Subsequently Coating Patents (Class 29/460)
  • Patent number: 5845401
    Abstract: A rugged spindle for a disk certifier that test the disks of a hard disk drive. The spindle contains a first bearing and a second bearing that are coupled together by a shaft. The first bearing is coupled to a chuck that captures a disk. The second bearing is coupled to the spindle shaft of an electric motor which rotates the disk. The bearings each contain an outer graphite sheath that is separated from a hardened housing by an air bearing. The connecting shaft is bonded to the first and second bearings by an adhesive that is injected through longitudinal passages of the shaft. The bonding adhesive flows along the interface of the connecting shaft and bearings until the adhesive fills an indicator slot of the shaft. Air bearings are created during the bonding process of the second bearing to insure an accurate relationship between the two bearings and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Phase Metrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Rhoton, Roger D. Peters
  • Patent number: 5842265
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the production of bonded plastic/metal parts in the cavity of a modified injection-moulding tool by a combination of metal-joining techniques and conventional injection-moulding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Rink
  • Patent number: 5826336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of series-produced valves which are used in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and which comprise a cast-iron valve body, at least one stainless steel valve seat disposed in a flow restrictor opening in the valve body and an actuating rod having at least one flow restrictor, the actuating rod being taken out of the valve through a cover which closes an opening for the cover in the valve body, such opening being in alignment with the valve seat. The valve seat is welded into a casting serving as blank for the valve body without previous chip removal treatment of the casting surface, in one chucking. The blank is then finish-treated. Preferably, the valve seat is produced by build-up welding followed by chip removal shaping of the weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventor: Manfred Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5819408
    Abstract: A recyclable, low cost, collision-resistant automobile chassis and body and method for fabricating the same. The method of manufacture comprises; fabricating a plurality of generally planar bulkheads from a metal alloy; disposing the bulkheads in a generally and mutually parallel orientation, each bulkhead perpendicular to and aligned generally transversely and symmetrically relative to a common central horizontal longitudinal axis; fabricating a plurality of chassis segments from the metal alloy, each segment comprising a multiplicity of spaced hollow cells fixed at one end in a common surface; interposing and rigidly attaching at least one of said pluralities of chassis segments between respective bulkheads to form a plurality of chassis sections, a section defined as the portion of the fabricated chassis between two adjacent bulkheads; and permeating the plurality of chassis sections with liquefied polymer between and around said hollow cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: XCORP, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Catlin
  • Patent number: 5774969
    Abstract: A modular vehicle includes a plurality of modular members arranged on a base. The modular members collectively approximate the contour of a vehicle interior or exterior. The modular members are arranged on the base in a close fitting, removable fashion. Each of the modular members has a contoured surface which closely approximates a corresponding portion of a contour of a vehicle interior or exterior. The model vehicle can be reconfigured by simply removing the modular members affected by a design change, reconfiguring the removed modular members and replacing the removed modular members. In another feature, the model vehicle assembly includes a plurality of floor section modular members, wherein one of these floor modular members has a hole defining a reference point. A digitizer which measures the contour of the interior is mounted in the hole. A method of assembling a model for a vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Giuliano Zuccato
  • Patent number: 5771557
    Abstract: An internal metal stitching method for repairing cracks in concrete comprising the steps of cutting slots to facilitate metal stitching brackets installed in saw cuts every two feet and at alternating angles to the crack. The concrete is marked using a stitching bracket as a template for marking out the concrete saw cuts. The saw cuts are made in the concrete following the outline of the bracket. The first cut is made along the length of the large bracket and the second and third cuts are made near the ends of each large bracket to accommodate end brackets which when fitted resemble a double "t". The saw cuts are cleaned and dried, filled with a filler resin, and the metal brackets are inserted and are submerged to 1/4" below the concrete surface. The filler is smoothed out to a level flush with the concrete surface. Additional decorative surfaces may then be applied, such as ceramic tiles, carpeting, linoleum or paint. Various shaped metal stitching brackets and a bracket made of filler are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Sam Contrasto
  • Patent number: 5758401
    Abstract: The invention provides an archival storage system for shielding magnetic media from a full spectrum of electromagnetic fields, static electricity, and humidity. Full spectrum EMF shielding may be achieved by providing the storage container with a continuous conductive layer along or on an interior region of the storage container. Also, shielding against intense, low frequency magnetic fields may be provided by a ferrous metal sheet, separated from the stored magnetic media by an insulator, which has been placed a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reels of a videotape or floppy disk. Further, a moisture seal may be provided to prevent moisture from reaching the stored magnetic media and thereby enhance the longevity of the stored magnetic media, and a desiccant may be provided to maintain or stabilize a low humidity environment within the storage case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Carbon & Polymer Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Jordan Roy Nelson
  • Patent number: 5724715
