Patents Issued in December 13, 1994
  • Patent number: 5372018
    Abstract: A wheel lock is disclosed for securing to the wheel of a vehicle to impede rotation of the wheel to prevent theft of the vehicle. The wheel lock comprises a clamp having opposed arms which are movably coupled together. Each arm carries a projection extending inwardly with respect to the other projection to form an opening therebetween. The projections being carried by the arms can be moved apart to a first position in which the opening is sufficient to be received over the tire and rim of the wheel and the projections can thereafter be moved inwardly to a second position in which the opening between the projections of the opposed arms prevents the clamp from being disengaged from the wheel. The wheel lock further comprises position locking structure for selectively releasably locking the projections of the clamp in the second position to prevent the wheel lock from being disengaged from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald Z. Smith
  • Patent number: 5372019
    Abstract: An automobile steering lock consisted of a lock body received in an inner casing covered by an outer casing, a shackle having two opposite ends inserted into holes on the outer and inner casings and holes on the lock body and locked in place by two opposite stop plates, a lock cylinder disposed perpendicular to the shackle and having a bevel gear coupled to the plug thereof, a switch control gear meshed with the bevel gear and having two keys respectively engaged into a respective lock notch either stop plate, a microswitch, a light emitting diode and a burglar alarm respectively connected to the microswitch, whereby the microswitch is switched on as the shackle is inserted into position; turning the plug of the lock cylinder causes the bevel gear to turn the switch control gear in moving the stop plates toward each other, and therefore the shackle is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5372020
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a release device for releasing theft deterrents from theft attractive goods. The release device includes a deterrent detaching element (2) having a release part (6) which is adapted to the theft deterrent concerned and which has a release function. The device also includes a mount (4), which is firmly secured to an underlying support surface. The theft detaching element (2) can be locked in the mount (4) in two alternative positions, of which one position enables activation of the release function, whereas the other position prevents activation of the release function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Fargklamman Svenska AB
    Inventors: Klas Stoltz, Bo Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 5372021
    Abstract: A key control device comprises a primary key, a primary lock, a secondary key, a secondary lock, and a mechanical drive. The primary lock operably receives the primary key and is keyed such that when the primary key is inserted into the primary lock, it becomes movable between a primary key release state and a primary key capture state. The secondary lock operably receives the secondary key and is keyed such that when the secondary key is received by the secondary lock it becomes movable between a secondary key release state and a secondary key capture state. The mechanical drive interconnects the primary and secondary locks such that when the primary lock moves from its primary key release state to its primary key capture state, the secondary lock simultaneously moves from its secondary key capture state to its secondary key release state and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ideaz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5372022
    Abstract: A lock assembly for use on luggage, bags and the like has a mounting plate accommodating various lock operating parts including a latch, a hook member including a hook element and an ornamental cover fitted over the mounting plate. The latch is engageable resiliently with the hook element and lockable by a key. The ornamental cover is removably connected to the mounting plate and changeable from one to another with different types and designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Terada, Yoshiyuki Horita, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5372023
    Abstract: A gear shift lever lock consisted of a mounting plate fixed to the console box at one side, two headed lock bolts, a lock body fastened to the mounting plate and locked by the headed lock bolt to constrain the gear shift lever, wherein the lock body surrounds the gear shift lever to protect it against damage as the gear shift lever is constrained within a front opening thereof; one headed lock bolt is connected with a steel rope terminated to a retainer ring for constraining the steering wheel; the mounting plate has a dovetail groove correspondent to a dovetail tongue on the lock body for mounting the lock body through a dovetail joint as the lock is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Chuan-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 5372024
    Abstract: The invention relates a lock-cylinder key (S) having bit steps (6) protruding on the wide sides (4) of its key shank (1) for the positioning of the lock-cylinder tumblers (19). In order to obtain a particularly simple but very dependable solution from a locking standpoint, the bit steps (6) represent the extensions of the edges (10) of a wide-side opening (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ewald Witte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Edvard Ruckert
  • Patent number: 5372025
    Abstract: An outer handle of a door lock includes a tube extended inward of the door, a lock disposed in the tube, a stub fixed on one end of a shaft and having a square section and a circular section, a cylinder rotatably received in the tube and coupled to the lock and including two pairs of notches of different depth, a board engaged with either of the sections. The shaft can be rotated by the outer handle when the board is engaged with the square section of the stub and can not be rotated when the board is engaged with the circular section. The stub can be rotated by the shaft when the board is engaged with either of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jui-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 5372026
