Patents Issued in August 4, 1981
  • Patent number: 4281579
    Abstract: A teaching aid for piano and other keyed musical instruments. The device has switches electrically connected to a matrix array and mechanically linked to each key for detecting each key depression, an LED associated with each key for signalling the keys which should be played and an alphanumeric display for showing notes in literal and octave notation and for showing the student's position in a composition or exercise. The displays are connected in a matrix array and along with the key sensing switches are connected through interface circuitry to a microcomputer. The microcomputer stores a sequence of musical steps forming a composition and compares played notes to the stored sequence. When the compared notes and the depressed keys are identical, the student is signalled and the microcomputer advances to the next musical step. When there is an error, the microcomputer recycles the same musical step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Timothy J. Bennett, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4281580
    Abstract: A hydraulic nut or washer or bolt head comprises piston means let into the recessed end-face of a body. Means for applying hydraulic pressure to a chamber or chambers behind the body are provided to urge the piston means in a direction which leads out of the end face. The piston means has an overall dimension in a first transverse direction which is less than the least possible overall dimension of an annular piston giving the same piston face area and having an overall dimension in another transverse direction, at right angles to the first, which is less than the least overall major dimension for a pair of opposed circular pistons giving the same piston face area. A sealing member comprising a layer of moulded deformable substantially incompressible material on a former is provided in the chamber to contain the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Pilgrim Engineering Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Bunyan
  • Patent number: 4281581
    Abstract: A novel blind rivet is provided wherein the blind head is upset by a pin driven from the exposed side into a core of soft metal contained by a closed tube end which is selectively thinned to result in controlled deformation due to the internal pressure created by compressing the soft core. The closed tube end upon expanding to a predetermined shape is transformed into the blind head.This rivet offers high strength, leak-free joining. Consistant controlled snug fitting assembly is offered. The rivet is suited to installation by a tool that prevents forming loads from being transferred to the members being joined. Moreover, the rivet has lower weight and cost while providing a smoother exposed surface than prior art blind rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventors: Liam R. Jackson, Allan H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4281582
    Abstract: The injection piston of a regenerative liquid propellant gun is attached to a second piston that has a programmed hydraulic resistance which controls its motion, thus the propellant injection rate from the injection piston and the burning rate of the injected propellants is controlled to provide better propellant pressure-time burning characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Vance W. Jaqua
  • Patent number: 4281583
    Abstract: An ammunition supply system including a vehicle having a fluted drum which receives an ammunition belt including a plurality of interconnected tubular members each of which carries a round of ammunition of a size in the range of 20 mm to 40 mm. Within the vehicle, the shells are removed from the tubular members while the belt is on the drum and such shells are transferred to a feed belt which carries the rounds of ammunition to an armament system. Simultaneously, empty shell casings and misfired rounds are returned from the armament system and are inserted into the tubular members of the ammunition belt while such tubular members remain on the drum. Thereafter, the ammunition belt is discharged from the vehicle into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Wayne H. Coloney Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Pollock, Charles E. Benedict
  • Patent number: 4281584
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator is disclosed, particularly for use with control surfaces in aircraft. The actuator includes a regulating piston and cylinders an rapidly-operable switching valves for the positioning of the piston in the cylinder that are operated by the supplying of discrete volumes of operating fluid thereto. Switching pulses are applied to the valves by a computer, and a sensor that is responsive to each activation of the switching valves applies an answering pulse to the computer wherein a valve breakdown can immediately be recognized. The sensor may be responsive to changes in pressure and/or flow between the valves and the cylinder located at the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fur Luft- u. Raumfahrt
    Inventors: Reiner Onken, Gunter Mansfeld, Johannes Tersteegen
  • Patent number: 4281585
