Patents by Inventor Michael H. Estkowski
Michael H. Estkowski 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).
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Patent number: 5415252Abstract: A twin wheel caster and brake assembly including a central body with an axle mounted thereto which extends outwardly from opposite sides of the central body. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted on each end of the axle and include a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs with adjacent ribs defining a recess therebetween. At least one slot is formed in the central body. A locking bar associated with a brake actuating lever is located within the slot and is moveable therein between a brake locked position wherein the locking bar is located within the recesses for engagement with the ribs of the wheels and an unlocked position wherein the locking bar is located out of contact with the ribs. A pivot member is associated with the brake actuating lever and the central body to facilitate movement of the brake actuating lever and locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1994Date of Patent: May 16, 1995Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventor: Michael H. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5276942Abstract: A roller mechanism for supporting an article on a support surface for selective movement thereon. The roller mechanism including a support member rotatably connected to the article to be supported, a bearing for providing antifriction rotation between the support member and the article to be supported, an axle or axles connected to the support member, and a plurality of roller elements mounted about the support member in a generally circular pattern, each roller element being independently rotatable about an axle.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher F. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5232265Abstract: A mechanism for vertical adjustability and securement of a backrest of a chair on the upright support of the chair having a housing which includes first and second housing members, and a pair of link assemblies, pivotally connected and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A resilient sleeve is carried by one of the link assemblies and is engageable against the upright support when the link assemblies are in the locked position to grip the upright support between the sleeve and a rod to prohibit vertical movement of the housing with respect to the upright support.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1992Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5230571Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a roller mechanism and a cage member. The roller mechanism includes a plurality of roller members and a plurality of frangible connector links for initially connecting each roller member to an adjacent roller member. The roller members and the connector links are integrally molded together. The cage member includes a circular flange and a plurality of spacer pegs extending perpendicular from the flange in a circular configuration. The pegs are spaced apart from one another and each peg includes a tip having a hollow chamber adapted to receive and store a connector link. The pegs are adapted to be inserted between adjacent roller members during assembly such that when the cage member and the roller mechanism are pressed together, the pegs will sever the connector links from the roller members and will retain the severed connector links in the chambers of the peg tips. The severed roller members are then free to independently rotate within the cage member.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1992Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5226739Abstract: A retainer and bearing assembly in which the bearing members are formed as an integral component of, and are initially connected to the retainer, for separation upon assembly or use.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1991Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5075924Abstract: A caster for supporting an article of furniture and for rolling over a surface including a body having a first axle and a second axle with the first axle being disposed at an angle to a second axle and the first and second axles being disposed at acute angles to the surface. Two or more wheels are mounted for rotation about the first axle with each wheel being relatively rotatable with respect to each other wheel. Two or more wheels are also mounted for rotation about the second axle with each wheel being relatively rotatable with respect to each other wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Shepperd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski
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Patent number: 5068943Abstract: A dual wheel tilted axle caster in which the bearing members are formed as an integral component of, and are initially connected to the retainer, for separation upon assembly or use.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1990Date of Patent: December 3, 1991Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski, Michael Gaishin
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Patent number: 5018787Abstract: A seat support mechanism for a tiltable chair having a rear tilt torque mechanism including interconnected torsion bars which are adjustable to vary the resilient restraining force which opposes rearward tilt of the seat when occupied, a pair of compression springs disposed between a seat support assembly and a base member to provide added resistance to rearward tilt, a link to limit rotation of the seat support assembly within predetermined limits and a release mechanism movable between a lock position, wherein rearward tilt is prohibited and a release position, wherein rearward tilt is permitted.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1990Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S. Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Don E. Minor
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Patent number: 4892354Abstract: A seat support mechanism for a tiltable chair having a rear tilt torque mechanism including interconnected torsion bars which are adjustable to vary the resilient restraining force which opposes rearward tilt of the seat when occupied, a detent mechanism which provides additional detent and stability to maintain the seat in its normal upright position and add to the resistance of the torque mechanism, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting said detent mechanism for front tilt.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1989Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Don E. Minor, Lennard V. Lastuck
