Patents by Inventor William L. Sheppard

William L. Sheppard 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: 4979478
    Abstract: A control cable which transmits a one-way compressive force in a first direction to actuate a fuel control and which exerts zero force in the return direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Cable Manufacturing and Assembly Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4906154
    Abstract: A fastener having resilient means interconnecting a head portion and a threaded portion for maintaining tight axial fitment between mating parts and compression on a gasket therebetween whereby to assure a leak free mating. A method of forming the fastener is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4884544
    Abstract: A control cable which transmits a one-way compressive force in a first direction to actuate a fuel control and which exerts zero force in the return direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Cable Manufacturing and Assembly Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4714043
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cushioned platform for filling in the gap in a V-berth platform in the bow of a boat or the like, and an apparatus for raising and lowering the platform between seating and sleeping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4664293
    Abstract: There is disclosed a winder for collapsible tube containers having a transversely movable member to prevent unwinding of a partially-wound tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4601458
    Abstract: A magnetically operated valve having a resilient flat-surfaced valve member cooperating with a valve seat is disclosed. The resilient member is preferably mounted on an armature in a manner to permit relative motion therebetween to allow the armature to gain a predetermined inertia prior to engaging the resilient member so as to aid in overcoming the pressure differential across the resilient member. Additionally, the electromagnet thereof acts unevenly on the armature so as to cause tilting movement thereof and a corresponding "prying" movement of the resilient member from the valve seat. The valve may be operated in the normally-opened or the normally-closed mode. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the armature is provided with a non-magnetic covering or coating, thereby forming a non-magnetic gap thereon. In another embodiment, a non-magnetic wear plate is disposed between at least a portion of the electromagnet and the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4431952
    Abstract: An improved vacuum pump driven by a unique electrically powered servo motor. The vacuum pump comprises an extremely simple and inexpensive pump arrangement utilizing a reciprocating piston and a rolling lobe diaphragm to eliminate the need for close tolerances while still providing high efficiency. The servo motor includes a pair of relatively movable sequentially operating armatures which eliminate the need for any external timing mechanism or for any complex delay mechanism. The servo motor of the present invention is inherently capable of operating the pump as a self-actuating demand pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4213595
    Abstract: There is disclosed a butterfly-type valve cooperable with a valve seat element formed of an elastomeric material, wherein this element also forms a seal between two identical housing halves. There is also disclosed an improved method of making such a valve, as well as a vacuum motor for actuating the valve which incorporates a linkage mechanism having force limiting means to prevent the application of excessive forces to this valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4204812
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum pump device that is adapted to create a vacuum source from a source of high pressure air. The device comprises a piston actuated in one direction by compressed air and in the opposite direction by a power return spring. The compressed air moves the piston to load the spring and the spring moves the piston to create a vacuum. A special dumping valve is also provided which is actuated toward the end of the return stroke of the piston to cause a sudden increase in the pressure differential across the piston to prevent stalling of the piston when loading is such that the piston moves very slowly, thereby assuring that the vacuum pump will cycle as often as is necessary to maintain the desired vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4111395
    Abstract: There is disclosed a butterfly-type valve cooperable with a valve seat element formed of an elastomeric material, wherein this element also forms a seal between two identical housing halves. There is also disclosed an improved method of making such a valve, as well as a vacuum motor for actuating the valve which incorporates a linkage mechanism having force limiting means to prevent the application of excessive forces to this valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4073465
    Abstract: There is disclosed a butterfly-type valve cooperable with a valve seat element formed of an elastomeric material, wherein this element also forms a seal between two identical housing halves. There is also disclosed an improved method of making such a valve, as well as a vacuum motor for actuating the valve which incorporates a linkage mechanism having force limiting means to prevent the application of excessive forces to this valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4050472
    Abstract: A fluid valve particularly suited for controlling the flow of coolant in an automobile heater system and a vacuum responsive servo for actuating the valve. The valve, two embodiments of which are disclosed, has improved sealing means and the servo includes improved sealing of the diaphragm with respect to the servo actuating element and an improved two-piece servo housing. A novel connection between the servo and the valve is also provided, having reduced backlash and less tendency to bind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 3995356
    Abstract: An air diverter valve for selectively diverting the output of an air pump in a vehicular emission control system from a combustion system to a diversion system, in response to each or all of a variety of system conditions including abrupt rise in intake manifold vacuum, continuing low intake manifold vacuum, continuing high intake manifold vacuum, or overtemperature conditions, and for controlling the duration of the diversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 3983894
    Abstract: There is disclosed a family of check and/or pressure relief fluid valves utilizing a spring biased annular diaphragm element for valving. In a single-function form there is disclosed a simple check valve. In a dual-function form there is disclosed a check valve also having a pressure relief function permitting reverse flow above a predetermined pressure differential, this form being disclosed in an automotive fuel tank filler tube cap (i.e. a "gas cap"). There is also disclosed an improved filler tube cap construction and seal therefor. In a multifunction form there is disclosed a fluid valve capable of relieving a source of fluid under pressure to a primary outlet at a first very low pressure and additionally to a secondary outlet at a higher pressure. This valve also acts as a check valve by preventing the pressure of the fluid source from dropping below that at the secondary outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: AVM Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sheppard