Clamps, Clips, Hooks, Or Latches Patents (Class 220/324)
  • Patent number: 5015143
    Abstract: A wheeled container has a plurality of bins, each bin coded to receive a separated material for stationing at curbside for automated pickup. Each bin includes a hinged lid, normally maintain in a closed position by a spring catch. A pickup arm assembly operates in combination with the container includes movable arms which engage the container preparatory to being picked up and dumped by an automated apparatus. The arm assembly includes spring catch release devices for selectively opening each bin during dumping thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: William S. Carson
  • Patent number: 5014677
    Abstract: A target throwing apparatus mount is provided with a support post and a lateral member on which a seat may be mounted. For security of the apparatus a housing fits over the apparatus and has a bar that engages the post and an eye that engages a mooring eye on the lateral member. The arrangement pulls the housing into the support post and when the eyes are locked together, the housing may not be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Quack Sporting Clays, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Gagnon, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5011360
    Abstract: The self-emptying container has relatively moveable parts (10, 11, 40, 41) normally secured together by a latch mechanism. In one embodiment, the container has an upright body (10) and a pivotal base (11). In another embodiment the body is a tipping skip or hopper (40) on a pallet base (41). The latch mechanism (19, 49) comprises a fore and aft flat bar (22, 52) pivoted at one end. The other end locates below the horizontal limb (29, 59) of an L shaped latch member (24, 54) which is lifted by the flat bar (22, 52) when an upward pressure is applied to the bar. That is done via lift apparatus such as a fork lift truck. The container is raised over a surface (S) and lowered onto that surface to pivot the flat bar (22, 52) upwards causing the latch member (24, 54) to release the relatively moveable parts to empty the container. In the first embodiment, the container is then raised so that the base pivots open. In the second embodiment the skip body 40 tips forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Empteezy Limited
    Inventors: David A. S. Abram, Bruce W. Wishart
  • Patent number: 5007549
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box having a ring portion which is fitted within the outlet box and a cover which has a downwardly depending circular portion which mates with the ring. The downwardly depending circular portion has outwardly extending tabs which fit into grooves in the inner wall of the ring. Each tab has a groove which interlocks and mates with a protrusion extending from a wall of the groove included in the ring. The interlocking provided which enables the cover to be secured to the outlet box as well as enabling the cover to be easily removable from the outlet box. Thus, an outlet box is provided which enables one to remove and replace the cover easily, and also provides for interchangeable covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Eugene J. Suk
  • Patent number: 5002196
    Abstract: A pressure vessel having a removable lid for storing objects under pressure is disclosed. The pressure vessel includes a pressure chamber having a smooth walled opening of uniform size against which the removable lid seals with an interference fit. A stop is secured to the pressure vessel and restrains one end of the removable lid from sliding along the smooth wall. At the other end of the lid there is pivotally mounted a locking member which engages under a locking projection fixed to the pressure vessel. A lever arm, pivotally attached to the locking member, uses a levering projection (fixed to the pressure vessel) as a fulcrum to assist in fitting the lid to and removing the lid from the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is provided with a valve for manually dumping pressure from the pressure chamber and is also provided with a source of pressurized fluid for pressurizing the chamber to a predetermined amount of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: John Bassili
  • Patent number: 4989747
    Abstract: An elongated flat plastic box hinged along one side is provided with a pair of latches spaced along the opposite side. The male part of the latch is connected to an actuating tab formed in the top at one end and in the bottom at the opposite end of the elongated box. The female part of the latch is formed in the opposite part of the box in mating relationship with the male portion of the latch. This alternating arrangement allows the normal twisting action of left and right hands attempting to open the box, to disengage the latches and simultaneously open the box for exposure of the contents by simply applying pressure to the actuating tabs. The entire box, including the latches, is molded in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Demurger et Cie
    Inventor: Jean P. Demurger
  • Patent number: 4986438
