Ball And Socket Type Patents (Class 248/481)
  • Patent number: 6012682
    Abstract: A pair of "L" shaped flat straps connected at one end to form a foot (10) and open at the opposite end to create a clip (21) which, when installed on a rain gutter (16), end piece (18) serves as a leg (20) in the in-use position and swivels and serves as a retaining clip (21) when the end piece (18) is folded up to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: John Thomas Tredennick
  • Patent number: 6007207
    Abstract: A rear view mirror combination is particularly suitable for monitoring obstructions in typical blind spot locations as well as directly to the rear. An accessory for a rear view mirror includes a base for mounting to a structure that supports a main mirror nominally oriented in a main reflection plane; a first auxiliary mirror mounted to the base and extending generally vertically relative to the structure and vertically offset from the main rear view mirror, the first auxiliary mirror is angled outwardly between approximately 25 degrees and approximately 50 degrees from the main reflection plane. The base can have a vertically projecting face portion for fastening to a forwardly facing surface of the structure, or a generally downwardly facing face portion for fastening to an upwardly facing surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Warren S. Liu
  • Patent number: 5960591
    Abstract: A system for securing guttering to ends of balconies or terraces essentially consists of a supporting section and a gutter. Securing means are allocated to the supporting section and securing means are allocated to the gutter. Both securing means are arranged to act together to secure the gutter to the supporting section. The securing means for the supporting section consist of a support and a locking edge. The support acts as a counter-member for a suspension arm allocated to the gutter. Said suspension arm is a part of a hook-shaped suspension section. The gutter is secured to the supporting section by a bearing component which bears on the supporting arm of the supporting section and a securing member engaging behind the locking edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Schluter-Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schluter
  • Patent number: 5946151
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly for an automobile is provided. The mirror assembly comprises a mirror mount, a mirror associated with the mirror mount, a support structure which pivotably supports the mirror mount, and a connection assembly which secures the mirror mount to the support structure for pivotal motion relative to the support structure. The mirror mount has a hollow sleeve extending rearwardly therefrom. The support structure has a recess shaped to receive the mirror mount sleeve to allow the sleeve to pivot within the support structure recess and an elongate opening or slot through the recess. The connection assembly includes a pivot member sized and shaped to be positioned within the mirror mount sleeve, a lock key, and a resilient member. The lock key extends through the pivot member opening, the bottom of the sleeve, and the support structure opening to engage the support structure to hold the pivot member and the mirror mount to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Siegel-Robert, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Levko
  • Patent number: 5931438
    Abstract: A displacement adjustment device (100) for at least partly converting a rotation into a translation, comprising: a rotation input member (114) which is bearing-mounted so as to be rotatable but axially secured relative to a frame said rotation input member (114) being provided with a hollow (116) extending axially therethrough; a bar (11) positioned in the hollow (116) and having its outside surface provided with a screw thread (17), means (12) being prvided for preventing rotation of said bar (11) relative to a frame; and a coupling gear wheel (120) arranged for rotation in the rotation input member (114), wherein the axis of rotation of the coupling gear wheel (120) is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation input member (114), wherein the coupling gear wheel (120) has teeth (121) engaging with the screw thread (17) of the bar (11) and, wherein the rotation bearing of the coupling gear wheel (120) comprises a slip coupling (130) relative to the rotation input member (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: IKU Holding Montfoort B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 5899023
    Abstract: A hold down clamping means for screening or screen panels mounted on rain gutters attached to a facia board of a house comprising a clamping means and a hold down arm; the clamping means, when positioned over the outer wall of the rain gutter, locks the hold down clamping means to the gutter and positions the hold down arm into contact with the screening or screen panels to hold them securely in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph I. Byer
  • Patent number: 5884876
    Abstract: A bracket assembly, particularly for supporting a roof gutter, is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting member attachable to a fascia and a support member releasably attachable to the mounting member. Attachment is by relation of the support member relative to the mounting member such that lugs on the support member engage an elongate aperture in the mounting member. The bracket assembly may incorporate a cover attachment member to facilitate concealed covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Keytown Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Phillip John Axford
  • Patent number: 5881474
