Patents Issued in February 5, 1991
  • Patent number: 4989653
    Abstract: An edging apparatus is provided which permits fast, efficient edging of materials, such a plexiglass, masonite or wood, on a horizontal plane. The edging apparatus includes a material support surface, a motor and cutter, a fence and an automatic feed assembly. The cutter motor is mounted on a sliding assembly to permit linear movement of the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Philip A. Angus
  • Patent number: 4989654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a woodworking worktable assembly which may be used in combination with a multi-purpose woodworking tool. The worktable assembly includes a worktable having a work supporting surface and an elongated slot formed therein. A guide insert is positioned within the slot and includes a horizontal base portion and opposing side arms for guiding a guide bar portion of a miter guide. Lip portions extend inwardly toward the center of the insert from the upper ends of the arm portions and serve to prevent the miter guide from being lifted vertically away from the slot. In addition, the base of the insert is spaced from the lower portion of the slot by foot portions extending along the length of either side of the base amd fasteners are provided at the center of the insert for drawing the base toward the lower slot surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Shopsmith, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Berkeley
  • Patent number: 4989655
    Abstract: A debarking/delimbing apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is provided with a side loading entry into the debarking/delimbing flails. A pivotal ramp guides tree stems into and through the side entry. With the ramp in a lowered position a skidder-type stem hauler directs the tree stem bundle to be ramped upwardly into the side entry. With the ramp in a raised position a boom mounted grapple directs the tree stem bundle to be ramped downwardly into the side entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Peterson Pacific Corp.
    Inventors: Arnold N. Peterson, Larry A. Sprague
  • Patent number: 4989656
    Abstract: The present invention is a shoulder bag having a pouch made of flexible material that, once closed, will remain closed even if substantial weight is carried in the pouch. The construction of the pouch consists of joining together two substantially similar panels of flexible material to form a pouch with closed side and bottom edges and an open top edge. A shoulder strap is attached to the pouch near of the top of each said edge. If the panels of flexible material conform in size and shape to the present disclosure, the opening in the pouch will remain closed while the bag is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Patricia A. Derfler
  • Patent number: 4989657
    Abstract: A two-piece modular automotive wheel includes a rear section having a relatively thick center portion and a thinner rim portion. The rear section is produced by a spin forging process to achieve the desired thickness at various locations. A registration surface is machined in the center portion. A front rim section is secured to the rear section at the registration surface. A locking ring, which may also be spun forged, may be secured to the front rim section to lock the bead of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Center Line Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ray W. Lipper
  • Patent number: 4989658
    Abstract: A speed rated tire (10) is provided with an overlay structure (20) disposed radially outwardly of the belt structure (17). The overlay structure comprises a single ribbon (22) of side-by-side textile cords spirally wrapped about the belt structure such that both ends of the ribbon are in close proximity to the equatorial plane (EP) of the tire, while the axial width of the overlay structure is at least equal to that of the belt structure. The number of radial layers of cords in the overlay structure being greater at the axial edges of the belt structure than the average number of radial layers of cords in the remainder of the overlay structure. A method of manufacturing such an overlay structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Antonnis G. Maathuis, Jurgen Spielmann, Klaus Beer, Thomas R. Oare
  • Patent number: 4989659
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes a carcass anchored to a pair of beads, and laminated belts having at least two belt layers circumferentially extending outside of a crown portion of the carcass and consisting of cords intersecting between adjacent belt layers. One of the laminated belts is divided in circumferential directions of the tire into a center portion and two side portions. A divided width A of the divided belt from its center to its divided points has a relationW/4.ltoreq.A<Wwhere R is a half of a width of another laminated belt. Directions of cords of the center portion and the side portions of the divided belt are substantially the same, while cord angles .alpha.out of the cores of the side portions of the divided belt with the circumferential directions are larger than cord angles .alpha.c of the center portion of the divided belt with the circumferential directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakamura, Akira Tamura, Akihito Goto
