Patents Issued in December 14, 1976
  • Patent number: 3996718
    Abstract: The specification discloses a joint structure for securing panel members tightly together wherein the joining apparatus is concealed from view after assembly and the panel members are prevented from skewing with respect to one another during assembly. The structure includes a clip on one panel, the clip having a raised section with a slot engaging the head of a stud mounted in a recessed area of another panel. The recess walls guide the protruding clip for engagement with the stud to prevent skew. In one arrangement, the clip includes openings to either end of the slot therein to allow use in combination with a second clip such that the stud will pass completely through the one clip before coming to rest in the other clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Modular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Montgomery Welch
  • Patent number: 3996719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying a strap, which may have identifying indicia printed thereon, about an article, such as a piece of luggage, or other package. The article is placed within an opening defined by a closed loop support frame, and one end of the strapping material is engaged by a carrier pin attached to a chain which travels around the support frame. A loop is formed on the leading end of the tape surrounding the carrier pin, such that when the carrier pin is moved around the closed loop frame, and around the article, the tape is drawn from a supply reel and encircles the article. At the end of its circumferential trip around the article, the movement of the carrier pin is ceased, and the free, leading end of the strap is adhesively secured to a following portion of the strap so as to form a closed loop around the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventors: Wojciech M. Dabrowski, Elwood B. Brown
  • Patent number: 3996720
    Abstract: Yarn strands derived from a creel are compressed together in parallel orientation and moved forward by reciprocating clamping means. A knife periodically severs a bundle comprising preselected short yarn lengths, which is compressed together and dropped into a chute. An impeller pushes each bundle through the wedge-shaped lower end of the reciprocating chute which extends in turn into each of a series of plastic bags being furnished from a roll or by an associated machine. The filled bag is sealed, cut loose and tossed into a bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Leon Hayduchok
  • Patent number: 3996721
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging commodities in tubular flexible packaging material in which the packaging material is drawn from a reel over a mandrel structure, the material is continuously axially slit as it passes over the surface of the mandrel, the severed edges of the material are taken in charge and guided around a product opening in the surface of the mandrel, and brought into sealing juxtaposition and sealed together downstream of the mandrel so that the material reverts to a tube with an axial seam. Commodities can be introduced to the tube through the mandrel interior by introducing the commodities to the product opening or the commodities can be introduced to the downstream end of the mandrel with the tubular packaging material being turned inside-out at this point and being caused to travel back through the mandrel interior and out through the product opening. In either case the tube is closed at intervals on discharge from the mandrel to form discrete commodity-containing packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: F. B. Mercer, Limited
    Inventor: Frank Brian Mercer
  • Patent number: 3996722
    Abstract: A cartridge containing the inter-active components of a resin mix such as a polyester, epoxy or polyurethane, comprises tubular flexible containers, each containing an interactive component, the containers being sealed to prevent egress of their contents, the containers lying in side-by-side relation and preferably secured together by an adhesive such as a double sided adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Frederick William Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 3996723
    Abstract: A collator having an upper receiver for receiving a layer of articles, a lower receiver for accumulating multiple layers of articles and trap doors for the receivers. A swinging conveyor is pivoted at its upper end and means are provided to swing its lower end to any of a plurality of discharge points adjacent said upper receiver. Control means including counters are provided to count articles as they pass from the swinging conveyor to the upper receiver and when a preselected number is received by the upper conveyor, its trap door is operated to drop that group into the lower receiver. Several such drops are made until the desired total is accumulated, whereupon the trap door for the lower receiver is opened to drop the accumulated group into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: R. A. Jones & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Daniel Greenwell
  • Patent number: 3996724
    Abstract: Packaging apparatus for closing and sealing the open end of a carton of thermoplastic coated paperboard material or the like. A rotatable drum has a cylindrical wall that supports a plurality of carton closing and sealing units. During rotation of the drum, open ended cartons are successively picked-up at a carton receiving station and are carried by the drum to a carton delivery station. During the movement of the carton from the receiving to the delivery station, the open end of the carton is folded to a closed condition and the layers of the closed carton end are vibration welded together by one of the carton closing and sealing units. Each carton closing and sealing unit includes a pair of jaws movable between an open and closed position with respect to each other, a latching member for locking the jaws in their closed position, and a vibration welding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 3996725
    Abstract: Thermoplastic containers are filled with materials such as particulate solids or liquids under vacuum and hermetically sealed in rapid succession by an apparatus having a means for evacuating the container, means for filling and hermetically sealing the evacuated containers while retaining the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1973
