Patents Issued in August 16, 1988
  • Patent number: 4763652
    Abstract: A kidney stone disintegrating system includes a computer-controlled aiming system. The disintegrating system includes a reflector containing water through which the reflector is coupled to a living body having a kidney stone. The reflector is a portion of an ellipsoid and a spark gap generator is located at one focus of the ellipsoid. An electrical energy source is connected to the spark gap generator for generating a spark which in turn generates a shock wave in the fluid. Three motors are connected to the reflector for moving it in respectively X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions to locate the reflector so that the kidney stone lies at the second focus point thereof. A pair of ultrasound transducers are carried by an articulated support comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected arms. Precision potentiometers are provided between the arms to indicate the relative positions thereof, and electrical potentials from the potentiometers are connected to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Northgate Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred G. Brisson, Christopher Nowacki, William R. Shene, Thomas H. Burdick, Exequiel Dela-Cruz
  • Patent number: 4763653
    Abstract: A method and article for medical diagnosis and/or treatment of body disorders, comprising a sleeve unit insertable in a natural body vessel to isolate material flowing into the vessel from direct contact with the interior surface of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rockey
  • Patent number: 4763654
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter for performing balloon angioplasty having multiple independently inflatable/deflatable balloons thereon, each balloon having a different diameter. The balloons are capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 100 psi and are non-elastomeric and imperforate. Also disclosed is a method for performing balloon angioplasty by advancing a balloon catheter of the type disclosed into a stenosis inside a blood vessel, inflating a first balloon to partially dilate the stenosis, advancing a second balloon into the partially dilated stenosis, wherein the diameter of the second balloon is greater than the diameter of the first balloon, and inflating the second balloon to further dilate the stenosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: G. David Jang
  • Patent number: 4763655
    Abstract: The stimulation frequency of a heart pacemaker is controlled dependent on a signal representative of the blood oxygen content of the patient. The blood oxygen dependent signal is generated by a blood oxygen sensor. A temperature sensor generates a separate signal dependent on blood temperature. The blood oxygen and blood temperature signals are combined such that the blood oxygen signal is lowered, i.e., the value thereof is reduced, in ranges of higher physical load indicated by an increase in the temperature dependent signal. The combined signal is used to control the stimulation frequency of a heart pacemaker so that the stimulation frequency is increased, if blood oxygen saturation is decreasing and/or blood temperature is increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Wirtzfeld, Karl Stangl, Roland Heinze
  • Patent number: 4763656
    Abstract: A transcutaneous nerve stimulation device and method in which trains of pulses with exponential decay-times but having fixed amplitudes, fixed widths at the time-axis and fixed repetition rates have their decay-times modulated over a series of discrete values or continuously by means of binary-counter-switched time-constant capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Beatrice T. Kester
    Inventor: Edward A. Nauman
  • Patent number: 4763657
    Abstract: An electronic acupuncturer includes a casing having a handle stored with a low-frequency current generator and a head portion for fixing two acupuncturing conductors which are electrically connected with the positive and negative polarities of the current generator, and a heater also powered by the current generator adapted for producing heat auxiliarily thermally treating a patient as acupunctured by the two conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventors: Chen-Wei Chen, Jenny Lin
  • Patent number: 4763658
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of use for removing specified dialyzable components from a complex reference fluid such as, for example, blood. The invention includes a semi-permeable tubular dialysis membrane, which is inserted into the reference fluid. An equilibration fluid is injected into the tubular membrane and allowed to equilibrate with the outside reference fluid. The equilibrated fluid is then removed for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Solutech, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Jones
  • Patent number: 4763659
    Abstract: A dry electrode system for the detection of biopotentials existing on the surface of the skin of a living body, including a dry electrode pad with a resilient conductive pad adhering to at least one adhesive pad or otherwise opposed adhesive surfaces, one of which is adapted to engage the skin of the living body. The dry electrode pad makes electrical connection to an amplifying circuit which transmits a biopotential derived from the conductive pad to a monitor. The amplifying circuit includes a conductive input contact for making electrical contact to the conductive pad, a lead amplifier having an input coupled to the input contact, and a voltage driven shield coupled to the output of the lead amplifier and surrounding portions of the input contact not in engagement with the dry electrode pad. In a preferred embodiment, conductive adhesive layers are applied to opposed sides of a conductive foam pad to construct the dry electrode pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Spring Creek Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: W. J. Ross Dunseath, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4763660
