Adjustable Patents (Class 267/177)
  • Patent number: 6293533
    Abstract: A dashpot for wheel suspensions, with a preferably sheet-metal spring cup (6). The cup is attached to a shock absorber or its accommodating tube, supports a helical spring that surrounds the shock absorber or tube, and can be advanced along the shock absorber or tube on threads. To allow the dashpot to be raised and lowered in precise increments, the attachment is maintained tight by a cylindrical housing (3). The housing is provided with a slot extending over its total length and with outside threads. Its inner surface of the housing rests directly against the shock absorber or its tube. The housing operates in conjunction with a height-adjustment ring (12) or neck (7) with matching inside threads on the spring cup. The slope of the threads ensure that the force exerted by the spring on the spring cup will squeeze the slotted housing together radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Krupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sasse
  • Patent number: 6202940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump nozzle (1) for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine, especially a single cylinder diesel engine, comprising a piston foot (3), a pump cylinder (8), a pump piston (7), an intermediate disk (16), and an injection nozzle with a pressure spring (14) a pressure spring plate (15) and a nozzle needle (20). The inventive pump nozzle has a reduced construction length by virtue of the pressure spring (14) being offset to the side of the nozzle needle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Motorenfabrik Hatz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Guenter Kampichler
  • Patent number: 6155545
    Abstract: The shock absorber includes an oil pressure damper (1), a piston rod (2) and a cushion spring (3), wherein the cushion spring (3) contacts to the piston rod side with an end thereof and another end (6) thereof contacts to a spring receiving face (8) of a spring seat (7). Since the spring seat (7) is integrated with an adjuster (10) by engaging claws (9) with the adjuster (10) and is also integrated with a movable cover (20), the spring seat (7), the adjuster (10) and the movable cover (20) rotate and move to an axial direction as one body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Noro, Osamu Sato, Shigeo Iijima, Terunari Saiki, Mitsuru Minami, Masakazu Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 6119825
    Abstract: A motor brake apparatus includes an improved torque adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting nut having a outer ring groove aligned with an inner ring groove defined in a receiving bore of the brake housing structure. A snap ring is located in the aligned grooves to connect the housing structure and adjusting ring while allowing free rotation therebetween. Inner threads of the adjusting nut engage outer threads of a spring pushing element such that rotation of the adjusting nut causes axial movement of the pushing element. The pushing element engages one or more springs which are thereby compressed or released, depending on which axial direction the pushing element is moved. The spring force varied in this manner results in varying levels of braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5984286
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the height-adjustable support of a vehicle body wherein each wheel suspension includes a control device with a piston and cylinder unit to which fluid under pressure is supplied, each piston and cylinder unit includes a hollow piston rod with a cylindrical wall having a flange rigidly connected to the vehicle body, a cylinder extending over the piston rod and having a spring carrier formed at its end on which a vehicle support spring is seated and which is movable along the piston rod when pressurized fluid is admitted to the interior of the piston rod for height-adjustment of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Werner Busch, Gunter Nagel
  • Patent number: 5954318
    Abstract: An adjustable coil over suspension assembly (10) for use in high-performance racing vehicles is provided which includes a central, telescopically intermitted suspension assembly (20) with an elongated coil spring (22) disposed over the assembly (20) and extending along the length thereof. Spring adjusting means (24) is provided for selective adjustment of the compression of spring (22) and includes a threadably mounted body (46) bearing against one end of the spring (22) and carrying a detent device (36, 56) for permitting rotation of the body (46) through a predetermined arc with seating of the body (46) after each such rotation. Accurate adjustment of the assembly (10) is assured because the operator can readily determine through perceptible "clicks" the degree of spring compression change during rotation of the body (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Kluhsman Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin L. Kluhsman
  • Patent number: 5947498
    Abstract: A modular telescopic front fork assembly which is adaptable to a wide range of applications is disclosed. The modular telescopic front fork assembly is utilized for a front of a vehicle having at least one front wheel. The modular telescopic front fork assembly includes a removable self-contained damper cartridge. This removable self-contained damper cartridge includes a housing and a reciprocating piston rod axially extending from the housing. A first securing mechanism steerably secures the housing of the self-contained damper cartridge to the front of the vehicle. A second securing mechanism secures the piston rod of the self-contained damper cartridge adjacent to the front wheel of the vehicle. This provides a removable self-contained damper cartridge which damps the movement of the front wheel relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Babak Rajaee
