Patents by Inventor William N. Roberts

William N. Roberts 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: 6796478
    Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and an enlarged base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a lobed free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release the engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool. A modified latch receives the adapter of the fuel cell in a push-and-twist motion to retain it in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, Tony Deieso, Walter J. Taylor, Sandra J. Wilson, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6626344
    Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The adapter also has a gripping formation that is configured for engagement with a latch, so that the adapter is accommodated in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, Tony Deieso, Walter J. Taylor, Sandra J. Wilson, William N. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20020108992
    Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The adapter also has a gripping formation that is configured for engagement with a latch, so that the adapter is accommodated in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: lllinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, Tony Deieso, Walter J. Taylor, Sandra J. Wilson, William N. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20020043547
    Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and an enlarged base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a lobed free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool. A modified latch receives the adapter of the fuel cell in a push-and-twist motion to retain it in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, Tony Deieso, Walter J. Taylor, Sandra J. Wilson, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5060114
    Abstract: A conformable, gel-like pad, preferably of silicone, with a thermally conductive additive conducts heat away from a packaged electronic power device with which it is in contact. Formed by adding particles of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum powder, nickel, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, beryllium oxide, silver, etc., to a mixture of silicone resins and curing agents poured into a mold, the molded pad can be formed to accommodate virtually any geometry and size of electronic component to provide a custom-fit at little cost. A thin, solid sheet of a thermally conductive metal such as aluminum positioned in contact with a surface of the conformable pad further increases heat removal. Another embodiment contemplates a metallic foil disposed in contact with a surface of or within the conformable pad and extending therefrom which can be coupled to a heat sink or to neutral ground potential for radiation shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jay H. Feinberg, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5023507
    Abstract: A color cathode ray tube has a faceplate assembly which includes a flat glass faceplate having on its inner face a centrally disposed phosphor screen. A metal color selection electrode support structure is located on opposed sides of the screen and secured to the inner face. The support structure is secured thereon in tension by meltable filler metal on a planar metal foil color selection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Dougherty, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5017170
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for use in the manufacture of a color cathode ray tube in which an in-process flat glass faceplate has on its inner face a centrally located phosphor screen. A metal color selection electrode support structure with an electrode-receiving surface is secured to the inner face of the faceplate on opposed sides of the screen. A foil color selection electrode composed of hardened metal is provided which has a surface for engaging the electrode-receiving surface of the support structure. The electrode-receiving surface of the support structure, and a surface of the electrode engaging the support structure, are preconditioned with filler metal means. The color selection electrode is expanded and the preconditioned surfaces are placed in conjunction. Heat is applied to the preconditioned surfaces by means effective to melt the filler metal means with minimal annealing of the hardened metal of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Dougherty, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4710820
    Abstract: A single layer optical coupler pad is disposed between and in intimate contact with the window of a cathode ray tube (CRT) and a multi-lens assembly for transmitting a video image on the CRT's window to the lens assembly for display on the screen of a projection television receiver. The optical coupler pad has a refractive index closely matching those of the CRT window and lenses and high compressibility to allow for tight-fitting lens-CRT mounting without damage to either. The single layer configuration of the optical coupler pad allows it to be produced at low cost, simplifies its installation during projection television receiver CRT/lens assembly and its removal and retrofitting following television receiver repair, and eliminates the possibility of fluid leakage under extreme environmental conditions. The optical coupler is comprised of a unique combination of first and second resins and first and second catalysts to yield a durable, yet pliable, transparent sheet which is dry and easily handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4672089
    Abstract: A retroreflective relatively flexible laminate sheet construction has a thermoplastic web with a smooth light-receiving first side and a second side coextensive with said first side. A retroreflective pattern is formed on the second side. A slurry of granular material is deposited on the second side to cover selected portions of the formed pattern with remaining portions of the formed pattern devoid of the granular material, and said slurry is dried or cured to produce a well-defined pattern. A layer of backcoating material is deposited on the second side to overlay the granular material, the backcoating material contacting the thermoplastic web where no granular material has been deposited, thereby encapsulating the granular material between the second side and the backcoating layer. An added, outer layer provides additional weather protection for the thermoplastic web. Methods are detailed to manufacture the laminate, and compositions of backcoating mixtures also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Pricone, William N. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4618518
    Abstract: A retroreflective relatively flexible laminate sheet construction has a thermoplastic web with a smooth light-receiving first side and a second side coextensive with said first side. A retroreflective pattern is formed on the second side. A slurry of granular material is deposited on the second side to cover selected portions of the formed pattern with remaining portions of the formed pattern devoid of the granular material, and said slurry is dried or cured to produce a well-defined pattern. A layer of backcoating material is deposited on the second side to overlay the granular material, the backcoating material contacting the thermoplastic web where no granular material has been deposited, thereby encapsulating the granular material between the second side and the backcoating layer. An added, outer layer provides additional weather protection for the thermoplastic web. Methods are detailed to manufacture the laminate, and compositions of backcoating mixtures also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Pricone, William N. Roberts, Richard Zanotti
  • Patent number: 4601861
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an improved method and apparatus for continuously embossing a repeating pattern of precise detail, in particular, cube-corner type reflector elements, on one surface of a single sheet or on one surface of a laminate of transparent thermoplastic materials, to form retroreflective sheeting. A continuous embossing tool in the form of a flexible thin metal belt or cylinder has on its outer surface an embossing pattern which is the reverse of the precision optical pattern to be formed. The embossing tool is continously moved at a predetermined speed along a closed course through a heating station where the temperature of a portion of the embossing tool is raised to be above the glass transition temperature of the sheeting or laminate and a cooling station where the heated portion of the embossing tool is cooled while in a relatively planar condition to be below that glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Pricone, William N. Roberts