    Abstract: For a contracting and expanding bellows hose connected from a clothes dryer to an opening in a wall to vent hot air to atmosphere, a kink-obviating hose support on the back of the dryer which limits contraction and expansion to a selected length portion of the hose, wherein there is adequate hose expansion to permit movement away from the wall to provide working clearance for maintenance and yet, when the dryer is moved back against the wall, the length portion is too short to fold or kink as would block the exiting flow of the hot air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Edwin L. Berger
  • Patent number: 5845435
    Abstract: A fastening support device and system particularly suited for shielded gutters is disclosed. The device has upper and lower support arm portions spaced a fixed distance apart and shaped to fit under and nest inside complementary shaped sections of the gutter to hold the front free end portions of the gutter at the same elevation and maintain a substantially uniform gap in the gutter. A base portion connected to the arm portions abuts against the back wall of the gutter and a threaded fastener extends between the arm portions and through the base portion and back wall of the gutter to fasten the device to a support structure. A fastening support device for a two-piece shielded gutter allows the shield to be formed separate from the gutter and readily connect to and be detached from the gutter channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Gary A. Knudson
  • Patent number: 5838507
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror unit, a mirror unit support, and a central connection between the mirror unit and support mounting the mirror unit for pivotal movement about first and second generally intersecting perpendicular axes. A first arm is mounted on the support for pivotal movement about the first axis and connected with the mirror unit for limited pivotal movement about the second axis at a position spaced from the first axis. A second arm is mounted on the support for pivotal movement about the second axis and connected with the mirror unit for compound movement for compound movement which includes limited lateral movement with respect to the first axis and pivotal movement about an axis which is either coincident with or slightly angularly related with the first axis depending upon the position of relative lateral movement. First and second power-transmitting surfaces on the first and second arms respectively are arcuate about the first and second axis respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lowell Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Boddy, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 5793528
    Abstract: The invention may include a channel selector for a multiple channel sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a channel selector may include a support (260) for mounting a deflecting surface (250). A pivot assembly (264) may be coupled to the support (260) to provide an axis of rotation (262). The pivot assembly (264) may include opposed recessed ends (272). A ball (274) may engage each of the opposed recessed ends (272). A holder assembly (276) may engage each of the balls (274). Each holder assembly (276) may include a recessed end (272). At least one of the holder assemblies (276) may be adjustable along the axis of rotation (262) of the support (260) to control a shifting torque of the support (260). In another embodiment of the invention, a pivot shaft (118) may be fixably coupled to a support (114) to provide an axis of rotation (116). The pivot shaft (118) may include opposed ends (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Wallace, Kenneth W. Sauter
  • Patent number: 5755526
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint (10) includes a socket (20) having a chamber (120). A ball stud (40) includes a ball end (50). The ball end (50) is movable relative to the socket (20) in a first direction (186) into the chamber (120) in the socket. The socket (20) has first portions (142, 144, 152, 154) engageable with the ball end (50) for blocking rotation of the ball end about a first axis (56) during movement of the ball end into the chamber (120). A resilient retainer (180) is deflected during movement of the ball end (50) into the chamber (120). When the ball end (50) is in the chamber (120), the retainer (180) straightens to rotate the ball end into an operating position in the chamber. The socket (20) has second portions (130, 146, 162, 166) engageable with the ball end (50) for blocking movement of the ball end out of the chamber (120) when the ball end is in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Stanevich
  • Patent number: 5746548
    Abstract: A pivot connection system includes an elongated member having a generally ball-shaped end. A rigid socket is sized to receive the ball-shaped end. The rigid socket has a first opening into which the ball-shaped end is inserted and a second opening. The ball-shaped end has a width greater than the width of the first opening. The ball-shaped end has a deformable hollow core. A core lock is sized to be received within the core to prevent the core from deforming after the ball-shaped end is inserted into the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Harman Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Crandall
  • Patent number: 5737879