  • Patent number: 5918935
    Abstract: A reclining chair including a support base, a chair seat rotatably coupled at its forward portion to the support base, a substantially vertically disposed coil spring provided adjacent the forward portion of the seat and between the seat and the support base such that the coil spring is pivotally coupled to the seat portion and the support base at its ends and an apparatus for pivoting one end of the coil spring about another end of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventors: Edward L. Stulik, Bruce Burness
  • Patent number: 5871198
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension includes a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage is interconnected between the bottom frame and the top frame enabling the bottom frame and the top frame to move relative to each other substantially in parallelism. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame and has a preload force urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. A first adjustment mechanism is located in the top frame and selectively enables fore and aft adjustment of the top frame relative to the bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: H. O. Bostrom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bostrom, Douglas P. Gennrich, Charles A. Van Breemen
  • Patent number: 5829773
    Abstract: A modular telescopic front fork assembly which is adaptable to a wide range of applications is disclosed. The modular telescopic front fork assembly is utilized for a front of a vehicle having at least one front wheel. The modular telescopic front fork assembly includes a removable self-contained damper cartridge. This removable self-contained damper cartridge includes a housing and a reciprocating piston rod axially extending from the housing. A first securing mechanism steerably secures the housing of the self-contained damper cartridge to the front of the vehicle. A second securing mechanism secures the piston rod of the self-contained damper cartridge adjacent to the front wheel of the vehicle. This provides a removable self-contained damper cartridge which damps the movement of the front wheel relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Babak Rajaee
  • Patent number: 5803443
    Abstract: A shock absorber including a fixed shaft, an adjustment shaft sleeved onto one end of the fixed shaft, an adjustment knob threaded onto the adjustment shaft, and a shock absorbing coil spring connected between the fixed shaft and the adjustment knob, wherein steel balls are moved in an annular groove on the adjustment knob around the adjustment shaft, and a cap is covered over the steel balls and having an upper Part retained between the inner diameter of the shock absorbing coil spring and the outer diameter of the adjustment shaft for permitting the shock absorbing coil spring to be compressed without being twisted when the adjustment knob is turned upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Wu-Sung Chang
  • Patent number: 5765802
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension includes a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage is interconnected between the bottom frame and the top frame enabling the bottom frame and the top frame to move relative to each other substantially in parallelism. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame and has a preload force urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. A first adjustment mechanism is located in the top frame and selectively enables fore and aft adjustment of the top frame relative to the bottom frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: H.O. Bostrom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bostrom, Douglas P. Gennrich, Charles A. Van Breemen
  • Patent number: 5722645
    Abstract: For changing the spring rate of a coil spring in a simple manner, a spacing element is screwable into the coil spring and can be locked in different positions with respect to the coil spring by way of a fixing device. The spring element can, for example, be screwed into the spring via its receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Horst Reitter
  • Patent number: 5689916
    Abstract: A window, particularly for installation in an inclined roof surface, comprising a main frame and a frame hinged to the top thereof as well as a frame lifting arm inserted between the main frame and the frame, the arm having one end pivotally connected with a lateral member of the main frame or the frame and its other end pivotally connected with a slide shoe which in a longitudinally displaceable manner is connected with the corresponding lateral member of the main frame or the frame, respectively. The slide shoe is associated with a pre-stressed lifting spring, as a first coupling first coupling member on the slide shoe is adapted to engage with a second coupling member connected with the lifting spring when installing the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: V, Kann Rasmussen Industri A/S
    Inventors: Jan Fahlen Jensen, Klaus Kornerup
  • Patent number: 5672851