    Abstract: A flexible reclosable thermoformed thermoplastic container is disclosed which has a base with side walls and a peripheral shoulder extending from the side walls which has a downwardly depending rim. The cover of the container has peripheral edges with depending side walls and is preferably attached by an integral hinge to the base. The cover is adapted to close upon and cover the base. A locking tab with two opposed faces spaced to fit between the base rim and side walls is connected by an integral hinge to the cover. The locking tab of the cover may be rotated about the integral hinge and inserted between the side wall and rim wall of the base to close the container. Containers with depressions in the base or cover side walls to facilitate opening are also disclosed. Containers may have two locking tabs connected on opposite sides of the cover by integral hinges which permit the cover to be removed entirely from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Placon Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney D. Borst
  • Patent number: 4984419
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for mounting a grass box of a mower having a machine body, a covered grass box, a mowing unit and a duct through which the grasses mowed by the mowing unit are inputted into the grass box. The apparatus includes a pair of guide rails, laid under the cover, into which the grass box is removably inserted from the rear side. In the mower having the covered grass box disposed below a handle rod, the apparatus further includes stoppers through which the grass box is rotatably removably engaged with the cover and a fixing member for fixing the grass box to the cover in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Sampei, Masami Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 4982865
    Abstract: A wall coupling restrains adjacent walls 2 and 3 from displacement over each other. The two walls have coincident apertures 12 and 16. A flexible moulded plastics retaining strip 5 is carried by the wall 2 on its side remote from the wall 3. The strip 5 overlies the aperture 12 and has an end 8 which is secured relative to the wall 2 and an end 7 which is slidable along tracks on the wall 2 in a direction towards and from the end 8. A mid-length region 6 of the strip 5 between its ends 7 and 8 has integral hinges 13 to 15 so that during displacement of the strip end 7 towards the end 8, the region 6 doubles to project through the apertures 12 and 16 and thereby couple the walls 2 and 3 to restrain them from relative displacement. A combination stop/catch can be provided to temporarily retain the strip end 7 in a position where the mid-length region 6 of the strip is in either a folded or an unfolded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Lin Pac Mouldings Limited
    Inventor: David A. Williams
  • Patent number: 4979636
    Abstract: This invention relates to a housing assembly design which reduces the number of screws required to attach the housing parts together. According to the preferred embodiment of this invention, the housing of a hand-held computer is assembled and held together by a combination of hooks, screws, and tabs. Preferably, the tabs mate with slots or grooves formed on the perimeter of apertures such as input/output ports in the housing. Once the housing is assembled, each tab forms part of the perimeter of the aperture into which it is inserted. The hooks and screws mate with corresponding hooks and screw holes, respectively, formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Grid Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Daly
  • Patent number: 4974740
    Abstract: A triple-action latch assembly for a shipping case having first and second housing members includes a U-shaped flexible slide movably received on a T-shaped rail associated with the first housing member. The T-shaped rail includes a notch configured to receive a tab associated with the second housing member. When the slide is moved from an open state to a locked state, the tab is trapped within the notch. The slide includes a first detent engageable with an end portion of the rail to secure the slide against movement. The slide further includes a second detent defined by a latch bar having a latch beam engageable with a first cavity in the rail to further secure the slide against movement relative to the T-shaped rail. When the first detent is lifted out of engagement with the rail and the second detent is simultaneously depressed to lift the latch beam out of engagement with the first cavity, the latch assembly can be slid to the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gerald J. Niles, Davis W. Chamberlin, Jacqueline J. Forbes
  • Patent number: 4955957
    Abstract: A portable and which includes means for securing it to a carrier surface, the cooler contents being fully protected thermally but being available readily without undoing the securing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Hunter Homes
  • Patent number: 4952160
    Abstract: A marine hull inlet assembly for providing a watertight inlet in the hull of a boat to provide a connection point for shore-based power lines, communication lines, and the like. The inlet assembly includes a receptacle member and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes top and bottom covers pivotally connected together with the top cover having a gasket which is pressed against the receptacle for providing the watertight seal. The top and bottom covers are releasably coupled by a latch assembly. The latch assembly is spring-biased so that the top and bottom covers are biased toward each other when in the latched position. The latch assembly may either have a push-type latching element or a quarter turn-type latching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles A. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4940140