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Wilhelm E. Walles
  • Patent number: 3996726
    Abstract: A device for controlling the speed of sheet materials which are fed to a deep-drawing station in a packaging machine. The sheets are advanced by the control device in a step-by-step manner toward the deep-drawing station. The speed of the motor is controlled in a step-by-step manner by a rotating cam member engaging either a part of the conveyor for the sheet material to measure a predefined length of movement by the conveyor for the material. The motor is started slowly so that the sheet material is accelerated slowly to a maximum speed and is thereafter decreased slowly in speed until it is stopped by reason of the measuring reaching the predefined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Kramer & Grebe GmbH & Co. KG Maschinen- und Modellfabrik
    Inventor: Kurt Schlachter
  • Patent number: 3996727
    Abstract: A flap separating mechanism for distending a flap from a body portion of an envelope.An envelope moving through a mail handling system may require its flap to be moistened and sealed. As a prelude to the moistening procedure, the flap of the envelope must be separated from the body portion. The separating mechanism disclosed herein comprises a rotatably affixed belt conveyor and an adjacent ski-like stripper member. The stripper member is movably biased toward said conveyor to provide a normal force on envelopes disposed therebetween.The deflapping mechanism can accommodate envelopes of varying thickness, while providing a fixed plane for the printing of postage on the body portion of the envelopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Irvine, Harry E. Luperti
  • Patent number: 3996728
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a ream conveyor, two chains means for driving the chains such that those portions thereof which are adjacent the conveyor outlet end are moving upwards from below. Means are provided to guide the packing web material. Locking members are provided to selectively retain the packing web material. A blade or cutting edge is provided for cutting across the web material when the latter is retained by the locking members. Switch members are displaced along the chain path and actuated by elements integral with the chains. The elements are adapted to control the chain drive means in order to stop the chains when a predetermined length of web material has been unwound, then to determine the releasing mode thereof, and to allow the web material stretching along a vertical wall. Pad means are provided for holding the packing web material termination against a vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Vittorio Gentili
  • Patent number: 3996729
    Abstract: This invention teaches a dolly device and its separable connection to a normally portable hand-held electric power grass trimmer for converting same for standup operation. The dolly has a base plate with spaced upstanding arms supporting at the upper ends inwardly extended tabs and these tabs fit within recesses in the opposite side walls of the tool housing, and a lock mounted on the dolly base plate can be easily moved against the bias of a spring to fit into a recess in the rear wall of the tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Irelan, Larry D. Annis
  • Patent number: 3996730
    Abstract: A frame, positioned adjacent a selected vine, carries clasping fingers, whereto the worker attaches vine-branches, removed from the vine and which bear grape-bunches. The clasping fingers and the vine-branches clasped thereby are shaken to remove relatively ripe grape-berries from the grape-bunches, while the resulting grape-stalks continue to be held by the clasping fingers so that they cannot be mixed with the shaken-off grape-berries. When the shaken-off grape-berries have been collected, the grape-stalks are manually or automatically unhooked from the clasping fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Walter Dorfer
  • Patent number: 3996731
    Abstract: The invention is employed to convey and break spin fibers and involves a single cylindrical opening means which separates a fibrous bat into individual fibers. A suitable feeding means is operably associated with the opening means and serves to feed the fiber bat to the opening means. A plurality of conduits open adjacent to the peripheral surface of the cylindrical opening means and each conduit extends to a discrete location remote from the opening means. Fibers are drawn from the peripheral surface of the opening means into and along the length of the conduits by a suction introduced through a vacuum manifold opening into the conduit. Connected to each of the conduits remote from the opening means is a break spinner which spins into yarn fibers conducted from the opening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Rockford Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ernest Koella, III
  • Patent number: 3996732
    Abstract: Spinning and twister ring assembly including a bracket having a rod extending around a groove in the periphery of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Whitinsville Spinning Ring Company
    Inventor: William A. Foster
  • Patent number: 3996733
    Abstract: A metallic reinforcing cord structure suitable for reinforcing elastomeric articles characterized by a high compression modulus which increases resistence to buckling and fatigue failure and by improved adherence between the core and the elastomeric article in which it is embedded is disclosed. The cord comprises a core consisting of two equal diameter brass plated steel wires and an outer layer of six equal diameter brass plated steel wires disposed about the core wires, the diameter of the outer layer wires being between about 1.23 and about 1.43 times the diameter of the core wires. The two core wires are twisted about one another and the outer wires are twisted about the core. Both the core and the outer wires are laid in the same direction.This abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, however, the full nature and the extent of the invention being discernible only by reference to and from the entire disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Uniroyal Inc.