    Abstract: A composite flange providing the low cost and bonding capability of molded flanges with the torque capacity near that of metal flanges. Multiple layers of braided fiberglass enveloping a fiberglass ring are placed into a mold of the desired shape. After the mold is closed, liquid resin is injected and the flange is cured to the desired state. After demolding, the flange is machined as necessary for installation onto the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Addax, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane V. Byerly, George F. Olson, James T. Heard
  • Patent number: 5724712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in a butt joint or an overlapping lap joint configuration and the blanks are welded together along a weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Bob R. Bishop
  • Patent number: 5704107
    Abstract: An insulated door for a refrigerator or other appliance having an external panel of an open box configuration without integrally molded inwardly directed flange portions, a plurality of separately installed trim pieces arranged around an edge perimeter of the external panel, the trim pieces having a socket region for snap engagement with the edge of the external panel, and a flange portion extending therefrom inwardly. An inside liner is applied over the trim pieces and a gasket is applied around the edge of the inside liner captured between the inside liner and the trim pieces. The invention allows for the economical molding of the external panel and the assembly of the inside liner and gasket to the external panel before a foamed-in place operation to apply the inside insulation which will unitize the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher G. Schmidt, Michael H. Fisher, Amilton Francisco de Almeida, Edson Takayuki Tani
  • Patent number: 5694674
    Abstract: The article is constituted from a plate produced from a relatively soft first metal (1). It has, on one of its faces, a metallic element (2) in the form of a perforated sheet or a grid produced from a second metal or alloy harder than that of the plate (1). The metallic element (2) is fixed to the plate by drop-forging or stamping in order to embed it, at least partially, in this plate. The article is especially useful as a cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Flammang
  • Patent number: 5694673
    Abstract: An X-ray image intensifier has a vacuum envelope consisting of glass, and an input window consisting of aluminum and having a sectional meridian radius of curvature which increases from the central portion of the input window to the peripheral portion thereof is arranged on the input side of the vacuum envelope with a metal holding ring and a Kovar ring. An input phosphor surface is arranged adjacent to the inner surface side of the input window, and an X-ray image incident through the input window is converted into a photoelectron image. In order to minimize an influence caused by scattering of X-rays or .gamma.-rays incident through the input window, an input substrate is brought as close to the input window as possible. A coaxial cylindrical focusing electrode and an annular focusing electrode are arranged on the side wall in the vacuum envelope, and an anode is arranged on an output end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamada, Shozo Sato, Hiroshi Kubo, Atsuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5695228
    Abstract: A grille guard for an automobile has at least one first grille guard member extending generally horizontally so as to protect a portion of an automobile's front and at least one second grille guard member extending generally vertically and attached to the first grille guard member. Each of the second grille guard members has a first generally planar member and a perpendicular second generally planar member generally defining a T-shaped cross-section. The second generally planar member has a plurality of openings formed therein, generally along the length thereof, the openings having a width which is greater than the width of the first generally planar member. The second generally planar member is attached to the first generally planar member by forming a weld between the second generally planar member and the first generally planar member within a plurality of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Ron D. Storer
  • Patent number: 5682667
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a vehicle hood including fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) panels is provided. The vehicle hood includes a fiber reinforced plastic hood outer panel bonded to a fiber reinforced plastic hood inner panel including a pair of depressions extending toward the hood outer panel. Each depression includes a projection extending away from the hood outer panel which is aligned with a hood bumper. The bonded hood outer panel and hood inner panel define a hood assembly which includes mechanisms for attachment to a vehicle, the mechanisms including a pair of hinge assemblies, a latch assembly, and a latch reinforcement member. Metal reinforcement members may be secured to the hood inner panel for structural reinforcement of the hood assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Flagg
  • Patent number: 5682666
    Abstract: A method of making a water heater capable of being hung from a support, which includes a water tank, a water inlet, a water outlet, and a jacket positioned around the water tank so as to define a space between the water tank and the jacket. Foamed insulation is positioned in the space between the water tank and the jacket, and the foamed insulation has increasing density and cell uniformity gradients in a direction running from a first portion to a second portion of the jacket. A curved bracket assembly is positioned on the outer surface of the jacket at the second portion of the jacket to coincide with the positioning of foam insulation having highest density and best cell uniformity. A bumper is optionally positioned on the outer surface of the jacket and is vertically aligned with the bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventor: Eric M. Lannes
  • Patent number: 5682665
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental curette having a handle, a shank disposed on one end of the handle, and a cutting blade on the shank, includes the steps of: providing a curette mold having at least a shank portion and a cutting blade portion, injection molding a feedstock into the curette mold to form a molded shank and a molded cutting blade, and attaching a handle to the molded shank. There is likewise disclosed an injection molded dental curette. A coating of extreme hardness may be provided on the cutting edge of the curette to extend the useable life thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Svanberg
  • Patent number: 5683642