    Abstract: An improved gauge, such as a floor scale. The gauge includes a vertically suspended mainspring having a bracket for hanging and providing support to the mainspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventors: Rodney E. Smith, Donald Ivy
  • Patent number: 5553836
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension system including a substantially cylindrical post having an externally threaded surface. The threads cooperate with a thread pattern associated with an adjustment collar. A spring is interpositioned between the adjustment collar and the axle of the vehicle such that when the adjustment collar or post is turned about the cooperating thread pattern therebetween the spring has a tendency to compress or decompress depending upon the direction of rotation of the collar, and therefore raise or lower the body of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Patentials Incorporated
    Inventor: W. Keith Ericson
  • Patent number: 5553713
    Abstract: A vibration damper assembly having a spring support. The spring support comprises a first support with a spring plate and a second support with a spring plate, whereby at least one spring plate is axially adjustable, so that the spring tension of a spring between the spring plates can be changed, the spring support also a comprising locking device which is active between the adjustable spring plate and the corresponding support, characterized by the fact that the locking device is loosened for the axial adjustment of the spring plate so that during the axial adjustment, the spring plate can be moved independently of the locking means from any desired position into another position without twisting, and the locking device is held in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Heinz Sydekum, Manfred Angles, Frank Hassmann
  • Patent number: 5551674
    Abstract: A resilient support device for installation on seat or wheel fork supports of light vehicles, such as bicycles or motorcycles, for the comfort of the rider. The invention achieves arbitrary and discretionary adjustment of support stiffness with a high degree of variability to accommodate riders over a wide range of weight and road conditions from mild to rough. Novel mechanical configurations are disclosed for ease of adjustment over the range of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Thore K. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 5370104
    Abstract: A new and improved archery bow stabilizer apparatus includes a housing; a threaded connector for connecting the housing to the bow; a rigid lead weight retained in the housing; a helical spring, retained in the housing and located between a wall of the housing and the rigid weight; and a quantity of liquid oil retained in the housing. The liquid, the rigid weight, and the spring work in conjunction with each other to absorb and damp torque and vibrations from the bow when a projectile is shot. Preferably, the housing is cylindrically shaped, the rigid weight is cylindrically shaped, and the rigid weight operates in the housing as a piston in a cylinder. A portion of the damping action takes place as a portion of the damping liquid squeezes between an inner wall of the housing and an outer surface of the rigid weight when the projectile is shot. A tension-adjusting assembly is attached to an end of the housing for adjusting tension in a spring inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Michael J. Neie
  • Patent number: 5370351
    Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly includes a block securely mounted in a bicycle seat tube and having a vertical threaded bore through which an adjusting bolt passes. A fixed block is mounted in the seat tube above the block, having an upper side and a lower side to which a distal end of the adjusting bolt is securely attached. An upper block is slidably mounted in the seat tube above the fixed block. A spring is mounted between the fixed block and the upper block. A seat post is received in the seat tube with a bottom end thereof resting on the upper side of the movable upper block. A transverse bore is formed in the seat post at a section above the seat tube. A seat mechanism includes an upper ring element, a lower ring element, and a pair of guiding rods extending therebetween. A balance rod passes through the transverse bore in the seat post and has two vertical holes through which the guiding rods pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Kalloy Industrial Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Pei Chen
  • Patent number: 5358305
    Abstract: A seat suspension is provided that has a damper unit which is connected between the seat and the chassis on which the seat is mounted. The damper can be switched between soft and hard settings. The damper switching is controlled based on the relative position of the seat and one of the relative or absolute velocity of the seat. When the seat and the chassis are moving in the same direction the damper is set to soft, (producing a low damping effect), while when the seat and chassis are moving in opposite directions the damper is switched to hard (producing a high damping effect).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Kaneko, Toshimichi Hanai, Sadahiro Takahashi, Takeshi Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 5301973