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster includes a housing which defines a pressure chamber and a piston within the housing is movable in response to pressurized fluid within the pressure chamber to effectuate a brake application. The piston encloses a storage chamber and forms a passage communicating the storage chamber with the pressure chamber. A valve member is disposed within the passage to control communication between the storage chamber and the pressure chamber. An operator actuator cooperates with a control valve to communicate pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber and a finger is actuated by the operator actuator to engage the valve member, thereby opening communication between the storage chamber and the pressure chamber. The valve member comprises a unitary assembly having a sleeve sealingly engaging the wall of the piston passage, a seat member biased into engagement with a shoulder defined by a stepped bore on the sleeve, and a stem extending through a bore on the seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Dean E. Runkle, Louis S. Tang, Gregory K. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4281586
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated adjusting device, particularly for throttle flap adjustment on mixture-compressing combustion engines, with a diaphragm held between a housing upper portion and a housing lower portion. This diaphragm forms a vacuum-charged working chamber with the housing upper portion. With the housing lower portion it forms a chamber open to ambient atmosphere. A guide bushing projects from the housing upper portion on the atmosphere vented side of the diaphragm and is rigidly connected to it. The diaphragm is also rigidly connected to two concentric spaced diaphragm plate pairs. The outer diaphragm plate pair is connected to a pipe moving inside the guide bushing. This pipe has one or several recesses, with a ball in every recess. Indentations in the guide bushing have diameters corresponding to the ball diameter, with the depth determining the stroke of the first adjustment stage. The inner diaphragm is rigidly connected to a control piston inside the pipe. This control piston has a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Kuhlen, Gunther Frohberg
  • Patent number: 4281587
    Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus for generating impacts comprising primary members having striking and control apparatus which is made up of a plunger which moves reciprocatingly, for striking a tool, inside a housing having an intermediate working zone which has a single inner diameter. An intermediate part making up a piston of the plunger fits therein and has a corresponding single diameter. There is no flow of fluid between these two members and the movement of the plunger is controlled by secondary members and tertiary members which are located in respective housings which make up several chambers, and in which the corresponding plungers are reciprocatingly movable. The apparatus further includes means for discharging the fluid under pressure from within the apparatus for stopping its operation when the tool is not at rest on a workpiece so that the main plunger descends inside the housing to a point below its normal lower operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Jose T. Garcia-Crespo
  • Patent number: 4281588
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston fluid powered motor providing great flexibility in its mounting and the location of the motor shaft and fluid inlet lines. Relatively few component parts are employed and a number of the components are used as-cast or with minimal machining operations required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sprague Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Jaske
  • Patent number: 4281589
    Abstract: A working cylinder for pneumatic or hydraulic pressure media for producing a rectilinear operating movement. The working cylinder has at least one operating chamber which receives the pressure medium and includes one stationary rigid housing part which preferably has the medium feed inlet thereon and a movable rigid piston part, both of which are interconnected pressure-tight by an elastically deformable envelope device and are guided together. The envelope device is constructed as a rolling-bellow diaphragm and is substantially closed all around and defines the operating chamber which receives the pressure medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Kurt Stoll
  • Patent number: 4281590
    Abstract: A pump piston construction for mud pumps and the like incorporating a resilient sealing member that establishes a pressure enhanced seal between the piston and pump cylinder. A bearing and anti-extrusion member composed of a relatively hard and flexible friction resistant plastic material is structurally interrelated with and may also be bonded to the sealing member. The anti-extrusion member is supported by an annular rigid flange of a piston hub about which both the sealing member and anti-extrusion member are received. The anti-extrusion member serves as a bearing to minimize wear of the piston and cylinder and is yielded radially outwardly responsive to fluid pressure transmitted through the resilient sealing member and functions to prevent extrusion of any of the resilient material of the sealing member into the space between the piston and cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Joe T. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4281591
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a cigarette filter unit, in which filter elements are disposed on a porous or perforated covering strip and at least partially wrapped thereby and adhesively joined. The adhesive substance is applied to the covering strip along coating tracks which are at least approximately equidistant from each other and extended at an angle to the longitudinal orientation of the covering strip. The filter strand formed in this manner is subdivided by a cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignees: F. J. Burrus & Cie., Baumgartner Papier SA
