Patents Issued in January 19, 1988
  • Patent number: 4719828
    Abstract: A screw starter device for temporarily holding a screw while starting it into a substrate is a truncated conical rigid tubular member that tapers downwardly from its proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A first arcuate concentric opening in its side is defined by a first proximal transverse edge, a first distal transverse edge and a first pair of longitudinal edges and there is a second arcuate concentric opening similar to, but smaller than and distal of the first opening. A first longitudinal slot through the side of the member extends from the first opening to the second and a second longitudinal slot smaller in width than the first extends from the second opening to the distal end of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: John A. Corsetti
  • Patent number: 4719829
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tapered surfaces on male and female parts to be interfitted one within the other along the complementary tapered surfaces thereof wherein the male part is mounted on the chuck of a lathe wherein the chuck axis extends along the centerline of the lathe, the tool on the lathe is mounted for movement at an angle to the longitudinal centerline of the lathe, and the external surface of the male part is cut while rotating the part in one direction to provide a tapered surface by moving the cutting tool along a line extending at the angle. The male part is removed from the chuck and the female part is mounted on the chuck. The cutting tool is moved transversely of the lathe without changing the angle or vertical position of the cutting edge, and the internal surface of the female part is cut by moving the same cutting tool along a path parallel to the first-mentioned path of the tool while rotating the female part in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Gus Sevastakis
  • Patent number: 4719830
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the heat deformation of machine tools having a plurality of frames is disclosed in which the temperatures at symmetrical or opposite portions of the frames are measured, analyzed and then utilized to maintain the temperatures of the frames at the same temperature, or to maintain a constant temperature difference between the frame portions. The frame portions may either be heated or cooled to obtain the desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kijyu Kawada, Nobuyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4719831
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining control over the orientation and position of the trailing end of a slab of bacon as the trailing end passes through a continuous bacon slicer, which apparatus and method involve depending from a linkage supported about multiple centers a controlled-rotation grip having backward-facing teeth, to serve to permit the grip to be maintained next to the slicing plane of the slicer even as the position of the lockable rotatable grip is vertically adjusted to accommodate bacon slabs of various thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Conagra, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Smithers
  • Patent number: 4719832
    Abstract: An adjustable cutter apparatus for longitudinally slicing thin sheet materials such as copper foil used in stained glass processing has the coil mounted on a roll from which it is pulled through a guideway across a cutter blade. The guideway is defined between adjustable guide plates the spacing and locating of which can be adjusted relative to the cutter blade to suit different width foils and different widths of cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Blazej Svihra
  • Patent number: 4719833
    Abstract: A note clock generation circuit generates note clock pulses in correspondence to a note name of a tone to be generated. An octave rate data generation circuit generates rate data in correspondence to the octave range to which the tone to be generated belongs. By performing addition or subtraction of the rate data at the timing of generation of the note clock pulses, an address signal is generated. A tone generator generates a tone waveshape in the form of amplitude sampled values in response to an integer section of this address signal. An interpolation circuit performs interpolation between adjacent amplitude sampled values thus generated in response to a decimal section of the address signal. The rate of change of the decimal section of the address signal is changed in accordance with the tone range so that a finer interpolation is made as the tone range becomes lower. By this arrangement, decrease in an effective sampling frequency in the lower tone range can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsumi Katoh, Tokuji Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 4719835
    Abstract: An insert for a chinrest for a violin or viola is disclosed for providing the chinrest with a contoured shape to conform to the shape of a performer's chin and jaw. The insert comprises a volume of malleable material capable of retaining an imprint of the performer's chin. The insert is secured to the chinrest and covered with a soft absorbent material. The method of utilizing the insert to modify existing chinrests is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: RICO Products
    Inventors: Americole R. Biasini, Paul C. Anastasio
  • Patent number: 4719836
    Abstract: The drumstick for the left hand has three recesses in the peripheral surface, one for a portion of the palm in the region of the short flexor of the thumb, another for the ring finger, and the third for the middle finger. The drumstick for the right hand has a first recess for the thumb and a second recess for the index finger. The recesses enable the user to repeatedly hold the drumsticks in optimum positions to beat a drum or another percussion instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Harry Baumgart
