Patents by Inventor William E. Nichols

William E. Nichols 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: 4826378
    Abstract: A fastener assembly with a break mandrel blind rivet and a mating female component having head and tubular shank portions. The tubular shank includes major and minor bore sections and an intermediate internal shoulder. The blind rivet telescopes into the female component to provide a grip range. Positive axial draw-up between the rivet and component upon tensioning of the mandrel is achieved by engagement between and expanded area of the blind rivet and the internal shoulder of the femal component. The head of the female component has a central aperture for receiving the end of the mandrel to increase the grip range of the assembly. A plastic case molded around the head closes off the aperture and affords a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: R B & W Corporation
    Inventors: Walter R. Pamer, James A. Zils, William E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4719644
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for acquiring and storing video picture frames at a first rate and for reading and displaying said frames at a second rate which is a selectable integral of the first rate implements the steps of: converting analog picture elements to digital words, storing at least one frame of digital words in a first memory at the first rate, reading the frame of digital words out of the first memory at the first rate in interlaced scan format, storing the frame of digital words read out of the first memory in a second memory at the first rate, reading said frame of digital words out of the second memory at a second rate which is a selectable integral multiple of the first rate, converting the digital words read out of the first memory to analog picture values and putting out said converted analog picture values in interlaced scan format, and converting the digital words read out of the second memory to analog picture values and putting out the converted analog picture values at the second rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Apert-Herzog Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Herzog, William E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4703356
    Abstract: A memory stores and repetitively plays back for display an continuously repeating, consecutive sequence of picture frames derived from a source. The memory includes an input for receiving digitized picture element values in a serial bit stream and for framing the stream into consecutive constant length pluralities of digital picture element words. A read/write solid state semiconductor frame memory array is arranged as a ring for storing and playing back a predetermined number of the consecutive video picture image frames. An output receives constant length pluralities of digital picture element words read from the memory array and converts them into an analog picture signal for display. A read/write memory array control controls writing to and reading from the frame memory array so that a selected segment of consecutive video picture frames may be repeatedly played back without interruption at a real time image display rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Apert-Herzog Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Herzog, William E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4698664
    Abstract: An analog data stream is monitored as a series of blocks. A ring memory array digitally stores the blocks and repetitively loads and unloads the blocks. A freeze switch disables loading of the latest blocks. A block identifier puts out a unique block identification value for each block put out by the memory and is responsive to the freeze switch, so that when loading stops, each block put out bears the same identification value. The invention is particularly well suited to handling of television frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Apert-Herzog Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Nichols, William F. Herzog, Neil Feldman, William Laumeister
  • Patent number: 4647264
    Abstract: A fastener assembly with a break mandrel blind rivet and a mating female component having head and tubular shank portions. The tubular shank includes major and minor bore sections and an intermediate internal shoulder. The blind rivet telescopes into the female component to provide a grip range. Positive axial draw-up between the rivet and component upon tensioning of the mandrel is achieved by engagement between an expanded area of the blind rivet and the internal shoulder of the female component. The head of the female component has a central aperture for receiving the end of the mandrel to increase the grip range of the assembly. A plastic case molded around the head and shank closes off the aperture and affords a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Russell, Burdsall & Ward Corporation
    Inventors: Walter R. Pamer, James A. Zils, William E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4117521
    Abstract: A disc recorder has a rotating flexible recording disc and a transducer which is radially movable with respect to the disc. The transducer defines a gap which extends radially of the disc and is positioned for most efficient operation with the disc in closely coupled relation to the transducer on both sides of the gap. A transducer transport includes a guide member extending transversely of the axis of rotation of the flexible disc and defining a guide surface. The transducer is mounted on a carriage which moves along the guide member in contact with the guide surface such that the transducer is moved radially with respect to the rotating disc. A slot in the guide member permits the guide surface to be distorted such that the transducer carriage is tilted as it is moved along the guide surface, thereby maintaining the desired closely coupled relation between the transducer and the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd Lehman Stratton, William E. Nichols