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides and includes a basic die mountable to the press and specific tooling replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes an upper shoe mountable to the outer slide, a reservoir pan mounted atop the base, and hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted with the pan and mechanically actuatable by the inner slide for providing pressurized fluid to the specific tooling. The specific tooling includes mating upper and lower dies connected to the upper shoe and base, respectively, and movable between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P. & Price Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Roper
  • Patent number: 5372027
    Abstract: A sheet metal blank positioned upon a lower die is wrapped around an upper die as the upper die is moved down to a closed position by an outer slide, the blank being clamped between the upper and lower dies whereby the periphery of the blank is gripped between a male and female bead mounted all around a part print cavity in the upper and lower dies, respectively. The outer slide then dwells while an inner slide moves down, engaging and actuating cylinder assemblies, causing hydraulic fluid to be forced into a region between the clamped blank and the lower die, the blank being formed into a part print cavity defined in the upper die. The male bead exerts varying control on the sheet to allow it to stretch across portions of the cavity while flowing into other portions of the cavity. A locking mechanism prevents the bending of the dies and holds the dies in a closed position thereby assisting the engagement of the male bead with the female bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Armco Steel Company, L.P., Price Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Roper, Gary A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5372028
    Abstract: A device for forming a constriction at an open end portion of a metal can having a cylindrical body includes:(1) a support member for supporting the bottom of a can and for pushing displacement thereof in an axial direction;(2) an annular anvil placed coaxially of this support member, on the side of which facing the support member an internal modeling surface is present which in the direction away from the support member has a form adapted to the desired shape of the constriction; and(3) a freely-rotating roller having a form adapted to the shape of the modeling surface, which roller can press the end portion of a positioned can forcefully against the modeling surface, which roller is carried by a support member which is driven in a circular path concentric to the annular modeling surface, wherein the axis of rotation of the freely-rotating roller extends at least approximately in the the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Thomassen & Drijver-Verblifa N.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit W. Brilman, Johan W. Roeterdink
  • Patent number: 5372029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring a variable in a system. Actual values of the variables are sensed to produce sensed values. An initial threshold is set below an initially sensed value by a predetermined difference. Thereafter, the threshold is selectively maintained constant and adjusted to follow below the sensed values by a difference which is a function of the sensed values if the sensed values remain constant or increase, with the threshold remaining constant if the sensed values decreases. The threshold is compared with the sensed values and an indication of an unsatisfactory quality is provided if the sensed values fall below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Bernd Brandes
  • Patent number: 5372030
    Abstract: A firmness measuring device for non-destructive testing of objects with rough surfaces (such as fruit) is disclosed. The device comprises the following components: a means to generate an impulsive jet of a fluid (such as air) aimed at the surface of the object under test; a laser to generate a beam of coherent light aimed at the area on the surface of the object under test impacted by the fluid jet; a detector to sense the light reflected off of the surface of the object from the laser beam; an analyzer to determine the amount of deformation of the surface caused by the fluid jet based on the input to the detector; and a controller to coordinate the release of the impulsive jet with the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Prussia, John J. Astleford, Bob Hewlett, Yen-Con Hung
  • Patent number: 5372031
    Abstract: The vacuum tester has a housing which is small enough to be held in one hand in which is contained a small vacuum pump, an activator switch and a vacuum gauge. A non-return flap valve, or check valve, is disposed between the vacuum pump and the vacuum gauge so that the vacuum within the chamber under test is not lost once the vacuum pump has been turned off. A connector with a vacuum hose extending therefrom is provided to apply the vacuum to the chamber. Interchangeable adapters can be attached at the end of the vacuum hose to provide a seal with the opening in the chamber. Detection and quantization of leaks in closed systems is provided by observing the leak-back rate on the vacuum gauge once the vacuum pump has been turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Brice Harmand
  • Patent number: 5372032
