Patents Issued in December 24, 1996
  • Patent number: 5586463
    Abstract: A pipe bending device which is composed of a drive wheel, a plurality of guide wheels, a pair of guide molds and a mandrel, wherein the guide wheels having a main guide wheel which is installed under the drive wheel, the pair of guide mold being composed of a first guide mold and a second guide mold which are engaged respectively with the drive wheel and the guide wheels and can be drived to move, the first guide mold being formed into a curve shape, the pipe being installed between the first guide mold, the end of the pipe being fixed at the end of the first guide mold, thus the pipe can be stretched and bended by the first guide mold to form a curve when the pair of guide molds being drived to move, the mandrel being inserted into the inner hole of the pipe so as to prevent the pipe from deforming in bending process As a result the inner surface of the bending part can be kept smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Reen-Yuan Sheen
  • Patent number: 5586464
    Abstract: A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive dies stations in a stamping press includes an elongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpieces at successive die stations. A drive module for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with the workpieces at the die stations, and for lifting the workpieces above the level of the die stations for longitudinal transfer between die stations. The drive module has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel to the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar. The cam plate has a cam slot with first and second orthogonal portions lateral to the crank arm axis, and a third arcuate portion interconnecting the first and second portions at the radius of the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Livernois Die and Automation
    Inventors: Boice F. Horde, Denver Akers
  • Patent number: 5586465
    Abstract: A positioning system which mounts onto or in front of a hydraulic press brake or other machinery to reposition the operator controls of the machine laterally and/or longitudinally with respect to the machine. Embodiments are presented which move the foot-operated control pedals and the hand-operated tonnage controller of a hydraulic press brake. In various embodiments, the system is powered by a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic motor or an electric motor. Manually actuated switches allow the operator to move the control pedal and/or the tonnage controller to selected positions. A programmable control system and a remote control unit are provided for alternate modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Raymond R. Alcini, Dan E. Ritola
  • Patent number: 5586466
    Abstract: A non-slip sleeve fits over a shaft for a float level sensor so a float moves up and down on the sleeve surface. This non-slip surface prevents deposits forming thereon when used in tanks with sludge or other solids suspended in liquids. The thin walled sleeve is formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE) thus avoiding having to deposit or coat a shaft with PTFE which is expensive and time consuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: George A. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5586467
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a backlash-free cam drive which can be subjected to an impact load. The cam drive includes: a housing defining a longitudinal axis; a cam follower assembly mounted in the housing so as to be displaceable along the axis fixed against rotation about the axis; an adjusting member mounted on the housing so as to be rotatable about the axis and relative to the cam follower assembly; and, a cam formed in said adjusting member so as to define two mutually adjacent guide cams extending along a guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Stiftung
    Inventor: Uwe Weber
  • Patent number: 5586468
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a table driving device which does not make a machine unduly large, and moves a table with high accuracy without being affected by deflection components of a nut as caused by rotation of a feed screw. The table driving device includes a guide portion with which a part of a table is movably engaged, a driving motor for rotating a feed screw, a nut threadedly engaged with the feed screw that is disposed in parallel with a moving direction of the table, a nut holder having a nut connecting portion connected to the nut and an engaging portion movably engaged with the guide portion, and moving along the feed screw and the guide portion together with the nut in accordance with the rotation of the feed screw, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the engaging portion of the nut holder to the part of the table that is engaged with the guide portion through balls that can roll in planes perpendicular to the moving direction of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Seiko Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsura Tomotaki
  • Patent number: 5586469
    Abstract: In an out-of-circuit ball preventing structure for a ball screw nut having a plurality of ball circulation circuits over an inner circumferential surface thereof, an oblique diameter of an out-of-circuit groove is made smaller than an oblique diameter of an in-circuit groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenaga Mitani, Hiroshi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5586470
