Patents by Inventor Fred C. Eicher

Fred C. Eicher 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: 5570769
    Abstract: A rotary actuator and a linear actuator are combined to provide an output shaft with independent linear and rotary motion. The linear actuator causes the rotary actuator to move linearly, and there is a guide which restricts the movement of the rotary actuator to linear motion and a bearing which receives the output shaft of the rotary actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the rotary output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Turn Act, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans, Gary M. Rumrill
  • Patent number: 5556149
    Abstract: A rotary clamping device includes a rotary actuator and an L-shaped base, with a gripper device mounted on the output shaft of the rotary actuator. The construction is very simple and lightweight, so that, in the preferred embodiment, it is made up primarily of four extruded parts in addition to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Turn-Act, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans, Jr., Charles F. Evans, III
  • Patent number: 5404983
    Abstract: A multi directional actuator capable of moving a shaft in at least two directions independently including one linear and one rotary movement. A base plate is provided to receive a first actuator having a linearly moving shaft which is extended from and retracted into the actuator. A second actuator is connected for movement by the first actuator and where the second actuator operates an output shaft which is selectively rotated through a portion of an arc. A guide arrangement is provided to direct movement of the second actuator by the first actuator and to journal the shaft of the second actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the shaft of the second actuator. Limit switches can be provided to indicate end of the stroke of the linear and rotary actuators and the first and second actuators can be separated to allow use of limit stops to limit rotation of the shaft of the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans, Jr., Gary M. Rumrill
  • Patent number: 4475738
    Abstract: An elongate elastomeric seal member including a first portion to be partially received in an elongate groove of a selected element where the groove has opposite sides and a base connecting the sides and a second portion extending outwardly from the opposite edges of the groove to sealably engage a sealing surface adjacent the element where fluid pressure is selectively applied to at least one side of the seal and where the seal, in cross section, includes a central body with first and second spaced feet extending outwardly therefrom to be received in the groove and engage the sides and base of the groove and third and fourth feet extending outwardly from the central element to slidably engage the sealing surface wherein fluid can be applied to at least one of the third and fourth feet to urge one of said third and fourth feet to sealing relation with said sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Hilliard Lyons Patent Management Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans
  • Patent number: 4474105
    Abstract: An oscillatory fluid powered motor includes a cylindrical body closed at its opposite ends by head members to define a chamber. Each head member has a central opening in aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body for receiving the opposite ends of a shaft. At least one vane is structurally associated with the shaft for rotation therewith, and extends radially of the cylindrical housing from the shaft. At least one stationary stator is attached to the interior wall of the cylindrical housing and extends radially of the housing. The cylinder heads include a bearing surface surrounding the central openings, and a ring seal concentrically disposed with and radially spaced from the central openings. The vane has a peripheral seal which sealingly contacts the bearing surface of each cylinder head, the interior wall surface of the cylindrical body and a portion of each ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans