Patents Issued in March 24, 1992
  • Patent number: 5097741
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is disclosed as including a tone pitch-assigning device which assigns pitches to musical tones which are to be generated by the instrument; a plurality of manually operable members; a control message-producing device that automatically produces musical tone-controlling messages which respectively correspond to operation of the manually operable members; and a musical tone-generating device which automatically generates a plurality of musical tones for each of the musical pitches assigned by the tone pitch-assigning device. The tone volumes of the musical tones are controlled based upon the tone-controlling messages so that the musical tone-generating device generates musical tones with tone volumes which may change in time, which may maintain a constant volume, or which may be attenuated, depending upon certain predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Kikumoto
  • Patent number: 5097742
    Abstract: An ammunition conveyor is equipped to accommodate projectiles and propellant in alternating carrier positions. Conveyor cross members or rungs carry retainers to engage the projectile and propellant canister bodies and provide lateral restraint preserving their vertical orientations in the carrier positions. The rungs also carry vertical restraints which project out into engaging relation with the projectiles and propellant canisters to preclude hazardous vertical movements during field transport of the magazine. The vertical restraints are structured to automatically accommodate projectiles and propellant canisters of different length dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John H. Gaye, Robert G. Turner
  • Patent number: 5097743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating a ram acceleration of a projectile that is at rest. A projectile (34) is positioned in a starting chamber (14) of a launch tube (12). Starting chamber (14) is either filled with a gas at a relatively low pressure or is substantially evacuated. A wave reflection disk (42/42') is positioned a short distance behind the projectile. Downstream of the starting chamber are a plurality of segments, including a first segment (16), which is filled with a combustible gas mixture at a substantially higher pressure than that in the starting chamber. The first segment is separated from the starting chamber by a pair of thin membranes (20a and 20b). These membranes have a characteristic burst pressure that is about midway between the differential pressure in the first segment and the starting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Washington Research Foundation
    Inventors: Abraham Hertzberg, Adam P. Bruckner, Carl Knowlen, Keith A. McFall
  • Patent number: 5097744
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is provided for regulating the slew rate of a servovalve driven actuator within design parameters despite widely varying load conditions. The servovale flow is maintained constant in accord with the integration of the difference between a set slew rate command signal and a measured slew rate feedback signal. Where a plurality of such actuators are driven from a single hydraulic pump, this regulation of servovalve flow also enables the pump supply pressure to remain constant despite widely varying load conditions on the individual actuators in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward J. Condrac
  • Patent number: 5097745
    Abstract: A control block, having few moving parts and few bores, for the hydraulic drive of an airplane control surface comprises a primary spool valve 2 which is shifted by two electromagnetic valves I, II to determine the direction of rotation of a hydraulic motor 18. A prolongation 20 of primary spool valve 2 is located in a pressure chamber D and bears two annular pistons 22, 24 which are always a minimum distance apart. Space 26 is adapted to be connected via a control valve 34 with the return line of the hydraulic system. The position of slide 36 of control valve 34 is influenced by an electromagnetic valve III to change the pressure of the fluid in space 26 and thereby move the primary spool valve either into a position in which the fluid lines are completely opened (for the "fast speed" mode), or to move it into a position in which the fluid lines are throttled (for the "creep speed" mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aero-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Hausy, Thomas Rieger, Theodor Anneser
  • Patent number: 5097746
    Abstract: A metering valve adapted to operate a seat on a side of an actuator port by means of a poppet section of a main poppet arranged in a valve casing to selectively communicate the actuator port to a tank passage. The main poppet is formed with a pressure chamber on a side thereof opposite to the poppet section. The pressure chamber has a pressure receiving area substantially equal to that of the seat. Also, the main poppet is formed with a through-hole constantly communicated to the actuator port and a pilot chamber to which pilot pressure for moving the main poppet in a direction of opening the seat is applied. Thus, the metering valve is capable of stably accomplishing its control irrespective of a variation of pressure on the side of the actuator port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Asaoka, Kazumi Ohshima
  • Patent number: 5097747
    Abstract: The invention discloses a controlled connector-adjuster permitting two different speeds in the same stroke of a double-acting pneumatic pressure cylinder.In the absence of a control signal at the orifice (13) of the apparatus, the escape pressure from the cylinder (30) effecting its rod extension stroke, finds the return valve (14) closed and holds the piston (2) against the stop (9) whose adjustment defines a first flowrate between the needle valve (15) at the end of the piston and its seat (16), which flowrate corresponds to the high speed. The arrival of a pressure signal into the chamber (6) causes piston (2) to move until it abuts on a second screw (7) whose adjustment permits a second smaller flowrate than the first one and which thus determines the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Levenez