    Abstract: This invention relates to a case for containing and immobilizing a computer tape reel, wherein the cover is locked on the body of the case by a single spring catch mounted to slide in a housing in the cover and provided with a locking means cooperating with a means of the body mating therewith under the action of an elastic member, said spring catch being rendered captive by a flexible stop with inclined ramp capable of contacting a lug of the cover likewise with inclined ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Gefitec S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Posso
  • Patent number: 4923080
    Abstract: A trash receptacle is formed from a hollow body member having a pivotal door formed by a hinged side wall portion. Cooperating latch members retain the door in a closed position. An interior floor within the hollow body member may be horizontal or may be mounted in or movable to an inclined orientation to facilitate removal of a trash bag, without necessitating any vertical lifting. The interior floor may be pivotally mounted within the hollow body and inclined to remove the trash bag by actuation of an exterior foot pedal. The trash receptacle allows filled trash bags to be removed through the side of the receptacle by sliding off the horizontal or inclined floor, obviating the necessity of vertically lifting the filled trash bag, as required by conventional open topped trash receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Donn C. Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 4917261
    Abstract: A reclosable plastic container is formed having a cover hingedly attached to a base and having an interlocking structure such that the cover is held onto the base when the container is closed. The interlocking structure includes a locking mechanism for attaching a hinged cover to the container base in a positive-manner so that the cover will not open upon impact, but may conveniently be opened and closed when required. The locking mechanism includes a locking tab hingedly connected to the cover and an outwardly extending projection formed on the base in direct alignment with the locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Placon Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney D. Borst
  • Patent number: 4915913
    Abstract: The present application is directed to medical sterilizer device with an improved latch mechanism and method and, more particularly, to a new and improved sterilization device in the form of a sterilizer case of medical applications relative to the use of instrument sterilization and storage. The case of the invention provides an effective storage container and method for sterilizing medical instruments and/or equipment by fluid (gas or steam) techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Genesis Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Williams, John R. Herzog
  • Patent number: 4915137
    Abstract: A flange protector for use with flanged pipe, pressure vessels and the like, having a peripheral flange with an outer peripheral surface and a central opening for the pipe or vessel and having holes in the flange for receiving bolts. The flange protector comprises a sheet-form plastic cover member with a dished central portion fitted into the central opening of the flange and a portion extending radially outward to cover the flange and the holes therein and an edge portion extending normal thereto to cover at least part of the peripheral surface of the flange. The radially extending cover portion is secured to the flange by the flange holes. The flange is a female flange with holes therein, the cover member radially extending portion has indentations or hollow protrusions fitting into each of the flange holes, each having an aperture with fasteners positioned therein extending into the flange holes to secure the cover member in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventors: James A. Hall, Clyde M. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4901882
    Abstract: The invention relates to cases, in particular cases for packaging cosmetic products, provided with a closure device including a movable element comprising a tilting pushbutton (5) in the form of a T, the top beam of which includes a control bar (51) projecting from the front edge (1') of the lid (1) in the closure position, and on the back a pivot (53, 53'), and the central leg of which comprises a latching prong (58) provided with a hook member (59). The movable element cooperates with fixed elements (6) of the lid including a front crtadle (64), at least one tongue (65), and a window (61) and fixed elements of the base (2) including a recess (74) for the latching prong (58) and a retention member (73) that is complementary with the hook member (59) of the prong (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Antonin Goncalves
  • Patent number: 4898300
    Abstract: An improved bin for storing objects and providing better accessibility to the objects when removal is desired. The storage bin is provided with a hinged front wall or hopper having a top portion and a bottom portion. The hopper is shaped so that the top portion and the bottom portion provide a protrusion which extends outward from the front side of the bin in the closed position. When the hopper is in the closed position, the top and bottom portion define the front wall of the bin. When the hopper is in the open position, the bottom portion of the hopper provides a lateral extension of the base of the storage bin and the top portion of the hopper defines a laterally extended, reduced height front wall for the bin. The base of the storage bin is sloped towards the hopper to provide an automatic gravity feed of parts stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Containers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel B. Cohen, Matthew Marhefka