    Inventor: Barry B. Holmes
  • Patent number: 3996734
    Abstract: An alarming device for a clock comprises a rotationally driven minute time wheel having plural sets of shift teeth, a rotatable 10-minutes time wheel which intermittently meshes with the shift teeth of the minute time wheel to be driven thereby, and a rotatable hour time wheel which intermittently meshes with the 10-minutes time wheel and is driven thereby. First and second detection devices respectively detect when the 10-minutes and hour time wheels are in predetermined angular positions, and setting means enables setting of the detection devices in predetermined positions. An audible alarm is rendered operative and provides an audible alarm only when the 10-minutes time wheel and the hour time wheel have respectively conformed in phase with said first and second detection devices thereby providing notification of the alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Seiko Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kitai, Masuo Ogihara, Kouzo Sato, Nobuo Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 3996735
    Abstract: Electronic watch module comprises spacer block which has openings therein for batteries, crystal can, etc. and has locating pins thereon. The watch electronic substrate is located on the pins and carries most of the watch electronics including chips, printed circuitry and LED displays on the front. A cover is located on the pins, extends over many of the electronic components and resiliently engages in the watch case. The spacer block, substrate with its electronics and cover comprise the watch module which is resiliently mounted in the watch case by the resilient engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Rudolf F. Zurcher
  • Patent number: 3996736
    Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the passage of time, which may be a clock or a calendar, comprising a base that is mounted on a wall and operating mechanism that is mounted on the forward side of the base. A removable cover comprises a transparent front plate surrounded by a frame, which frame in turn surrounds and is releasably secured to a forwardly extending flange that surrounds the base plate. Bosses on the upper inner side of the rear edge of the frame engage in upwardly opening recesses on the top of the base flange; while interengageable hooks at the bottom of the frame and base flange releasably retain the cover on the base. One of these hooks is manually disengageable from the other by pressing on a spring-urged button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Marie-Therese Bodet
  • Patent number: 3996737
    Abstract: A method of making a one-piece elevator link having a shank with an eye at each end involving the steps of casting from alloy steel a link blank having an oversize shank portion, forging or swaging the shank portion to reduce its diameter and correspondingly elongate it, and heat treating and drawing the forged or swaged blank to enhance its physical and mechanical properties. The eyes are cast in their final form. The oversize shank portion may be machined to reduce its diameter before it is forged or otherwise hot worked, whereby castings of but one size may be used in the production of elevator links of varying lengths.A cast elevator link blank to be hot worked into an elevator link of final form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: BJ-Hughes Inc.