  • Patent number: 4989660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lift link gate having a plurality of tabular gate elements 1, 1' which are joined together by joints or hinges 14 about horizontally extending pivot axes (a). The gate slides with the aid of guide pins or rollers 3 in lateral guide tracks 4 which guide the gate from a vertically closed position along an arcuate path into a horizontal open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Hugo Wagner
  • Patent number: 4989661
    Abstract: Though holes are provided in a suitable area of the cores during the formation thereof in a first blowing machine, such that, on adjoining the cores, to form the block, and in the absence of additives between the contacting surfaces thereof, the through holes are placed one adjacent another. Then a housing is defined, which affects the entire block in a longitudinal direction, and which subsequently molds a mixture of sand and a binder material, similar to a core in a second blowing machine. The material after hardening, acts as a coupling and stiffening arrangement between the cores forming the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Augustin A. Erana
  • Patent number: 4989662
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the differential pressure, countergravity casting of a melt of molten metal, such as nodular iron, containing a fugative alloyant, such as a magnesium nodularizing agent, susceptible to rapid loss from the melt over time wherein a source of the alloyant is so disposed on a lower portion of each mold as to contact the melt and replenish the alloyant content thereof when the lower mold portion of each mold is immersed in the melt for casting. An effective level of alloyant is thereby maintained in the melt throughout the casting of a plurality of molds in succession from the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Sabraw
  • Patent number: 4989663
    Abstract: A casting apparatus comprising a crucible furnace for containing a molten metal, a die assembly defining a die cavity having a casting volume for producing a die casting by forcing molten metal from the crucible furnace thereinto, an injection sleeve having a feed slot located therein, wherein the injection sleeve is vertically oriented for supplying the molten metal upwardly towards the die cavity, a feed block proximate to the injection sleeve and comprising a curved passage therein one end of which communicates with the feed slot, a feed pipe connected to the other end of the curved passage for providing fluid communication between the crucible furnace and the curved passage, feeder means for feeding the molten metal from the crucible furnace, through the feed pipe and the curved passage in the feed block, and through the feed slot into the injection sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 4989664
    Abstract: A ceramic core molding composition, which includes alumina fibers, zircon, and fumed silica in an amorphous silica base, reduces shrinkage and shrinkage stresses during the core production process. Cores produced utilizing the disclosed composition and method exhibit an improved resistancce to macrocracking over conventionally produced cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Hilton A. Roth
  • Patent number: 4989665
    Abstract: A casting mold is provided for a body frame for a motorcycle including a head pipe for supporting a rotary shaft for a handle, a pair of left and right main body frame elements, connected to the head pipe and extending rearwardly of a car body, a pair of left and right engine supporting members, connected to and extending downwardly from the main body frame elements adjacent to said head pipe, and a horizontally extending frame element connecting said left and right main body frame elements to each other at intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction. The engine is supported at least at a lower end portion of the left and right engine supporting members and intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction of the left and right main body frame elements and an upper end portion of a shock absorber is connected to the horizontally extending frame elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Yamagiwa, Shigehiro Maruoka, Keiji Suzuki, Takeo Horiike
  • Patent number: 4989666
    Abstract: In a process for electromagnetic casting of round and hollow ingots, in particular such of aluminum and aluminum alloys, the ingot (7) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (x) during casting. This is achieved by way of a rotatable dummy base (6). With that the metal feed and cooling of the ingot is made symmetrical and, as a result, a more uniform shape is obtained and a more uniform cell structure across the ingot cross-section. In order to promote a stronger stirring effect, a stationary stirrer (8) dipping into the molten part of the ingot (7) can be provided attached to the metal inlet system (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Weber
  • Patent number: 4989667
    Abstract: A shell mould comprising an inner layer of ceramic material which has a predetermined co-efficient of thermal expansion at a predetermined temperature and an outer ceramic layer of lower thermal co-efficient than the inner layer. The outer layer subjects the inner layer to compression on firing and during casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Alan D. Kington