  • Patent number: 4881659
    Abstract: A governor cap sealing structure of a transmission gearbox, in which a governor cap for covering a governor valve arranged outside the transmission gearbox is mounted to a mount member attached to the outside of the transmission gearbox via a sealing member interposed between the governor cap and a sealing surface of the mount member, and in which the width of the sealing surface of the mount member is larger than that of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirao Uchiyama, Hiromi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 4880116
    Abstract: A robotic accessible wafer shipper assembly comprises a shipper base, a wafer carrier which supports the disks within the base, and a shipper cover which mates with the base and wafer carrier in latching attachment. The base, carrier and cover are provided with certain specific design features which allow them to be handled, as a completely assembled package, by its constituent components and is assembled and disassembled entirely by robotics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Fluoroware, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Kos
  • Patent number: 4850505
    Abstract: A device for clamping and locking of cover (6) against a flange (7) for subsea installations, particularly in connection with production of oil and/or gas, and particularly for clamping and locking of a valve housing cover (6) against a flange (7) on a valve housing (9) which is coupled into a subsea pipeline (1). Mainly U-formed locking segments (4) are designed with a certain clearance, preferably approx. 3 mm, so that the distance between the opposite facing, parallel contact and sealing surfaces of the locking segment (4) exceeds the total thickness of the cover (6) and flange (7) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s
    Inventor: Knut Horvei
  • Patent number: 4840287
    Abstract: A simple to operate locking mechanism for a pressure cooker, the locking mechanism having a locking arm rotatable from a fully open to a fully locked position, the locking arm being operatively connected to a cam shaft assembly which is rotatable with the locking arm, the cam shaft assembly being slidably axially in a cam shaft sleeve rotatably mounted in a displacement member which causes the cam shaft assembly to be axially displaced as it is rotated by the locking arm, the cam shaft assembly being moveable from a retracted to an extended position as the locking arm moves from a fully open to an intermediate position. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent rotation of the locking arm from the intermediate to the fully locked position in the event the cam shaft assembly is not fully extended. A pressure responsive safety mechanism is also provided to prevent opening movement of the locking mechanism in the event the cooker is under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Brewer, John M. Clark
  • Patent number: 4838413
    Abstract: A contact lens disinfection case includes a hollow cylindrical body with two open ends, and first and second end caps mounted on the open ends of the body to define with the body a fluid-tight housing. A contact lens holding basket is mounted on and is removable with the first end cap. An elongate locking member extends through the hollow body and engages the first and second end caps when the end caps are mounted on the body. The second end cap, when mounted on the body, abuts against the elongate locking member and causes is to engage the first end cap, locking it in place and preventing its removal. When the second end cap is not mounted on the body, the elongate locking member is positionable in non-engagement with the first end cap, allowing the first end cap to be removed from the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Monestere
  • Patent number: 4834434
    Abstract: A permanent locking device for a nuclear waste container which, in combination with a lid and a box, utilizes a dee-shaped ring held by a wide, flat hinge and a protruding narrow malleable metal retaining strap. The ring can rotate or slide up and down within the hinge, as well as slide side to side. The hinge has a slot in its top for temporarily holding the ring in an up position while the lid is open and the box is being loaded with nuclear waste. When the lid is closed and the ring is disengaged from the slot, the ring can be quickly dropped to a down position permitting the retaining strap to extend through the ring. The retaining strap can then be readily bent down and over the circular (bottom) portion of the ring, to form a permanent seal. A deformable rubber gasket is positioned between the lid and the top edges of the box to form an air tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Walter J. Moore
  • Patent number: 4820499
    Abstract: To eliminate the necessity for additional seals or indicator tapes in a closure for a sterilizing container comprising a bottom part and a lid, with a pivotable locking bar which in a closed position fixes the lid in the closed position on the bottom part and in an open position releases the lid for removal from the bottom part, and with a safety closure for the locking bar which is damaged when the locking bar is pivoted from the closed position to the open position, the safety closure includes (i) a data carrier card which can be pushed into or put into a holding device on the locking bar, on the lid, or on the bottom part, (ii) a securing member to prevent removal of the data carrier card from the holding device when the locking bar is in the closed state, and (iii) a marking element to penetrate the data carrier card secured in the holding device during pivotal motion of the locking bar from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Aesculap-Werke AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Taschner