  • Patent number: 4719837
    Abstract: A complex braided composite structure is formed of axial and braiding yarns using an interlacing pattern which allows all braiding yarn reversals to occur outside a multi-layer array of axial yarns concurrently at one location in the pattern thus allowing free manipulation of the yarns for forming complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: E. I. DuPont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ronald F. McConnell, Peter Popper
  • Patent number: 4719838
    Abstract: A strand carrier for a braiding machine enables the braiding machine to operate at greater speeds and with fewer and shorter interruptions for replenishment of strand supply or for other service. The carrier is an enlongated assembly comprising a longitudinal sequence of spring, bobbin, clutch, and tension controlling components, and is radially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and rotatably mounted at one end thereof to a braiding machine shuttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Simon A. DeYoung
  • Patent number: 4719839
    Abstract: A rotary storage magazine located immediately below the level of the deck of a vehicle or structure, usable such that munitions may be stored and thereafter quickly delivered on an as-needed basis to an intermediate position for the reloading of a weapon. This intermediate position can be on the deck, alongside the weapon to be reloaded, or else outboard of the weapon. Our rotary storage magazine comprises fore and aft rotary support devices disposed immediately below deck level a spaced distance apart, which distance is less than the length of the munitions to be stored. The rotary support devices each have a plurality of support arms, such that munitions disposed in a generally parallel array may be cradled between corresponding support arms of the fore and aft rotary support devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Paul W. Smothers, James M. Coryell, Frederick I. Maish
  • Patent number: 4719840
    Abstract: A compact rammer assembly for forcing ammunition into a gun having a rammer head attached to a pair of chains which are stored in separate spiral tracks positioned between the retracted position of the rammer head and driven sprockets. Each chain composed of links pinned together with vertical tabs at each end of each link; the tabs on each link engaging the tabs on adjacent links of each chain as well as the corresponding tabs on the links of the other chain when the sprockets driven the chains to extend the rammer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Goodell, Ronald A. Larson
  • Patent number: 4719841
    Abstract: A hesitation blowback toggle action weapon in which an under-center toggle employing interconnected toggle links recedes and redirects the recoil energy directed against the face of the bolt generated at the time of firing into the handle of the weapon, and in so doing either:1. Avoids the full auto sear as long as the trigger is pressured so that movement of the bolt and linkage of the weapon will continue until the ammunition of the magazine is spent, or2. Engages a semi automatic sear pivotally associated with the trigger of the weapon to lock the weapon in toggle collapsed position until the trigger is sequentially released to unseat sear from the trigger, and then again pressured to release the sear from the toggle mechanism, thus firing another single round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Walter E. Perrine
  • Patent number: 4719842
    Abstract: Two pressure disks (13, 19) are arranged in tandem between the valve plunger (9) and the rear end (21) of the booster output rod (22), a stepped middle member (23), having a front portion with a reduced diameter (24) sliding inside an annular spacer member (17), being arranged between the two pressure disks and cooperating with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Bendix France S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Gautier
  • Patent number: 4719843
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hydraulic mechanism having a cylinder block comprising cylinders, pistons mounted in these cylinders, and supporting rollers for abutment on a cam with respect to which the cylinder block is mounted to rotate. The mechanism for holding each roller in position with respect to a corresponding piston comprises two distinct supports which each abut on the inner surface of the cylinder, are maintained in position along the axis of the piston, have their angular orientation with respect to this axis constant and possess a face for abutment against an end face of the roller. One application of the invention is the manufacture of a compact engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme: Poclain hydraulics
    Inventor: Alain W. Noel
  • Patent number: 4719844
    Abstract: A shaft alignment system for pumps which utilizes a clamp for holding a reciprocating shaft to a piston in an abutting relationship. The clamp can be loosened and retightened after the piston, which is attached to the reciprocating shaft, is inserted in a cylinder. Forces induced on the piston after insertion in the cylinder cause the piston and shaft to be realigned. Resecuring the reciprocating shaft assembly to the piston assembly causes the system to be precisely aligned in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Larry M. Dugan
  • Patent number: 4719845
    Abstract: A joint for connecting a driving means to a driven means for reciprocating movement wherein a confined deformable, non-compressible material is in contact with a surface area of the driving means and with a surface area of the driven means and when a force is applied to the driving means to move the driving means toward the driven means, the deformable, non-compressible material deforms to compensate for any misalignment between the driving means and the driven means until it reaches its non-compressible state so that a uniform force is then transmitted across the surface area of the driven means in one direction to move the driven means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Larry M. Dugan