    Abstract: An improvement for two wheeled vehicle fork suspension systems, primarily motorcycles and bicycles such as street bikes, dual purpose bikes, motocross bikes, and mountain bikes. The improved design allows precompression to main suspension spring to be externally adjusted by designing precompression adjuster hub with a low profile adjuster grip area. The fork cap is adjustable from the outside eliminating the need to disassemble suspension column to increase or decrease precompression adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Rich Truchinski
  • Patent number: 5297782
    Abstract: A snubber for tension members such as drive chains and drive belts includes a spindle having an upstanding wall at one end and a recess at the opposite end. A compressed spring is carried on the spindle and is retained thereon in its compressed state by a split ring received in the recess. The snubber can be used with tension members associated with garage door openers, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dombrowski, Roger W. Lhotak
  • Patent number: 5273260
    Abstract: A seat suspension device for an automotive seat, in which an upper frame is movably connected with a lower frame via an X-shaped link in a vertically movable manner, with the arrangement that an upwardly curved section is formed at the frontal part of the upper frame whereas a downwardly curved section is formed at the frontal part of the lower frame, and that a damper is interposed vertically between those upwardly and downwardly curved sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kojiro Nagata
  • Patent number: 5232167
    Abstract: An injection valve, which overcomes residual magnetic forces and cohesive forces that act between the armature and the core to make the armature stick to the core, impeding the closing motion of the valve needle. The injection valve has a spring adjusting sleeve and a stroke adjusting sleeve for the separate adjustment of the spring force of a restoring spring and of the stroke of the valve needle: these sleeves are disposed in a through bore of a valve end cap. The stroke of the valve needle is limited by a downstream end face of the stroke adjusting sleeve, which when the injection valve is fully open rests on an upstream face end of a fastening segment of the valve needle. A remanent air gap is left between the armature and the core. The novel injection valve is especially suitable for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael McCormick, Kenneth J. Zwick, Alwin Stegmaier
  • Patent number: 5224743
    Abstract: A lock assembly allows selective locking of a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the control bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring bias control bar by articulated connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: E.S. Avalon Company
    Inventors: Steven Dawdy, Peter J. Rosewig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5171000
    Abstract: An adjustable rocker spring apparatus for adjustably positioning a rocker block of a rocking chair relative to a stationary base of the chair. The apparatus generally comprises an L-shaped upper bracket and an L-shaped lower bracket each having forward, central and rearward portions. Each such forward, central and rearward portion include a plurality of apertures therein. A pair of independent coil springs are disposed between portions of the upper and lower brackets and secured thereto by tabs. The independent coil springs are alignably maintained and positioned by slot openings in lip portions of each of the L-shaped upper and lower brackets. The plurality of independent apertures in each of the forward, central and rearward portions of the upper and lower brackets enable the apparatus to be adjustably secured with conventional fasteners to a rocker block and stationary base of a rocking chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Company
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Karl J. Komorowski, Jr., Judy E. Fay
  • Patent number: 5167424
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for skis including a rigid plate for supporting ski boot bindings and having at least two holes which act as seats for at least one rigid spacer. At least one resilient member is arranged coaxially to the rigid spacer, and the spacer interacts with a screw for interconnection with the ski and for supporting the resilient member. The resilient member has a washer for supporting the rigid plate. The device thus allows the optimum damping of the vibrations which occur along an axis which is vertical with respect to the ski, without altering the possibility of transmitting the efforts imparted along different axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Baggio, Roberto Gorza, Mirco Battistella
  • Patent number: 5094262
    Abstract: A regulator with a hysteresis-affected characteristic curve has a manually operable actuating element for presetting a desired control variable, an axially displaceable control slide for adjusting the preset control variable and a control incline which is coupled to the actuating element. The control incline converts, by means of a rising control face, the adjustment movement of the actuating element into a axial displacement of the control slide. For the purpose of compensating the hysteresis when adjusting a control a variable such that the same control variable is brought about by rotating the actuating element to the left or to the right into the same setting, the control incline bears a toothing along its control face. Each tooth has, in two planes which extend along the displacement direction of the control face and are perpendicular to one another, a sawtooth-like contour with in each case a rising edge for running up the control slide and a falling edge which follows in the displacement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignees: Mercedes-Benz AG, Walter Alfmeier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rudolf Andres, Michael Dimitrov, Holger Seel, Dietmar Zwolfer, Klaus-Jurgen Heimbrodt, Gerold Dierks, Klaus Engelhardt, Dieter Simon