  • Patent number: 4989668
    Abstract: A liquid heating or cooling circulator in which a liquid such as liquid egg is heated and cooled and flows easily and which is easily cleaned. The circulator includes a casing which holds a number of vertically disposed pipes held between upper and lower holding plates. The interior surfaces of the pipes is an aluminum alloy for corrosion resistance. A circulating pumps and valves are provided so as to circulate the liquid egg or other liquid through the pipes in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Toshin Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4989669
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for exchanging heat between solid particles and a heat exchange medium, comprising a housing which housing is provided with aeration means with an inlet for an aeration fluid, with an outlet opening, whereby an aeration zone is defined between the aeration means and the outlet opening, and with heat exchange means with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the heat exchange medium and extending in at least part of the aeration zone, which apparatus further comprises an inlet conduit for solid particles that extends into the aeration zone. Use of the apparatus for the transfer of heat between a heat exchange medium and solid particles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Peter H. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4989670
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit comprises a plurality of heat exchangers of a construction in which a number of tubes are mounted on mounting plates, which additionally serve as manifolds, in a manner such that the tubes maintained in spaced relation while being twisted such that their axes conform to parts of helices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: York International Corp.
    Inventor: Peter N. Foley
  • Patent number: 4989671
    Abstract: A gas and oil well controller includes a microcomputer control circuit which can control well production by monitoring well pressure levels, by time limitations, or any combination of the two. The controller includes a casing pressure sensor, a tubing pressure sensor, and a line pressure sensor for sensing pressure in the sales line, and a plunger position sensor for sensing the position of a plunger adjacent a top position in the well tubing. The microcomputer control circuit is in operative communication with the production valve, the casing pressure sensor, tubing pressure sensor, the line pressure sensor and the plunger sensor to open and close the production valve for gas flow to the sales line when the casing, tubing, and line pressures bear a predetermined relationship to preselected pressure limits or when the plunger is sensed by the plunger sensor. The controller includes a device for preselecting limit delays to suspend valve operations during pressure surges to avoid premature opening or closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Multi Products Company
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Lamp
  • Patent number: 4989672
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking a packer against premature actuation in a well bore. The locking apparatus includes a sleeve attached to a lower end of the packer and spring biased locking members adjacent to the sleeve. When in a locked position, lugs on the locking members engage a groove in the sleeve and prevent longitudinal movement of a mandrel in the packer with respect to the packer elements. When the locking apparatus enters a liner in the well bore, the locking members are biased radially inwardly, disengaging the lugs from the groove, so that the packer mandrel may be actuated and the packer set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Timothy D. Burns, Sr., Kenneth D. Caskey, Donald W. Winslow
  • Patent number: 4989673
    Abstract: A flowing crosslinked polymer gel is employed as a lost circulation fluid in a process for reducing lost circulation during an oil field drilling operation. The lost circulation fluid comprises a carboxylate-containing polymer, a chromic carboxylate crosslinking agent, and an aqueous solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Sydansk
  • Patent number: 4989674
    Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises an organosilicon polymer having nonrandom crosslinkages that enhance backbone rigidity. Preferably, that polymer is a polyalkylsilsesquioxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Bruce W. Davis
  • Patent number: 4989675
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for fire control produces a spray of gas and liquid having an oval transverse cross-section and comprises a mixing chamber having an oval transverse cross-section adapted to induce a toroidal mixing pattern in pressurized gas and liquid introduced to the mixing chamber through a plurality of inlets. In a preferred embodiment the mixing chamber is toroidal. The spray may be used in fire control systems in vehicles or other confined spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventor: Panayiotis G. Papavergos
  • Patent number: 4989676