    Inventors: Serge Boegli, Jean-Pierre Lebet
  • Patent number: 4281592
    Abstract: An air induction unit having a first induction means to induce secondary air through a first induction opening into a stream of primary air to produce an air stream of mixed primary and secondary air, and a second induction means to induce additional secondary air into the mixed air stream through a second induction opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Dale E. Maxson, David Ober
  • Patent number: 4281593
    Abstract: There is described a device for preparing food products from cereals which have been pressure-cooked and thereafter expanded, which comprises a mould comprised of a hollow heated die to which the cereals are fed, a punch cooperating with said mould to close and open the cavity thereof by sliding, at least one jack so connected to the punch as to drive same alternately in and out of the mould cavity, said jack enabling to exert through the punch a pressure on the mould while cooking the cereals, stop means for stopping temporarily the alternating movement of the punch or of a driving member therefor in a position where said punch does not exert a pressure any more on the mould and where the mould cavity is not yet open, a device for feeding cereals to be cooked and a device for discharging the product from expanded cereals thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Omer Gevaert
    Inventor: Stephan Gevaert
  • Patent number: 4281594
    Abstract: A bun section toaster, in the usual case, has a frame supporting several parallel chain conveyors, each conveyor being effective to advance a related bun section through the frame in physical and thermal contact with a heating element on the frame to toast the top of the adjacent bun section. At least one of the conveyors, especially for a bun section from the bun center, receives and advances a tray having an aperture over which the bun center section lies. A radiant heating element on the frame is in position to radiate upwardly through the aperture onto the bottom of the center bun section so both sides of the section are toasted simultaneously. In the usual case, the toaster simultaneously accommodates a bun top section, center section and bottom section, although in some instances there is but a single conveyor and but the center section is handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: NPI Corporation
    Inventors: Edward D. Baker, Nils Lang-Ree
  • Patent number: 4281595
    Abstract: A pair of three cylinders train units and a four cylinder train unit are provided in relationship such that a pair of impression cylinders of the former are adjacent to a pair of blanket cylinders of the latter, respectively.The blanket cylinders of the latter are switched between a first position in which the blanket cylinders make contact with each other and with their respective plate cylinders and a second position in which the blanket cylinders are isolated from each other, make contact with their respective plate cylinders and with their respective impression cylinders of the three cylinder train units.The switching between extreme positions can be completed in one motion by an angle increase shifting mechanism using gears which are added to the switching means.Throw-off means for the blanket cylinders can be diverged independently and branchingly from each extreme position by a pin clutch mechanism which is added to the switching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yuji Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 4281596
    Abstract: An imprinter comprising a unitary, extruded base with an elongated receptacle extending along the upper length thereof and a molded plastic print bed inserted within the receptacle. An elongated recess in the print bed may also be provided so that a portion of a credit card or the like overlying the recess can be depressed therein to raise the remainder of the card and permit easy removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: DBS, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4281597
    Abstract: A plurality of ink pumps are mounted directly on an ink rail. The ink pumps are gear pumps, each having a D.C. motor associated therewith. Each gear pump delivers ink to a particular section of the ink rail from which the ink is then applied to a particular circumferentially extending segment of the ink roll corresponding to a column on the page to be printed. By controlling the speed at which the motor operates, the amount of ink pumped can be varied, and thus the amount of ink delivered to the roll can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Friedrich K. Dressler
  • Patent number: 4281598
    Abstract: Plural donor design transfer strips that undergo linear change with temperature change are used simultaneously to print on one wide width receptor web. The donor strips are preheated, then alined and adjusted using register marks thereon, then introduced together with the receptor web into the heat transfer machine for transfer of the designs to the receptor web so that the design edges coincide on the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sublistatic Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Bjorn S. Rump
  • Patent number: 4281599
    Abstract: A projectile including a penetrating member and a pyrotechnic composition, such as an incendiary composition. The composition is located ahead of the head portion of the penetrating member and is surrounded by a ballistic hood. The projectile includes a solid insert of a pyrophorically acting metal or an alloy containing such a metal. In order to increase the effect of the projectile, the pyrometal insert is located in a recess provided in the head portion of the penetrating member. Furthermore, arranged in a rearward extension of the recess and immediately behind the pyrometal insert is, additionally, an explosive material insert adapted to be detonated at impact against a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Adolf Weber, Siegfried Rhau