  • Patent number: 5097748
    Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder that locks into position has a housing (1) with at least one pressure connection (7) and a piston (3) and rod (6) that travel tight in an out of the housing. The locking mechanism comprises a piston (11) that rests against a spring (35) and a barrier mechanism (23) with a cage of balls (25) that roll radially into a locking position in a locking groove (26) and back into an unlocking position in an unlocking groove (22). The primary piston communicates with a hollow space (18) and acts on a primary participating surface (19) and the locking piston communicates with an unlocking space (13) and acts on an unlocking surface (14) by way of the pressure connection. There is a variable choke (17), which disengages after a while, beween the pressure connection and the primary space (18) in the primary piston (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Pacoma Hydraulik GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Koch, Wolfgang Traupe, Frank van de Poel, Kurt Schaible, Holger Seel
  • Patent number: 5097749
    Abstract: A ventilation control apparatus for use with a building ventilation system in a building. The building ventilation system including input and outlet vents and a fan. An opening is formed in the ceiling of the building for introducing ventilating air flow into the building from the input vent through the opening and out through the outlet vent. The ventilation control apparatus includes a movable baffle and may have a baffle counterbalance attached to the movable baffle. The movable baffle is positioned under the opening for regulating air flow through the top channel into the building. The counterbalance, if used, is attached to the movable baffle and weighted for closing the movable baffle a desired distance relative to the top channel when the fan is not operating and for controllably regulating movement of the movable baffle relative to the top channel when the fan is activated to create a pressure drop across the top channel. The pressure drop creates a force which moves the movable baffle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5097750
    Abstract: A waste management disposal system which disposes of both solid and aerosol waste includes a housing divided into a solid waste containment area and a negative pressure plenum for drawing aerosol waste away from the solid waste containment area. A funnel is provided for guiding solid waste into the waste containment area and the negative pressure plenum draws the aerosol waste in a path orthogonal to the funnel. A filter is provided for filtering the aerosol contaminants from the air upon which it is being transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Oldham, deceased, Chinsoo Park, William M. Marston, John E. Sheaffer, Eric A. Deitrich, Neil E. Campbell, Albert P. Ruggieri
  • Patent number: 5097751
    Abstract: The device is intended to support the mechanical and electrical members of a toaster (1).The device consists of a plate (2) in plastic material comprising protuberances or tongues (3, 4, 5, 6) molded in the plastic material and projecting on one of the faces of the plate (2), these protuberances or tongues being shaped in order to receive and to ensure the fixing of conducting (7, 8) or mechanical elements by translation of the latter perpendicularly to the plate (2), these elements being intended to form the mechanical and electrical control members of the toaster.Application particularly in vertical toasters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Roger Eisenberg, Jean-Marie Balandier, Alain Didierlaurent, Alain Rousseau
  • Patent number: 5097752
    Abstract: A timing ascending apparatus for a frying machine includes a timer unit, a control rod assembly with a control hook, and an ascending rod assembly with a positioning hook. A horizontal net is carried on the ascending rod of the ascending rod assembly. A transverse actuator rod connects rotatably the positioning hook to the ascending rod. When a frying time is set by rotating the rotary button of the timer unit and the transverse actuator rod is depressed until the positioning hook catches the control hook, the horizontal net is moved from an upper limit position to a lower limit position. Depression of the transverse actuator rod compresses the coiled piston spring of a restoration device. The upper limit position is in the top portion of an oil tank somewhat above the cooking oil surface, while the lower limit position is in the bottom portion of the oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Kuo-Lang Kung
  • Patent number: 5097753
    Abstract: A steam cooking utensil includes a base, a boiling liquid reservoir defined by the base, and a heater mounted in the base to heat liquid in the boiling liquid reservoir. A drip ring is supported in the base above the liquid reservoir. A cooking bowl is supported by the base and includes a bottom tray having an imperforate surface and a food support surface extending radially outwardly from the imperforate surface. The food support surface is defined by a plurality of alternating hill-like ridges and valley-like channels extending radially outwardly in concentrically spaced rings. The food support surface includes a plurality of vent holes for enabling steam generating in the reservoir to flow into the cooking bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Naft
  • Patent number: 5097754