  • Patent number: 4817795
    Abstract: A robotic accessible wafer shipper assembly comprises a shipper base, a wafer carrier which supports the disks within the base, and a shipper cover which mates with the base and wafer carrier in latching attachment. The base, carrier and cover are provided with certain specific design features which allow them to be handled, as a completely assembled package, by its constituent components and is assembled and disassembled entirely by robotics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Fluoroware, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Kos
  • Patent number: 4813174
    Abstract: A lure container for holding a scented lure in an insect trap includes a basket formed by spaced apart webs defining a volume of space for enclosing the lure. The volume is a truncated conical section and the basket has a wide opening at one end of the section. Attached to a top peripheral edge of the basket is a lid that is hinged along one section of the edge. The opposite edge has a tab that extends outwardly for mounting the basket in the trap. The basket and lid are both formed by spaced apart webs and ends of the webs of the lid extend into space in the webs of the basket, to block the opening and confine the lure. The lure container or basket is placed in the housing of an insect trap wherein the basket is spaced away from all of the interior walls of the trap by the tab extending from the peripheral edge of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Cook
  • Patent number: 4809873
    Abstract: A neck frame for an opening to a container constructed to ISO specifications. The neck frame comprises a tubular member, a compensating flange and a second flange extending around the tubular member, all cast integrally of stainless steel. A lid is pivotal on mounting brackets cast integrally on the second flange and is secured to the tubular member by eye bolts pivotal in brackets also cast integrally with the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Container Design Limited
    Inventor: Robin E. Fossey
  • Patent number: 4802604
    Abstract: The back door of a cotton module builder is raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder extending from above the back door to a latch shaft extending across the back door. Movement of the hydraulic cylinder latches and unlatches latch bolts upon the latch shaft as well as raising and lowering the back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Scott Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 4792055
    Abstract: A container which includes a lower body portion to receive articles and an upper lid portion which forms a top for the body portion. An upstanding rib is provided along the upper edge of the body which is received into a mating channel on the lower edge of the lid. The lid is hinged to the body and clamps are included which secure the lid to the body. The body includes a horizontal rib which extends outwardly from the body in the vicinity of the upper edge thereof, while the lid includes a mating horizontal rib which extends outwardly in the vicinity of the lower edge thereof. Both the lid and the body include an indented portion in the front surface approximately central thereof. A portion of the horizontal rib of the body extends across the opening defined by the indented portion, thereby forming a handle for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Comprehensive Health Education Foundation
    Inventors: Jay M. Schupack, Alan Biggs
  • Patent number: 4788999
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an automatic servo-controlled valve with high speed opening wherein the shutter is a hinged cover (20). Suitable locking means (30, 50) keep the cover (20) in a locked position up to the time when the pressure difference on the two faces of the cover exceeds a pre-determined minimum level. After the said locking means have moved to an open position, an actuator (40) operates the opening of the said cover at high speed (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignees: Ansaldo S.p.A., ENEA Comitato Nazionale per la Ricerca e lo Sviluppo dell'Energia Nucleare e delle Energie Alternative
    Inventor: Luigi Dalpane
  • Patent number: 4787531
    Abstract: A removable cover and seal is disclosed for the oil reservoir of a power driven threading machine to facilitate transportation and storage of the machine without having to drain the oil reservoir. The cover is comprised of sheet metal having a flange about the outer peripheral edge thereof which conforms to the contour of the inner surface of the oil reservoir and is provided with a neoprene sealing gasket adapted to be compressed between the flange and inner surface of the oil reservoir when in covering and sealing relationship therewith. The cover is removably mounted on the reservoir and biased to maintain the sealing gasket compressed against the reservoir walls by means of spring clips mounted on the cover and interengaging with portions of the machine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Paul W. Gress
  • Patent number: 4784286
