217
    Abstract: Screw or nut braking rings and mountings established with the rings include a nut having an upper portion hollowed from a circular throat. Slits divide the upper portion into blocks by cutting the throat. A shape-memory alloy ring is housed in the throat so as to retighten the blocks on the threaded portion of the mounting and thus tighten it. The ring exhibits a change between the tightening state and a mounting state where it is free in the throat and can be easily mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "Snecma"
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Charbonnel, Michel Franchet, Jacky Serge Naudet
  • Patent number: 5697656
    Abstract: A door stop assembly is adapted for introduction between the sliding door and the stationary door of a patio door assembly. The door stop assembly has a wedge block having an integrally formed wedge portion and block portion. A vertical shoulder abutment wall is formed on the block partition where it meets the rear end of the top surface of the wedge portion. A flat strip of spring steel is bent to form a top leg member and a bottom leg member that are oriented to each other at an acute angle and the bottom leg member is secured to the wedge block. The front section is positioned above the top surface of the wedge portion of the wedge block in a spaced relationship thereto. The middle section extends upwardly from the rear end of the front section and is spaced forwardly of the shoulder abutment wall. The rear section has a concave configuration along its longitudinal axis and it extends rearwardly from the top end of the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Robert J. Hebert, John J. Hebert
  • Patent number: 5697109
    Abstract: A patient transport system for transporting a patient from a bed to a stretcher or vice versa, using a bed sheet and a conveyor attached to the bed or the stretcher. A first end of the sheet is removably attached to the conveyor and a second end of the sheet is free. The sheet is adapted to be positioned onto the patient supporting member of the bed or stretcher. The conveyor includes a roller received by bearings. The roller can be removably received by the bearings. The roller can also include a telescopic arrangement so that its length can be adjusted. A pawl and ratchet assembly can be provided on the conveyor to prevent unwinding of the conveyor. The sheet is removably attached to the roller by adhesive tape or a clip arrangement. A flexible belt attaches the clip to the conveyor and is removably secured to the roller. The clip includes a body member having a recess with a plug received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Barton Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Graham L. Hodgetts
  • Patent number: 5697238
    Abstract: A key cylinder to be attached to an outer panel for a vehicle is provided. The key cylinder includes a cylinder body and a casing for accommodating the cylinder body therein. The casing has a drain hole formed at a lower portion thereof for discharging the water out of the casing and first and second swelling formed to project from a side wall thereof. Above the drain hole, the first swelling is formed so as to incline to an axial direction of the key cylinder. The lower end of the first swelling extends up to a lower part of the casing, apart from one end of the drain hole In the axial direction of the key cylinder. In operation, the water climbing down the side wall of the casing is guided by the first swelling and brought into the lower end of the first swelling. Consequently, without flowing up to the drain hole, the water can be prevented from sticking on the periphery of the drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Futoshi Oike
  • Patent number: 5695227
    Abstract: A lock platform for a door includes a face plate lying in a vertical plane parallel to the plane of the door and an outer peripheral edge margin which extends from the outer periphery of the face plate generally perpendicularly away from the face plate and towards the door when mounting the lock platform on the door. The edge margin engages the door in such a manner that the face plate is spaced from the door thereby creating a space between the face plate and the door for accommodating components of a handle and lock assembly. The lock platform further includes an outwardly facing hollow boss located on the face plate and spaced from the hole of the door when mounting the lock platform thereon. The boss defines a first opening for receiving a handle of the handle and lock assembly or the like therein. The lock platform also includes a second opening for receiving a key cylinder, thumb turn member or the like therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Jon M. Smallegan, L. C. Derek Chamberlain, Dario Pompeii
  • Patent number: 5694798
    Abstract: A motorized lock actuator adapted to replace a mechanical lock actuator in preexisting and installed lock assemblies to convert them to electronic operation includes an electrically insulated motor housing and at least one electrically insulated bushing on the motor shaft to prevent electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI interference from damaging the electronic lock controller. An alignment spring is used to improve operation in misaligned lock assemblies, and a key cam of self lubricating and electrically insulating plastic provides reliable low friction operation for a sliding locking slide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Paul Nunez, David Sorensen, Ronald S. Slusarski, Arnon Alexander, Mohammed A. Haq
  • Patent number: 5692400
    Abstract: A docking system is described for use with a portable computer of the type having a lock receptacle that is engageable by an anchored Kensington lock. The docking system has a case that forms a receiving portion located adjacent the lock receptacle of the portable computer when the portable computer is docked. The Kensington lock is received by the receiving portion and secures both the docking system and the portable computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Bliven, Ralph Waldo Kinser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5690457
    Abstract: In order, in an eyebolt, to enable an alignment of the connecting eyelet (2) in the direction of the forces induced in it, the eyebolt comprises two parts disposed rotatably in relation to each other, of which one forms the connecting eyelet (2) and one an anchor bolt (3), the head (6) of which is supported, by means of an annular flange (62), on a supporting surface of the eyelet base (21) of the connecting eyelet (2). The securement of the cohesion of the connecting eyelet (2) and of the anchor bolt (3) is served by at least one locking element (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH. u. Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Gerog Erich Smetz
  • Patent number: 5688092
    Abstract: An attachment plate is used to attach insulation panels to building substrates using internal combustion cordless nail setting tools loaded with collating strips for feeding and holding nails in the tool magazine. The attachment plate has a washer and an annular chamber at a first end. A wall of the annular chamber is defined by a band of fingers. The interior of the attachment plate has a recess. The attachment plate second end has flexible tabs. The attachment plate is placed on a pilot and against a flange of a tool adapter. The attachment plate is pushed into the insulation panel such that the tool muzzle bends the fingers and passes through the same. When the tool is fired, a nail and nail collating ring are forced into and captured within the recess. The tabs bend against the substrate if the insulation panel is of less than nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 5687593