    Abstract: A line leak detector system that requires no existing piping modifiction for installation. The system consists of a controller and transducer and installs at existing fuel dispensers. The two components are connected by a length of electrical cable. The invention detects leaks in underground pressurized piping systems for fuel products and other incompressible liquids. The system performs three levels of leak detection, broken pipe, 3 gph and 0.2 gph. Existing piping system variables relating to bulk modulus, variable pump off pressure and thermal differential between fuel and piping with surrounding soil influence, are compensated for. The status of the leak test is reported by encoded lights and horn. In various combination of flash, blink and steady state lights, plus chirp or audible horn. The transducer and cable are intrinsic safe, permitting installation in hazardous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: Ernest A. Filippi, Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5372033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring thickness and traction properties of elastohydrodynamic lubricant (EHL) films is described. The apparatus utilizes at least one ball or roller loaded against the internal diameter of a transparent ring having a larger radius than said ball or roller. A lubricant is placed between the rotating roller and ring thereby forming an EHL film where the ball and ring contact. Roller and ring rotating speeds are controlled to obtain different amounts of relative sliding motion between their surfaces. Contact between the surfaces and the resultant film are observed via the transparent ring which allows optical measurements of lubricating film thickness. Traction forces generated during contact are measured by any suitable force measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Jackson, Andries Kuivenhoven, Martin N. Webster
  • Patent number: 5372034
    Abstract: The invention provides a viscosity cup with an upward extending tube or lip, which provides a cut off point for paint draining through an orifice, providing more consistent viscosity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burke
  • Patent number: 5372035
    Abstract: A robot for driving a vehicle safely stops the vehicle's engine even in the event of an accident such as an electric power failure or operating error. A robot body is provided with an ignition key-operating actuator consisting of a holder member for holding an ignition key of an automobile, a shaft for turning the holder member, and a motor for driving the shaft. An actuator for operating an accelerator pedal may be returned to a zero point by an emergency power source provided within a control unit, after which the key actuator operates the ignition key to stop the engine, for example, when a power source for the control unit is turned off. In this case, if it is dangerous to stop the engine, it is not necessary to do so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ogawa, Shinji Noguchi, Susumu Togawa, Takao Konishi
  • Patent number: 5372036
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine detects an exhaust leak from the engine exhaust of an internal combustion engine using engine operating parameters. Signals from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor downstream of a catalyst indicates a leak if the signals are smaller than a predetermined constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Kainz
  • Patent number: 5372037
    Abstract: A sampler gathers a portion of borehole cuttings being discharged during a mining drilling operation. The unconfined cuttings are discharged over the sampler while falling to ground surface surrounding the borehole. The sampler diverts a small portion of the flow over two receptacles which are sized to hold a desired volume of cuttings. The receptacles shuttle back and forth over a discharge chute, periodically depositing the desired volume of cuttings into a cuttings container, for subsequent chemical analysis to determine the nature of the ore. A signal derived from the drillstring shaft revolution rate controls the receptacles, so that a sampling is taken at regular drilling depth intervals. A constant, small sample is thus held aside for analysis which is more representative of the soil strata than is a sample obtained by a conventional manual coring operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Edward G. Butt
  • Patent number: 5372038
    Abstract: Conventional injection tests conducted on petroleum operating wells are effected by measuring the hydraulic characteristic quantities of the fluid injected into the well (mainly pressure, temperature, flowrate). The present invention adds microseismic measurements representative of the acoustic emission induced by injection and employs a probe constituted by a tube combination mainly containing tubular cartridges interconnected by flexible cables with at least some of the cartridges housing means to measure the microseismic quantities representative of the acoustic emission induced by the injection of a fluid into the well. All the cartridges have a sufficiently small diameter so as to be engaged inside tubing disposed in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Societ Francaise de Stockage Geologigue - Geostock
    Inventor: Serge Nicoletis
  • Patent number: 5372039
    Abstract: A geostrophic wind forecasting method determines an atmospheric density (D) and a Coriolis parameter (F) at a given location. The atmospheric pressure is detected at the location over a predetermined period of time (t). The period of time (t), e.g., two hours, corresponds to the time required for a pressure surface to travel a distance (X) at an empirically determined velocity, e.g., 35 knots. The change in pressure (.DELTA.P) is detected over the period of time (t). The geostrophic wind velocity (VG) is then determined, according to the invention, based on the following relationship: VG=[1/(D.times.F)].times.[.DELTA.P/X]. The resulting geostrophic wind velocity (VG) is then displayed. At 35 knots, over a given two hour period, the distance X traveled by the pressure surface is approximately equal to 129,640 meters. The method is embodied in an apparatus that can be associated with a conventional barometer to produce a weather forecasting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Weatherwise, Inc.