    Abstract: A debris blocking gutter system includes a gutter having a front wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall forming a trough for receiving water. A shield for covering at least a portion of the trough includes a cover portion and a downwardly projecting blocking wall. A hanger or bracket includes a first arm for supporting the front wall and preventing it from collapsing due to the weight of debris. The hanger includes a second arm for supporting the shield without contacting the cover portion. The first and second arms prevents the gutter from collapsing due to the weight of debris such as snow and ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Vernon L. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5727350
    Abstract: The self cleaning rain gutter system of this invention has the quadruple advantage of being easy to install, being clog resistant, being self cleaning, and being without visible slope. Ease of installation is accomplished by modular sections made up of box, gutter and louver rack. These are simply installed level, using the fascia board as a guide as well as a support. A modular section may be installed fully assembled, with preset slope and leader funnel with cleaning water connections--or, at the option of the installer, may be mounted in a two step procedure, first the support box and then the gutter and louver rack. Clog resistance is provided by an integral top grating which interdicts most leaves and twigs as well as the occasional tennis ball. These larger items tend to provide the framework for clogs. The smooth rounded cross section of the bottom of the inner gutter also tends to resist clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Frank V. Marcella
  • Patent number: 5726816
    Abstract: The reversible rearview mirror has a mirror plate (1); a housing (2) which houses the mirror plate, both the mirror (1) and the housing (2) being symmetrical with respect to a horizontal axis (X); a supporting member (3) which is semirigid so as to be bendable when its ends are pressed toward each other in an axial direction; and a base (6) fixed to a vehicle body and on which the supporting member (3) is pivotally mounted and an attachment device for assembling and attaching the housing (2) to the supporting member (3) which is provided between the housing (2) and the supporting member (3). The attachment device includes two L-shaped clamps (4) which extend perpendicularly from respective outside regions of a lateral portion (10) of the supporting member (3) which receives the housing (2); and respective grooves (5) provided in a lateral portion (11) of the housing (2), adjacent to the lateral portion (10) of the supporting member (3), which receive the respective L-shaped clamps (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Metagal Industria E Comercio Ltda.
    Inventor: Paulo Alexandre Gordon
  • Patent number: 5718085
    Abstract: According to the invention, a gutter for collecting and conveying water from a roof of a building includes an elongated channel having a rear wall for abutment against a fascia or other building member; a front wall spaced away from the rear wall land having an upper edge; a floor joining the rear wall and the front wall; and a coupling formation at the upper edge of the front wall for engagement with a bracket having an associated engagement formation, the bracket being attachable to a support structure, such as a rafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Inventor: Horst Peter Plum
  • Patent number: 5649681
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a drain trough to a building, including a mounting bracket having an elongated mounting portion and a support portion extending outwardly from a side edge of the mounting portion, the support portion including a first portion which extends upwardly along at least a portion of the side edge and a second portion which extends horizontally from a lower portion of the side edge. The apparatus further includes a harness device and a hinge device for hingedly connecting the mounting bracket with the harness device, wherein the harness device is operable to rotate between a first position wherein the drain trough is operable to receive water therein, and a second position in which the drain trough is inverted for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Donald F. Faye
  • Patent number: 5619825
    Abstract: A gutter screen is provided for building gutters having an outer edge with an inwardly turned lip and gutter supports attaching the gutter to the building. The screen has a straight downwardly sloping intermediate gutter covering section, substantially vertical rear portion biased against the rear of the gutter and gutter support and a front portion biased against the lip of the gutter and gutter support and extending underneath the lip in biasing relation. The intermediate gutter covering section terminates flush with the lip to provide a substantially co-extensive surface for the screen and the top of the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventors: David W. Leroney, Brad E. Wideman
  • Patent number: 5615857
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for use in vehicles having a support bracket which provides an adjustment mechanism to position the mirror under a substantially constant clamping pressure over a wide range of ambient temperature conditions. The support bracket includes a generally spherical socket which receives a polymeric ball cup substantially enclosing a ball member extending from the mirror. A spring forces the cup and ball member into the socket and causes the polymeric cup to compress about the ball member. The bracket may be used on both header- and windshield-mounted mirror assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 5607124
