Patents by Inventor Frank C. Price

Frank C. Price 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: 6076036
    Abstract: An automatic control of speed for a vehicle is based on using speed setting, actual speed, acceleration and the change of the slope of the road to set fuel flow for improved fuel mileage. The proposed system of sensors and a programmed computer automatically manages fuel flow to the engine as the truck moves in gusting winds and through transitions from one slope of the road to another. As the conventional cruise control operates to maintain or change speed according to a speed setting Vs the actual speed, the added control of this invention results in a modification of the signal to fuel flow depending upon what road slope change and acceleration is detected. The result is an improvement in fuel mileage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Christopher C. Price, Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5230455
    Abstract: A filter unit is made of two portions (14) of rigid corrugated material secured together along lands (50,52) extending parallel with the corrugations and, if desired, intermediate them, and also along lands (54) formed along one end of the corrugations, thus closing the passages formed when the two portions (14) are secured together. Suitable fastenings are adhesive bonding, and metallic fasteners, e.g. eyelets, or stitching. Further flanges (56) may be provided for facilitating a connection with a suitable suction or other air-drawing source; also if desired, such further lands (56) may be out-flanged for facilitating such connection. Apparatus for forming the sheet material is also provided whereby material from a continuous supply is progressively formed between two sets of blade members (102), the blade members being moved sequentially and alternately (as between the two sets) into forming engagement with the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: British United Shoe Machinery Limited
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5210897
    Abstract: For accurately positioning a shoe upper on its last preliminarily to a pulling over and toe lasting operation, the machine comprises an optical scanning system (20) by which, in cooperation with a central processor unit (22), coordinate axis values can be determined for selected portions of the topline region of the shoe upper (the "actual" values) and be compared with a set of taught data relevant to the shoe style, such taught data representing the positions in which the selected portions of the topline region of the shoe upper are to be located (the "should be" values), the central processor unit (22) comparing the actual and "should be" values and supplying correction signals to motors (16) associated one with each of the pincers (10, 12) whereby the shoe upper is selectively tensioned in order to achieve the desired location of the topline region of the shoe upper on its last.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: DVSG Engineering und Patentverwaltungs GmbH
    Inventors: David C. Reedman, Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5171095
    Abstract: A device applying a two-component composition to a workpiece surface comprises an applicator head (384) to which the two components are supplied separately via tubes (726, 382) arranged one inside the other. The applicator head includes a ball member (392) over the surface of which the components supplied via the tubes can flow and be applied to the workpiece surface, substantially unmixed at the point of application. The applicator head (384) supports a rotary brush assembly (398) which, when its annular operating surface portion is pressed against the workpiece surface, serves both to mix the substantially still separate components on the workpiece surface and to spread the thus formed adhesive composition over the workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: British United Shoe Machine Ltd.
    Inventors: John Davies, Raymond Hanson, Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5072847
    Abstract: Flexible, extruded strips and molded, curved pieces are used as pressed-in fillers for the edge grooves in an opened can of paint. This acts as a cover for the groove where the lid seals. The result is that an opened can of paint may be poured-from without the lid seal area becoming fouled by paint. A pour lip is also provided to preclude paint running down the can after the pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5025521
    Abstract: A wiper assembly (120, 220) for a pulling over and toe lasting machine provides for variation of the configuration of the continuous wiping surface (146, 246) and of the leading edge (144, 244) of the wiper assembly. This is achieved by each wiper plate arrangement comprising two wiper plates (132, 152; 232, 252) pivotally connected to one another whereby their angular relationship can be varied. In one embodiment the wiper plate configuration is varied while the machine is in the rest position, and the wiper plates are then clamped in such position; in another embodiment the individual wiper plates (232, 252) are driven independently of one another whereby the configuration can be varied not only at the start of the lasting operation but during the course of the lasting operation; furthermore, by this independent means, the configuration can be varied differently for left and right shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventors: Frank C. Price, Gerhard Giebel
  • Patent number: 4949416
