Patents by Inventor Lee A. Chase

Lee A. Chase 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: 5487575
    Abstract: An automobile grille which is selectively chromium plated so as to promote the flexural properties of the grille. By optimizing the flexural properties of the grille, the grille is more readily capable of withstanding a frontal impact without sustaining permanent damage. Preferably, the chromium plating is selectively deposited on exposed surfaces of the grille so as to minimize the detrimental effect which a hard and brittle chromium plating has on the flexural modulus of the grille. As a result, the grille is more readily able to flex under the load of an impact directed into the grille from the front of the automobile. In addition, chromium plating is deposited on surfaces of the grille which predominantly see compressive loading, so as to reduce the likelihood that the chromium plating will crack in tension. The grille is particularly suitable for mounting flush with an impact-absorbing bumper, such that the grille is capable of resiliently deflecting with the stroke of the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Chase
  • Patent number: 5478127
    Abstract: A flexible automobile grille, particularly suited for mounting flush with an impact-absorbing bumper, is capable of resiliently deflecting with the stroke of the bumper. The grille is provided with a dual support arrangement by which an upper edge of the grille is resiliently attached directly to the automobile engine hood, while the lower edge is resiliently supported by support members which interconnect the grille's lower edge to the engine hood. The dual support approach of this invention serves to enable greater stroking of the grille during impact, yet contributes additional rigidity to make the grille relatively unsusceptible to road and aerodynamically induced vibrations, and amenable to physical handling during opening and closing of the engine hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Chase
  • Patent number: 5452931
    Abstract: An automobile grille which is selectively chromium plated so as to promote the flexural properties of the grille. By optimizing the flexural properties of the grille, the grille is more readily capable of withstanding a frontal impact without sustaining permanent damage. Preferably, the chromium plating is selectively deposited on exposed surfaces of the grille so as to minimize the detrimental effect which a hard and brittle chromium plating has on the flexural modulus of the grille. As a result, the grille is more readily able to flex under the load of an impact directed into the grille from the front of the automobile. In addition, chromium plating is deposited on surfaces of the grille which predominantly see compressive loading, so as to reduce the likelihood that the chromium plating will crack in tension. The grille is particularly suitable for mounting flush with an impact-absorbing bumper, such that the grille is capable of resiliently deflecting with the stroke of the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Chase
  • Patent number: 5205597
    Abstract: A flexible automobile grille which accommodates the movement of an impact-absorbing bumper. The grille is capable of deflecting with the stroke of the impact-absorbing bumper during impact without the need for the grille to be either pivotable about an anchor point or to be mechanically displaceable with special hardware. The material of the grille is selected to have a yield strength which is adequate to sustain a predetermined degree of yielding corresponding to the amount of deflection required with the bumper's stroke. The grille includes a generally elongated body portion having an upper edge and a lower edge which extend horizontally adjacent the engine hood and the bumper, respectively. Both the upper and lower edges may be configured to attach to the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Chase
  • Patent number: 5197834
    Abstract: A machine tool vise is provided with a set of soft jaws. The soft jaws attach inside and against two master jaws. Both jaws of the vice are equipped with an alignment mechanism to position the soft jaws to assure repositioning. Each jaw is provided with a lenthwise slot which provides a registration face at right angles to an upright registration face at the master jaw. The soft jaw is provided with a bracket that registers on the two faces just mentioned to obtain precise repositioning in two dimensions. Positioning in the third dimension is accomplished by use of a registration pin joining the soft jaw to the master jaw, and a tapered set screw threading into a chamfered opening is used along with the pin to accomplish clamping, thereby assuring complete registration of the bracket holding the soft jaw in the vice. The soft jaws can be mounted, removed and later returned with assurances that the soft jaws are held at a fixed location with respect to the cutter and spindle supporting the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventors: Russell C. Chase, Donald C. Chase, Robert D. Chase, R. Lee Chase
  • Patent number: 4692616
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for standardization a basis weight gauge for measuring the weight per unit area of sheet material. The method includes the calibration steps of obtaining two calibration curves, one of which is displaced from the other by a dirt simulation technique.The displacement between the two curves is expressed as a third curve. A standard sample of a pre-determined basis weight is inserted in the radiation path to provide a standard shft in conjunction with the dirt simulation to provide a reference value for the displacement function curve. During operation of the basis weight gauge, standardization is provided by relating a current standard shift to the initial standard shift to correct the displacement function curve, based upon the value of the third curve at a point corresponding to a measured transmission ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Measurex Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Hegland, Lee Chase