    Abstract: An improved sweeper system for use with a grass mowing machine for use in the care of golf course greens in which the lawn mowing machine has at least one mower assembly, the sweeper system including a sweeper structural support affixed to and extending from the mower assembly, an elongated broom having a horizontal head portion and bristles downwardly extending therefrom, an elongated structural head member affixed to the broom head portion, a cylindrical vertical shaft extending upwardly from the structural head member, a bearing trunnion affixed to the structural support member adjacent the outer end the shaft being rotatably received in the bearing trunnion and a plurality of spacers received on the shaft above the trunnions so that the elevation of the brush is adjustable and elastomeric members extending from the sweeper system to the structural head member on either side of the structural support, the broom following behind the mower assembly to sweep the golf green as it is mowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Billy G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4989677
    Abstract: A pile 13 is driven into the ground 5 by a ram 8 driven by a hydraulic cylinder 37. The pile 13 is guided through a guide 2 having a detachable end portion 4 which is embedded in the ground. The guide 2 and cylinder 37 are vertically slideable on a rail 3 and can be raised and lowered by a further hydraulic ram 39 located at the upper end of the rail 3. Further piles are loaded through a door 11 in the side of the guide 2 and each pile is driven in a single stroke. The apparatus is transportable on a tracked vehicle 41. By supporting the pile 13 in a tubular guide 2 during driving it is possible to use pile sections of small diameter which are light and easy to handle. Pile sections are connected using a tubular metal joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignees: Precast Micro Injection, Pile Technology Limited
    Inventor: Heng B. Lam
  • Patent number: 4989678
    Abstract: A soil sampling device and a sample containment device for containing a soil sample is disclosed. In addition, a method for taking a soil sample using the soil sampling device and soil sample containment device to minimize the loss of any volatile organic compounds contained in the soil sample prior to analysis is disclosed. The soil sampling device comprises two close fitting, longitudinal tubular members of suitable length, the inner tube having the outward end closed. With the inner closed tube withdrawn a selected distance, the outer tube can be inserted into the ground or other similar soft material to withdraw a sample of material for examination. The inner closed end tube controls the volume of the sample taken and also serves to eject the sample. The soil sample containment device has a sealing member which is adapted to attach to an analytical apparatus which analyzes the volatile organic compounds contained in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Cyril V. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4989679
    Abstract: A centering device for an assembly, particularly for drilling, having at least one centering device relative to which the assembly rotates. A driving arrangement is provided for rotationally driving the centering device, with the driving arrangement including a friction clutch in the form of, for example, a disk clutch, cone clutch, or drum clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrol
    Inventor: Benoit Amaudric du Chaffaut
  • Patent number: 4989680
    Abstract: A rotary drill bit (10) has three roller cutters (20A, 20B and 29C) mounted thereon for rotation with a plurality of cutting elements (26) arranged in concentric annular rows (28A, 28B, 28C, 28D) thereon. A high velocity drilling fluid is discharged from nozzle orifices (40, 42, 52) and the orifices are sized and positioned so that more hydraulic energy is directed against the cutting elements (26) in the gage row (28D) than against the cutting elements (26) in the remaining rows (28A, 28B, 28C). The drilling fluid impinges the cutting elements (26) on the leading side of the roller cutters (20A, 20B, 20C) immediately prior to engagement of the cutting elements (26) with the bore hole bottom (30) and then sequentially strikes the bore hole bottom formation at or closely adjacent the juncture (35) of the horizontal bottom portion (32) with the vertical side portion (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Deane, Craig R. Ivie
  • Patent number: 4989681
    Abstract: A drill bit for producing an undercut. The drill bit includes a shaft and a cutting edge that is disposed asymmetrically radially beyond the shaft in a front end portion of the drill bit. A planar guide surface is provided on a conical end face of the drill bit. This guide surface is disposed radially opposite the cutting edge. The guide surface terminates at a concentric tip of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: DreBo Werkzeugfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Lohmuller, Klaus Dreps
  • Patent number: 4989682
