Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hodge

Robert J. Hodge 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: 7935193
    Abstract: A wheel washing assembly contains a machine frame, a pendulum assembly pivotably supported on the machine frame, and two washing manifolds, including a first washing manifold and a second washing manifold, attached to the pendulum assembly. Each of the washing manifolds has a nozzle assembly for ejecting water at a wheel to be washed. The washing manifolds are pivotable between a start washing position and an end washing position by an automatic motion of the pendulum assembly. The washing manifolds further automatically track the wheels to be washes by a motion of one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Sonny's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hodge, Anthony Analetto, Salvatore Fazio
  • Publication number: 20100122714
    Abstract: A wheel washing assembly contains a machine frame, a pendulum assembly pivotably supported on the machine frame, and two washing manifolds, including a first washing manifold and a second washing manifold, attached to the pendulum assembly. Each of the washing manifolds has a nozzle assembly for ejecting water at a wheel to be washed. The washing manifolds are pivotable between a start washing position and an end washing position by an automatic motion of the pendulum assembly. The washing manifolds further automatically track the wheels to be washes by a motion of one of the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: SONNY'S ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hodge, Anthony Analetto, Salvatore Fazio
  • Patent number: 7677258
    Abstract: A wheel washing assembly contains a machine frame, a pendulum assembly pivotably supported on the machine frame, and two washing manifolds, including a first washing manifold and a second washing manifold, attached to the pendulum assembly. Each of the washing manifolds has a nozzle assembly for ejecting water at a wheel to be washed. The washing manifolds are pivotable between a start washing position and an end washing position by an automatic motion of the pendulum assembly. The washing manifolds further automatically track the wheels to be washes by a motion of one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sonny's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hodge, Anthony Analetto, Salvatore Fazio
  • Publication number: 20080185019
    Abstract: A wheel washing assembly contains a machine frame, a pendulum assembly pivotably supported on the machine frame, and two washing manifolds, including a first washing manifold and a second washing manifold, attached to the pendulum assembly. Each of the washing manifolds has a nozzle assembly for ejecting water at a wheel to be washed. The washing manifolds are pivotable between a start washing position and an end washing position by an automatic motion of the pendulum assembly. The washing manifolds further automatically track the wheels to be washes by a motion of one of the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Sonny's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hodge, Anthony Analetto, Salvatore Fazio
  • Patent number: 5569883
    Abstract: A joint and method of making a joint for providing a secure mechanical and electrical connection between a longitudinally extending coiled or wound element and a terminal on a mating component in a body implantable lead assembly. The wound element has an end portion threadedly received by a post on the terminal. A ring is disposed about the end portion of the wound element. The ring, the end portion of the wound element and the post are joined at at least one location along the circumference of the ring, preferably by thermally fusing these parts using a pulsed laser. The ring has a thin wall and is preferably made of the same biocompatible metallic alloy as the wound element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeryle L. Walter, Robert J. Hodge, Jr., Stephen M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4857113
    Abstract: The system for cleansing exterior surfaces of vehicles has horizontal arrays of plural zero degree solid stream nozzles in spaced relationship along the linear length of the arrays. The zero degree nozzles are at an angular orientation with respect to the linear length of each array such that the solid streams emitted from them are from 40.degree. up to about 80.degree. from the linear length. Each array is equipped with elements for oscillating the array in a direction transverse to the linear length thereof. The system includes elements for effecting relative linear motion lengthwise between a vehicle undergoing treatment and the horizontal oscillatable arrays, with each array laterally parallel to a side of the vehicle. Ends of a vehicle as well as sides can be cleaned with the angularly impacting solid streams from the arrays during the relative linear motion even though the arrays are laterally parallel to the length of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Grace-Lee Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hodge
  • Patent number: 4716916
    Abstract: The system for cleansing exterior surfaces of vehicles has horizontal arrays of plural zero degree solid stream nozzles in spaced relationship along the linear length of the arrays. The zero degree nozzles are at an angular orientation with respect to the linear length of each array such that the solid streams emitted from them are form 40.degree. up to about 80.degree. from the linear length. Each array is equipped with elements for oscillating the array in a direction transverse to the linear length thereof. The system includes elements for effecting relative linear motion, lengthwise between a vehicle undergoing treatment and the horizontal oscillatable arrays, with each array laterally parallel to a side of the vehicle. Ends of a vehicle as well as sides can be cleaned with the angularly impacting solid streams from the arrays during the relative linear motion even though the arrays are laterally parallel to the length of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Grace-Lee Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hodge
  • Patent number: 4691117