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gear-changing device for a transmission, in particular a toothed gear system. During switching operations two gear stages of a gear group should not be simultaneously engaged. According to the invention this is prevented by the fact that a slider-crank mechanism (4) (oscillating cranks and a slide rod (1)) are moved from a stationary rest position to their switching position. The rest position is urged by coupling mechanisms (6). A driving position is established with the slide rod (1). In order to prevent two speeds from being simultaneously switched during a faulty operation, the distances between the rest positions and between the driving position (FIG. 1 ) of the coupling mechanisms (6) differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AB
    Inventors: Gerhard Bailly, Detlef Baasch, Unal Gazyakan
  • Patent number: 5586471
    Abstract: The energy storage flywheel device (6) includes a plurality of annular shaped composite sections (8) and an annular shaped insert (10). The insert (10) has a specific radial strength substantially greater than the composite sections' specific radial strength. The composite sections (8) and the insert (10) are alternately stacked such that they have a common axis of rotation. They are bonded to each other such that shear stress is transferred between the composite sections (8) and insert (10). In some applications, the flywheel (6) may comprise at least one annular shaped metal matrix composite section (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent C. Nardone, Mark S. Thompson, Thomas G. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5586472
    Abstract: A detachable bicycle pedal mounting structure including connector connected to a crank, a pedal having a spindle inserted into a hexagonal axial coupling hole on the connector, and a spring-supported locating hole mounted in a radial stepped hole on the connector and forced by a spring into a locating hole on the spindle of the pedal to lock the spindle of the pedal in place, the locating bolt having a finger rod disposed outside the radial stepped hole for pulling by hand to disconnect the locating bolt from the locating hole of the spindle for permitting the pedal to be quickly removed from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5586473
    Abstract: An integrated needle for use with a permanent pigment applicator device having a fixed needle coupler that is coupled to a needle drive mechanism includes an elongated needle shaft with a fastening head and an attachment piece having an elongated coupling member that is detachably coupled to the needle coupler. The needle is received in a needle chamber of the attachment piece and is securely held in place around the needle fastening head. The integrated needle can be attached to the drive mechanism simply by grasping the attachment piece and coupling it to the needle coupler of the drive mechanism. After each use, the integrated needle can be disposed of and a fresh integrated needle can be attached. In this way, the needle does not have to be handled when it is attached to the applicator device and the needle coupler can be easily removed and thoroughly cleaned in an autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mei-Chi-Na Beauty International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuei C. Chou
  • Patent number: 5586474
    Abstract: A torque transfer device allows torque to be input at one point of the device and transferred to another point of the device at which the power or torque can be taken from the device. The device incorporates a direct drive means comprised of links and spacers which are interconnected by a continuous loop, such as a cable. The direct drive means drives gears which are constructed to receive the links and spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Victory in Jesus Ministries, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Lund
  • Patent number: 5586475
    Abstract: A rachet-type hand tool having a sleeve-like guide freewheelingly mounted about a main body portion of the tool. A main shaft is rotatably mounted within the interior of the main body. An upper end of the shaft is secured to a three-way rachet mechanism. An operating rod/socket coupler releasably couples tool implements such as screwdriver heads, hex heads and the like to the operating rod. A torque extension handle is releasably mounted to the upper end of the main body and is provided with short and long lever arms selectable for gripping by the user to obtain the desired torque. Finger holes are provided in the torque extension handle for rapid rotation of the tool for insertion or removal of a screw, bolt or the like when only very light friction is encountered. An opposite arm of the torque extension handle is easily removed and can be replaced by another torque extension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Wenner
  • Patent number: 5586476
    Abstract: A process and device for machining bars, tubes or tube blanks, especially strand-cast copper blanks, in which the work piece to be machined--supported in the cross-plane of the metal-cutting device is cut on its periphery and along its length, while the die and the work piece are continually moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the work piece. At least one die rotates concentrically around the work piece, which is held in a rotation-proof manner, on a plane inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the work piece and with its cutters simultaneously machines two areas of the work piece surface that are located opposite to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl-Joseph Esser
  • Patent number: 5586477
    Abstract: A bar stock feeder for feeding bar stock to a multiple spindle lathe is disclosed. The bar stock feeder has several guide tubes, each for holding a piece of stock. The tubes are flooded with hydraulic fluid to provide a film of fluid to support the pieces of stock. Each tube contains a piston for advancing the pieces of stock towards the lathe. The tubes have a pivoting part which allows the operator to separate the tubes for reloading. The pistons are retracted into the pivoting part of the tubes prior to separation such that they are not in the way during reloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Devlieg-Bullard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirt M. Babuder, Douglas A. Joseph, Donald Pistoor, L. Joseph Stupica