    Inventor: William Mercer Burstall
  • Patent number: 3996738
    Abstract: A gas turbine circuit system in which the individual heat exchanging components are never subjected to maximum temperature and maximum pressure simultaneously so to reduce maximum stress for the component material, a feed back circuit from the outlet of the first turbine stage back to the heat source gas inlet comprising a mixing path in which the operational hot gas is mixed with injected cold gas under high pressure and substantial pressure-gain for the hot gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Siegfried Justus
  • Patent number: 3996739
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system comprising diaphragm means operating a secondary air control valve and having first and second chambers, supply pressure changeover means operated by an operating mechanism for selectively supplying negative or positive pressure to the first chamber, thereby controlling the operation of the control valve to control supply of the secondary air to an exhaust system of an engine. Delay means is provided between the changeover means and the first pressure chamber to delay the operation of the control valve, thereby purifying the exhaust gas effectively at any operating condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ono
  • Patent number: 3996740
    Abstract: The useful life of a catalyst being used in an engine exhaust system to lower the undesirable constituents in the exhaust gas of an engine being operated on gasoline containing a cyclopentadienyl manganese antiknock is greatly prolonged by providing an exhaust system having a plurality of substantially parallel proximately spaced vanes in the exhaust flow path upstream from the catalyst. The vanes have elongated recesses in their surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard M. Niebylski
  • Patent number: 3996741
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for the storage of energy generated by natural elements. Energy from natural elements such as from the sun, wind, tide, waves, and the like, is converted into potential energy in the form of air under pressure which is stored in a large, subterranean cell. Machines of known types such as windmills are driven by natural elements to operate air compressors. Air compressors pump the air under pressure to the storage cell. Air entering the storage cell displaces water from the cell which returns to a water reservoir as an ocean or a lake. Water locks the air in the storage cell. The stored compressed air is available upon demand to perform a work function as driving an air turbine to operate an electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: George M. Herberg
  • Patent number: 3996742
    Abstract: An improved fluid flow control apparatus is utilized in association with a vehicle having a single variable displacement pump for supplying fluid to both a steering apparatus and an auxiliary apparatus. The fluid flow control apparatus includes a pair of variable size orifices one of which is associated with the steering apparatus and the other of which is associated with the auxiliary apparatus. Upon actuation of either the steering or auxiliary apparatus, the size of the associated orifice is varied to provide a variation in a load signal and effect a change in the displacement of the pump. During simultaneous operation of both the steering and auxiliary apparatus, a priority valve assembly is utilized to block fluid flow to the auxiliary apparatus if the fluid output from the pump is insufficient to satisfy the demand for steering fluid. The priority valve assembly includes a main valve member with an internal chamber in which a secondary valve member or piston is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Raymon L. Goff
  • Patent number: 3996743
    Abstract: A hydrostatic unit of the type contemplated by the present invention includes one or more pump and motor combinations interconnected by means of a conventional closed loop. Controls for the hydrostatic unit include a speed control and vent valve assembly as well as a venturi manifold which functions to normally establish a selected pressure differential in a pair of supply conduits for determining instant operating conditions for the transmission. In order to automatically regulate displacement of each pump unit in response to prime mover speed, an underspeed actuator valve unit includes a piston which is hydraulically responsive to the differential pressure in order to adjust operation of a lever which controls displacement of the pump unit. A part throttle control valve prevents the underspeed actuator from reducing displacement of the pump unit when speed of the prime mover is reduced by a manual throttle control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Cyril W. Habiger, William J. Spivey
  • Patent number: 3996744