    Abstract: The unitary flexible and disposable electrode belt and method is for receiving and transmitting electric current or voltage for use on the body of a patient. The belt has a unitary layered body structure that is releasably secured to the patient. The belt device body structure has a terminal end that is connectable for communication with medical therapeutic and diagnostic apparatus. The layered body structure further includes a plurality of flexible non-conductive and conductive layers, a conductive network having electrode contact areas at predetermined positions and conductive adhesive members to removably hold the device to a patient and to, thereby, transfer electrical signals between predetermined patient body locations and the medical therapeutic and diagnostic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Cherne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Mark R. Pommrehn, Dan Hanson
  • Patent number: 4763661
    Abstract: Diseased tissue such as cirrhotic liver is differentiated from normal tissue by applying an ultrasound wave to the tissue, receiving backscattered ultrasound waves therefrom and bandpass filtering electrical signals generated from the backscattered wave. Assuming that the ultrasound wave has a spectrum and a center frequency, the bandpass is narrow relative to the spectrum and centered within the bounds of the spectrum of the ultrasound wave. The filtered signal will have an amplitude distribution for diseased tissue which is different from the amplitude distribution of normal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Stanford University
    Inventors: F. Graham Sommer, Roger A. Stern
  • Patent number: 4763662
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an operation section and an insertion section adapted to be inserted into the body cavity of a human being. The insertion section has an insertion channel extending therethrough. A guide sheath is slidably inserted into the channel and has a distal end portion pivotally supported on the distal end of the insertion section by link arms. An ultrasonic probe is fixed to the distal end of the insertion section. An image guide extends through the sheath to the end face thereof. A guide channel for guiding a puncture needle extends through the sheath and opens at the end face thereof. When being pushed out from the insertion section the distal end portion of the sheath is pivotted to change its direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 4763663
    Abstract: A patient vital signs monitoring system includes an elongated flexible esophageal stethoscope catheter including a microphone and a thermister measuring means detachably connected to a processing monitor through a patient interface unit for electrical isolation of the patient from the processing system to assure patient safety from electrical currents. A single microphone, including an amplifier, picks up and transmits sound from the stethoscope catheter through a processing system including an audio filter system in the patient interface unit which amplifies the heartbeat and breathing sounds and transmits signals to the monitor/transmitter unit through a fiberoptic link to the microprocessor where the signals are compared against reference limits for generating alarm signals in response to critical deviations from preset norm. The monitor/transmitter unit is programmed to be self-monitoring prior to going into the normal patient monitoring mode and while in the monitoring mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Vitacomm, Ltd.
    Inventors: James D. Uphold, Robert L. Pfohl
  • Patent number: 4763664
    Abstract: A gas collector unit to be fitted over the head of a patient for measuring oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output and respiratory quotient, said unit comprising a clear, substantially half-ellipsoidal plastic canopy (1), a cylinder of plastic sheeting (8), which is airtightly seamed to its edges and whose mouth (10) can be airtightly sealed around the neck of a patient, as well as hose couplings (2) and (3) and flow diffusers (6) and (7) associated therewith. The free volume of a canopy with a patient's head therein is less than a third of the amount air flowing through the canopy per minute and that the free cross-sectional area of a canopy perpendicular to flow is dimensioned in a manner that the average speed of air flow over the face is higher than 4 cm/s and the CO.sub.2 -content of inhalation air is less than 0.2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventor: Pekka Merilainen
  • Patent number: 4763665
    Abstract: A thermistor assembly for use in an environment of microwave radiation employs an interface metallic layer on the surface of a plastic insulation its conductors and a metal foil wrapped upon the thermistor head. The metal foil overlaps the interface metallic layer on the conductors. A surface metallic layer is electroplated on both the interface metallic layer and the metal foil to unite both into a single electrically conducting layer effective to exclude microwave radiation from the interior thereof and thus to avoid direct microwave heating of the thermistor or the electrical conductors in the vicinity of the thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Victory Engineering Company
    Inventors: Frank Mascuch, Arthur Winter, Satish Laroia
  • Patent number: 4763666