    Abstract: A closed-loop air cooking system for use in a vending machine that vends french fried potatoes and the like, including: a) a closed-loop air duct assembly; b) a cooking basket mounted for rotation within the air duct assembly; c) a fan for forcing air through the air duct assembly; d) a separator for removing entrained particulates from the air stream within the air duct assembly; and e) a heater for heating air that circulates within the air duct assembly. In addition, the cooking system includes a separator for removing oil and other particulates from the closed-loop air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Ore-Ida Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Covington, Glen R. Green
  • Patent number: 5097755
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing produce and particularly fresh vegetables for salads. The vegetables are stored in an area near the beginning of the process line, and the storage area is partitioned by vinyl strips to create a temperature gradient for different vegetables. The vegetables are first cleaned on mesh conveyors under high pressure nozzles that spray chlorinated water at the desired storage temperature of the vegetables. A trimming table includes a lower conveyor for moving the vegetables for hand processing. An upper, cleated conveyor carries the vegetables to a slicer. Another cleated conveyor lifts the sliced vegetables vertically into a hopper where they are mixed with cooling water that then flows through a significant horizontal length of pipe. The vegetables move to shaker tables that provide the bulk of the dewatering and then vibrate the vegetables into a single layer for air drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Redi-Cut Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Hill
  • Patent number: 5097756
    Abstract: A quantity of disposable super absorbent pads of uniform size, stacked one upon the other, and packaged in a disposable tube. The purpose of the pads being the removal of fats from home cooked foods, through absorption into the bottom pad, thereby lowering the cholesterol content of the food. Means are provided to eject the soiled bottom pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Ray J. Nolte
  • Patent number: 5097757
    Abstract: A machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit, in particular oranges, includes an inclined chute conveying the fruits to be squeezed against a step, a spoon that raises the fruit resting on the step, and two squeezing plates below the step. The plates include a front plate and a back plate, the front plate being pivoted at its upper part and urged by a spring toward the back plate. The back plate is connected to a connecting rod and crank driven by a speed reducer by which the back plate is slid longitudinally horizontally toward and away from the front plate. As the two plates converge, the fruit interposed therebetween is squeezed by the back plate. Juice thus extracted from the fruit drips into an underlying hopper and from there is collected in a container. Afterwards, as the back plate moves away from the front plate, the residue of the previously squeezed fuit falls down on an inclined grill disposed over the hopper and is collected in a collecting drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Cimenti Antonio
  • Patent number: 5097758
    Abstract: A fruit and vegetable peeler includes a tong assembly with flexible grater plates resiliently connected across spaced apart joints of the assembly. The tong assembly is mounted on a support plate in sliding guides which confine the motion of members of the tong assembly. A food article receiving aperture is formed through the support plate, and the grater plates are positioned for access through the aperture. The support plate is placed on a collection container on a platform having a motor guide standard upstanding therefrom. A rotary motor is connected to a guide bracket which is slidable on the standard. The motor has a pronged chuck which engages a food article, such as a carrot, to spin same when the motor is activated. The spinning food article is lowered between the grater plates and the tong handles closed to abrasively engage the grater plates with the food article to remove a surface layer thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Elwyn M. Fresh
  • Patent number: 5097759
    Abstract: A sous vide reheating device preferably includes at least two water heating chambers with each chamber having a heating device and a thermostat for controlling the temperature of the water in the chamber. An agitation mechanism is provided to circulate the water in each chamber. Each chamber is preferably divided into a plurality of sub-chambers with each sub-chamber having an associated timer to measure the amount of time elapsed for that sub-chamber. The device may include a plate storage and warming mechanism and has a work space for preparing the sous vide foods for service to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Vie de France Corporation
    Inventors: Stanislas Vilgrain, John D. Bailey, William S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5097760
    Abstract: The mechanism for expelling residue from regions of entrapment within the baler includes a series of flat, peripherally corrugated, powered rotary elements projecting edgewise into the spaces between adjacent belts that bound the region in which the residue collects. The elements are mounted on a transverse shaft outside of the residue collecting region and across the outer face of the belts and are driven in such a manner that the residue engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally opposite to that of the proximal belts. Cylindrical hubs projecting laterally from opposite sides of each element underlie the adjacent belts to control slack in such a manner that any such slack is caused to accumulate on the upstream side of the axis of rotation of the elements rather than in the immediate vicinity of the elements, thus preventing injurious climbing of the belts onto the expeller elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Hay & Forage Industries
    Inventors: Howard J. Ratzlaff, Ferol S. Fell