  • Patent number: 5058450
    Abstract: A pair of arms provided with brake shoes is mounted onto a cycle body via a mounting plate, so as to be freely rotatable, and an adjustment metal is installed between a shaft on the mounting plate and a bossed section of one arm, one edge of said adjustment metal being engaged onto the bossed section and the other edge being indirectly connected to the aforementioned shaft. The return spring tension can be strengthened or weakened by rotation of this adjustment metal from outside. The clamping protrusions on the adjustment metal are made to engage onto the ratchets on the stop ring by strong pressure from a spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Yoshigai Kikai Kinzoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshigai
  • Patent number: 5044614
    Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a piston/tube shock mechanism provided with adjustment devices permitting variation of the effective length and thus operating parameters, of a coil spring surrounding the shock mechanism. Adjustment is obtained by the vertical displacement of a member surrounding a body sleeve disposed exteriorly of the shock mechanism and wherein this vertical displacement alters the elevation of one end of the coil spring. A lock nut secures the obtained adjustment and both the member and nut may be manipulated with a simple tool cooperating with a specific configuration on the periphery of the member and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: John A. Rau
  • Patent number: 5022219
    Abstract: A conditioning implement having first and second conditioning rolls, one of which is movably mounted, includes a mounting system for selectively urging the movable roll toward the other roll. The mounting system includes a pair of mounting plates adapted for placement one on either side of the movable roll, with the mounting plates being pivotably mounted to a frame. An adjustment subassembly is connected to the mounting plates. In a first position, the adjustment subassembly exerts a maximum biasing force on the mounting plates for urging the movable roll toward the other roll with a maximum biasing force. In a second position, the adjustment subassembly relieves the biasing force exerted on the mounting plates, thus allowing movement of the movable roll away from the other roll to accommodate passage of a mass of material therethrough. A system is provided for interconnecting the adjustment subassembly with a lifting and lowering system for the conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventors: Randal Knurr, Wilbur Groeneveld
  • Patent number: 5020752
    Abstract: An adjustable pedestal comprises a tubular base, a tubular collar telescopically, slidably engaging the exterior of the base, a guide tube interior to the base, an extension spring mechanism positioned within the guide tube for biasing the pedestal in an extended position, and a locking mechanism for locking the pedestal in the desired position. The base, collar, and guide tube are coaxial. The collar is movable between an extended and a retracted position with respect to the base, and the guide tube is movable with the collar between an extended and a retracted position with respect to the base. The extension spring mechanism comprises a pair of parallel, spaced-apart extension springs, the axes of which are parallel to the axes of the base, collar, and guide tube and normally biases the collar and the guide tube in their extended positions. The extension springs are in a retracted condition. Thus, when force is exerted on the top of the guide tube, the extension springs assume an extended condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Rizzi, Joseph J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5000222
    Abstract: A pressure adjustment screw for a fluid flow control device cannot for safety's sake be rotated within a threaded cylindrical bore on the device's body to withdraw it beyond an extreme pressure level safety setting. To allow field adjustment of the set point pressure and at the same time to prevent withdrawal of the adjustment screw beyond the extreme pressure level safety setting, a stop collar is fixed within the cylindrical bore in a position contacting the adjustment screw when the adjustment screw is in its extreme pressure level safety setting. The invention includes a number of means for fixing the stop collar in this position, as do methods for fixing the stop collar in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Moenkhaus, Edward Schwarz
  • Patent number: 4984762
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting the rear end of a bracket assembly within a cabinet between the front and rear walls of the cabinet and wherein the horizontal distance between the front and rear walls of the cabinet may vary. The rear end of the bracket assembly includes front-to-rear extending guide sleeves supported therefrom and support pins are longitudinally slidably received through the sleeves. The front ends of the pins include rotary torque input structure whereby rotary torque may be applied to the pins through the utilization of a rotary torque tool and the rear ends of the pins include threaded blind bores in which forward ends of screw shanks are removably threadedly engaged, the rear ends of the screw shanks being equipped with wood screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventors: Thomas F. Braun, Manfred H. Braun