    Abstract: To determine the heat or cold sensation or pain threshold of a human being, thermode is applied to the skin of the subject under investigation, and the temperature is varied until the subject feels pain. This pain threshold temperature is maintained for a predetermined period of time and then the subject is requested to adjust the temperature until the same sensation is felt. The pain threshold temperature values obtained by this "tonic" method may be verified or improved by a "phasic" method of applying thermal stimuli, wherein pulse-type thermal stimuli are applied with randomly varying spacings and with temperatures which vary randomly about the pain threshold temperature established by the tonic method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Friedrich Strian, Rupert Hoelzl, Gunther Galfe, Stefan Lauterbacher, Wilhelm Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4763667
    Abstract: A tissue-penetrating catheter device for use within the body consists of: an outer catheter assembly including an outer catheter having distal and proximal ends, and a terminal member joined to the proximal end; an inner catheter assembly including an inner catheter extending within the outer catheter and having distal and proximal ends, and defining a conduit therethrough, a fluid connector at the proximal end for connecting the conduit to a fluid flow device, and a tissue-penetrating element, e.g., a needle, at the distal end sized to enter the distal end of the outer catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Microvasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Manzo
  • Patent number: 4763668
    Abstract: A partible forceps instrument for endoscopy separable into an operating segment and a sampling segment and having a cleaning fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Mill Rose Laboratories
    Inventors: Andrew M. Macek, Mark W. Kozak, Edward J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4763669
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for obtaining biopsies, performing microsurgery and bipolar microelectrocautery. The instrument head includes opposing jaw members which open and close during the operating procedures. The angle of the instrument head relative to the instrument frame is adjustable to effectively operate on varying surfaces. The angle can be continuously adjusted while the instrument is in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: John C. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 4763670
    Abstract: A microbiological specimen sampling device capable of operation by one hand to both expose the sample collector and obtain contamination-free specimens consists of a catheter assembly including: an outer catheter and an inner catheter, each having distal and proximal ends, a sample collector disposed generally within the inner catheter and having operating structure for extending the sample collector beyond the distal ends of the catheters to obtain a sample, and a removable, water soluble plug engaging and sealing a portion of the outer catheter in a position between the distal ends of the outer and inner catheters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Microvasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Manzo
  • Patent number: 4763671
    Abstract: A catheter for use in treating tumors is flexible and relatively small in diameter so that it can be inserted interstitially into the tumor mass. A conductor is provided along the length of the catheter and is electrically insulated except for a small length thereof which is adapted to be received within the tumor volume. By placing at least a pair of such catheters within the tumor mass and by connecting the conductors to a high frequency power source a heat producing current can be generated through the tumor tissue between the exposed portions of the catheter to damage the tumor cells. In addition, each catheter includes an axial passage permitting radioactive seeds or other tumor treating materials to be inserted within the tumor mass to cause further damage to and ultimately necrosis of the tumor without significantly affecting the adjacent healthy tissue of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Stanford University
    Inventor: Don R. Goffinet
  • Patent number: 4763672
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for injecting liquids or liquid foams into the stream of tobacco on the suction tape in the chimney of a cigarette maker. An insert is placed in the suction rod channel to reduce its width over an initial section of the channel. The remainder of the channel is of normal width. A nozzle for injecting the liquid or liquid foam projects gradually from the end of the insert into the channel. The restrictive effect of the nozzle on the flow of tobacco is balanced by the tendency of the tobacco to flow more freely as the channel widens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph L. Gregory, III
  • Patent number: 4763673
    Abstract: Tobacco is reclaimed from filter cigarettes by applying sufficient pressurized air to the filter end of each cigarette to eject the tobacco from the cigarettes. The method for reclaiming the tobacco involves (a) transporting a succession of filter cigarettes along a predetermined path, in a discontinuous, indexing manner, (b) temporarily engaging the filter end of each cigarette with reciprocating mouthpiece means during the pause between indexed movements and (c) applying pressurized air to each engaged cigarette via the mouthpiece means to force the tobacco from the cigarette and into a suitable collection device. Preferred apparatus is disclosed for accomplishing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Vernon B. Barnes, Donald R. Wilkinson, John W. Shore, Ronnie G. Huff
  • Patent number: 4763674
    Abstract: Method for reducing normal concentrations of hydrogen cyanide and/or nitrogen oxide by-products in cigarette smoke, by using, as garniture feed for a cigarette filter rod-making apparatus, one or more substrates, one or more surfaces thereof being treated by applying thereto an effective amount of at least one of(A) a solution, emulsion or dispersion of at least one of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide in a nonionic spin solution;(B) glycerol triacetate;and corresponding filter element and cigarette utilizing a filter formed of such substrate(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael D. Lelah