  • Patent number: 5097761
    Abstract: A frame structure for supporting a stretched printing screen of the kind used in the so-called silkscreen printing process. The frame structure is intended for use in screen printing relatively large surface areas, and comprises frame members which are joined at their ends to form an open rectangular screen frame across one side of which the printing screen is stretched. At least two opposing frame members of the screen frame have a unique truss construction which resists either or both vertical bending or sagging of the frame when it is raised and lowered during a screen printing operation and inward bowing of the opposing frame members in the plane of the frame by tension in the stretched printing screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Kaino J. Hamu
  • Patent number: 5097762
    Abstract: The known keyless printing press including an ink feeder section consisting of an ink source roller, a transfer roller, a doctor roller, an anti-hysteresis doctor disposed on the circumferential surface of the doctor roller and the like, and also provided with a wetting device for a plate drum, is improved in order to realize a fresh condition of the ink source roller which is free from residual ink before printing ink having a uniform moisture content is applied thereto. The improvements reside in that a refresh doctor is disposed on the ink source roller at a position downstream of the nip between the ink source roller and the transfer roller for scraping residual ink from the circumferential surface of the ink source roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ryomei Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Nakano, Akikazu Seo, Hiromitsu Soeda, Masataka Hirota
  • Patent number: 5097763
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for a printing press, with means being provided in the press for correcting any out-of-register position of a printing plate, so as to release, after the printing plate has been clamped onto the plate cylinder, initially the tension of a rear tensioning strip, whereupon a forward tensioning strip is canted by a desired degree. Then, rear stops are moved back and the rear tensioning strip is tensioned by way of spring force. The described steps are repeated if required. Means are also proposed to noticeably reduce the sliding friction between the plate cylinder and the printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Man Miller Druckmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Simeth
  • Patent number: 5097764
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for cleaning the rubber blankets of a rotary offset printing press while the web is running. The cleaning agent used to remove ink and paper residue from the rubber blanket is partially transferred to the web and passed to the dryer. At an advanced stage of the printing run, where we can observe a rise and subsequent drop in the ink residue curve paralleled by a corresponding curve for the cleaning solution load, undesirably high fume release levels may occur. These fume levels may, on one hand, be controlled via the cleaning program. On the other hand, it is possible to adjust these fume levels by influencing the fume release through the application of a suitable agent to the web surface. The application of this material will inhibit the fume release and alter the component moieties in the fumes while additionally permitting the released components to be sealed off. The material utilized is predominantly water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Baldwin-Gegenheimer GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Waizmann
  • Patent number: 5097765
    Abstract: A base mounted remote set digital time fuze permits a chambered round to e power, time setting information and cartridge case firing voltage available at an electric primer terminal of the cartridge case. Fuze power, time setting information and cartridge firing are performed sequentially over the same hardwire line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Richard Ziemba
  • Patent number: 5097766
    Abstract: A long rod penetrator projectile comprises an elongated main penetrator body, a stabilizing fin assembly attached to the rear of the main body, and a perforated canister carried within the fin assembly. A pyrotechnic material such as pyronol is contained within the canister. The pyronol ignites during impact. The burning pyrotechnic material spews forth through the perforations in the canister to provide improved after armor effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph F. Campoli, Earl R. Edmondson, David A. Edmonds, Joseph G. Buzzett
  • Patent number: 5097767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide nose on a bullet to enable the user to fire wad cutter type ammunition. The guide nose allows the bullet to be used in new automatic weapons and can be easily chambered into the barrel. When the bullet is fired, the plastic nose which is constructed in two pieces separates due to the spinning force of the bullet without effecting the direction of the flat bullet, which continues towards its target. The plastic guide nose will be secured to the bullet nose flat surface. In a preferred embodiment, the two halves snap into each other with a plastic snap joint to further keep the pieces together until the bullet is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: James Cirillo
  • Patent number: 5097768
    Abstract: The invention is a firearms projectile having an improved petalling action upon impacting a target. The projectile includes a slug whose head is separated into petalling elements by fins of a softer material than that of the slug, the head defining a central recess from which the fins radiate. The slug has a core therein which is forwardly and rearwardly tapered and is configured to assist the outward movement of the petalling elements after the projectile impacts. The cylindrical walls of the projectile provide a limited, controlled degree of longitudinal support to the petalling elements and the projectile includes means to force the cylindrical walls outward and away from the petalling elements once impact begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Paul A. Petrovich