    Abstract: An automatic control for reducing a flow pressure compensated variable displacement pump to a standby condition while the pump operated motor is lowering a heavy static load. The pressure in the motor exhaust line caused by the static load actuates the control to cut-off pressure to the downstream sensing line of the pump flow control. A bleed orifice in that downstream sensing line depressurizes the line causing the pump displacement servo to stroke back the displacement of the pump to a standby condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: The Cessna Aircraft Company
    Inventor: William A. Ridge
  • Patent number: 3996745
    Abstract: An improved Stirling cycle type engine is provided wherein the working fluid is a condensible fluid such as steam and a portion of the steam is condensed prior to the introduction of the steam into the cold cylinder zone. Before and/or during compression of the steam in the cold cylinder zone, water is injected in an amount equal to, greater than or less than the amount condensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: D-Cycle Associates
    Inventors: John Gordon Davoud, Jerry Allen Burke
  • Patent number: 3996746
    Abstract: A thermally actuated motor which has a short piston stroke is provided with mechanism for converting the stroke to a selected longer stroke without prolonging the motor actuation time. The said mechanism comrises a base, means pivotally mounting the motor on the base, a crank arm pivotally mounted at one end on the base and having a fitting on its opposite end for connection to the object to be actuated by the motor; said crank arm being pivotally connected between its ends to the motor piston shaft. A limit switch is adjustably mounted on the base for contact by the crank arm. Coiled springs connected to the base and crank arm return the crank arm to normal position after it has been actuated by the motor shaft. In a thermal motor having an approximately 11/16 inch piston stroke, the mechanism converts the stroke to a selected longer stroke of approximately 3 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Thermal Hydraulics Corporation
    Inventor: Marvin A. Staschke
  • Patent number: 3996747
    Abstract: A four-stroke compression-ignition engine is supercharged by a compressor driven by a turbine. The turbine is fed in parallel by the exhaust manifold of the engine and by a passage provided with an auxiliary combustion chamber upstream of the exhaust manifold. The inlet and exhaust manifolds of the engine have distributing valves adapted to open these manifolds simultaneously during each transfer phase (exhaust plus inlet phase). The inlet and exhaust manifolds have a throttle to make gases heated by the auxiliary combustion chamber flow back into the cylinders of the engine in order to assist self-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: The French State
    Inventor: Jean F. Melchior
  • Patent number: 3996748
    Abstract: For improving idling and low load operation of a low compression supercharged combustion engine provided with a continuously open bypass at low ambient temperature, recycling of exhaust gas is provided. A branch pipe recycles part of the combustion gas delivered by an auxiliary combustion chamber fed by the bypass to the driven gas inlet of an ejector diffuser located between the compressor and the intake manifold of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Etat Francais
    Inventor: Jean Melchior
  • Patent number: 3996749
    Abstract: A method of producing, storing, modulating and distributing energy, consisting in: storing in tanks of large capacities hot water excesses produced at least during some working periods by thermal and nuclear electric power generating plants and using these hot water excesses according to the needs with the assistance of a hot water injection, recovery equipment, pipe-lines and facility means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Compagnie Francaise d'Etudes et de Construction "Technip"
    Inventors: Louis Henri Daniel Denis, Abel Jean Henri Bedue
  • Patent number: 3996750
    Abstract: A flat throttling gate for bulb-type turbines and the like which is installed in a draft tube of the turbine. The gate has a central cutout of arcuate configuration flanked by a pair of ramps which cam a pair of masks into respective chambers flanking the guide slot for the slide body. Actuating mechanisms, e.g. springs, bias the masks against the valve body. In the withdrawn position of the valve body, the throttling cutout boundary, the masks and the wall of the draft tube define a circular flow cross section. In the inserted position of the valve body, a narrow flow cross section is provided between the wall of the draft tube or a lining thereof and a boundary of the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Titovia Zavodi Litostroj Ljubljana n.sol.o.
