Patents by Inventor Frank Knoll

Frank Knoll 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: 4648160
    Abstract: A closure assembly useful as a means for sealing a pressurized package which includes clamping means shiftable between an open position to receive an open portion of the pressurized package and a closed position to substantially hermetically seal the open portion of the pressurized package. The assembly also includes a retaining means coupled to the clamped means and adapted to be actuated by a force substantially independent of the force associated with the pressurized package whereupon the actuating force will maintain the clamping means in the closed position. Another part of the present closure assembly is an actuation means which is engageable with the retaining means in a manner which supplies the force enabling the retaining means to keep the clamping means in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: East/West Industries
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4619255
    Abstract: An emergency oxygen system for use on aircraft in conjunction with an on-board primary oxygen supply system is designed to supply oxygen to aircraft personnel in the event that the on-board oxygen supply system fails. Additionally, if the aircraft personnel is forced to eject from the aircraft, the emergency oxygen system automatically activates to provide oxygen and simultaneously disengages all electrical connections from the aircraft frame. The system includes an emergency oxygen supply which is coupled to a differential pressure activated valve through an oxygen release valve, the oxygen release valve having the capability of being manually or automatically triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4597498
    Abstract: A mobile maintenance stand for servicing and transporting ejection seats utilized in aircraft includes a mobile platform having disposed thereon upright arms adapted to encompass an ejection seat and rotatable to expose the various portions thereof for servicing and maintenance of the wiring, electronics, etc. disposed therein. The platform is rotatable 360 degrees in a horizontal plane with the upright arms rotatable 270 degrees in a vertical plane and is mounted on a lower portion provided with wheels disposed at the distal ends of outwardly extending arms. The arms may be extended to provide additional stability and removable screw jacks are attachable on the arms to provide a rigid stable platform. Additionally included on the rotating base platform is a removable telescoping crane assembly that may be attached to an ejection seat disposed in an aircraft for removing the seat therefrom and placing it in position to be retained by the pair of servicing arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4506862
    Abstract: A fluid hose connector capable of resisting transverse forces to avoid inadvertent disconnection from a mating connector includes an elongated hollow body which includes a first portion that provides an extending collar to restrain the lateral movement of a mating connector and a second portion which provides for connection to a source of fluid. The body portion includes a hollow coupling for removably retaining a mating connector and a hollow plunger which is adapted to be slidably received within the coupling. The plunger is provided with a first disconnect position which prevents fluid flow through the body and a second position which permits fluid to flow therethrough. A spring disposed within the body urges the plunger to the first or disconnect position so that when the connector is not mated, it prevents fluid flow therethrough as well as providing a dust cover for the connector opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4496271
    Abstract: A restraining fitting suitable for use with a mating track member affixed to a flat surface includes an upper portion having a ring affixed thereon suitable for receiving restraining straps or, alternatively, may include a bracket for receiving other mechanisms such as seat legs, shelves, etc., on its upper surface. The lower portion includes depending protrusions adapted to be received into and cooperate with bore holes provided in the track member. A lower member formed to be slidably retained by the upper member provides displacement of the depending protrusions locking the restraining fitting in the mating track member without requiring movement of the upper member from its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4416641
    Abstract: An anti-exposure jacket for covering the torso and arms of the user as well as the user's crotch incorporates insulation material and a removable inflatable bladder disposed between two layers of fire-resistant material. The bladder may be inflated either by a gas-powered valve assembly or by exhalation of the user into an oral valve. Fasteners are provided to store the crotch portion when not in use so that the jacket can be used for routine as well as emergency wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4328714
    Abstract: An actuation assembly for use in conjunction with an instrument, such as a parachute oxygen system, etc., is disclosed having a handle adapted to be manually gripped by the user of the actuation assembly and mounted relative to housing means that is fixedly secured to a strap or the like, with positionment of the handle in releasably confined position relative to the housing means until use of the actuation assembly is desired. Releasing means operatively associated with the housing means and the handle is provided to maintain the handle in the confined position relative to the housing means such that only upon the application of a predetermined force to the handle is it removable from the confined position. Coupling means for connecting the handle to the instrument to be actuated is provided such that upon removal of the handle from the confined position a force is applied through the coupling means to the instrument for actuation of the system associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4305438