  • Patent number: 4281600
    Abstract: A subprojectile to be expelled from a projectile. The subprojectile is provided with a fuze, which has an ignition body being capable of sensing acceleration forces appearing at the expelling of the subprojectile from the projectile, and being capable of sensing deceleration forces appearing after the expelling of the subprojectile from the projectile. The ignition body is arranged to bring arming means into an armed position in response to said sensing of acceleration forces. The ignition body is capable of initiating a detonation of a bursting charge in the projectile as a result of said sensing of deceleration forces when the arming means is brought to the armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Forenade Fabriksverken
    Inventor: Claes G. Arnell
  • Patent number: 4281601
    Abstract: Relative rotation of the two rotational members of a fuze during dynamic dition of firing are eliminated by interlocking annular, serrated, axial seating surfaces of the two members. A radially sinusoidal split ring in between radially adjacent annular recesses of the members cooperates with an inclined wall of the outer member's annular recess to provide an axial force biasing the serrated surfaces into engagement during static conditions. The split ring further serves as a locking device to hold the two members together as an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: David L. Overman
  • Patent number: 4281602
    Abstract: An article of manufacture, such shelves, tables, stools and chairs. The article has a cold molded edge formed by combining a panel with support frame fitted thereagainst into a mold and then adding plastic to cast the panel and frame together to a desired shape with a cold molded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Gebruder Thonet AG
    Inventor: Gerd Lange
  • Patent number: 4281603
    Abstract: A furnace for burning solid waste material such as straw bales or wood shavings is fed automatically from a reservoir container through a pipe that leads into the bottom of the furnaces combustion chamber. The automatic feed may comprise a pusher sliding in the pipe under the action of a ram, or an auger. In either case, the pusher or auger largely blocks the pipe to prevent unwanted entry of air into the combustion chamber. The pusher is controlled by an element which senses flue temperature. The container outlet may include a ripping chain to break down the material and the pipe may include a fire extinguishing connection controlled by a heat sensor. The furnace is adapted for admitting controlled quantities of primary air and the hot incompletely burned gases of combustion pass to an after-burning chamber where secondary air is admitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Josef Probsteder
  • Patent number: 4281604
    Abstract: A boiler construction is disclosed which eliminates the need for bolting together of internal parts thereby greatly facilitating mass production and rapid assembly procedures. Internal side protectors, in addition to establishing the size of the boiler in the front-to-back direction, serve as support rails for a removable boiler module and as a retainer for fire bricks which are further retained by a firebox grate. Front and back protectors for the boiler interior rest upon the grate support members and are maintained in properly spaced relationship through interfitment with the side protectors. A boiler scraping attachment and boiler tube cleaner are disclosed. A positive releasable retainer arrangement for the slide-in, slide-out boiler module is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Arthur G. Wigdahl
  • Patent number: 4281605
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus of regenerating fluidizing medium employed in a fluidized-bed incinerator, wherein the sticking matter attached to the fluidizing medium employed in the incinerator in the process of burning up in the incinerator the ash collected from power plant boiler exhaust gases (EP ash) is removed from the fluidizing medium chemically and physically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Uemura, Hiroshi Kagabu, Kenji Arisaki, Noboru Kajimoto, Shinshi Akatsuka, Takuaki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 4281606
    Abstract: A sewing machine incorporates a device for transferring a flap to be sewed from a receiving station to a sewing station, the device comprising a clamp with powered jaws, which device can be moved pivotally between the receiving and sewing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Beisler GmbH
    Inventor: Alfons Beisler
  • Patent number: 4281607
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a cutting apparatus for sewing machines disposed downstream of the machine's sewing zone. The apparatus includes a cutting blade and a protective guard for the blade both of which have independent actuating devices. The actuating devices are effective in moving the guard and blade between one position which provides clearance for the workpieces being advanced along the machine's work surface and another position where they are operatively associated with the workpieces. A timing element is operatively associated with both actuating devices and is effective in causing the protective guard to be moved toward the workpieces prior to movement of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Rockwell-Rimoldi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo D. Torre