    Inventor: Chuck F. Wiese
  • Patent number: 5372040
    Abstract: A measuring element for determining the flow rate of the aspirated air of an internal combustion engine comprising a substrate, which is divided by two parallel separating slits of equal length into three prongs on which temperature-dependent resistor tracks are disposed. The measuring element has separating slits of optimized shape. To lessen the notch action and reduce tension peaks at the ends of the slits, one separating slit has a segment with a curved course, and another separating slit has a slit end embodied as an enlargement. The novel measuring element is especially suitable for determining the flow rate of the aspirated air in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hecht, Theodor-Armin Hoffacker, Dieter Schramm, Armo Altpeter
  • Patent number: 5372041
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor is formed of a coil and a magnet which is capable of moving forward and back relative to the coil in the axial direction thereof. A change in speed applied to the acceleration sensor is detected through a magnitude of voltage generated in the coil due to the movement of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Ryouichi Yoshida, Kiyotaka Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 5372042
    Abstract: A method for determining bond integrity of a sealed package has a lid bonded to a container rim by detecting flaws in the bond between the lid and the container. The method comprises: i) positioning the container rim between an ultrasonic transmitter system and an ultrasonic receiver system; ii) ultrasonically coupling the transmitter system and the receiver system to the container rim; iii) transmitting ultrasound waves from the transmitter system through the container rim to the receiver system; iv) generating a signal representative of the ultrasound waves received by the receiver system; and v) analyzing the signal for predetermined signal characteristics representative of a flaw in the bond to identify a flawed package seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: David Jarman, Bahram Farahbakhsh, Ralph Herzig
  • Patent number: 5372043
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection of composite products such as curved components of airplane engine nacelles utilizes guide wheels and rollers to support and control the nacelle component or panel and permit rotation of the nacelle panel about its longitudinal axis. The nacelle panel is passed through an inspection zone which contains an ultrasonic inspection assembly comprising ultrasonic transmitting transducers and ultrasonic receiving transducers mounted on opposite sides of the nacelle panel. The ultrasonic inspection assembly is mounted to be moved along a frame by a drive assembly whereby the ultrasonic inspection assembly is translated across the width of the nacelle panel. The nacelle panel is rotated about its axis in small incremental rotational steps by a cable driven by a motor drive assembly. After each incremental rotational movement of the nacelle panel, the ultrasonic inspection assembly is translated across the width of the nacelle panel to inspect the portion aligned with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Company
    Inventors: John W. Speight, II, Fred M. Burns, Thomas J. Blackstock, Donald S. Lotz
  • Patent number: 5372044
    Abstract: The optical sensor includes a support (2), an optical fiber (15) and two elements (9, 10) mounted on the support (2) in such a manner as to move as a function of the variations of a quantity to be measured, such as pressure. The attenuation of an optical radiation in the optical fiber (15) deformed by reverse bending is measured. The support (2) is constructed in the form of a bending beam including two end parts (2b, 2c) bearing on two fixed abutments and a central part (2a) connected to a metal membrane (16) actuated as a function of the variations of the quantity to be measured. The optical fiber (15) is disposed between the two movable elements (9, 10) in the form of a comb, each fixed on an end part (2b, 2c) of the support. The elements (9, 10) include active surfaces coming into contact with the fiber (15) to produce a variable reverse bending of the fiber (15) in the course of their relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Framatome
    Inventors: Guillaume Pierre, Michel Jurczyszyn, Andre Tardy
  • Patent number: 5372045
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter system provides a volumetric flow rate output and has a coil receiving a magnetic field producing coil current from the current supply circuitry. The current supply circuitry includes an H-bridge transistor circuit having first and second switches which couple one of the first and second coil wires to a supply conductor. Third and fourth switches of the bridge circuit couple the other of the first and second coil wires to a second supply conductor. A control circuit periodically alternates conduction of the first, second, third and fourth switches to reverse the polarity of the coil current. A coil current control circuit generates a non-alternating output representing the sensed alternating coil current amplitude. The control circuit modulates the conduction duty cycle of the third and fourth switches as a function of the non-alternating output to regulate the coil current amplitude to a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Schulz, John D. Pro