  • Patent number: 4763675
    Abstract: A fine tooth comb wherein the teeth are provided with shoulder ledges along the narrowest part of the passages between teeth, the shoulder ledges being alternate in direction, and cooperating to form offsets or jogs in the passages for better detritus removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Amedio DeFelice
  • Patent number: 4763676
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser (10) for dispensing a liquid (16) from a reservoir (15) to a dispensing location is disclosed. The dispenser (10) includes a dispenser head member (11) adapted for engaging the reservoir (15). The head member (11) has a bore (18) having a first opening (18a) and second opening (18b). The first opening (18a) is proximate the reservoir (15) and the second opening (18b) is proximate the dispensing location. A stem member (19) is slideably mounted in the bore (20). The stem member (19) has a measuring cavity (21). The measuring cavity (21) is in fluid communication (15) when in a filling position wherein the liquid enters the measuring cavity and the measuring cavity (21) dispenses a given volume of product (16) from the measuring cavity (21) when in the dispensing position and when in a position intermediate the dispensing and filling positions the measuring cavity (21) is enclosed by the head member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4763677
    Abstract: Ultrasonic wire cleaning apparatus in which elongated strands of wire are advanced continuously through a bath of acid contained in a tank. Ultrasonic transducers are located in the tank and produce ultrasonic energy which coacts with the acid to effect cleaning of the wire. The transducers are submerged in and are cooled by a separate bath of water located in the tank beneath the acid and are protected against erosion by a rigid plastic plate which separates the acid from the water. Water-filled chambers at the sides of the tank keep the head of the water bath greater than the head of the acid bath in order to prevent the acid from leaking downwardly into the water and contacting the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Techalloy Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Miller
  • Patent number: 4763678
    Abstract: A cleaning system in which an elongated object having enclosed channels can be inserted in a rotatably mounted container in a tank to coil therein for cleaning by fluids pumped through the object and into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Mayo Medical Resources
    Inventor: Beverly J. Ott
  • Patent number: 4763679
    Abstract: A toy umbrella is disclosed comprising an elongated hollow handle member within which a hollow stem is mounted for rotation. A rod is slidably mounted within the handle member and stem, and gear means are provided coupling the handle member to the rod. Upon rotation of the stem, the rod is reciprocally moved between from an outer position in which the umbrella is closed to an inner position in which the umbrella is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventor: Karl D. Lerch
  • Patent number: 4763680
    Abstract: A crutch is provided which is specifically designed for use by people who are overweight, or have scoliosis (a curvature of the spine condition), there being an S-curve defined in the upper portion of the crutch so that the crutch will comfortably fit into the underarm and yet bend out and continue downward spaced further out laterally from the body so that the hip of an overweight person or a person with scoliosis is detoured by the crutch. The crutch is made hinged and collapsible so that it is easier to store and transport to offset the slightly more cumbersome shape of the crutch because of the incorporation of the S-curve. The crutch also features three point adjustability so that the overall length of the crutch, and its length between the S-curve and underarm support, and between the handgrip and the ground and the handgrip and the underarm are independently adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Adam Acosta, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4763681
    Abstract: Process for controlling the flow of a fluid through a valve having a given section and a movable valve member, in which the pressures of the fluid which are upstream P.sub.upstream and downstream P.sub.downstream of the valve and the position d of the valve member are measured, then the real flow Q.sub.real of the fluid is calculated and compared with a set value Q.sub.0, the difference signal Q.sub.real -Q.sub.0 commanding the displacement of the valve member in the desired direction, said process comprising effecting the real flow calculation by measuring the ratio R=P.sub.upstream /P.sub.downstream which is compared with a predetermined value R and calculating the product Q.sub.sonic =k.times.P.sub.upstream .times.d so that when R>R.sub.0, the product Q.sub.sonic is directly compared with a set value Q.sub.0, the difference signal Q.sub.sonic -Q.sub.0 commanding the displacement of the valve member in the desired direction whereas, when R<R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide
    Inventors: Francis Cuny, Hugues Vermeille, Jean Arnault
  • Patent number: 4763682