    Inventor: Anton Brcar
  • Patent number: 3996751
    Abstract: Before the rock cavity is completely excavated a plurality of arcuated tunnels extending between the top and bottom levels of the intended rock cavity are cut out in the rock outside the future side walls of the cavity, and these tunnels are filled with reinforcing material, preferably concrete, so as to form a rib-like reinforcement structure which is wholly embedded in the rock surrounding the rock cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventors: Tore Jerker Hallenius, Karl Ivar Sagefors
  • Patent number: 3996752
    Abstract: Casing panel comprising voussoirs of the type comprising a web and juxtaposition walls which are substantially perpendicular to the web, wherein two juxtaposed walls, pertaining to two adjacent voussoirs of this panel, define therebetween a cavity for receiving a filling material and have, between said cavity and the outer surface of the webs of the voussoirs, bearing surfaces which are substantially parallel to the direction of the web and bear against each other so as to result in a high pressure drop in the flow of material between the exterior of the webs and the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Pont-A-Mousson S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Oger
  • Patent number: 3996753
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a mine roof support, for use at a mineral face, comprising a base member, extensible props means mounted on said base member, a roof-engaging structure mounted on said prop means for application thereby to a roof to be supported, a multi-part flushing screen shield including upper and lower parts arranged on the goaf side of the support, first hinge means mutually connecting the parts of said screening shield ad having a flexible member connecting the upper part of the shield and the roof-engaging structure and which permits movements of the upper part of the shield about an axis lying transversely to the longitudinal direction of the mineral face, and second hinge means connecting the lower part of the shield with the base member and having a hinge axis which lies transversely to the longitudinal direction of the mineral face, whereby the screening shield is pivotally movable with respect to the support not only towards and away from the mineral face but also parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Becorit Grubenausbau GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Lubojatsky, Wilhelm Wertelewski
  • Patent number: 3996754
    Abstract: A mobile marine drilling unit comprising: a floatable base; a floatable platform; and a vertical support leg attached to said base and extending upwardly through a well provided therefor in said platform. Said base and a major portion of said leg being submergible in a body of water for support on the floor thereof. The support leg and platform are provided with elevating mechanisms for elevating the platform above said body of water on said leg. In deploying the drilling unit, the unit is floated to a selected site with the base drawn up underneath the platform and the leg extending upwardly through the well. When the site is reached the base is submerged with ballast until it is supported on the water body floor. Then the platform is elevated above the water body by the elevating mechanisms. A derrick may be moved over the leg well and drilling in the water body floor conducted through the well and leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1973
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Engineering Technology Analysts, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin L. Lowery
  • Patent number: 3996755
    Abstract: A tension leg marine structure or working platform which is floatably positioned above an offshore working site, being maintained in place by a plurality of tension cables that connect to anchors at the sea floor. A riser which extends between the structure and the sea floor is laterally supported by a bracing system adapted to adjust to the platform's movement and conditions, thereby to stabilize strain applied to the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 3996756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and supporting a drilling platform on the ocean floor in which the drilling platform is a monopod structure with a broad flat base. The ocean floor is dredged to form a large level area depressed below the mudline. A precast drilling cellar having a flat bottom wall and upstanding side walls extending around the perimeter of the bottom wall is lowered to the leveled area. Hydraulic jets in the bottom of the cellar displace material from beneath the cellar, allowing the cellar to sink into the ocean floor to the depth of the sidewalls. The platform is centered over the cellar with the base resting on the top of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Sea-Log Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph F. Schirtzinger
  • Patent number: 3996757
    Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a partially or fully submerged metallic structural element against corrosion from water, air or a combination of both. A pliable watertight and airtight encasement is wrapped around the portion of the element to be protected. Seal means are utilized to seal the edges of the encasement against water and air. If the encasement is of an irregular shape, fillers are secured to the structural element, such fillers having a circular configuration, and the encasement is wrapped around the fillers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Orval E. Liddell
  • Patent number: 3996758
    Abstract: A system and method of installing a production casing along an inverted underground arcuate path beneath and spanning an obstacle such as a river is disclosed. The casing is installed along the inverted arcuate path of a pilot string occupying a pilot hole underlying the obstacle. The pilot hole spans the obstacle from a first position at or near ground level on one side of the obstacle to a second position at or near ground level on the other side. An oversized casing having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the production casing is first advanced into and partially along the pilot hole from one side of the obstacle. The oversized casing is advanced along the path of the pilot hole until it becomes frozen in place or is substantially impeded typically by friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Tidril Corporation