  • Patent number: 5372046
    Abstract: A vortex flow transmitter has a filtering circuit receiving a noise contaminated input signal representative of the flow and which has a fundamental frequency varying responsively to flow. The filter filters the input signal using one of a family of HP filter characteristics to produce a filtered signal having a frequency representative of the physical parameter. Each member of the family of HP filters has varying corner frequencies, each filter having a unique switchup and a unique switchdown value assigned to it. Adaptive response element select a current HP filter for use in the filter. Adaptive circuitry uses one selection method when the flow is increasing and another selection method when the flow decreases. Finally, output circuitry converts the signal from the filter into a transmitter output, typically a 4-20 mA current or a frequency output representative of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Lowell Kleven, Roger Frick
  • Patent number: 5372047
    Abstract: Improvement to a gas/liquid ultrasonic flowmeter in which focusing profiling (501, 502, 503) is provided in the measurement tube thereof for at least one of the plurality of reflection points of the ultrasonic path (21) of the useful signal, in such a manner that the beam of this beam path (21) is concentrated onto the surface of the reception transducer (FIG. 3 ). If required, the focusing reflection is provided for the path of the ultrasonic radiation (22) of the substantial interference signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Winfried Russwurm, Alexander von Jena
  • Patent number: 5372048
    Abstract: A flowmeter which is usually attached to a garden hose or a home shower installation is provided which includes a pipe section in which is mounted a ducted turbine type rotor whose speed of rotation is sensed by an associated coil. The rotor is magnetically polarized. Laminar flow through the rotor which has several blades is provided by a relatively thin flow control plate upstream which in addition to making the flow laminar provides jets which impinge against the rotor blades. A downstream spindle plate also has apertures which isolate downstream turbulence and which includes a spindle shaft on which the rotor is freely mounted. In practice, the flow of the liquid provides a lift to the rotor which allows it to freely float on the spindle shaft to minimize friction. Thus, the overall design has improved accuracy and is very simple in construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Muir Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5372049
    Abstract: A motor-driven transmission mechanism including a motor having a drive gear coupled to an output shaft thereof and extended out of a hole on a slide way above a table, a first transmission block driven by the drive gear to move in the slide way back and forth alternatively, a second transmission block carried on the first transmission block, a cover covered on the table over the first and second transmission blocks, a transmission shaft having one end coupled to a set of transmission gears being meshed with parallel racks on the second transmission block and an opposite end extended out of the cover and coupled to an ornament, whereby turning the motor causes the transmission shaft to rotate the ornament back and forth alternatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Steve Yang
    Inventor: Chen I. Chuang
  • Patent number: 5372050
    Abstract: An automatic transmission shift device has a shift lever extending from a dashboard toward and near a transverse extremity of a steering wheel and movable at least in a vertical direction to shift an automatic transmission into any desired range. The shift lever is operated or pushed up and down in the vertical direction with a vertical operational power between approximately 10 and 15% of an average maximum muscular kinetic power actively available in the vertical direction of arms of average drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shinki, Hidemi Aoki, Kouki Makino
  • Patent number: 5372051
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly adapted for use in a power transmission of an automotive vehicle, composed of a shift lever having a tubular body portion formed therein with an axial bore and provided at its lower end with a support portion to be mounted on a vehicle body structure and arranged perpendicularly to the tubular body portion and a connecting arm extending forwardly from the lower end of the tubular body portion, an operation rod slidably disposed within the axial bore of the tubular body portion and provided at its lower end with a detent mechanism for retaining the shift lever in a shifted position, and an operation knob having a grip portion connected to the upper end of the tubular body portion and an operation button assembled within the grip portion and maintained in engagement with the upper end of the operation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Tsuda Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kanematsu, Masaichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5372052