    Abstract: A valve activating system is provided, which is intended for association with a valve assembly including a valve housing defining a conduit therein which includes a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening, and a valve which is normally biased in a closed position in the conduit to control the flow of fluids therethrough. In order to activate the valve an opening is provided into the conduit for insertion of a valve activating element, such as a simple lever which is positioned at a location at which it can activate the valve. In the embodiment shown, the opening into the conduit has a circular cross-section and is fitted with a sealing O-ring. The lever is sized and shaped so that its insertion through the O-ring will complete a fluid tight closure of the opening so that fluid present in or flowing through the conduit cannot exit through the opening provided for the lever. Therefore the valve activating system remains dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Drain Brain, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Gardner, Warren A. Dale, II
  • Patent number: 4763683
    Abstract: A first valve body has a tubular portion which releasably connects with a second valve body, and each valve body defines a center fuel supply passage in which a movable valve closure member is spring biased against an annular seat. Each valve body also defines a set of circumferentially spaced arcuate fuel vapor passages spaced outwardly from the corresponding fuel passage, and corresponding vapor passages within the valve bodies are connected by an annular chamber within the tubular body portion. Each fuel passage receives a closure ring which cooperates with an internally threaded end portion of the valve body for threadably receiving a coaxial fuel fitting, and resilient rings form fluid-tight seals between corresponding fuel and vapor passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Catlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Carmack
  • Patent number: 4763684
    Abstract: A gas separation valve assembly for a diesel motor system having a tank with a float therein controlling a valve mechanism through which fuel is dispensed from the tank. A dual sleeve assembly is arranged within the tank having an inner sleeve with a lower end in fluid-tight connection with the tank and an outer sleeve arranged to define an annular space between itself and the outer wall of the tank and an intermediate space between itself and the inner sleeve. Fuel is introduced into the tank through an aperture so as to flow into the annular space between the tank wall and the outer sleeve and then to pass through the intermediate space so as to overflow the inner wall and to flow into an interior space of the tank within which the float is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Mannesmann Kienzle GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Kelch
  • Patent number: 4763685
    Abstract: A floating dispersal member for controllably dispersing a material into a fluid wherein the dispersal member contains a compartment to hold a dispersant and a visual indicator to alert a person to when the dispersant is dissolved. In another embodiment the flotating dispersal member includes a flotation compartment that holds the dispersal member in an upright condition when there is a dispersant in said dispersal member and a weight which flips the dispersal member in an end-for-end condition when the dispersant is dissolved in said dispersal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Lloyd H. King, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4763686
    Abstract: A hydrant includes one or more novel and improved features, namely: (1) a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle and a retainer ring mounted within the upper standpipe section of the hydrant; (2) an operating assembly defining an excess reservoir volume to receive valve stem lubricating fluid to prevent blocking movement of the valve stem; (3) a coupling assembly including a collar, a retainer ring for engaging one end of the collar against one standpipe section, and a retainer bar inserted through the collar and bent around an adjoining standpipe section; (4) a coupling assembly including a floating seal band carrying two seals, one of which seals against one standpipe section and the other of which seals against an adjoining standpipe section; (5) an otherwise conventional valve body but for a double-D valve body cavity in which a complemental boss of a valve member retainer disk is nested to prevent rotation therebetween, and also including a flat sealing gasket disposed between the valve stem and an annular
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: David F. Laurel
  • Patent number: 4763687
    Abstract: A cartridge-type valve assembly for controlling the flow of water to a plumbing fixture including a bonnet molded from a plastic material threadedly receiving a stem also formed of a plastic material. The bonnet defines a depending skirt having an inlet for receiving fluid and defining a sealing surface engageable by a sealing element preferably an O-ring, carried by the stem. Noise reducing structure preferably a plurality of flutes are formed in the bonnet, near the inlet and operate to reduce or inhibit noise in the valve as the sealing element moves into engagement with the sealing surface. The flutes open into the inlet and taper as they extend toward the sealing surface, gradually merging and blending into the sealing surface. The O-ring is replaceable thus eliminating the need for replacing the entire valve cartridge should a failure in the sealing element occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventors: Michael J. Arth, Raymond M. Arth
  • Patent number: 4763688
    Abstract: A relieving valve for a fluid or liquid storage tank to permit release of pressure from inside the tank as necessary. A piston is movable within the valve to open the same to atmosphere as pressure builds up slowly therewithin. Upon occurrence of a sudden or rapid pressure rise in the tank, such as when the fluid therein surges against the valve, a snubber assembly in the valve is moved by said pressure rise to a partially closed position to impede the rate at which pressure can build within the valve and thus increase the time before which the valve opens to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: KCCB, Inc.