    Abstract: The device has a continuous adhesive-applying surface which is made up from a plurality of elements, articulated so as to enable the configuration of the surface to be varied by varying the relationship between the elements. More particularly, the elements comprise two base elements pivotally connected to one another and forming the base of the U, and two leg elements one pivotally connected to each of the base elements, forming the legs of the U. For adjusting the configuration of the surface, the distance between the pivotal connections of the leg elements with the base elements and also the distance between the remote ends of the leg elements are adjustable. For use in a pulling over and toe lasting machine, the central pivot between the two base elements is fixed in the machine so as to maintain the toe end of the applicator device in the correct relationship with other operating instrumentalities of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: DVSG Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4924546
    Abstract: The pulling over assembly (2, 39) and lasting assembly (13, 40) of a pulling over and lasting machine are capable of being moved apart to enable a pulling over operation to be effected on one shoe at a first station (I) while a lasting operation is being completed on a further shoe at a second station (II). In one embodiment the pulling over assembly (2) moves bodily to the second station (II) at which the lasting assembly (13) is arranged; in a second embodiment the lasting assembly (40) moves to the first station (I) at which the pulling over assembly (39) is arranged. Each assembly (2, 13; 39, 40) has a heel rest (5, 19; 41, 50), the heel rests being so arranged as to carry out without collision the function of holding the shoe against lengthwise displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: DVSG Patentverwaltungs GmbH
    Inventors: Frank C. Price, Gerhard Giebel, Rudi Fichtner, Manfred Broening
  • Patent number: 4599759
    Abstract: The transfer apparatus comprises a transfer arm (16) and a distributor (18). The transfer arm has two axes of movement (22,26) and is non-extendable so that it moves between a take-off station and an intermediate station (I) through a fixed distance. The distributor (18) has a table (50) which receives a shoe (S) at the intermediate station (I). Furthermore, the table (50) can be positioned at any one of four stations (I,F1,F2,F3) each aligned with a channel (12) of a heat setting apparatus (14). A pneumatic control circuit causes shoes (S) fed successively to the table (50) to be transferred in a sequence to the channels (12) by operation of pusher means.The apparatus is suitable for transferring shoes from a lasting machine, a shoe support (10) of which can be positioned at the take-off station, to a heat setting apparatus (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Price, Anthony M. White
  • Patent number: 4593423
    Abstract: In a combined heel seat and side lasting machine, in which the heel seat lasting operation takes place during the dwell time necessary for the cement side lasting operation, the backpart of the shoe remains free of any clamping pressure at least in and adjacent the backseam region thereof, which pressure would have the effect of forcing excess material out of the heel seat region into the region to be lasted by the side lasting instrumentalities, while at the same time provision is made for locating the shoe, prior to the side lasting operation, in a predetermined relationship, both heightwise and lengthwise, with the heel seat lasting instrumentalities. To this end, the shoe is first located lengthwise by the heel band (16), whereafter, with the shoe clamped against a holddown (20), the heel band is retracted out of engagement with the backseam region of the shoe during the side lasting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Clarkson, James R. Flanders, Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4522586
    Abstract: The process treats a continuous stream of containers of solid material effecting melting or heating of the material within the package. The dwell time within the process is minimized while at the same time the maximum temperature achieved by any of the material is held within an allowable maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4517442
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support for a shoe part which is to have adhesive on a surface thereof activated by heat, and a heating member arranged to emit infra-red radiation to heat the shoe part. The heating member is mounted for movement between an operative position thereof in which the heating member is in opposed relationship with the support so that the shoe part can be heated, and an inoperative position in which the heating member is substantially enclosed by infra-red radiation reflecting screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Price, Nigel R. Tout, Raymond Hanson, Malcolm Tillyard
  • Patent number: 4513886
    Abstract: The rod feed apparatus is made up of a number of telescoping tubes. A first tube (16) is fixed in the apparatus frame and has a connection (46) for a flexible pipe by which it is connected to a melt chamber. A guide tube (36) has a sliding fit with and can slide in the tube (16), the guide tube being secured to a lead-in tube (32) which is clamped inside a support tube (18), the support tube (18) being arranged to slide on the outside of the first tube (16). Rod adhesive is supplied through the lead-in tube (34), into the guide tube (36) and then to the first tube (16). The guide tube is thin-walled so that effectively the rod has a sliding fit with the internal bore of each of the three tubes referred to. For feeding the rod, a jaw (38) projects through slots in the support tube (18) and lead-in tube (32) and is mounted for movement with the various tubes (18, 32, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4491997