    Abstract: The invention describes a closing device for the gas-tight closing of an ever-ready container consisting of two shells for respirators. The closing device is arranged on one shell part and has essentially trapezoidally designed tension bands on whose longer side of the trapezoid hook-shaped parts are arranged which engage in correspondingly defined counter parts on the other shell part. A tension lever with unequal legs holds the tension bands together under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Auergesellschaft GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Dahrendorf, Volker Hunnebeck
  • Patent number: 4783321
    Abstract: A sterilization container system for sterilizing surgical instruments, having a lid secured to a base by latches. The latches are automatically disengaged when the latches' release arms are raised to form handles by which the lid can be easily and securely manipulated; while the latches are automatically engaged when the latches' release arms are lowered, sealing the lid to the base. The base is provided with an outer safety wall, which is lower than and which extends around the base's inner wall, in order to help protect the top of the base's inner wall from inadvertent contamination when the lid is removed. Disposable paper filters are sealed over the vents inside the lid and base by cooperating filter paper sealing flanges provided in the filter papers' retainers, lid and base, in order to maintain the sterility of the contents of the sterilization container system after sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Instrumed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Spence
  • Patent number: 4782977
    Abstract: A container defined by a base and cover, with the cover being formed to fit upon the base. The base and lid are formed so that when fitted together at least one wall of each overlaps a wall of the other. The overlapping walls are formed with an aperture which become aligned when the cover and base are fitted together. The container further includes a fastening hasp attached to either the cover or the base. One end of the hasp end is formed to pass through the aligned apertures in only one direction. Once the hasp end is positioned through the aligned aperture any attempt to remove the hasp therefrom brings a portion of the hasp into contact with the wall defining the aperture. This prevents the removal of the hasp from the aligned apertures. The hasp is further formed with a tab which can be grasped and pulled causing the hasp to tear along a pre-scored line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Evergreen Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Watanabe, Johnson N. S. Wong
  • Patent number: 4774063
    Abstract: A container for holding dental or medical implements within the sterilization chamber of a clinical sterilizer includes a bottom tray and a cover element which cooperatively effect a Morton-type closure. The cover element is adapted to permit viewing of the sterilized contents of the container without disturbing the closure. The cover element may be a transparent flexible sheet held against the sidewall of the bottom tray by a clamp, with the sidewall, cover and clamp together effecting the Morton-type closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: MDT Biologic Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Runnells
  • Patent number: 4770319
    Abstract: A coagulating box for use in making bean curd. This coagulating box is open at its top side and is openable at one of its shorter sides. The openable side comprises a detachable side plate whose height is slightly above the level of soybean milk to be put in a coagulating box at a time and a reinforcing plate. The detachable side plate can be detached or fixed by unlatching or latching. After soybean milk coagulates and a block of coagulated bean curd is cut into pieces of bean curd, the detachable side plate is detached and the coagulating box is put in a water tank and is placed on a conveyor to transfer cut pieces of bean curd in the box onto a conveyor by pulling the box up diagonally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Sanyo Shokuhin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Zenji Nagata
  • Patent number: 4758402
    Abstract: An annular plate is mounted on and sealed to the spaced apart pressure vessel flange and vessel containment structure of a nuclear reactor to form a leak-proof bottom for a refueling canal for the reactor. The sealing arrangement for the plate establishes redundant seals to each of the flange and containment structure, the seals being pneumatically expandable to enhance the integrity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Schukei, Adolph W. Viets
  • Patent number: 4741433
    Abstract: The invention relates to child resistant boxes of the type where a storage container slides in a closure sleeve. Such a box, according to the invention, may have sliding movement in two different dimensions to open or close the box. Opening movement in one of the dimensions may partially open the box and opening movement in the second dimension may fully open it. Closing is by reversing the movements. A latch is provided to keep the box closed. It is movable into a release position in which it does releases the container so that the box may be opened. The initial opening movement may suitably be rectilinear movement and the second movement may be rotary. The movement may be controlled by means of a cam slot on one of the housing or container engaging a lug on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: IDMD Inc.
