Patents by Inventor David L. Billings

David L. Billings has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4889443
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaft has a longitudinally extending flat area along its end section. A plastic member mounted on the shaft has a longitudinal bore complimentary in shape to and fitting around the shaft end section. The bore includes a longitudinally extending recess projecting radially outward from the flat area of the shaft. A locking sleeve fits within the bore and around the shaft and includes a generally U-shaped portion received in the recess. The U-shaped portion is discontinuous intermediate its ends, providing first and second longitudinal portions adjacent its ends. A screw passes through the first longitudinal portion and threadedly engages the second longitudinal portion for drawing the portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David L. Billings
  • Patent number: 4717882
    Abstract: A rotatable one-piece lens assembly that may be rotated relative to the instrument housing comprising a lens boss, integral with the lens, moving with the rotated lens to move the pointer to engage and test the switches. After the switch test the lens may then be rotated back to its normal position. In this manner the switches are tested without removing the lens from the instrument housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Qualitrol Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Billings, Raymond T. Blythe
  • Patent number: 4333322
    Abstract: An upright fabric washing machine includes a cabinet structure having a bottom frame that is formed to include a bearing for pivotally supporting an assembly of working parts of the machine. A mount includes a hollow mounting post having its lower end formed for pivotal support on the bearing and extending generally upwardly within the cabinet. A plurality of generally horizontally extending mounting arms are attached to the upper portion of the mounting post and project radially outward therefrom. A non-rotatable tub has a peripheral side wall and a bottom wall. The tub is mounted on the mount with the tub bottom wall supported by the mounting arms and with an access opening in the tub in register with the hollow mounting post. A transmission is mounted with its housing within the hollow mounting post and its output member extending upwardly within the tub. Springs connect the distal end of each of the mounting arms with the base for biasing the mount to an upright configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David L. Billings, Robert M. Fey, Richard A. Waugh
  • Patent number: 4137514
    Abstract: A control mechanism for providing four separate linear control positions. Included is a lever having two ends, one end being free to register the four linear positions. First and second stationary solenoids both being located on one side of the lever are provided and the first solenoid plunger is pivotally secured to the lever at the end opposite the free end. The plunger of the second solenoid is pivotally secured to the lever between the ends of the lever. A stationary assembly including a spring is positioned and arranged to exert force on the lever between the first and second solenoids in a direction opposite the direction of solenoid plunger movement upon solenoid actuation. The spring force exerted on the lever is less than the combined force of the plungers of the first and second solenoids upon their common actuation. Separate spring force is exerted on the lever so that the lever is perpendicular to the plungers of the solenoids when both the first and second solenoids are deactuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lonnie C. Wright, David L. Billings