  • Patent number: 5097769
    Abstract: A structure for supporting a trackway of a track following transportation system, particularly, a magnetic suspension railroad and including a support and at least one equipment element having an operational surface and attached to the support. The supporting structure further includes bolts for securing the equipment element to the support. There is further provided a form-locking means which becomes effective only if the fixing bolts fail and which then limits displacement of the equipment element relative to the support to a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventors: Hans G. Raschbichler, Luitpold Miller
  • Patent number: 5097770
    Abstract: An automatic traveling apparatus comprising a self-propelling car having a self-propelling drive is mounted on a carriage car in such a manner as to be dismountable therefrom. The apparatus also includes a driving-force transmission which, when the self-propelling car is mounted on the carriage car, engages with the self-propelling drive of the self-propelling car to drive the carriage car into traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Miyashita, Nori Harada
  • Patent number: 5097771
    Abstract: A shelf unit includes side panels and top and bottom shelves that extend between the side panels. The shelves are coupled to the side panels. The side panels each have plural interior cavities that are open at the rear edges of the side panels. The cavities are adapted to receive wall mounting brackets that project out from a wall. The rear edge of each side panel has a channel for receiving a shelf standard or wall mounting strip. The shelf unit is installed onto a wall by pushing the unit towards the wall, with the brackets being received by the cavities and the mounting strips being received by the channels. When installed, the mounting hardware is concealed from view. Another embodiment utilizes side panels without interior cavities. Instead, the side panels each have a channel along their respective rear edges. Wall standards, having keyhole shaped slots, are received by the channels. Fasteners are located in each channel and are coupled to the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: J. Hatcher James, III
  • Patent number: 5097773
    Abstract: A watercooled rotary combustor comprising a plurality of pipes or tubes secured together, means mounting the plurality of pipes or tubes for rotation about the axis of the inner surface with the axis being horizontally tilted so as to have a high end and a low end, means for rotating the plurality of pipes or tubes on the mounting, a feeding chute into which burnable waste material can be stacked which opens into the high end of the combustor, the pipes or tubes being interconnected for circulating water flow and having a water input line and a water/steam discharge line, means for circulating water through the lines including a steam drum connected to the discharge line for separating steam from the water, the pipes or tubes being secured so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings so that the inner surface of the combustor is gas porous, and means for delivering controlled amounts of combustion air for burning through selected portions of the porous surface, the improvement comprising, a combustor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Tampella Power Corporation
    Inventor: Lee H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5097774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining a substantially homogenous temperature profile along the length of an incinerator during the incineration of halogenated waste containing materials comprising:(a) providing a mixture containing an aqueous solution and halogenated waste having a preselected heating value;(b) introducing said mixture into the incinerator in the presence of oxidant to engender a flame; and(c) spraying an aqueous solution into or around the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Union Carbide Industrial Gases Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Eddy J. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 5097775
    Abstract: A threading device comprising a stretching member, a moving member, a threading member and an actuator. The actuator receives threading instructions and drives the moving member. The moving member moves the thread stretched by the stretching member to the front or the rear of the eye in the needle. The threading member threads the eye with the thread positioned in front or at the rear of the eye. The actuator can thus control the movement of the moving member. The thread can securely be positioned in a given position in front or at the rear of the eye, and the threading member can accurately thread the eye in the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Ogawa, Masayuki Seki
  • Patent number: 5097776
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for loading and transferring material in order to transport the material from a loading location through a sewing machine is provided. The invention reduces the cycle time between the loading of materials by allowing the operator to load one material while a previously loaded material is in the sewing process. The use of clamps during the loading, transporting, and sewing procedures ensures that the stitching will be accurately located and the material will be in the desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Juki America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Becker
  • Patent number: 5097777