  • Patent number: 5586478
    Abstract: A centering device for use with a lathe having a bed, a head and tail stock for holding a work therebetween, a carriage reciprocally movable by a drive motor and a tool box includes a plurality of work rests disposed along the longitudinal direction of the lathe bed. Each of the work rests is movable between a first position for supporting the work and a second position spaced from the work. A control device is associated with the work rests for controlling movement of each of the work rests between the first position and the second position in response to the movement of the carriage and the control device operates to stop carriage movement so as to prevent collision with a work rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Dainichi Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Hoshino
  • Patent number: 5586479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus which includes a cutter. A pair of sensors is used to detect a lead edge of an image located on a receiver sheet. In response to the sensors the cutter and the lead edge of the image are aligned. The receiving sheet is transported in a direction essentially perpendicular to the cutter. The cutter cuts the receiving sheet adjacent and parallel to the lead and trail edges of the image. A cut lead edge of the receiving sheet is edge registered. A third sensor detects edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image. A second cutter, responsive to the third sensor, cuts the receiving sheet adjacent edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Carl W. Roy, Paul E. Tschiderer
  • Patent number: 5586480
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor including a motor body having a piston chamber with opposed chamber ends, at least two valve chambers, an inlet for flowing a pressurized fluid into the piston chamber and each of the at least two valve chambers, a number of outlets provided in the housing for exhausting the pressurized fluid from the piston chamber and each of the at least two valve chambers. The motor also includes a three-way valve member adapted to be located in each of the at least two valve chambers, the valve members each have at least one open end and at least one port formed along the valve member body. A spool member is located in one of the valve chambers, each spool member has a first end adapted to be located in the open end of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Richard K. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5586481
    Abstract: A booster as may be used in a brake of an automobile is provided. Specifically, an improvement of means for sealing between a stepped tubular portion formed on the rear side of a shell and a tubular terminal end of a valve body which extends therethrough is provided. According to the invention, an annular seal member and a bearing are sequentially fitted inside the stepped tubular portion of the shell from the front side and their inner peripheral portions are disposed in sliding contact with the tubular terminal end of the valve body. A plurality of projections are formed on either end face of the seal member or the bearing which opposes each other around its outer periphery. The provision of such projections is effective to prevent the seal member from being disengaged from the step of the stepped tubular portion in the rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5586482
    Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes dual-element, differential area pistons consisting of a power piston and an extender piston that are mounted in a double-chamber cylinder. A spring-loaded throttling plunger is slidingly mounted in a longitudinal bore in the power piston to meter the flow of pressurized fluid against to the extender piston as a function of the incremental stroke length of the extender piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: W. Burt Leonard
  • Patent number: 5586483
    Abstract: An aluminum piston is mounted onto a steel piston rod by means of an intervening, steel hub. The piston, hollow with an opening at one end, pilotingly receives the hub in the opening. The hub has a throughging bore in which the piston rod is pilotingly received. The rod has a prominent shoulder against which a rim on the hub seats, and a hub nut prestresses the hub against the shoulder. The hub has a flange with a series of bolt holes formed therein, the latter being aligned with a like series of tapped bores in a ledge of the piston. Studs with locknuts, engaged with the holes and bores, make the flange fast to the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Andrew L. Sine
  • Patent number: 5586484
    Abstract: An improved expresso coffee maker comprising an upper cylindrical container 2 threadably engaged onto a lower truncated-cone container 1, said lower container having a coffee basket assembly 3 in which a cylindrical coffee holder 4 is centered with a piston 5 sliding inside, said piston has apertures 6 to allow passage of water and steam and to create differential pressure above and below the piston, which forces the piston to compress the coffee grounds during the brewing process. The water extract of the coffee grounds passes through inverted funnel 15 and it is collected into the upper cylindrical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Pietro Piazza
  • Patent number: 5586485