    Abstract: A contactless electrical switch includes a switch element comprising a piezo-resistive transducer (25). Coded toothed cams (16) operated via a shaft (14) deflect the transducer (25) causing corresponding changes in stress and hence resistance. The output of the transducer is amplified and fed to logic circuitry which determines a corresponding current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Company
    Inventors: John C. Greenwood, Robert J. Hodges, Robert Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4644315
    Abstract: In a push-button switch, the switch element is a cantilever (2) of thin silicon strain gauge material with a small magnet (1), e.g. of samarium cobalt alloy at its free end. Adjacent to the free end there is an annular magnet (3), e.g. of plastics material impregnated with samarium cobalt alloy, on the push rod (4) of the switch. The annular magnet (3) is so poled that movement of the rod (4) causes, due to magnetic forces, the deflection of the silicon strain gauge to give an electrical output.The return force, plus collapse action, is provided by a soft iron collar (5) on the switch structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4559705
    Abstract: Indexing overlay for computer display devices such as CRT's and plasma displays. The overlay consists of a sheet of hi-static vinyl, acetate or the like of a size to conveniently cover the display area of columns and rows of discrete displayable positions. The sheet is of a thickness so that the overlay can be electrostatically attachable to the face of the display device. A set of first indicia defined discrete columnar positions along a row. Another set of indicia break up the first indicia into discrete fields five indicia wide. One set of labeling indicia accumulatively number the columns from left to right and a second set of numbering indicia may be used to accumulatively number the rows from top to bottom. The indicia are imprinted in reverse on the back side of the sheet in black or bright color ink. The color is selected to give high contrast to the indicia against the type of display background upon which the overlay is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventors: Michaela W. Hodge, Robert J. Hodge
  • Patent number: 4423402
    Abstract: A capsule for use as a temperature responsive element in a temperature sensitive electrical switch. The capsule is provided in a transistor mounting can configuration to facilitate printed circuit board mounting. The capsule contains a fluid and a concave disc. At a predetermined temperature, the disc snaps-over into a convex configuration. Movement of the disc is detected to provide an output signal which is temperature responsive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Jackson, Robert J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4398071
    Abstract: An electrical snap-action switch has as its moving member a strip (15) of a springy metal with which there is integrally formed a contact-carrying arm (18). This strip is held bowed into a C shape in a metal carrier (10) with a concave inner face (11) near which the strip lies when in one position.The operating member of the switch is a rocker (23) of an insulating material which rocks on a convex "bump" (24) on the carrier so that it has an inwardly extending pillar (24) with two studs one on each side of the strip (15). Hence operation of the rocker snaps the strip between its two positions, with corresponding movement of the contact carrying arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hodges, Aubrey M. Crick, Charles E. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4336429
    Abstract: A snap-action switch unit uses as its movable element a spring strip (23) mounted in a frame (20) such that the strip is bowed. A rod or the like (22) across the strip at its middle constrains the strip so that one half is bowed away from a flat surface (21) while the other half is adjacent to and roughly parallel with the flat surface.On the opposite side of the spring strip (23) to the flat surface (21) there is a rocker (28) depression of which flips the spring strip (23) between two stable states. Integral with the strip (23) there are contact-bearing tongues (26, 27) which co-operate with stationary contacts on the supporting surface (21).Alternatively the spring strip carries a transverse strip carrying two contact buttons which co-operate with stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Jackson, Robert J. Hodges, Stephen L. Amphlett
  • Patent number: 4194105
    Abstract: An electrical switch contact member consists of a resilient electrically conductive domed diaphragm of a predetermined shape. The diaphragm includes a frusto-conical region linking a central region of the diaphragm with a peripheral region. The frusto-conical region includes an inwardly turned or bent transition portion at its smaller end, and an outwardly turned transition portion at its larger end, and is dimensioned to function as a Belleville spring. The diaphragm may also comprise a plurality of co-axial similarly oriented frusto-conical regions each of which is inwardly turned at its smaller end, outwardly at its larger end, and which is also dimensioned to function as a Belleville spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4113346
    Abstract: A ferrule terminated optical fiber in which the fiber is held only approximately on the axis of the ferrule on the sides of which flat reference surfaces are subsequently machined. Machining is performed to a predetermined distance from the center of a fiber core, the position of which is revealed by launching light into the fiber from the other end. Providing the reference surfaces as a last manufacturing step avoids the problems of cumulative errors which arise from assembling parts having dimensional tolerances, together with the error resulting from distortion liable to occur during the setting of the adhesive holding a fiber in a ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Jackson, Robert J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4087157
    Abstract: Optical fibers that have had the plastic coatings stripped from their ends, or ferrule terminated optical fibers or bundles, are connected in aligned butting relationship by close-wound helical strip springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Hodges