Patents by Inventor Lawrence P. Zepp

Lawrence P. Zepp 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: 4832378
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hollow socket and hollow plug therefor and a specific snap clip for locking the plug in the socket by normally bridging radially aligned cooperating grooves in said plug and socket. The plug and socket may include cooperating surfaces between which a gasket or O-ring may be seated for sealing the coupling. The clip primarily comprises a pair of cooperating semicircular diametrically oppositely movable semiannuli or ring sections connected at one of their adjacent parallel ends by an integral spring loop extending substantially axially from the plane of the semiannuli or ring sections. This loop is provided with a pair of parallel legs joined at one end to the adjacent parallel ends of said semiannuli and at their other ends to a more than semi-circular ring. This loop normally urges said semiannuli outwardly into the groove in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Dura Power Systems Division of Wickes Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Zepp
  • Patent number: 4651123
    Abstract: A linear potentiometer with a sandwich type construction. A pair of conductive strips are carried on a pair of non-conductive flexible plastic substrates which are affixed to a spacer to form a sealed unit. Each substrate includes a pair of tabs which cooperate with the tabs on the other substrate to define a pair of terminal receiving slots for connecting the potentiometer in an electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: International Hydraulic Systems, Inc
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Zepp
  • Patent number: 4644893
    Abstract: A boat leveling systems with a pair of trim tabs pivotal between a horizontal position and a downwardly inclined position. Each trim tab is actuatably between the horizontal and inclined positions by a separate fluid motor which includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a rod connected to the piston. The position of each trim tab is indicated by apparatus which includes a linear potentiometer attached to the rod of the associated fluid motor, the potentiometer having a flexible plastic envelope and a pair of normally spaced-apart conductive strips sealed in the envelope, a ball and spring carried by the cylinder for contacting the envelope and forcing the strips into electrical contact with each other, and a resistance measuring device connected in circuit with the potentiometer and to provide a readout in degrees of the downward angle from horizontal of the trim tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: International Hydraulic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Zepp
  • Patent number: 4457725
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for trimming a marine outboard drive, and wherein a single actuator for moving the propulsion unit is used for both trim and tilt. The actuator is connected to a hydraulic pump. A pump pressure amplifier is connected to the actuator. The amplifier has first and second ports connecting the actuator and to the hydraulic pump. The amplifier includes a switch for bypassing the amplifier to pass the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the actuator without amplification. The switch is operable for bypassing the amplifier for rapidly tilting the propulsion unit and operable for connecting the amplifier within the hydraulic circuit to develop increased pressure for trimming the propulsion unit. The hydraulic amplifier includes a piston movable within a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventors: Calvin V. Kern, Lawrence P. Zepp
  • Patent number: 4325700
    Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder having a piston position memory element is disclosed, and is particularly adapted for use with propulsion units for watercraft. A valve seat (76,242) is frictionally retained in a bore of a cylinder (24,200) and cooperates with a valve (72,266) in a piston (70,244) to stop the piston (70,244) in a preset position by blocking the flow of fluid through the valve (72,266).In a first embodiment, a poppet valve 60 is provided to allow a piston (70) to move to dissipate the energy of a collision of a watercraft propulsion unit with a stationary object, the piston (70) being provided with a valve (72) to allow the piston (70) to return to its original position. The valve seat (76) having remained in its original position and being provided with an unrestricted aperture (78) stops the piston (70) in its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Eltra Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin V. Kern, Lawrence P. Zepp
  • Patent number: D292392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: International Hydraulic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Zepp, Christopher C. Dowdey, Robert B. Riggs, D. Mark Trostle