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Patent number: 4763383Abstract: A caster with a constant electrically conductive path defined from the pintle to the surface on which the caster wheels are supported to prevent the build up of static charges which may generate sparks and uncontrolled voltage surges that may damage electronic components or cause combustion in volatile environments.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1987Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Christopher G. Estkowski, Robert M. Shane
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Patent number: 4718726Abstract: A seat support mechanism for a tilting chair with separate adjustments for front and rear tilt, which mechanism includes interconnected torsion bars which are adjustable to vary the resilient restraining force which opposes rearward tilt of the seat when occupied. The support mechanism also includes a separate torsion member and adjustment to vary the resilient restraining force opposing front tilt of the seat when the seat occupant leans forward.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1987Date of Patent: January 12, 1988Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Jerome C. Caruso, Don E. Minor
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Patent number: 4696394Abstract: A protective covering for annular objects, such as caster wheels, which covering consists of a continuous band of heat-shrinkable plastic material defining spaced marginal edges thereabout, which band is proportioned thereabout to be closely received over and about the tread of the caster wheel in overlapping relation to the wheel along both side edges of the wheel tread, for heat shrinking thereagainst, whereby the band is tensioned against the wheel tread, and the wheel tread side edges, in protective relation to the tread, which band is formed to provide what becomes a tear or release strip that functions to sever the band, when removal of the covering is desired, from one side edge of the band to the other.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1986Date of Patent: September 29, 1987Assignee: Shepherd Products U.S., Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Estkowski, Robert S. Doumani, Christopher G. Estkowski
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Patent number: 4688512Abstract: A back lighted trip indicator for a circuit breaker comprising an opaque tubular shield and a light translucent prism telescopically received in the shield and movable from a position totally within said shield when the manual operator is in the "ON" position to an exposed condition when the manual operator moves to the "OFF" position thereby to reflect ambient light through a frontal face on the prism to back light indicia on the frontal face of the prism.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1986Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Assignee: Mechanical Products, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Alper, Kenneth C. Bakhaus, Michael H. Estkowski
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Patent number: 4453369Abstract: An improved seed marker tab comprising an elongated flat tab element proportioned to have one end thereof inserted in the soil to a predetermined level with the other end thereof projecting above the soil. The tab is formed of stiff, relatively thin, self-supporting material and the end portion that is inserted in the soil has preferably an indentation or pod formed in one end thereof. Openings provided at the back of the pod for receiving seeds specifically determine number and location of seeds mounted on the tab. Filler material covers the seeds overlying the openings to complete the assembly. The improved seed marker tab results from a new process whereby vacuum means are used to hold the seed in place while the tab assembly is completed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1982Date of Patent: June 12, 1984Inventor: Michael H. Estkowski
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Patent number: 4353183Abstract: An improved seed marker tab comprising an elongated flat tab element proportioned to have one end thereof inserted in the soil to a predetermined level with the other end thereof projecting above the soil. The tab is formed of stiff, relatively thin, self-supporting material and the end portion that is inserted in the soil has preferably an indentation or pod formed in one end thereof. Openings provided at the back of the pod for receiving seeds specifically determine number and location of seeds mounted on the tab. Filler material covers the seeds overlying the openings to complete the assembly. The improved seed marker tab results from a new process whereby vacuum means are used to hold the seed in place while the tab assembly is completed.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1980Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Inventor: Michael H. Estkowski
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Patent number: 4339154Abstract: A vehicle brake system for operating a spring applied, fluid pressure released brake. In order to assure that the brake is fully released before the vehicle is operated, the system requires the operator to perform two operations. He must move a manually operated hydraulic valve to the brake release position and in addition must close a normally open, momentary contact switch which actuates a second solenoid operated valve in series with the first valve to the brake release position. When pressure has built up in the brake actuator sufficiently to assure that it is fully released, a pressure sensor causes a hold-in circuit for the solenoid operated valve to be energized whereupon the operator can then release the momentary contact switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1980Date of Patent: July 13, 1982Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventors: Ralph M. Duttarer, Michael H. Estkowski, Russell P. Smith
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Patent number: 4166226Abstract: The present invention provides a permanent magnet type of synchronous a.c. motor embodying an improved form of no-back by which the motor upon being energized is caused to start from rest invariably in the predetermined direction of rotation.Furthermore, the motor is capable of satisfactory operation in a wider range of angular positions of the motor shaft than prior motors, and it is inherently more sensitive to initiate the direction of rotation correctly than devices of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1976Date of Patent: August 28, 1979Assignee: V-M CorporationInventor: Michael H. Estkowski
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Patent number: 4144862Abstract: A system which normally prevents an attempt to start an engine while the engine lubricant pressure is high. However, in an emergency it is possible to crank the engine even though the lubricant pressure is high by operating the start switch and main switch in the reverse of the usual sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1977Date of Patent: March 20, 1979Assignee: Clark Equipment CompanyInventor: Michael H. Estkowski