  • Patent number: 4281608
    Abstract: In sewing work for attaching slide fastener chains to fabric or leather articles, a device for controlling the traveling velocity of the fastener chain is provided, comprising a pair of upper and lower cantilever members supported by a supporting member on the table of a sewing machine. The lower cantilever is fixed to form a space between its under side and the table surface, while the upper cantilever is movable toward and apart from the lower cantilever. A suitable frictional resistance is imparted to the fastener chain traveling between the two cantilevers when the upper, movable cantilever is laid on the lower, fixed cantilever. The movement of the upper cantilever is linked to the raising and lowering mechanism of the presser foot of the sewing machine. This device serves to keep the traveling fastener chain from puckering or waving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mitani, Kenichi Uozumi
  • Patent number: 4281609
    Abstract: A lockstitch sewing machine utilizing a needle looper to extend upwardly through a work material to grasp an upper thread and pull it downwardly through the work material to a looptaker which casts the upper thread about a lower thread in order to form a lockstitch. When the needle looper is in an upper position to catch an upper thread, a hook needle is exposed and thread is deflected into the hook thereof. As the needle looper is retracted to a depressed position the hook needle is moved to a guard position so as to retain the upper thread therein during transit. When the needle looper is at its lower position, the hook is again exposed to release its thread to a looptaker for concatenation with a lower thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Josef Zocher
  • Patent number: 4281610
    Abstract: A marine fender comprises a sheet of resilient material that is curved in horizontal cross section and that is attached along opposite vertical edges to a support, such as a piling, so as to provide a deflection space between the sheet and the support. An elastomeric core is mounted on the support within the deflection space, spaced from the sheet, so that the sheet may deflect under impact before engaging the core. Multiple curved sheets may be employed so as to provide a deflection space between successive sheets as well as between a sheet and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Melvin R. Young
  • Patent number: 4281611
    Abstract: A system for mooring a ship or like floating vessel, in particular, an oil-tanker, to an off-shore column, and for transferring a fluid cargo such as gas, petroleum oil or the like, by means of at least one articulated arm carried by the vessel, wherein the improvement consists in that the arm supports at its upper end a connector device capable of being fixedly placed on a mouth-piece, provided on the head of the column, and that mooring apparatus is provided to allow the vessel, once the connector device is thus placed, to be moored through the device and to move around the latter so as to be placed in the wind's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Enterprise d'Equipment Mecaniques Hydrauliques E.M.H.
    Inventor: Robert Vilain
  • Patent number: 4281612
    Abstract: A pair of opposed arms extend in spaced parallel arrangement to each other, each of which arms include relatively short handle portions and relatively long gripping portions. The inner or opposed gripping edge of each arm includes a plurality of jagged teeth formed by relatively deep notches in the opposed edges of the arms. The teeth and notches are provided throughout substantially the entire gripping portion. The notches extend into the surface of the arms a distance of at least one-half inch. The arms are joined together by a connection about a pivot point positioned intermediate the handle portion and the gripping portion. A compression spring extends between the handle portions for normally biasing the gripping portions toward a closed position. One of the handles of the device receives one end of a tether which is attached at the other end to the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Homer A. Watts
  • Patent number: 4281613
    Abstract: A tension mooring system for a floating structure such as a drilling or production platform having a plurality of permanent mooring lines extending upwardly from a plurality of bottom anchors and terminating below the water level and having buoys connected to the upper ends thereof with sufficient buoyancy to maintain the upper end of the mooring lines in a generally vertical posture, replaceable mooring lines connecting from the buoys to the floating structure, the upper position of the permanent mooring lines being preselected to be below a highly corrosive area of the air-sea interface, and a pulling mechanism on the replaceable mooring lines to impart a preselected tension to the mooring lines, the bottom anchors being pre-positioned by drilling and cementing or driving piling through templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The Offshore Company
    Inventors: Donald R. Ray, Riddle E. Steddum
  • Patent number: 4281614