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a molded anchor and spacer arrangement for securement of a down spout to a wall of a house or structure. The anchoring and support arrangement may comprise a block of plastic resin which is molded into a disk like configuration having a first or outer planar surface and a second or inner planar surface with a central bore extending between the first and second planar surfaces. A securement means may be disposed through the central bore to anchor the securement member to the wall. A channel is disposed across the surface of the second planar surface to permit a strap of nylon to be disposed therealong, so as to encircle the support member and a down spout disposed thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: John A. Earley
  • Patent number: 5600497
    Abstract: An external rearview mirror for motor vehicle has a housing and a mirror support plate connected in the housing so as to be pivotable about two axes perpendicular to one another. A pivot joint is connected to the mirror support plate for pivoting the mirror support plate. An actuating lever for pivoting the mirror support plate is provided. Two push rods are pivotably connected with a first end to the mirror support plate at a distance from the pivot joint. An intermediate lever is pivotably connected to the actuating lever and to the push rods. The intermediate lever has a transverse rod with two ends in the form of bearing balls. The push rods have at a second end thereof a bearing cup, wherein each bearing ball of the transverse rod rests in one of the bearing cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Leonberger
  • Patent number: 5583703
    Abstract: A motor vehicle rear view mirror comprising a housing, a mirror glass support supported by a pivot joint disposed in the housing to be pivotable relative to the housing and a mirror glass disposed on the mirror glass support. The mirror glass support defines an installation chamber sized to hold at least one servomotor for the remote-controlled pivotable adjustment of the mirror glass support and thus of the mirror glass relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Mekra Rangau Plastics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth
  • Patent number: 5575118
    Abstract: A trough with superimposed shield to reject leaves and allow water to enter the trough include a bracket which supports the shield and the trough and which rests on a back wall of the integral shield and trough. The front of the shield ends in a backward facing upturned curve for engaging the bracket. The front of the trough ends in a backward facing downturned curve for engaging the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Wayne Vahldieck
  • Patent number: 5568326
    Abstract: A car rearview mirror comprises a mirror unit having a hemispheric convex surface formed thereon and a central support formed integrally therewith on the opposite side to the hemispheric convex surface to receive a leaf or wire spring at the center of the latter, and a mirror housing having a hemispheric concave surface formed thereon and two end supports formed integrally therewith to retain the spring at the opposite ends, respectively, of the latter. The hemispheric convex surface of the mirror unit is fitted to the hemispheric convex surface of the mirror housing in such a manner that the mirror unit can be pivoted in relation to the mirror housing. To assemble the rearview mirror, the spring is bowed and supported at the center thereof on the central support and at the opposite ends thereof on the two end supports. Namely, the car rearview mirror can have a reduced number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Yoshida, Osamu Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 5566513
    Abstract: A gutter guard apparatus (10) comprising a one-piece guard member (20) fabricated from sheet metal material (21) and provided with a capture portion (22) which captively secures one end (33) of a sheet (30) of screening material (31), and is further provided with a flange element (23) having a plurality of clip elements (24) which cooperate with one another to releasably engage the outer lip (101) of a gutter trough (100); wherein, the free end (32) of the sheet (30) of screening material (31) is disposed intermediate the first (201) and second (202) rows of shingles on a shingled roof (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: John T. Herren
  • Patent number: 5563742
    Abstract: A rearview mirror for a bicycle is disclosed, having a mounting (2) intended to be fastened on a tube of the bicycle and a mirror holder (4) which is hinged on the mounting in its close vicinity and supports a mirror (12) which is characterized in that the mirror has a recess (48) in its lower edge area which is used to receive the tube, wherein the recess is of such a size that in the working position of the mirror the mirror surface is downwardly extended on both sides of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Franz-Josef von Braun
    Inventor: Erika Menz
  • Patent number: 5555680
    Abstract: A guard screen for a rain gutter for placement over the open end of a rain gutter for preventing the accumulation of debris in the gutter. The guard screen of the present invention includes a longitudinal screen body bordered by a pair of longitudinal edges. The guard screen includes a first edge and a second edge. The first edge has a U-shaped channel defined therein for connection with the front lip of a conventional gutter. At the terminal ends of the arms of the "U" are provided opposing flanges that reduce the open end of the channel to a narrow slot. The lip of the gutter is gripped between the opposing flanges when the guard screen is in place and, when in position, the lip of the gutter is firmly held therein. The second edge includes a flange for placement between the shingles of a roof and the roof boards. The screen body is preferably composed of a polymerized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald L. Sweers