    Inventor: Carrol V. Morris
  • Patent number: 4763689
    Abstract: Resilient side loading of vacuum brake booster check valves by an O-ring type resilient spring to inhibit valve pulsations and resulting valve noises generated by pulsations from the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Heffner, Donald L. Parker
  • Patent number: 4763690
    Abstract: A safety valve for use with cylinders of noxious gases utilizes a reverse-seat poppet with a bellows seal mechanically coupled between the compound shaft of the poppet valve and the body of the valve, with the bellows and poppet areas sized so that any back pressure on the bellows and the poppet valve are balanced and oppositely directed, the inlet pressure on the valve, as well as the spring beaming of the compound poppet shaft towards the valve cap, tending to keep the valve closed, a manual closer and stem lock keeping the valve closed during transportation and a removable unloader valve being provided to permit passage of gas out of the valve only when the coupling to the gas distribution system is tight and free of leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Martin
  • Patent number: 4763691
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve is disclosed which is adapted to independently control the flow of hydraulic fluid to several consumer lines. The control valve includes a housing having a central bore, a pair of axially spaced apart consumer lines comunicating with the bore, a tank line communicating with the bore and positioned between the consumer lines, and a pair of hydraulic inlet lines communicating with the bore on the outer side of respective ones of the cosumer lines. A pair of slide valves are positioned in the bore, and each slide valve is supported in a neutral position by a coil spring. The two slide valves may be independently moved from their neutral position by a hydraulic control system, so that each slide valve is adapted to selectively establish communication between one of the consumer lines and the tank line, and between such consumer line and one of the hydraulic inlet lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hahmann
  • Patent number: 4763692
    Abstract: A valve body comprises a substantially solid body defining a surface of complementary form for engaging a valve seat, and having a pivot axis about which it is rotatably mounted relative to a valve orifice. A periphery of the valve body surface defines at least first and second curvilinear surfaces having axes of curvature which extend substantially parallel with each other and with the pivot axis of the valve body. The axis of curvature of a first of said curvilinear surfaces is disposed inwardly of the first surface and within the periphery of the valve body; and the axis of curvature of the second of the curvilinear surfaces is disposed on the opposite side of the second curvilinear surface and outside of the periphery of the valve body. A remaining portion of the valve body surface defines a cross-sectional area at least as great as the cross-sectional area of the valve orifice for fully covering the same when in a valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Dickey-john Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bachman, Edmund J. Gorsek
  • Patent number: 4763693
    Abstract: A swivel spout sub-assembly is disclosed for use on water faucets with the swivel spout sub-assembly being of simplified configuration to provide facile assembly and disasembly thereof. The swivel spout sub-assembly includes a water output nipple on the faucet and a swivel spout structure including a shroud body having an axial bore in which the nipple is coaxially disposed. The shroud body and the nipple are especially configured to interact with each other to provide a means for assembling the spout structure on the nipple, allow the spout structure to be moved in a swivel motion about the nipple and prevent unintentional removal of the spout structure from the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Harold J. Valley
  • Patent number: 4763694
    Abstract: A unitary retainer cup adapted for being attached around a continuous vertical pipe so as to retain particulate materials in the cup. The cup has a lower cylindrical sleeve portion and a conical-shaped upper retainer portion including suitable clamp means which permits mating edges of a longitudinal joint in the cup to be retained together. The cup can be constructed of thin sheet material which is sufficiently flexible to permit it being placed around a pipe and clamped firmly onto the pipe. The lower sleeve portion is lined with a resilient material to accommodate irregularities in the surface of the pipe. The cup conical portion has a drain opening provided near its lower end to permit periodic removal of accumulated material from the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Lillie M. Henderson
  • Patent number: 4763695