    Abstract: The coffee machine has a water reservoir located in a housing, a heating device having electric regulating devices, a beverage collecting vessel which can be placed on a housing base, and a coffee brewing housing which is arranged above the beverage collecting vessel. The coffee brewing housing which can be swivelled out of the coffee machine housing is secured in the working position at the coffee machine housing by a manually actuated hold-back device which is spring-loaded in the locking direction. To enable a reliable triggering of the swiveling movement of the coffee brewing housing after it has been unlocked from the housing of the coffee machine without the use of spring elements which cause an undefined swiveling movement, the hold-back device is coupled with a push bar which acts on the coffee brewing housing in the swiveling out direction and is guided at the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Krups GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinrich Baumann
  • Patent number: 5586486
    Abstract: An automated deep frying system includes a refrigerated food storage compartment having a portion controller and dispenser, an isolated cooking chamber having a frying vessel and a food basket which is movable to a variety of preselected positions for loading, cooking and dispensing the food, and an air purifier including a smooth cold surface for isolating the by-products of the frying process. The system also includes a microprocessor controller which is programmed for the system operation, including automatic dispensing, preparation and serving of preselected portions of food in response to an operator's input, as well as energy efficient control of the refrigerated food storage compartment and the air purifier cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Vend-It Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Nitschke, Daniel B. Kuhary
  • Patent number: 5586487
    Abstract: A device and method for automatically cooking and draining pasta is provided in which water contained in a first compartment is heated to percolate through a conduit disposed between the first compartment and a second compartment, to the second compartment which contains the pasta, the pasta is cooked in the heated water, and then the water flows from pasta, thereby draining it, into the first or a third compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Francis E. Marino
  • Patent number: 5586488
    Abstract: A portable pizza oven comprising a fixed upper casing, a fixed lower casing, the upper and lower casings defining therebetween an opening, an upper heater assembly located within and fixed to the upper casing, a lower heater assembly located within and fixed to the lower casing, so as to define a cooking chamber which is located between the heater assemblies and which is accessible via the opening, and a pan assembly insertable into and removable from the cooking chamber, the pan assembly including a circular tray having a diameter of slightly greater than twelve inches, the pan assembly also including a handle fixed to the tray, such that, when the pan assembly is inserted into the cooking chamber, the handle closes the opening, thereby closing the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Americorp Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Y. Liu
  • Patent number: 5586489
    Abstract: Apparatus or device for the preparation of fowl which has been dressed, comprising a heat transfer member having an exterior configuration which substantially conforms to the interior cavity of the dressed fowl and which, when inserted into the cavity, makes substantially total contact with the interior wall such that when the heat transfer member, with fowl mounted thereon, is placed in a heated environment, the fowl is initially seared in the interior cavity and thereafter cooked for human consumption in accordance with the method prescribed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Fraga
  • Patent number: 5586490
    Abstract: A cooking device comprising: an insulated housing defining a cooking cavity therein having a front opening; a radiant heat source disposed within the cooking cavity and positioned adjacent a rear wall of the housing; a rotating vertical support having a first end, centered in the housing; a plurality of rigid elongated skewers aligned along the length of the vertical support and disposed horizontally therethrough for holding various items of food to be cooked, the food items travelling in a circular path about the longitudinal axis of the rotating vertical support; and a motorized mechanism detachably connected to the first end of the vertical support for rotating the vertical support about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Shukri T. Saman
  • Patent number: 5586491
    Abstract: A disposable flexible foil product placed on a barbecue grill comprises a sheet of metal foil with rectangular vents (15). The pattern consists of two sets of vents equally offset from the center with a space in the middle (17). The pattern is repeated longitudinally with a central divider (16) between patterns. The foil has a flat bottom surface. The foil is dispensable either from a roll or it is packaged in flat sheets or pans, having a scored line spaced in from the edge to allow for manual upturning of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Robert J. Diller, Barbara J. Diller
  • Patent number: 5586492
    Abstract: A processor for the wetting of cereals with a liquid, wherein the cereal/liquid mixture is exposed for a short time (2 to 15 seconds) to strong vibration (shaking at approximately 80 Hz), with the result that the cereals directly absorb the liquid into themselves and immediately become transportable and can be further processed, for example can be ground, without a substantial storage time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Dieter O. Graef
  • Patent number: 5586493
