Patents by Inventor Michael Norman Smith

Michael Norman Smith 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: 6478031
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with improvements to a ledger for a rod-making machine of the type comprising a rod supporting part (14, 16) which is pivotally mounted on two linear motion devices (10; 12) each comprising a fixed gear (A), a first orbiting gear (B) which is preferably smaller than the fixed gear, and a pair of connected coaxial gears (C) and (D) of different diameter which also orbit about the axis of the fixed gear and which mesh respectively with the fixed gear and first orbiting gear (B), such that the effective gear ratio between the fixed gear (A) and the first orbiting gear (B) via the other two gears is 2:1, the rod supporting part being pivotally connected to the first orbiting gear (B) or to a crank connected thereto. According to the main improvement, an assembly including gears B, C and D and parts carrying them at appropriate positions is arranged to be readily replaceable to achieve a rod length change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventor: Michael Norman Smith