  • Patent number: 4719846
    Abstract: A pair of circumferential sliders are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of a piston, an inner surface of each circumferential slider being connected to a respective bevel rack gear. The rack gears are driven by bevel pinion gears that are attached to opposite ends of a wrist pin connecting the piston to a connecting rod. A pair of passages extend from the top of the piston to a pair of opposite, symmetrically positioned windows that are enlarged and reduced as a crankshaft connected to the lower portion of the connecting rod rotates in order to apply combustion or compression gas pressure in a cylinder to opposed varying areas of the cylinder wall so as to offset the varying lateral component of force applied by the connecting rod to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Steven W. Langstroth
  • Patent number: 4719847
    Abstract: A fluid pressure operated motor having a piston rod located in parallel offset relationship to the axis of the cylinder is provided with a fixed guide rod extending through the cylinder between the end caps in parallel offset relationship to the cylinder axis. The guide rod passes in sliding sealed relationship though a bore in the piston formed within like outwardly flared frusto-conical counterbores at each end. Complementary opposed frusto-conical locator members coaxially mounted at spaced fixed locations on the guide rod are seated respectively in the counterbores in the piston at opposite ends of the piston stroke to accurately locate the piston axially, radially and rotatively relative to the cylinder at each end of its stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Leland F. Blatt
  • Patent number: 4719848
    Abstract: A network of adjacent aggregate containing mesh bags provides structural support to the slab or floor of a building. The network, encased in a sheath of plastic film, also functions as a path for air to be directed by a blower. The openings within the network are filled with gravel, sand or earth packs. At the perimeter of the network an air return system leads to the interior of the building. Thus, the blower can circulate air from the building interior through the network and air return system and back into the interior. Air circulating in the network can undergo heat exchange through the plastic film at the interfaces of the slab, the packs, and the underlying ground. Peripheral ground insulation minimizes lateral heat transfer. Preferably the aggregate containing mesh bags have indexing means to indicate their respective heights from above as they rest on a supportive planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Hervin J. Bergeron, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4719849
    Abstract: A food product cooker having a main frame with a cooking oil pan and a plurality of food product carriages driven about the frame to and from the pan, with each of the carriages including a food product holder having upper and lower sections for receiving and transporting the food product. Each of the carriages includes a holder having pivoted sections for receiving, retaining and molding the food product therebetween. Cam tracks and cam followers provide automatic control of the holder sections. The main drive chain moves the carriages from the unloading position to the loading position, and a separate carriage pusher chain moves the carriages through the cooking vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Valley Grain Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Cope, Michael E. Grady, Donald G. Warnock
  • Patent number: 4719850
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically deep-fat frying food products. A vat containing cooking medium is associated with a heater for heating the cooking medium. A plurality of baskets for containing food products are pivotally mounted on a spider-like hub member for movement between cooking and discharge positions. A drive mechanism is coupled to the hub member for rotating the hub member and the baskets. A cam mechanism is associated with the baskets and the vat for moving the baskets between the cooking and discharge positions as the baskets are rotated about the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Jerry G. Sowell
  • Patent number: 4719851
    Abstract: An indicator for use in a refuse compactor for effectively indicating the need for replacement of a refuse-treating material supply as a function of the normal depletion thereof. The indicator is controlled by a timer accumulating incremental time during each operation of the compaction ram and operates a signaling indicator when the accumulated time reaches a preselected value. The indicator may be used with any form of refuse-treating material apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the refuse-treating material apparatus is an aerosol spray can of deodorizing and sanitizing material removably mounted within the refuse compactor cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Paul B. Chesnut
  • Patent number: 4719852
    Abstract: An improved aircraft trash compactor having an elongated inner chamber which is separated into front and rear chamber sections by means of a movable door or wall disposed transversely across the width of the chamber. The movable door or wall supports the rear panel of the trash container in the front chamber section during the compaction of trash therein and may be moved to an out-of-the-way position to allow the filled trash container to be moved into the rear chamber section for storage or disposal. The filled trash container in the rear chamber section supports the rear panel of a trash container in the front chamber section during the compaction of trash therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: A.K.G.S.