    Abstract: A coupling hose assembly with a flexible hose and two clamps each bonded for only a minor portion of the length thereof to the hose, each positioned adjacent an end portion of the hose. Ridges are formed in the hose on each side of each clamp to guide each clamp as it is being tightened. The inside of the hose is provided with a circumferential bead against which the ends of tubular members can be positioned so that they are inserted sufficiently in the hose so as to be in proper registry with the clamps, thereby ensuring that when the clamps are tightened they will constrict the hose uniformly about the tubular members to produce seals therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Buckhorn Rubber Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Dooley
  • Patent number: 4763696
    Abstract: A soot blower lance tube having coaxially aligned sections and weld material joining the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre T. Abromaitis
  • Patent number: 4763697
    Abstract: Mechanism to control the oscillations of connecting rods operating the heald frames in a rotary dobby, of the type wherein, for each frame and connecting rod: the rod is mounted on a drive shaft by way of an eccentric interposed between the shaft and the connecting rod small end; the eccentric can be controlled for rotation, alternatively with the connecting rod or with the shaft, by means of a radial key; mechanism is provided to shift the key to the outer position of engagement of the connecting rod small end; a spring is provided to return the key to the inner position of engagement of the shaft; and an electromagnet is provided to hold, when energized, the key in the outer position of engagement of the connecting rod small end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Fimtessile Fabbrica Italiana Macchinario Tessile S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Serturini
  • Patent number: 4763698
    Abstract: A cam unit incorporating batten for controlling the reed of a weaving loom wherein the two members which support the double lever rollers and the conjugate discs of a double drive cam are provided in the form of bushings having end portions extending outside of a housing and which end portions are adapted to be selectively secured to rotatable shafts so that the cam unit may be positioned at any desired location relative to the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: D. Joaquin Aperribay Elosua
    Inventor: Jose A. Gea Aizpurua
  • Patent number: 4763699
    Abstract: System of detection of a shed closed to passage of a shuttle in a multi-phase weaving textile loom. This invention is comprised of the following: sensitive control bars made elastically movable along the vertical direction, with a stroke at least equalling the vertical shift necessary for the shuttle roller to disengage from the corresponding thrust roller of the dragging chain of the same shuttle; two adjoining sensitive control blades, both are on the rotary-reed facing divergent side wall of each shuttle; the outward blade is fixed and rigid while the longer inward blade is rotatable around a vertical axis; and upon detection of a persistent entanglement by the control blades, a lever pin, kept in a retracted position by a retainer hook, is freed by movement of the retainer hook such that the lever pin springs outwards to protrude from the shuttle plane, pressing upon a sensitive control bar, generating a stop loom signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Industrie Meccaniche e Fonderia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luciano Corain, Gianni Maitan, Giulio Bortoli
  • Patent number: 4763700
    Abstract: A binding tool for binding electric wires or the like into a sheaf with a band and a small square-sectioned fastener, comprises a tool body with an internal path for containing a plurality of fasteners and a band case containing a band in roll form.The band is manually drawn out of the band case and is inserted into a passage in the tool body from its rear open end. The band thus inserted into the tool body is pushed out of the front open end of the passage passing through one of the appropriately positioned fasteners and is wound around electric wires or the like. The free end portion of the band is then inserted back into and fastened to the fastener. Then the band is cut off by a cutter moving across the front open end of the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Nirei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Hidaka, Yuji Sirakawa
  • Patent number: 4763701
    Abstract: A plurality of closely-spaced components on a substrate have their leads bent simultaneously to secure the components to the substrate. Two air cylinders are secured at opposite ends of a stationary plate. One cylinder displaces a first plate in opposite linear directions. The other cylinder displaces a second plate in the same directions as the first plate but opposite in sense. An array of lead bending jaws are secured to each movable plate in mating pairs for bending the leads of a corresponding component, one jaw of the pair is secured to and moved by one plate and the other jaw of the pair is secured to and moved by the other plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: George J. Whitley