    Abstract: Power assist of steering wheel by an electric motor is carried out by the sum of an assist motor current generated based on the output of a torsion torque sensor and a compensating current generated in dependency on the variation rate of the output of the torsion torque sensor. An assist torque current correction circuit controls the compensating current such that the amount of the compensating current is reduced in accordance with an increase in steering angle of the steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takahashi, Saiichiro Oshita, Toyohiko Mouri
  • Patent number: 4989683
    Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor which generates an output voltage proportional to a steering torque exerted by the driver of the vehicle and a supply voltage. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of the torque sensor. The supply voltage for the torque sensor is decreased as the vehicle speed increases, so that the output torque of the motor for a given steering torque decreases as the vehicle speed increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Morishita
  • Patent number: 4989684
    Abstract: An improved vibration dampening and shock absorber suspension device for the cab of a truck vehicle is set forth having a base member adapted for mounting to the truck frame and an impact plate adapted for attachment to the truck cab where the impact plate has a lateral dimension which is less than the lateral distance between the side beams of the truck frame. Interposed between the base member and the impact plate is a pair of air springs which are maintained at a constant height by a height control valve. A pair of hydraulic shock absorbers are pivotally connected to both the impact plate and base member where the central axis of the shock absorbers form the opposite sides of a trapezoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Richard Conaway
  • Patent number: 4989685
    Abstract: A traction control system has a plurality of wheel speed sensor means for producing wheel speed indicative signals respectively representative of wheel speeds of associated vehicular wheels. Wheel slippage is detected by comparing wheel speed measured by the wheel speed sensor means and an approximated vehicle speed indicative value. The approximated vehicle speed indicative value is derived based on one of wheel speed selected depending upon a vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Toshiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4989686
    Abstract: A control system for a full time four wheel drive vehicle having a transfer case including a planetary gear differential and an electromagnetically actuated clutch assembly for biasing torque between the front and rear drive wheels in response to signals from the control system. The control system includes apparatus for detecting wheel slip and a device, responsive to the detection of wheel slip for calculating a maximum torque level to be established by the clutch assembly as a function of the total torque delivered to the transfer case and for programming clutch torque application over a predetermined time period and in a manner biasing torque through the differential to eliminate wheel slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Miller, James J. Coogan, Scott R. Anderson, James Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 4989687
    Abstract: A viscous shear coupling comprises a housing and a hub rotatable within the housing. Plates are splined to the housing and plates to the hub, there is a pair of plates splined to the hub between each two adjacent plates splined to the housing. The plates in pairs splined to the hub have convergent apertures therein, each aperture converging in a direction away from that radial face of the plate which is adjacent to the other plate of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Viscodrive GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Kwoka, Herbert Taureg
  • Patent number: 4989688
    Abstract: A movable, prefabricated wall panel having a rigid frame. Internal to the rigid frame is a structural acoustical core, consisting of a grid with a plurality of individual cells, each filled with insulation media, such as a loose, discrete insulation such as fiberglass, cellulose, etc. The outer surfaces of the cell grid are covered with a skin or screen mesh for confining the loose discrete insulation. This skin or mesh can be a finished decorative outer cover or an intermediate component that is later covered with a decorative outer cover of fabric or other suitable material. A septum may be provided in the panel in the grid and may be made of a pliable, sound absorbing material. Additional acoustic barrier panels may be sandwiched on either side of the cellular grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Soltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4989689
    Abstract: A yard guard is disclosed which may be attached to a gable roof just above the eaves on a house that is to be re-shingled. The yard guard is a frame L-shaped in cross section with a guard rail to prevent old roofing material from falling from the roof onto shrubbery, grass and flowers to prevent damage and to save time in cleaning up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Evan H. Berlin
  • Patent number: 4989690