    Inventors: James L. Durbin, Robert M. Clemens
  • Patent number: 4719853
    Abstract: A coding box suitable for a hot foil printing machine comprises a frame, a number of print wheels rotatable about a shaft with respect to the frame, each print wheel having a number of outward-facing peripheral flats bearing indicia, a through-hole parallel to the shaft and corresponding to each flat, a rod passable through the holes for setting the wheels in desired orientations with respect to the frame and a magnet in a cup for locking the rod in a set position. A second rod is provided, fast with respect to and parallel to the first rod and having an enlarged distal end for engagement with a hole in the frame to prevent complete removal of the first rod from the frame. The first and second rods are both fast in a handle by which they may be withdrawn from the wheels to permit rotation of the wheels, and thus variation of the indicia to be stamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: R. E. Bowers & Freeman Limited
    Inventor: John G. Bowers
  • Patent number: 4719854
    Abstract: A resilient sheet gripper for a sheet-fed rotary printing press having a gripper finger resiliently connected to a clamping member secured to a gripper shaft is provided including prestressed spring strips for connecting the gripper finger to the clamping member with each spring strip having articulation points disposed along a line passing substantially through the axis of the gripper shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: M.A.N.-Roland Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Ruger, Valentin Gensheimer, Hanns-Otto Haas
  • Patent number: 4719855
    Abstract: Web treatment apparatus, such as a rotary die cutting machine, is provided with a die cylinder position encoder for generating pulses as the die cylinder rotates, feed roll position encoder for generating pulses as the feed rolls rotate; voltage dependent stored program driven servo drive for rotating the feed rolls; pull-off rolls for withdrawing web material from a supply roll and maintaining a storage loop thereof leading to the feed rolls; and a microprocessor based system including manually settable input for inputting the die length and length of pullback desired between cutting cycles. A position controller monitors die cutter speed and position from the die cylinder position encoder and provides voltage signals to the feed roll servo drive dependent upon the inputted data to provide velocity and acceleration profile for the feed rolls appropriate to the entered die length. It also provides a voltage signal to the pull-off roll drive to initialize the rate of input of web to the storage loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: David C. Cannon, Stephen P. Lyles
  • Patent number: 4719856
    Abstract: The pyrotechnic device comprises a projectile, a ground mounted device or a floating device whose casing contains a charge of titanium or other suitable combustible metal-containing material, charcoal, or other reducing agent and gunpowder such that, following ignition, infra-red emitting particles are emitted to form an infra-red radiating screen. The carbon reduces oxidation of the combustible material prior to emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Pains-Wessex Limited
    Inventor: Nigel F. Joslin
  • Patent number: 4719857
    Abstract: The pyrotechnic device comprises a projectile, a ground mounted device or a floating device whose casing contains a charge of particulate material, for example a combustible silicon-containing material in particular mixed with titanium or other suitable combustible metal-containing material and gunpowder such that, following ignition, infra-red emitting particles are emitted for forming an infra-red radiating screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Pains-Wessex Limited
    Inventor: David J. Spring
  • Patent number: 4719858
    Abstract: Successive stages of a missile are held together by an encircling band jod at its ends by an explosive band separation device. Opposite ends of the band are welded to separable parts which interlock with each other. Since the band is held in tension, inclined surfaces on the separable parts force them from maintaining an engagement so that a retaining cover is needed to hold them together. The retaining cover is held by a pair of balls which diametrically communicate with a longitudinal bore. A piston in the bore keeps the balls in cavities in the retaining cover to hold the separable parts together. A power cartridge detonated by an electrical signal displaces the piston the length of the bore and the balls free of the retaining cover. The retaining cover rotates by a resultant upward force exerted by the inclining surfaces. Freed from the retaining cover the tensile force exerted by the band pulls the separable parts apart to free successive stages of the missile from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Edward H. Stiles