    Abstract: The kit of the present invention is for use in the refilling within a survival unit of a gaseous supply tank through a filler valve having a threaded stem adjacent the free end thereof and a gripping surface on the filler valve. The gas is generally oxygen although other gas may be supplied. The kit includes an adapter to provide coupling relationship with the threaded stem of the filler valve so as to permit a flow of oxygen into the supply tank such that refilling thereof may take place without removal of the supply tank from the survival kit. The adapter includes an elongated member with an aperture extending therethrough and is adapted to mate with the filler valve in sealing engagement therewith so as to permit gas flowing through the aperture to enter the filler valve. The adapter further includes a holder with a bore extending axially therethrough and the elongated member extends axially through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4289286
    Abstract: A disconnect device for an aircraft survival kit including a container and a lid secured thereto with a torso harness and anti-rotation strap associated therewith. The disconnect device includes a body adapted to be mounted relative to the kit, with the body including a recess, in accordance with one embodiment, adapted to enclose a portion of the kit therein, and a support assembly extending outwardly from the body and including a cavity adapted to receive an end of the harness therein. A locking device is provided and adapted to extend through the support assembly and the end of the harness to provide securement of the harness to the kit so as to obtain removal of the harness from the disconnect device for replacement thereof when the locking devise is disengaged such that the lid may remain secured to the container when the harness is replaced. The support assembly includes a pair of spaced apart arms integrally joined with the body and defining the cavity for receiving the end of the harness therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4158907
    Abstract: A snap assembly adapted to receive a cooperating buckle element is disclosed in which a base is provided having oppositely disposed front and rear ends with upper and lower surfaces intermediate the ends, and a hook is integrally formed with the front end of the base and extending inwardly in the direction of the rear end and terminating in a distal end. The base includes a front section and a rear section angularly disposed with respect thereto with a harness or the like extending from the rear section. The hook having an inner surface bounding one side of the hook facing the upper surface of the base for forming an enclosure for receiving a buckle element therein with a harness extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4074401
    Abstract: A snap assembly adapted to receive a cooperating buckle element is disclosed in which a base is provided having oppositely disposed front and rear ends with upper and lower surfaces intermediate the ends, and a hook is integrally formed with the front end of the base and extending inwardly in the direction of the rear end and terminating in a distal end. The hook having an inner surface bounding one side of the hook facing the upper surface of the base for forming an enclosure for receiving the buckle element therein. A flexible locking member is adapted to be moved relative to the inner surface of the hook, with the locking member having an outer end and an oppositely disposed free end. The outer end formed by a wall having one surface thereof extending in overlapping relationship with and secured to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic J. Spinosa, Frank Knoll
  • Patent number: 4024828
    Abstract: This invention is for a portable signaling device which provides the user with the ability to accurately position the device in a manner to be assured that the reflections from the mirror-like surface forming a part of the signaling device are directed at the target. The signaling device includes signaling means having a plate with a surface to reflect the rays of the sun and sighting means maintained in spaced relation to the signaling means. An aperture is provided on the signaling means and the sighting means through which the user can view the target to obtain proper alignment and in turn maximum reflection from the mirror-like surface to the target. In addition, the reflective surface of the signaling means includes a set of cross hairs which are adapted to be reflected onto the sighting means such that the reflective set of cross hairs can be maintained in alignment with the aperture on the sighting means to maintain a proper alignment therebetween for maximum transmission of the signal to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Knoll, John Robert Ryan
  • Patent number: 3950826
    Abstract: A seat belt system is disclosed for mounting relative to the seat assembly of a vehicle which includes one or more harness restraint adjuster devices having retaining means including a pair of cooperating clamping members for engagement with opposite sides of the webbing belt. The clamping members are normally closed on the belt to anchor it in a fixed position, but manual release means allows for disengagement of the clamping members to vary the length of the seat belt system. The belt is free to move within the restraint adjuster in one direction without any need to utilize the release means, and the retaining means automatically reclamps itself against the belt when the adjustment is completed.Guide means including spaced apart fixed bearing surfaces are assembled to side members of the support means and are so located as to limit the forward translation of the clamping members while there is tension in the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Knoll, George Skridul