  • Patent number: 5555136
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror for a motorized vehicle has a mirror housing with a mirror member and a mirror support connected to the mirror housing. At least one sensor for sensing solar radiation entering the interior of the motorized vehicle through the windshield is provided. The sensor is coupled to the control unit of an air conditioning device of the motorized vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Waldmann, Djuanarto Kusuma
  • Patent number: 5549261
    Abstract: A brace for a gutter including a support which is sized and shaped to fit within a gutter, at least two ferrules and at least one fastener for each ferrule. The at least two ferrules being of a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of said at least one fastener. The support contains at least two sets of holes, each set of holes being defined in said support. One hole is of a first size such that a fastener can pass through it but a ferrule cannot and the other hole is of a second size that both a fastener and a ferrule can pass through. The holes are parallel to each other and the centers of the holes are opposite each other. The ferrule is inserted into said hole of first size allowing the ferrule to pass through it. The fastener is inserted into the hole of second size and passes through the support into the hole of first size and through the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Bert A. Hardin
  • Patent number: 5539584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power pack for an exterior automotive mirror assembly having a central depression in its upper housing whereby a large diameter pivot cup can be used. The pivot cup, of this power pack, is separate from the mirror casing and is retained by a unique spring retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Perry, Kerry L. Helmer
  • Patent number: 5523894
    Abstract: A mirror holder support structure for a collapsible rearview mirror assembly on an automobile includes a mirror holder holding a mirror. The mirror holder has a spherical receptacle on a rear surface, with respect to the orientation of the motor vehicle, of the mirror holder. A support assembly which supports the mirror holder has a front casing member and a rear casing member. The support assembly further includes a pivot support having a spherical portion rotatably fitted in the spherical receptacle whereby the mirror holder is swingably supported on the support assembly, the pivot support being integrally formed on a rear surface of the rear casing member. The front and rear casing members are stiffened by a stiffener disposed in a chamber defined between the front and rear casing members. The pivot support and the front casing member are joined to each other by a fastener such as a screw on the axis of the pivot support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Matsuyama Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hideo Koiwai
  • Patent number: 5497275
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power pack for an exterior automotive mirror assembly having a central depression in its upper housing whereby a large diameter pivot cup can be used. The drive motors are arranged within the power pack housing such that the central depression partially extends below the top plane of the motors and an overall low profile for the power pack is maintained. The pivot cup, of this power pack, is separate from the mirror casing and is retained by a unique spring retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Perry, Kerry L. Helmer
  • Patent number: 5496005
    Abstract: A hanger for supporting decorative electric wiring from a building structure, comprising an elongated base member having a spatulate like projecting blade containing top and bottom surfaces which are serrated, a strap attached to and depending from the bottom surface of the base member, and a clamp carried by the depending strap and having springable jaws for securely holding at least one electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Dale E. Dieringer
  • Patent number: 5459965
    Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab or flange projects outwardly from the U-shaped portion and cooperates with the outer portion to define a channel for receiving the outer edge portion of the gutter and to provide for retaining the strip on the gutter and for pivoting the strip relative to the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 5461515
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting an optical element, for example, a secondary mirror. The assembly realizes a novel design technique that incorporates a capability for minimizing mass, minimizing the assembly's susceptibility to deleterious, extraneous vibratory perturbations, and reducing design constraints on assembly member angular separation distances. To this end, the assembly comprises a mounting unit frame including six elongated support legs arranged in a tetrahedral geometrical configuration having three supported corners defined by adjacent ends of different groupings of three of the support legs, the supported corners being respectively attached to three mounting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Craig J. Sorce
  • Patent number: 5455716