  • Patent number: 4719859
    Abstract: A training cartridge includes a metallic cartridge case with a case shoulder and dummy projectile having a gas exhaust opening at its front end. A propellant charge powder chamber of the cartridge case is closed in the forward direction by means of a cup-shaped closure element that is inserted in the cartridge case close to the case shoulder and that bursts or ruptures during firing under the action of the powder gases along predetermined intentional breaking zones. Toward the rear, the powder chamber is sealed by means of a bottom piece inserted in the cartridge case. By placing the intentional opening zones into the interior of the cartridge, danger of injury by the ejected cartridge case is reduced to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Ballreich, Ernst Jensen, Helmut Neubert
  • Patent number: 4719860
    Abstract: An armor-penetrating projectile assembly 10 is provided with a molded protective cap 28. The cap 28, which is preferably molded from Nylon 6/6, is provided with a plurality of longitudinal stress grooves 34 formed in the interior surface of the cap 28 for aiding cap break-up as the projectile assembly 10 exits the muzzle of a cannon, and with an integral centering band 32 for ensuring a desired fit of the projectile assembly 10 inbore and, to control the angular velocity of the cap 28 about its axis of symmetry 46 for better separation after being fired. The cap 28 is fastened to the sabot 18 of the projectile assembly 10 by means of a grooved extension 36 on the sabot 18 within which a plurality of ramped projections 38 of cap 28 are received. The ramped projections 38 are molded into the inner surface of the cap 28 aft of each window 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ruffle, Randall L. Schiestl, Robert L. Bonde
  • Patent number: 4719861
    Abstract: Single-sided linear induction motors (SLIMs) suspended in proximity to the rail of a locomotive are energized to increase the effective adhesion between the locomotive drive wheels and the rail in response to the detection of an operating condition in which the tractive effort of the locomotive traction motors is limited by less than optimal adhesion. The SLIMs are energized in relation to the reserve power capability of the power source and the limit of tractive effort improvement. One method further employs sand dispensing units activated if the suboptimal operating condition is not alleviated by activation of the SLIMs. Another method uses the sand dispensing units first, and only activates the SLIMs if the suboptimal operating condition is not alleviated by activation of the sand dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jack W. Savage, Thomas J. Savage, Mark A. Navarre
  • Patent number: 4719862
    Abstract: A blade shank assembly useful in an applicator for delivering liquid or gaseous fertilizer to a subsoil location, the blade shank assembly including an elongated curved shank plate, a generally V-shaped insert secured to the blade shank at the leading edge thereof and adjacent the forward lower point of the blade shank. The insert is constructed of hard metal and is configured to afford maximum protection to the blade shank plate, and extended service life to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Adams Hard-Facing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Delmar D. Edmisson
  • Patent number: 4719863
    Abstract: A small cloth vise in a sewing machine arranged for the automatic application of small pockets applied on blue-jeans or on other similar garments by two fixing seams where at least on one side the seams are not parallel, comprising a central element, a cylinder fixed to the element, a small plate which transmits motion driven by the cylinder, a first blade placed under the central element for displacement in proximity to the seams operatively connected to the small plate, and first and second levers having ends connected to the blade corresponding to the side where the seams are not parallel, the first lever effecting a displacement larger than that of the second lever for causing the blade to rotate and thus to translate in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Necchi Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Flavio Bisson
  • Patent number: 4719864
    Abstract: A sewing machine system adapted for joining portions of a multiple layer limp fabric workpiece includes a workpiece support surface and a sewing head assembly. The sewing head assembly houses an elongated needle adapted for reciprocating motion along a needle axis extending through an aperture in the workpiece support surface. A selectively operable feeder is adapted to transport a region of a limp fabric workpiece on the workpiece support surface in the direction of a feed axis having a fixed orientation with respect to the feeder. A coupling assembly rotatably couples the feeder to the sewing head assembly so that the feeder is selectively rotatable about the needle axis. A feed controller controls the feeder and includes an orientation controller adapted to selectively control the angular orientation of the feeder with respect to the sewing head assembly so that the feed axis may be adjustably offset with respect to a reference axis on the workpiece support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Barrett, William B. Costain