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for use in a sewing machine. The improvements include preloading two pieces of material which are to be sewn together. The preloading is accomplished by positioning pieces of material to be sewn under a gripper spaced from the sewing head on a table while prior pieces of material are being sewn. The gripper engages the material and, when the prior sewing operation is completed, the gripper is moved across the table toward the sewing head to load the preloaded pieces of material. When the two pieces of material are preloaded, most of the material hangs over an edge of the table and the lengths of the pieces of material are determined by movable detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Porter Sewing Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Porter, John J. Kirby
  • Patent number: 5097778
    Abstract: An upper cloth feeding device of a sewing machine which can have a presser foot shank attached to a presser bar such that the presser foot shank need not be detached from the presser bar for removing a removable shoe from the presser foot shank. The upper cloth feeding device has a shank holder which can hold the presser foot shank therein, an upper cloth feeding foot having friction surfaces on the underneath surface thereof, a cloth presser which slidably holds the upper cloth feeding foot with friction surfaces thereon in slits disposed therein, a cloth presser holder which pivotably holds both the cloth presser and the shank holder and a lever which is pivotably connected to side walls of the cloth presser holder and to a vertical plate of the upper cloth feeding foot by means of a connector piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Kumao Niino
  • Patent number: 5097779
    Abstract: A stitching pattern selecting device is disclosed which makes it possible to switch a plurality of patterns selectable among pattern groups displayed in a limited range at the front face of a sewing machine. The desired patterns are selected by scrolling large size indications of available patterns in succession so as to shorten the time for selecting the desired patterns, and select securely the patterns by a reverse white-black indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Ishikawa, Akira Orii
  • Patent number: 5097780
    Abstract: A subsea inspection vehicle which is intended to be remotely operated comprises a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel (1). A pair of generally arcuate buoyancy tanks (8) and external equipment (3,7) are supported on the vessel (1) in a manner arranged such that the vessel remains substantially astable. A plurality of thrusters (16,18) are carried by the vessel (1) and are arranged to enable movement of the vessel (1) relative to all six degrees of freedom provided by its astable configuration. The vessel can be moved in any direction at any attitude of pitch, roll or yaw and can thereby emulate the flexibility of movement of a diver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Amerada Hess Limited
    Inventor: Richard G. J. Winchester
  • Patent number: 5097781
    Abstract: A mast boot includes a flexible cover for encircling a mast mounted in a mast collar in a deck opening on a sailboat having a lower edge to be positioned around the mast collar and an upper edge to be positioned around the mast above the mast collar and opposing side edges provided with fastener strips therealong for continuously securing the side edges together to position the upper and lower edges tightly against the mast and the mast collar, respectively. Upper and lower clamps for sealing the upper and lower edges include bands to be tightened around the mast to compress the upper and lower edges, respectively, against the mast and the mast collar. Upper and lower edge seals positionable to encircle the mast include strips having fasteners thereon permitting the strips to be positioned to cover the upper and lower clamps, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Robert R. Meny
  • Patent number: 5097782
    Abstract: A reinforcing patch is secured to a sail to support the inner ends of battens carried in pockets on the sail. The patch is a laminate having yarns radiating in an omnidirectional pattern from the end of the batten pocket and batten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: North Sails Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Baudet, William A. Bergantz
  • Patent number: 5097783
    Abstract: A composite sail (mainsail, jib, spinnaker) is provided which is fabricated from a series of panels each of whichis joined to an adjacent panel. The individual panels comprise laminates of two outer layers between which is an inner layer comprising a weft-free warp of strands of a stretch resistant polymer. One of the outer layers can itself be a laminate of at least two layers of material, one of which comprises a film and the other of which comprises non-woven, force-bearing thread material aligned along the principal stress lines experienced by the panel when incorporated in the sail. In a particular embodiment one outer layer is comprised of a plurality of individual segments joined together along abutting edges, each of the segments being formed from a reinforced sheet having a layer of weft-free warp of strands of a stretch resistant polymer. The individual segments in the panel may have differing strand denier density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Dimension Polyant Sailcloth, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Linville
  • Patent number: 5097784
    Abstract: A one piece sail is made on a mold and includes an outer impervious layer, such as film, and an inner layer of continuous and uninterrupted yarns disposed in continuous trajectories from one edge of the sail to the other and carrying the majority of the load imposed on the sail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: North Sails Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Baudet
  • Patent number: 5097785
