Patents by Inventor Robert T. Ritt
Robert T. Ritt 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: 6106070Abstract: A chair having height-adjustable arm assemblies mounted adjacent opposite sides of the seat. Each arm assembly includes a horizontally elongated armrest which adjacent one end is connected to an upper end of a support column. The support column is axially slidably supported within an elongate support tube which projects downwardly adjacent a side of the chair seat. The support column and support tube have a cooperating linear anti-friction bearing arrangement therebetween, the latter incorporating a resilient support track to eliminate circumferential clearance. A latch mechanism includes a movable latch member carried on the column and cooperating with a plurality of latch-receiving slots formed in the support tube. The latch member is activated by a push rod which projects upwardly through the support column, and at its upper end is activated by an actuating lever which is pivoted on and projects lengthwise of the armrest and terminates in an actuating button disposed under the front end of the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, Steve J. Nemeth, Jr., Richard N. Roslund, Jr.
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Patent number: 6059363Abstract: An office-type chair which includes a seat assembly and back assembly that are pivotally supported on a chair base or pedestal to support a user thereon. To increase the comfort of the user, the seat assembly is tiltable forwardly and rearwardly by way of a tilt control mechanism while the back assembly thereof is tiltable laterally from side to side, i.e. in the leftward and rightward directions by way of a back torsion mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Robert T. Ritt, Patrick Nelson, Larry Allen Wilkerson, Joel Dral, John Clark
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Patent number: 5961179Abstract: An operator-interactive adjustable workstation including a support frame, a seat adapted for engagement with an operator, and a worksurface having an enlarged upper surface. A motion connecting structure connects between the frame, seat and worksurface for permitting the positions of the seat and worksurface to be simultaneously adjusted relative to the frame. An operator-interactive structure interconnects to the connecting structure for controlling position-adjusting movement of the seat and worksurface in response to an operator-imposed controlling force. A manually-releasable brake cooperates with the connecting structure for normally maintaining it in a fixed positional relationship to define stationary positions for the seat and worksurface.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Perry L. Dixon, Douglas M. Thole, Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5951109Abstract: An office-type chair which includes a seat assembly and back assembly that are pivotally supported on a chair base or pedestal to support a user thereon. To increase the comfort of the user, the seat assembly is tiltable forwardly and rearwardly by way of a tilt control mechanism while the back assembly thereof is tiltable laterally from side to side, i.e. in the leftward and rightward directions by way of a back torsion mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5853223Abstract: A chair having height-adjustable arm assemblies mounted adjacent opposite sides of the seat. Each arm assembly includes a horizontally elongated armrest which adjacent one end is connected to an upper end of a support column. The support column is axially slidably supported within an elongate support tube which projects downwardly adjacent a side of the chair seat. The support column and support tube have a cooperating linear anti-friction bearing arrangement therebetween, the latter incorporating a resilient support track to eliminate circumferential clearance. A latch mechanism includes a movable latch member carried on the column and cooperating with a plurality of latch-receiving slots formed in the support tube. The latch member is activated by a push rod which projects upwardly through the support column, and at its upper end is activated by an actuating lever which is pivoted on and projects lengthwise of the armrest and terminates in an actuating button disposed under the front end of the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, Steve J. Nemeth, Jr., Richard N. Roslund, Jr.
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Patent number: 5647638Abstract: A chair having height-adjustable arm assemblies mounted adjacent opposite sides of the seat. Each arm assembly includes a horizontally elongated armrest which adjacent one end is connected to an upper end of a support column. The support column is axially slidably supported within an elongate support tube which projects downwardly adjacent a side of the chair seat. The support column and support tube have a cooperating linear anti-friction bearing arrangement therebetween, the latter incorporating a resilient support track to eliminate circumferential clearance. A latch mechanism includes a movable latch member carried on the column and cooperating with a plurality of latch-receiving slots formed in the support tube. The latch member is activated by a push rod which projects upwardly through the support column, and at its upper end is activated by an actuating lever which is pivoted on and projects lengthwise of the armrest and terminates in an actuating button disposed under the front end of the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, Steve J. Nemeth, Jr., Richard N. Roslund, Jr.
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Patent number: 5539980Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: James A. Kammeraad, Dwain L. Kamphuis, Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5493776Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1995Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: James A. Kammeraad, Dwain L. Kamphuis, Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5355572Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: James A. Kammeraad, Dwain L. Kamphuis, Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5319916Abstract: An apparatus and method for polishing combustion engine valves. The machine includes a rotating deburring wheel for on contact with the valve stem and a regulating surface which provides support and applies a rotational force to the valve stem. A pair of guide blades and a guide plate cooperate with the regulating surface to contain the valve stem when contacted by the deburring wheel. The guide blades are positioned at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the regulating surface to bias the valve in an inward direction against the guide plate during valve rotation. The machine further includes the use of a unique pivot point for the deburring wheel support so the deburring wheel contacts the valve stem approximately above the valve stem centerline regardless of valve stem diameter or variations in the diameter of the deburring wheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, Bernard J. Luurtsema
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Patent number: 5281057Abstract: A fixture is provided for reworking valve guide bores in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, the engine including a valve seat corresponding to each valve guide bore. The fixture includes a frame with supports for holding the cylinder head, a carriage laterally movable on the fixture frame, an arm movably attached to the carriage and extending laterally over the supports, and an alignment member or valve seat bushing pivotally mounted on the arm. A biasing cylinder is operably attached to the carriage and positioned to bias the arm toward th.e cylinder head held on the supports. The alignment member is mounted to the arm in a ball and socket arrangement so that as the alignment member is biased against the valve seat of the cylinder head, the arm exerts a balanced force on the alignment member regardless of angular movement in any direction of the alignment member or flexing of the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1992Date of Patent: January 25, 1994Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventor: Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5249555Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1992Date of Patent: October 5, 1993Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: James A. Kammeraad, Dwain L. Kamphuis, Robert T. Ritt
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Patent number: 5218788Abstract: An apparatus and method for polishing combustion engine valves. The machine includes a rotating deburring wheel for on contact with the valve stem and a regulating surface which provides support and applies a rotational force to the valve stem. A pair of guide blades and a guide plate cooperate with the regulating surface to contain the valve stem when contacted by the deburring wheel. The guide blades are positioned at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the regulating surface to bias the valve in an inward direction against the guide plate during valve rotation. The machine further includes the use of a unique pivot point for the deburring wheel support so the deburring wheel contacts the valve stem approximately above the valve stem centerline regardless of valve stem diameter or variations in the diameter of the deburring wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1992Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, Bernard J. Luurtsema
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Patent number: 5161336Abstract: An apparatus is provided to remove undesirable deposits on an intake valve after only partial disassembly of an engine, the apparatus including a blasting device and suction device. The blasting device directs blast media against the undesirable buildup to clean the intake valve, and includes a remote control and specially constructed pressure tank that cooperates with the remote control to improve operation, convenience and safety during use. The suction device suctions away spent blast media and dislodged deposits and includes a universal adapter to permit the device to sealingly engage an exposed air intake opening on the partially disassembled engine. The suction device also includes spreadable grippers that engage the sides of a passageway to hold the suction device in place, and further includes an arrangement for generating a vacuum by use of compressed air.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1991Date of Patent: November 10, 1992Assignee: K-Line Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Ritt, David A. Kammeraad