  • Patent number: 4719865
    Abstract: A sewing machine with thread take-up mechanism is so constructed as to vertically move a take-up member, supported on a needle bar in such a manner as to be vertically movable at a timing which is different from that of the movement of the needle bar on which the take-up member is moved. The take-up member has a hole through which a thread being lead to the sewing needle is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Yokoe, Yoshikazu Kurono, Koji Hayashi, Miho Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4719866
    Abstract: A sewing machine, and a control device for the needle driving motor comprising an electronic circuit which employs logic gates and at least one capacitor for its working in such a way as to obtain a simple, reliable and cheap control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Necchi Societa per Azioni
    Inventors: Flavio Bisson, Giacomo Cattaneo
  • Patent number: 4719867
    Abstract: A lower wheel fabric feeding device in a column sewing machine where the oscillatory motion of the feeding shaft is transmitted to a free release wheel which acts on a first gear coupled with two gears, one gear transmitting the motion to the wheel and the other gear preventing reverse rotation of the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Necchi Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Flavio Bisson
  • Patent number: 4719868
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the home point detection of a motor for a sewing machine wherein the motor is used to rotate a cam into a predetermined feed pitch formed on the cam, and change in the quantity of work piece feeding that corresponds to such feed pitch is transferred to a feed dog through a linkage means. Respective feed pitches are formed in each of the regions of the cam, whereas the detecting position of home point of the motor is set in a suitable position. Moreover, the rotating direction of the cam toward the detecting position of home point is reversed in accordance with each of the regions. Accordingly, the returning speed of the motor back to the detecting position of home point is made fast and only one home point detector is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Tokyo Juki Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Iwabuchi, Yutaka Asaba
  • Patent number: 4719869
    Abstract: An adjustable system is described for control of a genoa sheet on a sailboat. The sheet is passed through a pulley or lead block carried by a car which is slidably mounted on a track. The block and car have complementary interfitting parts to enable the block to be removed from one car and secured to another car on a second track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Vanguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter O. Harken, Robert A. Whitehouse, Kenneth E. Lange
  • Patent number: 4719870
    Abstract: An anchor member for detachably securing a rope having a loop at one end to a boat includes a member of sheave-like design having a circumferential groove to seat the rope loop. The member is largely enclosed by a cover having a peripheral flange forming an internal chamber open at one end and only slightly radially larger than the member. The flange has a circumferential opening wide enough to permit both sides of the loop to pass through it when the loop is seated in the groove. The cover is secured to the member for both rotation and axial movement and resiliently biased to telescopically seat over the member and substantially cover the groove but easily lifted by an operator to expose the groove for attachment and removal of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventor: Warwick M. Whitley, II
  • Patent number: 4719871
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ship having a monocoque or unitary-construction hull (1) made of a composite material having a base of suitably-reinforced plastics. According to the invention, the longitudinal strength of the hull (1) mainly derives from the monocoque or unitary-construction hull and the decks (4). Optional transverse reinforcing structures may be constituted exclusively by structural transverse bulkheads (5). The thickness of the monocoque hull (1) increases, preferably in a substantially uninterrupted manner, from the stringer area towards the keel (2). The keel (2) and the rolling chocks (3) are integral with, and made of the same material as, the monocoque hull (1). At least some tanks are constituted by cylinders (8, 8', 9) made of a plastics-based composite material and suspended, at a certain height from the bottom of the hull (1), between two successive structural transverse bulkheads (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Intermarine S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Fantacci, Gianfranco De Casa