    Abstract: In a bearing arrangement for gearbox shafts in a motor vehicle change-speed gearbox, an output shaft is rotatably supported and also fixed substantially immovably in the directions of the axis of rotation by one rolling contact bearing arrangement in each case relative to a coaxial input shaft and a gearbox casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Helmut Bender
  • Patent number: 5372053
    Abstract: An improved hammer is composed of a handle and a head fastened to the one end of the handle. The head is provided centrally with a hole for receiving therein a threaded rod of the handle. The hole of the head is provided in the outer end thereof with a threaded area. Located at the side opposite to the threaded area is a polygonal area having a section polygonal in shape and greater than that of the threaded area. In addition to the threaded rod engageable with the threaded area of the head, the handle further comprises a casing of plastic material covering entirely the threaded rod and filling the gap formed between the threaded rod and the polygonal area of the hole of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Chang C. Lee
  • Patent number: 5372054
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening a wine bottle includes a cork seal remover assembly, comprising a housing having a cavity therein, the cavity including opposed side walls that taper downwardly to a bottom opening and converge rearwardly toward a rear wall. A blade assembly is received within the cavity, the blade assembly including a pair of spring arms disposed to impinge resiliently on the side walls of the cavity. The spring arms include arcuate blades in confronting relationship to define a gap therebetween. A bottle neck is inserted between the blades and urged rearwardly, causing the spring arms to converge and the blades to impinge on the seal, severing the end of the seal. The cork remover portion of the invention includes a corkscrew blade disposed coaxially within a tubular housing. The corkscrew blade is operated by a reversible motor, and a sensor within the inner end of the tubular housing is connected to reverse the rotation of the motor and blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: George J. Federighi, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5372055
    Abstract: A tool for rotating a rod is provided which is formed of three members. A first member is formed as a sleeve and has an internal opening size to receive the rod. This sleeve has a tapered, portion which is placed over the rod. A second member, which may also be in the form of a sleeve slips onto the first sleeve and engages against the tapered portion. A third member sleeve is axially fixed to one of the first and second members and engages against the other of the members. A mechanical arrangement is provided to selectively urge the third sleeve apart from the other members against which it engages in order to move the second member and the first member relative to one another along the tapered surfaces to collapse the end of the first member engaging the rod to increase the gripping force of the first member with the rod. The first member has a shaped contour for receiving a torque applying device, such as a wrench, so that the first member can be rotated, thus rotating the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Power House Tool Inc., JNT Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Kelly, Glenn F. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5372056
    Abstract: In a method for the manufacturing or a foil capacitor, cut out into unit blocks by a circular saw blade from a capacitive strip, the saw blade rotates about an axis passing through a point of rotation that is offset with respect to the center of the saw blade. The method can be applied to the manufacture of capacitors with metallized dielectric films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne de Composants Electroniques LCC
    Inventors: Michel Pageaud, Nicolas Chapas
  • Patent number: 5372057
    Abstract: A set of strings for a stringed musical instrument. Each string of the set is attached at one end to a bead to anchor the string in one of the bridge pins. The opposite end of the string is affixed to a pin having a diameter adapted to fit in the bore in a conventional post. The length of the string between the bead and the pin is at least equal to the distance between the bridge pin and the rotatable string post but not greater than the sum of said distance and the circumference of the post. Thus the post is tightened less than one revolution in order to tune the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph Hart