    Abstract: A handcuff comprises a pair of lockable bracelet members (10, 11), pivotably connected to one another by way of a connecting member (12) wherein is disposed a catch member (29) engagable with the bracelet members to hold them relative to one another in an extended position so that the handcuff may be used as a rigid handcuff, the catch member being disengagable from the bracelet members to enable the handcuff to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hiatt and Company Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey William Cross
  • Patent number: 5671491
    Abstract: A combined blanket, sun screen and weather shield is formed having a comfort material on one side and a waterproof material on an opposite side thereof. The printed indicia is arranged on both sides for displaying advertising logos and the like. The blanket finds application at the beach as well as a sun screen and weather shield on the windshields of automobiles, vans and trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Jeff Ladd
  • Patent number: 5669253
    Abstract: A locking strap includes an elongated strap with a captured end and a free end. A buckle member is fixedly attached to the captured end of the strap. The buckle member is capable of receiving the free end of the strap therethrough to allow looping of the strap around a first object and a second object. Included is a locking mechanism that is secured within a bottom portion of the buckle member. Also, a buckle lid is coupled to the bottom portion of the buckle member and spaced from the locking mechanism. The lid has a first end with a vertical projection for clamping down onto the strap, when the free end is positioned through the buckle. Lastly, a second end of the lid has a pair of flaps for overlapping the bottom portion of the buckle member. The flaps will cause the second end to be locked within the locking mechanism for securing the strap around the first and second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Scott W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5669087
    Abstract: A mattress spring core having a plurality of zones of differing firmnesses due to different characteristics of helical lacing connectors within the particular zones. The spring core has a plurality of identical coil springs arranged in side-by-side transversely extending rows and columns. The coil springs are connected together at the upper and lower ends of the springs with helical lacing connectors which encircle a portion of the upper and lower faces of the springs. The helical lacing connectors may be of a heavier gauge wire in one or more zones of the mattress spring core thus causing that particular zone to be of an increased firmness relative to the other zones of the mattress. Alternatively, the helical lacing connectors within a zone may comprise two or more co-axial lacing wires to impart greater strength or rigidity to one or more zones of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wells, William L. Ayers, IV
  • Patent number: 5664269
    Abstract: A bedding cover is described for use on a bed. The cover has a flap positioned at its center, and extends laterally from one side to the other. The flap may be folded to cover one or the other ends of the cover, and is large enough to fully cover the selected end. The flap has the bedding pattern of one end of the cover on one side and of the other end of the cover on the other side so that when it is folded to cover the first side, the entire surface of the cover presents a uniform appearance, and when it is folded to cover the other side, the entire surface of the cover presents a uniform appearance also, but of a selected different design or color, etc. In a second embodiment, the reverse side of the cover may be constructed to provide a third and a fourth appearance when the cover is turned over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Donna Broder
  • Patent number: 5664267
    Abstract: The base of a collapsible baby playing bed comprises four support rods which are pivoted to a respective corner support used to support the bed. Two connecting elements are arranged in the mediate portion of the base; each connecting element is pivoted to one of the support rods. The other two support rods which are not pivoted to the connecting elements are also connected with a respective one of the connecting elements. Two holders, two pivotal rods, two mediate rods and two mediate supports used to support the base are provided wherein the pivotal rods are pivoted to both the connecting elements and the mediate supports at two ends and the mediate rods are pivoted to the holders at one end and connected to the mediate support at the other end, and the support rods pivoted to the connecting elements are further connected to the holders such that the bed can be collapsed into a compact one after one pulls the base upward from the mediate portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Top Fortune Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 5664271
    Abstract: A support pillow assembly is usable for cushioning the body of a person while the person is lying on his/her side on a mattress and includes an abdominal support pillow adapted to partially underlie the person's abdomen and a leg support pillow adapted to be positioned between the person's legs. The leg support pillow can be two pillows interconnected by flap structures. Alternately, the two leg pillows can be combined into a single leg support pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph M. Bellavance
  • Patent number: 5661860
    Abstract: A device is provided that works in conjunction with conventional home furniture to comfortably support the head of a person who must remain face-down for extended periods of time. A rigid board having an opening in its center is supported above a flat surface by weight-bearing legs. The legs support the board above a support surface such as a bed, table or chairs. A thin-walled, under-inflated ring pillow rests on top of the rigid board. Rings of foam may be stacked on the board under the pillow to raise the pillow to a height appropriate to support the head in comfortable alignment with the spine. The openings of the pillow, foam, and board are aligned so that the patient may rest his face on the cushion and yet still breathe. The present device is used in conjunction with a bed for use while lying in a prone position, or is used in conjunction with a table or chairs for use while in a sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Alfred J. Heitz
  • Patent number: 5657497
    Abstract: A sleeping bag includes batts (17, 18) transversely positioned in a shingle arrangement between outer and inner shells (10, 23). The sleeping bag includes a top flap and a bottom flap (11, 12). The batts in the bottom flap are straight, and overlap enough to provide two layers of insulation. A group of batts (17) in the top flap are curved toward the head end of the sleeping bag, and the remaining batts (18) in the top flap are curved toward the foot end. The batts that are curved in the same direction overlap enough to provide two layers of insulation. Some of the batts that are curved in opposite directions are close enough to overlap in three layers in the upper torso area to provide greater insulation where it is most needed. The curved batts provide a more efficient distribution of insulation, without increasing material weight or manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Robert H. Howe
  • 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