    Abstract: A paper recycling rack includes an upper paper stack binding area and a lower bundled paper storage area. The upper area comprises a platform having two orthogonally disposed channels thereacross and corresponding discontinuous side walls, with a generally rectangular stack of papers placed therein being supported at the four corners of the stack and being exposed along the orthogonal channels. Thus, a user of the rack may easily reach through the upper portion of the lower storage area to pass binding twine, cord or the like beneath papers stacked in the upper area to secure them together, and store the bound papers in the lower storage area for later transfer to a recycling point. The rack is preferably monolithically formed of an injection molded translucent, smoke tinted plastic material, but may alternatively be formed using other materials and manufacturing techniques as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Marjorie N. McEntee
  • Patent number: 5586494
    Abstract: A swiveling piston press, in particular for compacting waste cardboard, including an arcuate compression channel in which a compression piston is supported for pivotal movement between two positions by a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit with the piston press being designed in such a way that the piston rod is loaded in tension during the compression stroke movements of the compression piston, and in its extended position, forms an acute angle with the line connecting the pivot axis of the compression piston with the connection point of the compression piston with the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Welger GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Simonis
  • Patent number: 5586495
    Abstract: A transfer press, capable of being easily transported, capable of being adjusted flexibly to changes in specifications, and capable of eliminating the idling of the transfer feeder, has a body (1) which is divided into a bed (2), uprights (3) provided vertically upon the bed, a pair of supporting beams (4) provided upon the uprights and disposed in spaced relationship with each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction in which a workpiece is fed, and a plurality of pressing units (5) each of which is independently provided for a respective one of a plurality of pressing operations. Each of the pressing units (5) comprises a crown (6) accommodating a slide-driving mechanism (8), and a slide (7). The crowns (6), provided for the individual pressing operations, are removably mounted upon the supporting beams (4). Slide guides (12) for guiding the vertical motion of the slides (7) are also provided on the supporting beams (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuo Ogawa, Naoaki Ikeoka
  • Patent number: 5586496
    Abstract: In a dot line printer that prints, for example, eight lines of dots with each single scan of a hammer bank, wherein the pins of hammers for printing the first dot line and the eighth dot line or for printing the second dot line and the seventh dot line are shifted from their respective home positions to compensate for an error causing impressions of dots to be made at an unequal pitch in a sheet feed direction as a result of consecutive forward and backward movements of the hammer bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Shinohara, Yoshikane Matsumoto, Shigenori Suematsu
  • Patent number: 5586497
    Abstract: A stencil printing machine comprising a cylindrical printing cylinder around which a perforated stencil sheet for mimeographing is wrapped; a stencil sheet storing section for storing a blank stencil for mimeographing; a stencil sheet perforator for perforating a stencil sheet fed from the stencil sheet storing section; a stencil sheet cutter disposed between the stencil sheet perforator and the printing cylinder, for cutting the perforated stencil sheet; a stencil sheet stocking section disposed between the stencil sheet perforator and the stencil sheet cutter, for holding the perforated stencil sheet; a single long member which is mounted, inside the stencil sheet stocking section, in parallel with a direction of width of the stencil sheet, beneath the stencil sheet stocked inside the stencil sheet stocking section, and is vertically movable between the upper limit position and the lower limit position; a driving mechanism for moving the long member up and down; and a stencil sheet feeder for feeding the pe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Shimada
  • Patent number: 5586498
    Abstract: A print-through form comprises a top and a base layer with the top layer having a pattern of openings in at least one region, the pattern of openings having center-to-center distances substantially less than the size of characters or other elements to be printed. Ink applied to the region or regions with openings forms characters on the top layer by marking the area between the openings, and on the base layer in the same operation through the openings, marking the area on the base layer exposed by the openings through the first layer. More than two copies in a single printing pass may be accomplished with forms of more than two layers, wherein the patterns of openings expose area on all the intermediate layers and the base layer. In various embodiments forms may comprise sheets affixed by peelable adhesive, by folding larger sheets, and by edge gluing with removable strips made by perforation lines. Some forms are made to be fed through traction feeders from continuous webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Elonex I.P. Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 5586499