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle rearview mirror has breakaway capability and includes a base for attachment to an interior portion of a vehicle and a support for releasable attachment to the base. A rearview mirror assembly is mounted on an end of said support. The support and base include removable electrical connectors for removably, electrically connecting any one of a variety of selectable electrical circuits in the rearview mirror assembly to wiring in the vehicle roof structure. A spring clip is provided to releasably connect the support member to the base such that a predetermined level of force is required to cause the support to release from the base and thereby permit the rearview mirror to break away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Suman, Sheldon J. Watjer
  • Patent number: 5436769
    Abstract: A drive unit for adjusting the orientation of a reflective member of rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is assembled within a drive housing. The drive housing contains an electric motor arranged to drive a jacking nut which is supported within the housing by first and second bearing surfaces formed on opposite walls of the housing. The drive housing is formed in two parts, each of which comprises a base portion and a peripheral side wall portion dimensioned so that, when the two parts are assembled together, part of the side wall portion of one part surrounds a corresponding part of the side wall portion of the other part. After assembly, glue is inserted between the side wall portions so as to hold the two parts together with their respective bearing surfaces spaced apart by a distance determined by the size of the jacking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Britax Rainsfords Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Robert W. Gilbert, Garry G. L. Fimeri
  • Patent number: 5419522
    Abstract: An adjustable optical element mount having a pair of ball elements, respectively attached to a base and optical element, within a pair of sockets positioned at opposite ends of a spindle which supports a screw actuated cam element positioned within the spindle and between a pair of plungers which simultaneously engage and clamp the both ball elements against the sockets in response to rotation of the screw to hold the ball elements in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: New Focus, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis S. Luecke, Alexander Tuganov
  • Patent number: 5418652
    Abstract: In a deflection mirror housing for laser material-machining systems and a beam separating filter with such a deflection mirror housing, the housing is composed of two parts comprising a housing upper part (2) supporting a deflection mirror (6) and a housing lower part (1) in the form of a spherical cup, an inlet or outlet opening for the laser beam is provided in the housing lower part (1) formed as a spherical cup and in the housing upper part (2), the deflection mirror (6) is arranged in the housing upper part (2) to be removable from the outside without changing its adjustment, the center of the spherical cup lies in the mirror plane, and the deflection mirror (6) is adjustable by pivoting the housing upper part (2) with respect to the housing lower part (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Karl H. Arnold GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudiger A. Gnann
  • Patent number: 5412511
    Abstract: A holding device for an interior mirror (2) in vehicles which allows an adjustment of the height at which this interior (2) mirror is installed. A holding arm (1), which bears the interior mirror (2) at a ball-and-socket joint (1a), is fitted as rotating around a swivelling axis (4) in an oblique position, which runs through a pivot (3), which in turn is fitted by means of a spacing element (1b) at a certain distance (5) from the holding arm (1). The pivot (3) can either be fitted to the spacing element (1b) of the holding arm (1) or to a holding base (6) with which the whole device is fixed in the vehicle. In order to lock the height of the interior mirror (2) a manually operated locking device (7) or an automatic locking device (8), which links the holding arm (1) or the spacing element (1b) to the holding base (6), is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Uwe Beinhauer
  • Patent number: 5406756
    Abstract: A rain gutter assembly including an elongated rain gutter including an end and a channel extending longitudinally of the rain gutter, and a connecting member engaged with the end of the rain gutter and including a bayonet portion received in the channel. The rain gutter arranged with a grommet along a rear wall thereof and a mounting fastener engaged within the grommet so as to attach the rain gutter to a building wall. The rain gutter assembly including a downspout having a grommet secured to a rear wall thereof for supporting the downspout to the building wall.. With a mounting fastener slidingly engaging the grommet so as to attach the downspout to the building wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter F. Bemis, Bradley J. Bruggink, Daniel Cykana, Warren L. Stokdyk
  • Patent number: 5398464
    Abstract: A gutter system includes a strap for supporting a screen on the gutter. The strap is an elongate, planar member, preferably formed of the same material as the gutter. A first end of the strap is inserted under the roof shingles, between the keyways. The second end is configured to both project into a channel formed in the distal edge of the gutter and to overlie a horizontal wall of the channel, with a return portion to engagingly retain an edge of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5394656
    Abstract: The invention provides a rainwater guttering system comprising plastic trough shaped gutter lengths (1) in which one side wall (2) of each length is extended upwardly and reversed back on itself to form an inverted U-shaped clip (3) which fits over the upper edge (4) of a fascia board (5) which provides a continuous support. Adjacent gutter lengths are directly fixed together and supported at selected spaced points, the arrangement being such that any changes in length dimensions of the system due to temperature changes are accommodated by local buckling of the gutter lengths. Preferably, the system includes a fascia board (5) especially formed to present a continuous free upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Caradon Terrain Limited