  • Patent number: 5372058
    Abstract: Disclosed is a launch element seater for repeatably placing projectiles or ther launch package elements at an exact location within a breech of a gun. The seater includes a tube closely fit and slidable in the breech and a plate for precisely locating the tube on the breech, the plate encircling the tube and opposing a reference surface on the breech. An internally threaded terminus of the tube threads with a rod entering the tube, and the rod joins a seat member fit closely and slidably in the breech. A positionable set nut threaded on the rod outside the tube locates the innermost position of the rod relative to the tube and thereby locates the seat member and a projectile engaged thereto within the breech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Paul A. Petrovich, Rene G. Gonzalez, Steven L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5372059
    Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a hollow actuator rod between a spring chamber of a spring brake housing and a spring chamber of a service brake housing incorporates a valve within the actuator rod. The valve isolates the two spring chambers from each other in normal operation and releases a vacuum in the spring brake housing spring chamber when the spring brake is activated. A separate one-way check valve mounted in a well of the spring brake housing permits fluid to exhaust from the spring chamber to atmosphere and prevents contaminants in the atmosphere from entering the spring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: NAI Anchorlok Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Pierce, John P. Bowyer
  • Patent number: 5372060
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve assembly comprises a valve body defining first and second valve receptacle bores, a fluid pump, a first fluid passage communicated with the fluid pump, a second fluid passage communicated with a hydraulic load, and a third fluid passage communicated with a fluid reservoir. A first valve sub-assembly including a sleeve enclosing a first valve mechanism therein is disposed within the first valve receptacle body for selectively permitting and blocking introduction of the pressurized working fluid. Also, a second valve sub-assembly including a sleeve enclosing a second valve mechanism therein is disposed within the second valve receptacle bore for selectively establishing and blocking fluid communication between the second and third fluid passage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Jun Maruyama, Koji Yamashita, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 5372061
    Abstract: Several unique features for an improved espresso/cappuccino maker are disclosed. A method and apparatus for replenishing the steam tank for a cappuccino steam dispenser in which the cold replenishing water can only be added in stepped sequences, and only after the water in the tank has reached its desired operating temperature. The dispensing unit for holding the coffee filter is maintained in a constantly heated condition by direct thermal conductivity from the metal surface of the hot water tank which is nested and in direct contact with the metal of the dispensing assembly. The temperature probe for the steam wand is housed internally of the steam wand with only a tip protruding for ease of cleaning. Also, the entire steam wand assembly and solenoid control valve are pivotally mounted as a unit to eliminate the need for internal slip joints in the steam lines. A portafilter has an integral screen for holding a single, a double, or a double-double portion of ground coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Avanti Espresso U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: A. F. Albert, Robert C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5372062
    Abstract: A method and press for pressing material by way of feeding the material into a gap formed between two pressing surfaces, in which gap the cross section of the material flow is tapered in the forward transfer direction of the material. The material is pressed between pressing surfaces formed by parallel, beam-shaped transfer elements which are reciprocatingly moved in the direction of material flow in two alternating groups so that the mutually opposed transfer elements of both pressing surfaces are moved in a mutually synchronized manner in the same direction. During the forward transfer motion the pressing force exerted by the transfer elements on the material is greater than the pressing force exerted during the return motion of the transfer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Woodhandling Oy
    Inventors: Arvo Jonkka, Antti Tohkala
  • Patent number: 5372063