    Abstract: An emergency device is provided to enable a number of people to be transferred between two areas far apart from each other. The device includes a flat relatively stiff plate capable of being rolled up upon itself and susceptible of longitudinal and transverse deformations according to curvilinear profiles, and plate-deforming elements to change the plate from a flat configuration to an operational one including successive transversely oriented hollow portions. The deformation elements can be a waterproof fabric layer joined to the plate sides and provided with tubular ducts extending over the entire length of the plate. Under operating conditions, the plate is unrolled and the tubular ducts are inflated with pressurized fluid to deform the plate according to the successive hollow portions. The upper layer of the fabric can form an emergency slipway for a plurality of people and the lower hollow-shaped plate can provide a slipway for moving articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Industrie Pirelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Federico Mancosu, Giovanni Daminelli
  • Patent number: 4989691
    Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment depicted, the inflatable boarding ladder comprises upper and lower ladder sections with stiffening rails and hand-holds interconnected by inflatable steps and the ladder back. The upper section is attached to the boat through a telescoping rod engaging and pivoting on mounting brackets. A pillow section provides hull standoff. The articulating lower ladder section pivots about the lower end of the upper section. A ballast section submerges the tapered lower ladder end into the water to ease access and to stabilize the ladder. Inflation and deployment of the ladder is by a gas source such as a foot pump or carbon dioxide cartridge. A deflation orifice permits storage in a soft pack and deck mounted cannister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventors: C. William Wilkerson, James W. Gill
  • Patent number: 4989692
    Abstract: A ladder that includes two hinged sections that can be oriented in an inverted V-configuration for use as a step ladder, or in a straight linear configuration for use as a straight ladder. Each section of the ladder includes a number of U-shaped support units, each of which defines a crossbar and two downwardly extending side rails. The side rails of the different U-shaped units are of graduated cross sectional dimension, such that the units can be contracted together by telescopically sliding the aligned side rails within one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Liaw S. Min
  • Patent number: 4989693
    Abstract: A gaff guard for a gaff on a line crew member's climbing iron that may be permanently attached to the shank of the climbing iron. When the gaff is in use, the guard is conveniently and safely stowed in a rest position in a cavity in the means attaching the gaff guard to the shank. Thus, the guard is not subject to being misplaced. When the gaff is not in use, the guard is pivoted downward and a socket covers the gaff, protecting the gaff point and the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Houston Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Danny R. Williams
  • Patent number: 4989694
    Abstract: The invention relates to call registration wherein of a plurality of elevators an elevator which a user (passenger) wants to ride is called to the elevator hall of the user. A display is provided at an elevator hall for users. When a user depresses a hall calling button, a group supervisory controller determines and selects a suitable elevator, and causes the condition of the elevator to be displayed on the display in the form of sentences or the like. If the user is satisfied with the selected elevator, the hall calling button is not actuated again. If the user is dissatisfied with the selected elevator, the hall calling button is depressed again so that the controller selects another elevator for service to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Ueshima, Kenji Yoneda, Naobumi Nakata, Toshimitsu Tobita, Soshiro Kuzunuki, Yuzo Morita, Atsuya Fujino, Masato Suzuki, Masachika Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 4989695
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing group control on elevators, wherein a plurality of elevators are operated for a plurality of floors, a predetermined evaluation calculation is performed for each of the plurality of elevators upon generation of a hall call, an optimum elevator car is selected on the basis of an evaluation calculation result, and the selected elevator car is assigned to the hall call, thereby responding to the hall call, the apparatus, comprises a unit controller, arranged in units of cars of the elevators, for controlling unit control of each car and inputting/outputting information associated with its own car, a plurality of group controllers for performing the evaluation calculation for determining hall-call assignment in units of cars on the basis of the information associated with its own car and for performing group management of each elevator car on the basis of an evaluation calculation result, and a communicating circuit for causing the plurality of group controllers to communicate with eac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Susumu Kubo
  • Patent number: 4989696