    Inventor: J. David Irvine
  • Patent number: 4740655
    Abstract: Electrical receptacle safety covering means and method, to protect persons too young to appreciate the hazards of electricity from access to the outlets of electrical receptacles by requiring skills of an older child or adult to uncover such a receptacle. Spring-biased security is provided in which an action separate from closing a cover over an electrical receptacle is required to latch the cover, and unlatching it can not be accomplished by pulling on the cover in its opening direction but necessitates overcoming a latching spring-bias in a separate preliminary unlatching step. A combination of a receptacle plate (more or less flush with the receptacle) and a cover for the front thereof has at least one spring and a cooperating slide adapted to move relative thereto between a latched position free of spring bias and an unlatched position subject to spring bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Don S. Ford
  • Patent number: 4739896
    Abstract: An access lid for a subsurface aircraft servicing pit is provided with a latch located below a surface across which aircraft roll. The fastening mechanism of the improved subsurface chamber is engaged by the force of gravity when the access lid is closed and when a latch operating element is released. The latch operating element is located in a hand grip cavity, accessible from above and defined beneath the top surface of the lid. Actuation of the operating element overcomes the force of gravity and disengages the latch mechanism. Release of the operating element allows the force of gravity to urge the latch mechanism into an engaged position which prevents the access lid from being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Kathyleen D. Moss
  • Patent number: 4735338
    Abstract: A removable fastener particularly adapted for securing the lid to a pot to prevent spillage of the contents thereof. The fastener includes a first and second clamp member each having a first cross member adapted to engage the pot and a second cross member adapted to engage the lid thereof and an elastomeric strip secured at each end thereof to a respective one of the clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Danny R. Stancil
  • Patent number: 4718578
    Abstract: A bulk goods dispenser having a bin for holding the bulk goods which can be removed by a manipulator mounted in a dispensing unit communicating with the interior of the bin, the removed bulk goods being temporarily collected in a chute prior to being dispensed by a trap door into a bag which is attachable to walls of the chute, the walls being provided with holding horns. The trap door is held in a closed position by a spring member until released by a handle. The manipulator has a scoop for moving the bulk goods over a slanting wall in the bin. The bin has a slidable cover which can be locked. The dispenser unit can also be locked to the bin. A false bottom can vary the holding capacity of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Ready Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John R. Radek, Al Kaminecki, Len Laskowski
  • Patent number: 4718572
    Abstract: A device for half-opening the door of a box containing safety equipment such as oxygen masks, said device enabling said door to be held in a partially open position for inspection purposes without releasing the safety equipment, said device being constituted by a half-opening member hinged to said door about a transverse axis, said half-opening member having an operating portion on one side of said axis and a latching portion on the other side of said axis, said operating portion, when in a normal position, closing an associated opening through said door, and said latching portion, when in an inspection position, co-operating with a latching member fixed inside said box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Societe de Fabrication d'Instruments de Mesure (S.F.I.M.)
    Inventors: Dominique Gosse, Gerard Silber
  • Patent number: 4712708
    Abstract: An improved cap mounting structure of the governor valve for automatic transmission is shown. The cap is mantled on a governor case for housing the governor valve by a snap ring which engages the outer periphery of the governor case through openings formed on the cap at inner protruding portions and the both end of the snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 4709834
    Abstract: Storage box including a box, a box door, a spring biased wafer retainer, and two locking clips. The storage box is used with standard mechanical interface (SMIF) transfer equipment, and is sealable, dust proof, and stackable. The box door includes cross-bar locators for cross-bar wafer cassettes. The box door will also accept other types of wafer processing cassettes. Each of the locking clips engage into a clip enclosure outboard of the box, and includes a locking slot for the locking clip, as well as a latch pin opening which provides for movement of the latch pin. A spring bar including parallel contact bars and configured spring bar ends positions to secure wafers in a contained wafer processing cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Empak Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Mortensen, Barry Gregerson
  • Patent number: 4674763
    Abstract: A damping device for controlling the vibration of skis. The device comprises a damper, preferably a pellet packed damper, and a fastener for fastening the same to a selected area of the ski, preferably to the upper surface of the ski tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Albert Schlagenhaufer
  • Patent number: 4673100
    Abstract: Disclosed is an equipment enclosure allowing service personnel easy access to equipment housed within the enclosure. The enclosure employs two case portions, each provided with a respective plurality of mating catch mechanisms for holding the two case portions together. The catch mechanisms allow the case portions to be joined and locked together by a simple, one movement action. The enclosure is opened by the cocking of each of the one or more individual catch mechanisms which then remain cocked, thereby allowing the removal of the case portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation
    Inventors: Mario J. J. M. P. D. Reis, John Couper