  • Patent number: 4976416
    Abstract: A pressure spring tensioner comprises a cylindrical guiding tube having an axially elongated tube slot with a threaded spindle extended axially within the tube and rotatably mounted therein. The first sleeve is affixed to the tube adjacent an end thereof and it carries a first gripping clamp which is engageable over one end of the spring. A second sleeve assembly is slidable on the tube and it carries a second gripping clamp which engages with the opposite end of the spring. The second sleeve assembly includes a second sleeve slidable on the guiding tube and with a sliding snug fit and having a radial recess. A pad is arranged in the second sleeve in threaded engagement with the spindle and it has a radial finger extending through the tube slot which is of a length no longer than twice the thickness of the guiding tube and engages in the radial recess of the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Horst Klann
  • Patent number: 4909480
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a compressor for the coil spring of a MacPherson strut. It comprises a top force transfer ring and a bottom U-shaped, helical ramp plate secured together in spaced relationship by tie bars. The U-shaped ramp plate is inserted between coils of the spring to surround the central, shock absorber stem. Then when the device is rotated, the ramp plate is threaded down the coil spring to pull it up into the containment between the tie bars. The slight compression of the coil spring in this manner relieves force against the spring mounting to enable repair and or change of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Charles T. Mattson
  • Patent number: 4872645
    Abstract: A coil spring compressor includes two jaws, one of which is fixed at one end of a guide tube, while the other jaw is slidably mounted on such tube and connected to a slide (32) provided with a radial finger member in the shape of a wedge extending through a slot in the tube. The slidable jaw has a body defining a bore and from which extend two claws or clamps and that is extended by a screw-threaded skirt. A radial groove having a shape complementary to the shape of the radial finger member is provided in the wall of the bore and cooperates with the finger member in the relative locking of the two elements, while a tapped ring screwed on the screw-threaded skirt completes their locking together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Facom
    Inventor: Michel Dossier
  • Patent number: 4839548
    Abstract: An external-rotor dynamo for the rear wheel of a bicycle is pivotable about an axis parallel to its axis of rotation. The rotor is pressed toward the wheel rim by a helicoidal torsion spring secured along the axis of rotation in separate bearings. One of these bearings is angularly adjustable via a quick-acting but releasable ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Union Sils, Van de Loo & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Bech
  • Patent number: 4830395
    Abstract: A stabilizer system for racing cars includes a fluid dampener installed between the chassis and wheel axle either at the left rear or right front of the car and has an outer spring member on the dampener which is pre-loaded by threadedly adjustable stop members at either or both ends of the spring; and an outer concentric cylinder in surrounding relation to the dampener has an annular piston extending through one end of the cylinder and bears against one of the adjustable stop members, there being a remote control fluid flow device accessible to the driver to regulate the fluid under pressure applied to the outer concentric cylinder so as to permit adjustment in loading of the spring when the car is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Jimmy D. Foley
  • Patent number: 4783882
    Abstract: A door closer assembly for connection between door and frame members relatively movable between open and closed positions includes a housing having a power screw rotatably mounted therewithin. A follower is mounted on the screw and moves axially along the screw when the screw is rotated. A spring is disposed in the chamber and is compressed by the follower. A handle member is mounted for rotation about a first end of the housing and is connected to the screw for rotation therewith. An indicating member is mounted on the housing for axial movement relative thereto. The indicating member is in engagement with the handle whereby rotation of the handle results in simultaneous axial movement of the follower and the indicator member. The indicator member includes visually observable means for indicating the relative degree of compression of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George Frolov
  • Patent number: 4779602
    Abstract: The abstract is of an archery bow compensator comprising a central rod or core that is threaded at its trailing end into a bow to extend forwardly therefrom. A chamber at the forward end of the rod may be loaded with pellets to balance the rod precisely in the archer's hand. An inertia sleeve carried on the rod moves forward when the bow string is released against the force of a compression spring. When compressed, the spring thrusts the sleeve back against a stop on the core to force the bow firmly into the Vee of the archer's hand against any tendency to jump out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Robert E. Hess, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4714227