    Abstract: A front and rear disc brake system for a motorcycle utilizes a first large diameter disc for the front wheel and a second disc of reduced diameter for the rear wheel. The second disc has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first disc so that both discs may be stamped from the same sheet of material with a minimum amount of waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Buell Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Buell
  • Patent number: 4989697
    Abstract: An elongated strip having spaced-apart air scoops formed thereon is adapted for installation within the brake drum of a truck for creating a flow of air across the braking surfaces of the drum in response to rotation of the drum. The strip is installed against the interior surface of the drum exterior wall adjacent the outer periphery thereof and is secured in place by the drum mounting studs or other threaded fasteners inserted through strip mounting holes in radially inward extensions of the strip upon alignment of those holes with the drum mounting holes. A second embodiment employs a plurality of strip sectors of arcuate configuration connected in end-to-end manner with a back sheet cooperating to define an air compression/flow cavity between it and the interior of each air scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Lynn E. Denton
  • Patent number: 4989698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a gas spring which can be locked as desired by displacement of a sliding control finger. Two axially elongated, diametrically opposed windows (14), at least one of which is larger at the end nearest to the gas spring, pass through a tubular connector (1) coaxial with the control finger (6). A lever (2) which has thinner parts (25, 26) flanking a wide part (24) engages in these windows. Devices (7) are provided so that, after mounting on the gas spring, the wide part (24) is unable to reach the wide section of the window, thus preventing the lever from being dislodged. The edges of the windows (14) form bearing points for the pivoting movement of the leaver and the actuation of the control finger (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: AIRAX
    Inventor: Dominique Dony
  • Patent number: 4989699
    Abstract: A compression valve assembly includes a valve cage having a stem at a first end and an annular skirt at a second end. The skirt is provided with a slidable surface. A relief valve is adapted for selectively blocking fluid flow through the valve cage. A cup includes an annular rim and a base. The rim is provided with a slidable surface. A spring biased agaist the relief valve is selectively compressed as the cup rim is slidably received over the skirt by a measured axial load provided by a preloading means. The cup is secured to the valve cage and the axial load is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Zaenglein, Joel R. Wells, Thomas N. Tiller
  • Patent number: 4989700
    Abstract: Rattling of the piston against the tube in a gas spring due to transient lateral loads on the piston are inhibited by engagement of the base of the piston ring groove with internal projections of a serrated inner edge of the sealing ring. Assurance against seizure of the sealing ring to the piston and preservation of a minimum width of the face seal between the sealing ring and the ringland to ensure against leakage are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Popjoy
  • Patent number: 4989701
    Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a cylinder assembly defining a working chamber filled with a hydraulic working fluid and disposed therein a piston, and a fluid reservoir chamber filled with the hydraulic working fluid and a pneumatic working fluid, a communication path for connecting the working chamber and the fluid reservoir chamber for fluid communication therebetween, and a check and flow restriction assembly disposed within the communication path for selectively establishing and blocking fluid communication between the working chamber and the fluid reservoir chamber, the check and seal assembly includes a fluid check valve and a fluid flow restriction arranged in series, the flow restriction permitting pneumatic and hydraulic fluid flow directed to the fluid reservoir chamber during piston bounding stroke and providing flow restriction for the hydraulic fluid flow, and the check valve blocking fluid communication between the fluid reservoir chamber and the working chamber during piston rebounding stroke and p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Atsugi Motor Parts Company Ltd
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Yamaoka, Tamotsu Yamaura
  • Patent number: 4989702
    Abstract: A control system for a torque converter includes a lock-up clutch provided in a torque converter for connecting an input member and an output member of the torque converter directly. An engaging and disengaging hydraulic device controls an engaging and disengaging action of the lock-up clutch. A shift valve provided with a first and second spools in series controls introduction of a driving hydraulic pressure into the hydraulic device. The first spool of the shift valve is subjected to a first hydraulic pressure at one end, while the second spool is subjected to a second hydraulic pressure at the other end. The first and second spools are subjected to a third hydraulic pressure therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Takuji Fujiwara, Kozo Ishii, Kazuo Takemoto