    Inventor: Robert W. Parker
  • Patent number: 5375379
    Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab or flange projects outwardly from the U-shaped portion and cooperates with the outer portion to define a channel for receiving the outer edge portion of the gutter and to provide for retaining the strip on the gutter and for pivoting the strip relative to the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 5355255
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, comprises a first mounting plate pivotally mounted within a housing and a mirror glass secured to a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate has a pair of spaced parallel projections, each of which contains a groove confronting the groove 38) in the other projection. A pair of resilient beams are secured at their ends to the second mounting plate by spaced-apart support formations so as to engage in the grooves in the projections on the first mounting plate. One of the grooves contains protuberances positioned to engage with the beam at an intermediate location between its ends. The second mounting plate can be released from the first mounting plate by bending the beam round the protuberances so as to allow the other beam to disengage from the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Britax Wingard Limited
    Inventor: Andrew J. Assinder
  • Patent number: 5353466
    Abstract: A rearview mirror wiper system for use on a truck, bus, passenger car or similar vehicles. The basic system can be supplied as original equipment on a vehicle or as a replacement for a wiperless original equipment rearview mirror. The wiper system fits in any number of aesthetically pleasing enclosures that are harmonious with the overall vehicle design. It is further characterized by a low profile vertically oriented armless wiper assembly that wipes from side to side, an electric power control that regularly reverses polarity, and an assembly of pulleys and a cable that imparts motion to a wiper blade. At each end of the wiper blade's range of travel is a switch that cuts off electric power until the power control changes polarity. If two rearview mirror wipers are installed on one vehicle, a common power control assures the left and right wiper motions are synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight
  • Patent number: 5295021
    Abstract: Rearview vehicle mirrors mountable on one or both sides of the vehicle to project laterally outward therefrom adjacent the windshield zone are provided with at least three independently adjustable flat faced mirrors movable in all planes to reflect to the driver's eyes rearward zones along the sides and rear of the vehicle which will simultaneously cooperate to provide the driver with a clear undistorted view of oncoming traffic all the way up to the driver's seat. Each mirror assembly has a compartment cup-shaped laterally elongated housing or casing with an open rearwardly facing mouth. Three flat faced mirrors fitting in side-by-side inboard, central and outboard relation in the housing substantially close the open mouth. Stiff ball and socket joints mount the mirrors in the housing to hold them in adjusted positions while permitting them to be manipulated in all planes either manually or electrically while maintaining the mouth of the housing substantially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignees: Arthur P. Swanson, Jean M. Swanson
    Inventor: Arthur P. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5268797
    Abstract: A rearview mirror apparatus for a motor vehicle, includes a mounting piece attachable to the motor vehicle; a prismatic body consisting of an intermediary part pivotally connectable to the mounting piece and a holder having an anterior opening; and a mirror element mounted in the anterior opening of the holder. The holder is symmetric relative to a longitudinal horizontal "X" axis thereof and has two bases projecting from one side thereof and the bases are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of the "X" axis. The intermediary part has two corresponding projecting end pieces positioned to engage the two bases when the holder engages the intermediary part. The bases each have a mounting hole and one of the projecting end pieces has a threaded hole positioned so that, when the holder is engaged with the intermediary part, the holder can be secured to the intermediary part by a fixing screw engaged in the threaded hole and one of the holes of the bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Metagal Industria e Comercio Ltda.
    Inventor: Antonio F. do E. Santo
  • Patent number: 5259582
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel constructions of rearward viewing devices consisting of extension arms and mounting attachment devices with convex marine mirrors for use by the operators of most modern watercraft having other than side to side dashboards or metal framed windshields. This invention provides for substantially 180 degree viewing behind the craft by the operator of such aforementioned craft for the purpose of rear vision for safety whether or not towing another craft or person or persons engaged in any water sport such as skiing, boarding, tubing, etc., when the operator is without another person on board as a legal spotter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: William DeLange, III