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for a tire bumper comprising inner and outer legs which define a slot for receiving a tire side wall, one leg having a clinching rib formed thereon for clinching with the bead of the tire and the other leg extending radially into the tire carcass between its side walls and having a seating position formed thereon for seating against the interior of the tire along complementary surfaces in radial alignment with the thread portion of the tire, the outer leg having an aperture for receiving a securing element attachable to a mooring pier for holding the tire thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Charles E. Zidek
  • Patent number: 5097786
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting and removing offshore structures including a jacket and a platform is disclosed. The system of the invention includes a platform-lifting unit, a jacket lifting unit, and a control unit. The platform-lifting unit includes a laterally and vertically movable truss member, which is hingedly connected to a barge with lifting beams, and a means for positioning the truss member at desired height and at lateral displacement above the barge. The jacket-lifting unit contains a ballast tank structure connected to a strong back that has a plurality of grappling members. The control unit contains all supporting and controlling systems for the other units. To remove the platform, the truss member of the platform lifting unit is moved underneath the platform, the truss is raised to exert force on the platform, the platform is severed from the jacket, and the platform is moved on top of the barge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Woodrow W. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 5097787
    Abstract: There is provided a tensioning device for pretensioning mooring lines in accordance with the tension-in-a-bight principle. The tensioning device is located at the bight of the mooring lines and includes a link catching device comprising inclined land surfaces and a catching tooth at the lower end of the land surfaces, which catching device catches a link, the caught link, of link chain during heaving up on a riser chain section so enabling the pretensioning to be achieved in the mooring line. Slots are provided in the tensioning device adjacent the land surfaces such that the downline link threading the caught link and the following downline link each have a significant degree of pivotal freedom to preclude bending moment loading in these links during heaving up on the riser line during tensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Brupat Limited
    Inventor: Peter Bruce
  • Patent number: 5097788
    Abstract: A method and device for fishing up an immersed body from a position spaced from and disposed above the immersed body. A fishing member is moored to the body, with the member including a support integral with the body and a releasable portion. The support and the releasable portion are initially assembled together. The releasable portion is released, leading to the separation of the releasable portion and the support. Upon the releasable portion reaching the position, at the level of the position lift connecting members are moored to the fishing member, with the lift connecting members being attached to the body and to the releasable portion. This fishing member is actuated so as to place the body in a vicinity of the fishing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Yvon Castel
  • Patent number: 5097789
    Abstract: A battery arrangement in a smaller watercraft is provided wherein the battery is positioned in a compartment located immediately under the seat which is detachably affixed to the hull of the watercraft for affording easy access to the battery for servicing, particularly by a rider of the watercraft. The compartment is preferably watertight and has a top cover which may be detached to obtain direct access to the battery, after the seat is detached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsunori Oka
  • Patent number: 5097790
    Abstract: A flagger gate for roadway construction sites. The flagger gate includes a base which pivotally mounts an elongated arm. The arm may be pivoted from a lowered position where the arm extends horizontally into a lane of the roadway to a raised position where the arm extends vertically. A first sign member is located on the arm near the free end thereof, and will typically be a stop sign. A second sign is located below the arm between the free end of the arm and the base, such that the sign extends towards the roadway when the arm is raised. A linkage is provided for rotating the signs during rotation of the arm. Specifically, the first sign faces traffic when the arm is lowered, but faces upwardly when the arm is raised. The second sign faces the base when the arm is lowered, but faces traffic when the arm is raised. This eliminates confusion as to which sign to obey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Graham-Migletz Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Massey
  • Patent number: 5097791
    Abstract: The apparatus has as many invalidating units (E) arranged next to one another as there are longitudinal rows of security prints on the print carriers (P). Each invalidating unit (E) has a stand (1), a trough (3) vertically displaceable in the latter and intended for receiving ink (4), a centrifugal wheel (7) rotating continuously above the trough (3), and a shutter (11) which interacts with an orifice (10) of a cowl (9) covering the centrifugal wheel (7). By means of a controlled actuating member (6), the trough (3) is adjustable between a raised working position, in which the centrifugal wheel (7) dips into the ink and the shutter (11) exposes the orifice (10), and a lowered position of rest, in which the centrifugal wheel (7) does not dip into the ink and the orifice (10) is covered by the shutter (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: De la Rue Giori S.A.
    Inventors: Claus D. Barrois, Philipp A. Dieterich