    Abstract: A method for eliminating gear train backlash in the drive of a sheet-fed printing machines when changing the printing mode of the machine between face printing and perfecting or vice versa is disclosed. The printing machine has a gear train, a longitudinal drive shaft, and a plurality of input drives connecting the drive shaft to the gear train. At least one separation device is provided in the gear train, and at least one clutch is provided in the drive shaft. Releasing both the clutch and the separation device disconnects the printing machine into decoupled regions. After the relative position of those regions are adjusted for the new printing format, the new relative position is fixed by engaging the separation device. The segments of the longitudinal drive shaft is then adjusted to apply a torque to the gear train to eliminate backlash in the drive. The positioning can optionally be performed by the main drive motor or a separate positioning drive connected to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Hendrikus Beaumont, Hanns-Otto Haas, Holger Wiese, Bernd Lindner
  • Patent number: 5586500
    Abstract: A stencil stamp is provided with a plurality of individually replaceable stencil stamp blocks. The stencil stamp is capable of stamping a multicolor pattern by a single stamping action. The stencil stamp comprises a handgrip to be gripped by the user's hand, a stamping unit, which is fixedly held by a stencil stamp block holding member on the handgrip, and a skirt, which covers the stamping unit for protection. The stamping unit comprises a plurality of stencil stamp blocks, each having a stamping part for forming a particular pattern. The plurality of stencil stamp blocks may be provided with ink-bearing members impregnated with inks of different colors to enable multicolor stamping by a single stamping action. The stencil stamp blocks can be individually removed from the stencil stamp block holding member, and can be used in desired combinations to create different patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takami, Yoshihiro Yasui, Takashi Okumura
  • Patent number: 5586501
    Abstract: A disappearing ink marking system adaptable to a sole of a user that includes an upper layer, an intermediate layer affixed to the upper layer, a lower layer affixed to the intermediate layer, a reservoir tube passing into the intermediate layer and in fluid communication therewith, disappearing ink, and at least one image block affixed to the lower layer and in fluid communication with the intermediate layer. Disappearing ink flowing through the reservoir tube escapes through the plurality of reservoir tube apertures and enters the intermediate layer and is absorbed therein where upon when pressure is applied to the intermediate layer and the at least one image block the disappearing ink is forced from the intermediate layer through the at least one lower layer aperture and into the at least one image block which in turn causes the at least one image block to disperse the disappearing ink and leave a temporary image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Bartolome Burguera, Richard K. Stanzak
  • Patent number: 5586502
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing and removing rail clips from a rail, the apparatus constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including an applicator/remover configured to perform one of installation and removal of the rail clips relative to a rail, an actuator configured for reciprocating the applicator/remover in a direction substantially transverse to the rail so that rail clips are moved one of towards the rail or away from the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Nordco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Weber
  • Patent number: 5586503
    Abstract: A passive passenger restraint system adapted for use with aerial, cable-supported chairlifts includes a passive restraint that is driven by the motion of the chairlift. A seatbelt automatically deploys across the laps of the passengers. The seatbelt restrains the passengers until the end of the trip and then releases the restraint just before unloading the passengers. After unloading, the restraint system automatically resets for the next passengers and the next deployment cycle. A similar passenger restraint system for use in vehicles restrains passengers individually using a shoulder belt and a lap belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Don W. Rehorn
  • Patent number: 5586504
    Abstract: A propulsion and stabilization system with a plurality of superconducting magnetic devices affixed to the dual-keels of a vehicle, where the superconducting magnetic devices produce a magnetic field when energized. The system also includes a plurality of figure-eight shaped null-flux coils affixed to opposing vertical sides of slots in a guideway. The figure-eight shaped null-flux coils are vertically oriented, laterally cross-connected in parallel, longitudinally connected in series, and continue the length of the vertical slots providing levitation and guidance force. An external power source energizes the figure-eight shaped null-flux coils to create a magnetic traveling wave that interacts with the magnetic field produced by the superconducting magnets to impart motion to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Jianliang He, Zian Wang, Donald M. Rote, Howard T. Coffey, John R. Hull, Thomas M. Mulcahy, Yigang Cal
  • Patent number: 5586505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic unit having a plurality of groups of permanent magnets such as ceramic or ferrous magnets arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each plurality being separated from an adjacent plurality by a magnetically permeable member, such as a malleable steel member or a malleable iron or molded iron member to focus the lines of magnetic flux. Preferably, each of the permanent magnets within a group is also separated by an interleaved sheet of magnetically permeable material. Such a plurality of groups of permanent magnets are secured together to form a channel therebetween in which a supporting member is connected through fastening members to a movable levitated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Elberto Berdut