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for connecting to a floating structure the upper end of a pipe assembly disposed substantially vertically in an ocean and the like. The pipe can be an upwelling pipe in an ocean thermal energy conversion installation. Gimbal apparatus are coupled between the pipe and the structure concentrically about the pipe. The gimbal apparatus define two orthogonal gimbal axes about which the pipe can move relative to the structure. The gimbal apparatus carry essentially all of the load between the pipe and the structure. Ball joint apparatus are coupled between the upper end of the pipe and the structure to define the boundaries of a path of fluid flow between the pipe and the structure. The ball joint apparatus includes an element associated with the pipe and an element associated with the structure. The ball joint apparatus is centered in the intersection of the gimbal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Global Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. McNary, Abraham Person
  • Patent number: 4281615
    Abstract: A self-propelled semi-submersible column stabilized service vessel for tending offshore production and drilling operations is disclosed. The vessel includes a pair of submersible hulls having ballast compartments for controlling the buoyancy of the hulls. A rectangular service deck or platform which includes fire fighting equipment, rig inspection equipment, repair facilities, and load lifting equipment is supported by means of vertical stability columns which are compartmented and include ballast chambers for controlling the buoyancy of the columns. The fire fighting equipment includes an extendable fire boom for clearing debris and for positioning explosives on the deck of a burning production or drilling platform. An array of monitors is also provided for establishing a curtain of water for thermally shielding the service vessel and for extinguishing a fire on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sedco, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Wilson, Dillard S. Hammett
  • Patent number: 4281616
    Abstract: A fingerprint card holding device that simplifies the procedure for taking fingerprint impressions on fingerprint cards. The device includes a platen means upon which the card is placed, a hoop means for holding the card to the platen means, an indexing means for locating the card in the correct positions and an actuating means for moving the card for rolling the prints of the fingers of the right hand, the fingers of the left hand and for making the flat fingerprints of both hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Allan D. LeVantine
  • Patent number: 4281617
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a relatively thin uniform thickness layer of a fluent coating material to each of a plurality of conductors includes a housing having aligned entrance and exit openings. An applicator tube is mounted within the housing transverse of the paths of the conductors and includes a plurality of spaced applicator openings through which the conductors are advanced. The tube is arranged so that each applicator opening includes aligned notches in front and rear walls of the tube and a slot in the top of the tube, the slot connecting an aligned pair of notches. The fluent coating material is supplied to the tube and is maintained at a level substantially at the top of the tube so that as the conductors are advanced through the applicator openings they are immersed in the coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Bevers, Helmut E. Durr, George E. Mock
  • Patent number: 4281618
    Abstract: A chemically inert, non-absorptive applicator sheet, a depression defined by a recessed portion of the applicator sheet, a transfer coating on at least a portion of a top surface of the applicator sheet, means for evaporating a solution of sample and carrier solvent deposited on the transfer coating, and a displacement mechanism for displacing a sample formed in the recess are disclosed. The depression in the applicator sheet may be formed by imposing a suction beneath the applicator sheet; and a displacement of a sample formed in the depression may be accomplished by introducing pressure beneath the applicator sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: David C. Fenimore
  • Patent number: 4281619
    Abstract: A method for applying measured amounts of viscous material in a predetermined pattern in registry to a continuously moving sheet is provided which includes the steps of introducing the viscous material into a rotary valve having a bore in the valve rotor operatively communicative with the fluid inlet, and a passage radially communicating between the axial bore and an opening in the valve seat through which the material is dispensed onto the sheet stock. The length of the material dispensed to the sheet stock is determined by a slot formed on the surface of the valve rotor which surrounds the opening for the radial passage. Registry of the pattern is accomplished by correlation of the rotation of the valve with the rate by which the sheet material passes underneath the valve orifice. The valve containing the slot and related apparatus is also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Frick, Kenneth M. Enloe
  • Patent number: 4281620
    Abstract: A spear head access mechanism in a liquid development system wherein a machine mounted manifold, bearing a flow-through spear head connects the developer delivery system to a storage bottle. The bottle has a self sealing closure through which the spear head is forced and is encircled in an air tight manner when the bottle is pushed into operational position. A suction tube within the bottle is entered by the spear head. Upon removal of the bottle from the machine the self sealing closure forms a liquid tight seal preventing spillage of any remaining contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. McChesney, Thomas A. Tackland, Ian Turner