    Abstract: A body member of a press has a peripheral imperforate side wall and an imperforate end wall, the end opposite from the imperforate wall being open. The press has a lid-engaging portion capable of abutting a severed but remaining lid of a can and utilizing the lid as a pressing plate to press liquid from food in the can upon relative forced telescoping movement of the body member and the can. The lid engaging member supports a magnet capable of magnetically attracting the lid and pulling the lid out of the can upon completion of the pressing operation. The magnet can also serve to attach the press to a metal surface. The can engaging area of the press is shaped to fit the contour of the lid of a can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Berg/USA Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger M. Berg
  • Patent number: 5372064
    Abstract: A printing assembly for a printing machine comprises a drum mounted for rotary movement about an axis and supporting a plurality of object holders parallel to the drum axis and uniformly circumferentially spaced around the axis. A drum drive imparts continuous rotary movement. A printing station at the periphery of drum for printing successive objects in the course of displacement by the printing station. The printing station is carried by a beam and includes a screen and squeegee. A beam drive is synchronized with the drum drive and imparts arcuate reciprocating movement to the beam about the axis such that the printing station tracks movement of an object at the printing station. The screen is disposed substantially parallel to the axis and mounted for tangential movement to the drum and the object at the printing station. A screen drive imparts rectilinear reciprocating movement to the screen relative to the beam in synchronism with beam movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation des Machines Dubuit
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Dubuit, Bernard Hardy
  • Patent number: 5372065
    Abstract: Value selection and printing apparatus comprising, structure for printing a value, the printing structure including a rotatable device and a drive shaft therefor, structure for selecting the value, the value selecting structure including a rack gear slidably movably connected to the device, the rack gear including a plurality of gear teeth formed therein, the value selecting structure including a drive gear and a first gear, the drive gear including gear teeth disposed in meshing engagement with the rack gear teeth, the first gear coaxially fixedly attached to the drive gear for rotation therewith and including first gear teeth, the value selecting structure including a value printing wheel, the printing wheel including a circumferentially-extending periphery and a plurality of printing fonts located at spaced intervals thereabout, the value selecting structure including a second gear coaxially fixedly attached to the printing wheel for rotation thereof, the second gear including gear teeth and disposed in me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Pasquale Cuozzo, Richard A. Malin, Stephen J. Rigo, Alfred Spath
  • Patent number: 5372066
    Abstract: A printing press feeder capable of sheet feeding from the rear, sheet feeding from the front, or stream feeding from the rear, using tracks above a stock support for the feeder, the sheet feeder head being movably mounted on these tracks, and a movable drive connection from a power source to the sheet feeder head for driving of the sheet pickup advancers in the different head positions. The sheet feeder has first and second alternate drive mechanisms, on opposite ends of the transverse drive shaft, the first drive mechanism having a variable speed drive for sheet feeding individual sheets and slowing feed of each sheet as the sheet approaches the print cylinder, and the second drive mechanism having a constant speed drive for stream feeding overlapping sheets to the print cylinder. The press has nonprint lift cylinders engaging the squeegee mount and actuable to lift the squeegee out of print position, but still within the stencil screen frame, to allow the stencil screen frame to cycle without printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: BecMar Corp.
    Inventor: Arthur E. Proctor
  • Patent number: 5372067
    Abstract: Keyless lithographic printing system with single printing fluid. A lithographic printing press has a blanket cylinder (101) and a plate cylinder (102) with a printing plate (100) mounted thereon, a form roller system (103) having at least one form roller rotationally contacting the plate cylinder (102), a printing fluid supply system for supplying a controlled composition of printing fluid to the form roller system (103). A reservoir system (110, 124, 126, 107, 128) is provided for containing the printing fluid, the printing fluid being a predetermined composition of dampening water and ink. A pickup roller (106) removes the printing fluid from the reservoir system, the pickup roller (106) having an oleophilic and hydrophobic surface. A drum roller (104) transfers the printing fluid to the form roller system (103), the drum roller (104) having an oleophilic and hydrophobic surface and interfacing with the form roller system (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Doyle, deceased