    Inventor: Martin D. Cherrington
  • Patent number: 3996759
    Abstract: An air conditioning system utilizing one or more water source heat pumps assisted by solar radiation, terrestrial re-radiation and ambient air above predetermined temperature levels; operating primarily in cooperation with a stratified thermal mass in the form of a hot liquid storage tank that is compartmented according to the operational temperatures of high range closed circuit solar energy accumulation, moderate range closed circuit heat pump requirements and low range auxiliary needs, the collection of solar heat being applied to all ranges whereby temperature differential is maximized for solar collection; and operating secondarily in cooperation with a thermal mass in the form of a cold liquid storage tank charged through a cooler means and/or assisted by terrestrial re-radiation and used to provide supplementary cooling capacity for the heat pump when required, whereby the operational water temperature range of the heat pump is maintained for effective functioning of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Milton Meckler
  • Patent number: 3996760
    Abstract: A conveyor carries a plurality of frozen confection molds evenly spaced within rows. The molds incorporate a plurality of uniform spiral grooves to form spiral fins on the frozen confections. Ingredients are inserted into the molds and frozen with sticks embedded therein. An extractor arm is positioned above the row of frozen product and lowered to cause clamps to grip the sticks. When the extractor arm is raised, a cam pivots the clamps about a vertical axis to permit the fins to follow the spiral contour of the mold grooves as the frozen confections are withdrawn from the molds. The frozen confections are subsequently released from the clamp elements by a trip bar which simultaneously opens the jaws of the clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Merritt Foods Company
    Inventor: Sydney L. Bair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3996761
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor including a valve plate mounting a discharge valve to control the flow of compressed gas through an opening formed in the valve plate. The discharge valve is formed from a bimetallic element and is mounted in a normally open position with respect to the discharge opening in the valve plate to permit fluid leakage from the compressor cylinder through the opening upon startup of the compressor. The discharge valve warps to a closed position relative to the opening in the valve plate as the temperature of the gas increases due to the compression thereof by operation of said piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Hubert Richardson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3996762
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system, and access is provided to certain of the air conditioner's components through the air return inlet located in the mobile home interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Calme, Wallace Shakun
  • Patent number: 3996763
    Abstract: An improved refrigerating show case is disclosed herein, in which a cold air flow is circulated along its bottom wall, rear wall and top wall and across its front opening to refrigerate the interior of said show case, and another cool air flow is circulated outside of and along the circulating route of said cold air flow to prevent said cold air flow from being warmed up. The improvements exist in that a part of said another cool air flow is diverted upwardly from the top wall portion along its circulating route, whereby the tendency that the room temperature above said refrigerating show case is excessively raised and that on the floor just before said refrigerating show case is excessively lowered, can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Masashi Karashima
  • Patent number: 3996764
    Abstract: A room cooling refrigeration apparatus comprising a housing containing an evaporator, a compressor and condenser. A sub-cooling coil is located in a reservoir attached to contain condensate water for cooling refrigerant discharged from the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Fedders Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Gilmer, Sanford R. Sexton
  • Patent number: 3996765
    Abstract: A device for servicing closed refrigerating systems comprising a body having a passageway therethrough provided at its respective ends with threaded members for connecting the device to an access valve of the refrigerant system and a refrigerant charging hose. The body rotatably supports a shaft having a camming surface at one end longitudinally moving a plunger toward a depressible valve core by manual rotation of the shaft for communication with the refrigerant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: John W. Mullins
  • Patent number: 3996766
    Abstract: A coin carrying locket has a hollow compartment for the storage of at least one coin. A coin-receiving slot and a coin ejection slot are formed in a peripheral wall of the locket at spaced locations. A pair of springs are mounted within the locket. One of the springs biases the coin towards ejection from the ejection slot whereas the other spring prevents ejection of the coins and is pivotally mounted with a tab portion thereof extending through a wall of the locket for manipulation to permit the ejection of the coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Velma Welch
  • Patent number: 3996767
    Abstract: An elastic coupling for transmitting torque from a driving shaft to a driven shaft and for damping torsional vibrations comprises packets of flexible leaf springs locked between a hub connected to one shaft and a clamping ring concentric with the hub. The hub and clamping ring define an annular chamber filled with a damping fluid. The packets of leaf springs extend radially and have outer leaf springs having a transverse cross section which tapers inwardly from an outer to an inner end. The outer leaf springs are so dimensioned that their maximum flexure is at least equal to the difference between the thicknesses of the outer and inner leaf spring ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventor: Leonhard Geislinger