  • Patent number: 4281621
    Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Rockcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Tacke, Lyle D. Galbraith, Hudson Stewart
  • Patent number: 4281622
    Abstract: In an electrostatic apparatus including a developing roller for applying a toner to an electrostatic latent image carrying drum, a squeeze roller is provided in the vicinity of the developing roller. The squeeze roller is applied with a voltage to attract a part of the toner layer on the developing roller and reduce the thickness of the toner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kudo, Masakazu Iwasa, Hisashi Kato
  • Patent number: 4281623
    Abstract: A couple of copy sheet stripping members are provided for scraping away a copy sheet adhered strictly to one of two rollers which are driven to fix images of an original document on the copy sheet in pressure engagement. At least one of the copy sheet stripping members is secured removably from the roller while the copy sheet is not transferred out of the rollers. The copy sheet stripping member becomes pressed against the roller in accordance with the transferring of the copy sheet which is detected by a sensing means. The copy sheet stripping member is free of residue attached on the roller because the period of time where the engagement between the roller and the copy sheet stripping member is kept is very short. The other copy sheet stripping member can be further disposed to assure both the scrape of the copy sheet and the removal of the residue on the roller, the copy sheet stripping member being continuously pressed against the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tutomu Kato, Susumu Houjyo
  • Patent number: 4281624
    Abstract: A pet feeding device composed of a horizontally upright serving container having an opening in its upper end and an inverted feed-supply container having an opening in its lower end, wherein the open ends are axially inserted in overlapped position and then attached to one another in response to relative movement between the containers transversely of the axes of insertion.A pair of tongue-and-groove assemblies or joints are employed to guide the containers during the relative transverse movement, the tongue component of each joint being integral with the overlapped end of one of the containers and the groove component integral with the proximate overlapped end of the other container. By moving the supply container transversely and rearwardly from its axially inserted position, the tongue components of the joints intermesh progressively mesh with the groove components until the supply container reaches its normal position of use at the rear portion of the serving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Raymond Raines
  • Patent number: 4281625
    Abstract: An automatic water supply device for animals or plants, which uses a siphon tube for transferring a batch of water from a vessel having a float-valve type water inlet control device to a tray. The water transferring operation of the siphon tube is triggered by the water head applied to the siphon's outlet end and by the water received in the tray being reduced by a predetermined amount due to reduction of water level in the tray. The inlet tube portion of the siphon tube located in the internal space of the vessel has a diverged open end having an opening area which is substantially larger than that of the outlet tube portion of the siphon tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Nobuharu Kasai
  • Patent number: 4281626
    Abstract: A four or two cycle internal combustion engine is provided with a device for introducing evaporable liquid into a cylinder of the engine in a manner such that the evaporable liquid is contacted by the gases being compressed during compression phase, is separated, segregated or concealed during most of the combustion phase, and exposed and contacted by the combusting fuel gases primarily after most of the combustion of the fuel gases has occurred for absorbing some of the heat of combustion in the liquid and vaporizing the liquid. The invention is useful both for construction of new Otto or Diesel cycle internal combustion engines, and modification of existing engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Gerald R. A. Fishe
  • Patent number: 4281627
    Abstract: A ventilator of a distributor for ignition of an engine comprises a ventilation plug molded by an insert molding in a molding of the cap of the distributor. The ventilation plug having a ventilation hole and passage is fixed on the cap in rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4281628
    Abstract: A tri-rotor ballistic engine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on the frame having an output shaft, with a power cavity and an energy absorbing cavity defined therein. A power shaft is rotatably mounted in the drum. A reaction shaft is also rotatably mounted in the drum and axially aligned with the power shaft. A differential gearing or linkage device interconnects the power shaft, reaction shaft and drum.A pair of inner power pistons are connected to the power shaft and extend radially outwardly thereof and into the power cavity of the drum. The drum includes a pair of outer power pistons which are integral with the drum and extend radially inwardly into the power cavity to define four power chambers with the inner power pistons. Two or more energy storing paddles extend radially outwardly from at least one of the power and reaction shafts and into the energy storing cavity of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: George J. Doundoulakis