  • Patent number: 4719872
    Abstract: Ladders for use with inflatable boats or other watercraft include a mounting bracket and a movable boarding step unit having a plurality of steps fixed to an elongated support bar. The mounting bracket is fixed to the transom or other vertical portion of the watercraft and the support bar is contoured so that when its upper end is positioned in the bracket, the steps depend below the watercraft and are firmly held away from it by a portion of the bar bearing against a portion of the watercraft adjacent the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Step-On Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Ritten
  • Patent number: 4719873
    Abstract: A film forming apparatus utilizing discharge to accomplish film formation is provided with a cover electrode movable back and forth and a gas supply pipe. By moving the cover electrode, the cover electrode and a substrate containing cassette in which a substrate for film formation is contained and which is conveyed to a predetermined film forming position are electrically connected, and discharge is caused in the substrate containing cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasutomo Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 4719874
    Abstract: A poultry brooder having a ceramic radiant element with protrusions and protrusion connectors forming spiral channels to lengthen the path of flowing gases from the closed center to the edge of the radiant and to impede the gaseous flow by turbulence. An insulator reduces undirected heat loss through the rear surface of the ceramic radiant and an electronic direct spark ignition system conserves fuel consumption and makes the brooder more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Paul E. Maurice
  • Patent number: 4719875
    Abstract: A feeder (10) for dispensing feed to livestock includes a hopper (14), a discharge opening (28) in a lower portion (18) of the hopper (14), a vertical shaft (32) in the hopper (14) that extends downward through the discharge opening (28), an animal-actuated actuator arm (66) that extends radially outward from the shaft (32) below the discharge opening (28), and a flexible agitator (70) that is disposed in the hopper (14) that has a tip (88) at a first radial distance (74), and that elastically bends to reduce the first radial distance (74) to smaller (96, 106, and 110) radial distances in response to various resistances of packed feed, thereby reducing the torque that is required to agitate packed feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Agri-Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl W. Van Gilst
  • Patent number: 4719876
    Abstract: A collar is disclosed herein for restricting the movement of an animal's head which comprises a pliable and thickened elongated pad of sufficient width to occupy a neck region of the animal substantially between the shoulder and the base of the head. The opposite ends of the pad carry a releasable closure for securing the collar about the animal's neck. The closure includes a hook and pile fastener joining the ends longitudinally as well as transversely to prevent inadvertent detachment of overlapped ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Frank T. Wilken
  • Patent number: 4719877
    Abstract: A fuel preheater for use on a boiler fired by an oil burner of the type using an oil pump pumping oil from a tank, the boiler being of the type having a supply line carrying a heated medium from the boiler, the preheater having a coil member wrapped around the supply line of the boiler, a supply pipe extending from the oil burner pump outlet to the top of the coil to direct oil pumped from the tank through the pump and up to and through the coil where the oil is heated by its close proximity to the heated medium in the supply line; and a feed line extending from the base of the coil to receive fuel once it has passed through the coil and been heated which feed line extends to and is interconnected to the oil burner where the preheated oil is burned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Richard A. Delage
  • Patent number: 4719878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and installation for heating liquids at different levels of temperature, comprising a first vat containing a first liquid heated by an exchanger immersed in this liquid and connected to the exit of a burner, and a second vat containing a second liquid into which a diffusing system is immersed and connected to the exit of the exchanger, while a pump ensures the transfer of the liquid from one vat to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Gaz de France
    Inventors: Georges Austruy, Francois Cagnon, Denis Di Paola, Andre Vinchon