    Abstract: An improved seat suspension for reducing the jolt transferred from the seat of a vehicle to an operator when the vehicle "bottoms out". The improved seat suspension consists of a base unit connected to the vehicle, a support unit housing an attenuation unit for attaching the seat to the seat suspension, and a unit for operatively connecting the base and support units. The attenuation unit consists of at least one spring member which is contacted by a bumper attached to the connection unit just prior to the collision of the support unit with the base unit. By the bumper contacting the spring member, the effect of the collision on an operator occupying the seat is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David R. Holm, Rudolph A. Peterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4709646
    Abstract: A warship has a unit seating extending around an opening in a ship's deck with a platform mounted in the seating and levelled relative to the main scantling plane of said warship, and a functional unit installation, e.g., a weapon or a navigational apparatus, on the platform. A container carried beneath the platform, accommodates a part of the functional unit installation. Vertically resiliently acting supports carry at least a part of the weight of the platform, the container and the installation and allow limited horizontal movement of the container relative to the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Blohm & Voss AG
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Sadler, Willy Schmidt, Hans-Joachim Franz
  • Patent number: 4707029
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a part of a piece of furniture on another part of the piece of furniture, especially of a backrest support of a desk chair on its lower support, has a spring. The preset spring bias can be adjusted by an adjustment member. A bent link tube has one end which is arranged at the spring and another end supporting the adjustment member for adjusting the spring from a point the spring longitudinal axis. A force transmission member is moved by the adjustment member and is guided in the link tube to work effectively on the spring. A mechanism is also mounted in the link tube for controlling the force exerted from adjustment member on the transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Roder GmbH Sitzmobelworke
    Inventor: Heinrich Korn
  • Patent number: 4696320
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve with a push pull adjusting knob includes a valve body housing a valve member defining an annular seat adapted for engagement with a knife edge seat on a valve sleeve insert. The valve member is opened and closed by a flexible diaphragm operating mechanism, the diaphragm being exposed on one side to outlet valve pressure and on its opposite side to the atmosphere and a valve control spring. A valve stem rotatably mounted in a valve bonnet adjusts a valve nut for varying the compression of the spring, and thereby the spring force on the diaphragm. A push-pull adjusting knob slidably and rotatably engages the valve stem. The knob is locked against the bonnet in one axial position and is released from the bonnet in the opposite axial position for rotating the valve stem. A detent between the valve stem and adjusting knob provides resistance to the adjusting knob movement, and knob movement is limited by a cap threadably engaged with the end of the adjusting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Wilkerson Corporation
    Inventor: Walter E. Bull
  • Patent number: 4691588
    Abstract: An improved lever mechanism interlocked with a pedal in a sewing machine driving device, which lever mechanism includes a rod positioned on one side portion of a lever so as to act on the lever when the latter is pivoted in one direction from a neutral position, and first and second springs of different diameters disposed concentrically with the above rod so as to urge the rod in the direction opposite to the pivoting direction of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kumatani, Yutaka Yamaura
  • Patent number: 4679780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Kloster
  • Patent number: 4678117
    Abstract: A system working in conjunction with a regulator having a diaphragm for controlling gas pressure within a gas system, wherein there is provided a spring system to control the diaphragm of the regulator, maintaining the regulator at a constant pressure upon adjustment of the spring. There is further provided an actuator mechanism, operating in conjunction with a sensing means comprising a closed cylindrical container containing gas, such as, butane, propane, or the like where upon expansion of the gas due to ambient temperature would activate the actuator mechanism for reducing the spring pressure on the diaphragm, and thus the gas pressure within the system. Likewise, where there is to be a reduction in ambient temperature, the concommitant contraction of a gas within the sensing means, allows increased pressure on the diaphragm for providing increased gas pressure within the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventors: Wesley J. Trahan, Albert B. Montandon
  • Patent number: RE34097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Kloster