    Abstract: In a tack seat lasting machine the wiper plates (90) first effect an "advancing+inwiping" movement and thereafter an "inwiping only" movement, while a central wiping member (76), about which the wiper plates pivot, advances only. To achieve this motion, the member (76) is supported by an arcuate projection (78) which is accommodated in grooves (83) formed in the wiper carriers (88), the center of curvature of the projection and grooves coinciding with the axis of the wiper plates. Thus, the central wiping member is always brought to the same "back tack" position (but the shoe can be adjustably positioned relative thereto by varying the fore-and-aft position of the heel band (20)). The nail pattern is adjustable, without affecting the back tack position, by limiting the stroke of the cylinder controlling the operation of the wiper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4407033
    Abstract: A single-station combined toe and side lasting machine comprises pulling over instrumentalities 20, 22 for tensioning an upper over its last, toe lasting instrumentalities, including toe wipers 38, toe pad 48 and toe band 50, a heel support 56, two adhesive applying nozzles 28 and side lasting instrumentalities 114 constituted by two lasting rollers 176. In operation, with the upper tensioned, first the shoe is clamped by the toe lasting instrumentalities and heel support to allow adhesive to be applied progressively along opposite side portions from the toe to heel breast. Then the lasting rollers operate progressively from the ball region to the heel breast, and, when the rollers have cleared the ball region, the inwiping movement of the toe wipers is completed. The nozzles and side lasting rollers are mounted on a common carriage 26 which moved rectilinearly, supports 116 for the rollers being mounted for movement thereon about three perpendicular axes 82, 122, 140.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Derek H. Garner, Frank C. Price, Philip Reader, David W. Whittingham, Anthony M. White, Joseph A. Shutt, Nicholas J. Campling
  • Patent number: 4404700
    Abstract: The machine comprises a shoe support (20) on which a shoe can be positioned, and which includes a toe end engaging member (48) which senses the shoe length, two abutment faces (84, 90) being set along shoe length sensed. The machine also comprises adhesive-applying nozzles (262) and side lasting rolls (224) mounted on a carriage (216) for movement relative to the last support. The "start" position of the nozzles is set by valves (334,336) actuated by cams (330, 332) positioned by a sensing member (326) engaging with one abutment face (84). Various other machine operations, which take place at the ball region of the shoe bottom, the position of which region thus varies proportionately with shoe length, are controlled by further valves (354, 356) actuated by cams (350, 352) carried on a control rod (344) the position of which is determined by a sensing member (338) engaging the other abutment face (90), an appropriate length grading arrangement (342) connecting said member and said control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Berrill, Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 4296513
    Abstract: A shoe side or combined heel seat and side lasting machine has two side lasting assemblies, each comprising wiping elements mounted for pivotal movement, independently of adjacent elements, about first and second axes extending respectively transversely and lengthwise of the last bottom. For providing a substantially continuous wiping surface, the first axis lies in the plane of the work-engaging surface of its associated element, along the longitudinal center line thereof, when said surface lies horizontally. Also each shoe lasting assembly can pivot bodily about an axis adjacent the edge of the work-engaging surface of the most heelwardly disposed element, in the plane of its work-engaging surface. Associated with each pair of wiping elements is a clamp pad, said pad being caused clampingly to engage the shoe, while the inwiping movement of the elements continues, by operation of a common piston-and-cylinder arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Halford, Frank C. Price, George H. Bosworth
  • Patent number: 4125223
    Abstract: An air field space heater for a fog dispersal system of the type having a plurality of heaters for generating heated air along an aircraft runway. The heater generates heated air and directs it in the form of air jets with properly controlled magnitude of momentum at various angles of inclination relative to the plane of the runway, the angle of inclination being adjustable for dispersing fog under a variety of wind conditions. One form of the heater includes two warm air projectors coupled to two combustors. A single source of thrust power operates two propellers, one for each combustor. The air from the propellers, warmed by the combustors, flows into a pair of elbow conduits which are pivotable to pivot the projectors about a generally horizontal axis for adjustment of the angle of inclination of the projected air jets. The elbow conduits include fixed, low-loss turning vanes, and provide an efficient system for projecting the two air jets at various angles and with minimum drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Ultrasystems, Inc.
    Inventors: George P. Carver, Frank C. Price, Jr., Thomas J. Tyson