  • Patent number: 5586506
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket coupling for connecting two bodies to one another. The coupling includes a U-shaped welded support frame having a base as well as first and second legs extending from the base. The two legs are spaced from one another and define an open side of the frame opposite the base. The first leg forms a ball-holding pin, while the second leg is adapted to be attached to one of the two bodies. The ball-holding pin traverses and carries a ball of the coupling. A support bracket adapted to be attached to the other of the two bodies carries a socket in which the ball nests. A lid closes off the open side of the frame, and a securing device releasably attaches the lid to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Heubusch, Jorg Rosler
  • Patent number: 5586507
    Abstract: A guide wheel apparatus and vehicle typically used in railroad applications, using the apparatus has a double overcenter linkage arrangement to secure rail wheels in both road and rail positions for respectively traveling on roads and rails. An electric motor is coupled to the linkage by way of a planetary gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Madison, Jeffrey L. Tilley
  • Patent number: 5586508
    Abstract: Adjusting device for a matching table having a support for at least one copy to be matched which iS reciprocatingly movable towards and away from an observer, and a guide for the adjusting movement provided in common for the support and a frame of the matching table includes a frictional retaining device for releasably holding the support fast with respect to the frame, the frictional retaining device including a spring-loaded lock acting on both sides thereof, and a tension band disposed adjacent to the lock and tightenable for influencing the action of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventor: Klaus Bahr
  • Patent number: 5586509
    Abstract: A food, beverage, bidding box and convention card holding system for mounting on a card table having a card table leg assembly. The system includes a platform for holding beverages and food, a holder for cards used to make bids in the game called contract bridge ("bridge"), a holder for the convention card used in the bidding process in bridge, and a mounting leg that attaches to the bottom of the platform and mounts to the table leg using spring-loaded clamps for easy mounting and removal from the card table. The spring-loaded clamps allow the apparatus to be independently supporting, without regard to the configuration of the card table or the table leg brace or strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Howard L. Mangold, Anita L. Mangold
  • Patent number: 5586510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for reducing pollutant emissions associated with combustion operations, e.g., cement manufacturing. The invention further relates to the disposal of sludge, e.g., produced by waste water treatment plants, by introducing it into the combustion process. In particular, the invention provides for introducing particles of aqueous sludge into a kiln at a point in the kiln effective to reduce pollutant emissions in outlet flue gasses produced by the kiln. Optimally, the sludge is introduced at a point in which maximum NO.sub.x emission reductions can occur and maximum HCl emission reductions can occur downstream (at lower temperatures). In a specific embodiment, introduction of about 10 to about 20 tons per hour of wet sludge results in about a 15% to 30% reduction in NO.sub.x emissions in a cement kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Cement Industry Environment Consortium
    Inventors: R. Leon Leonard, Earl F. Bouse, Anne T. McQueen
  • Patent number: 5586511
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the assembly of pillow-top mattress covers. In the method of this invention, the gussets for a pillow-top mattress cover are prepared in a single step in which the gusset material is folded longitudinally, and the flange material is attached thereto and the gusset material is sewn together in one stitch. Thereafter, a gusset is attached to each of the top and bottom panels of the cover along its outer edge. Each gusset is secured to the underside of its associated top or bottom panel at the folded edge using a blind stitch which is not visible externally of the panel. No gluing is required. During the step of attaching the gusset to its associated mattress cover panel, precisely positioned mitered corners are formed on the gusset where the gusset is to be attached to the corner of its associated panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Porter Sewing Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Porter, Charles E. Mulcahey, John J. Kirby
  • Patent number: 5586512
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus for inclusion in a ship comprising a mass (10), that is vibrationally coupled to the ship's hull (12) such that movement of the mass is dampened. The mass (10) is so sized and located as to, when in use it reduces the fundamental and/or harmonics of a transverse two node mode of wave-induced vibration in the ship's hull (12). There is also described an apparatus for inclusion in a ship comprising a mass (10) made up in part of the tackle or fitments of the ship, which also are vibrationally coupled to the ship's hull (12) by a damping such that movement of the mass (10) is dampened so as to thereby, when in use, reduce vibrations in the ship's hull (12). In a preferred embodiment the mass (10) is at least in part a chain locker and that portion of the chain stored therein. By reducing vibrations in the ship's hull (12) significant stresses may be relieved and the performance of the ship enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Orian Technology Limited
    Inventor: Finn Orbeck