    Abstract: A PC strand is formed by twisting peripheral wires made of deformed PC steel wires around a core, and allowing rust inhibitive material of thermoplastic resin to permeate into voids defined among the core and peripheral wires by use of an extruder. Since at least one of the core and peripheral wires is made of a deformed PC steel wire having an uneven outer surface, the thermoplastic resin can smoothly permeate deep into the inside of the PC strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignees: Hien Electric Industries, Ltd, Times Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Muguruma, Kazuyoshi Chikiri, Yukihiro Higashi
  • Patent number: 5673469
    Abstract: A corrugated plastic service pipe 20 is inserted together with a flexible guide assembly 22 through an accessible end 11 of a steel service pipe 14, 10, which extends from the end 11 to a main 18. The flexible guide assembly 22 comprises a flexible guide element 24 and a flexible spring guide 26. The element 24 extends through a nose-piece 32 having an outer part secured to the pipe 20 and an inner part 36. The spring guide 26 carries a sensor 60 at its tip which emits a signal when the sensor enters the main 18. When the pipe 20 is correctly positioned fluid sealant 70 is injected into the space between the pipe 20 and the pipe 14, 10. When the sealant has solidified sufficiently, the guide assembly 22 is withdrawn through the pipe 20, the inner part 36 being separated from the outer part 34 to allow withdrawal of the spring guide 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: British Gas plc
    Inventors: Dudley Trevor Dickson, Colin Cochrane
  • Patent number: 5664315
    Abstract: To introduce an insulation (3) of desired thickness into a measuring tube (1) of an electromagnetic flow sensor at low cost forming a tight joint, said measuring tube comprising a metal tube (2) having a respective metal flange (4, 5) at each end (21, 22),the respective metal flange (4, 5) at each end is slipped over the outside (23) of the metal tube in such a way that a front side (41, 51) of the metal flange projects beyond the end of the metal tube by an amount at least equal to the thickness of the insulation (3), and a rear side (45, 55) of the metal flange is permanently and tightly joined to the outside (23) of the metal tube. Before being slipped on, each metal flange is provided, from the front side, with a flute (42, 52) which forms a first annular groove (43, 53) at its inner end. A mandrel whose diameter is determined by the desired thickness of the insulation is introduced into the lumen of the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Roland Unterseh
  • Patent number: 5655299
    Abstract: The method of fabricating a tank connector assembly comprising the steps of first providing a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. Producing a sub-assembly comprised of an insert member having an internal groove therein and made from a polymer material and an expandable band member positioned in the groove. The next step is to assembly the sub-assembly of the insert member and expandable band member with the spud member. The sub-assembly is positioned inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The next step is to apply an expansion force to the expandable band causing the band to deform slightly and thereby force the insert member into tight sealing contact with the depending wall portion of the spud member. The metal spud member is welded in an opening in the wall of a steel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: State Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Kent Lindahl
  • Patent number: 5653007
    Abstract: A method for producing a bicycle brake arch and fork legs assembly. The method comprises the steps of first forming a low-tolerance brake arch and two low tolerance fork legs separately, and then bonding the brake arch with the two fork legs in high-precision alignment and orientation with a structural adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Answer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Boyer, Gerald M. Stewart, Mark Van Kampen, Kirk Allen
  • Patent number: 5651171
    Abstract: The invention provides an archival storage system for shielding magnetic media from a full spectrum of electromagnetic fields, static electricity, and humidity. Full spectrum EMF shielding may be achieved by providing the storage container with a continuous conductive layer along or on an interior region of the storage container. Also, shielding against intense, low frequency magnetic fields may be provided by a ferrous metal sheet, separated from the stored magnetic media by an insulator, which has been placed a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reels of a videotape or floppy disk. Further, a moisture seal may be provided to prevent moisture from reaching the stored magnetic media and thereby enhance the longevity of the stored magnetic media, and a desiccant may be provided to maintain or stabilize a low humidity environment within the storage case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Carbon & Polymer Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Jordan Roy Nelson
  • Patent number: 5644830
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrical connection to a conductive metal panel, wherein the connection includes a conductive metal stud having an annular riveting portion, an integral intermediate radial flange portion, and an externally threaded stud portion, a nut member adapted to be threadably received on the stud member shank portion having an end portion adapted to sealingly contact an annular electrical contact surface surrounding the shank portion of the stud member. The method includes threadably assembling the nut member on the stud member shank portion forming an assembly with sealing contact between the member end portion and the stud member contact surface. The assembly is then oriented with the free end of the stud member riveting portion opposite the panel, driving the riveting portion through an opening formed in the panel and deforming the annular riveting portion radially outwardly to rivet the assembly to the panel and form an electrical contact between the stud member and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventors: Harold A. Ladouceur, Rudolf R. M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5644831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming refrigerated display cases with both convex and concave curved case sections utilizing a single outer modular member for forming the outer canopy and tank portions of both convex and concave curved sections as well as an inner modular member useful for forming canopy and tank sections of both concave and convex refrigerated display case sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Delaware Capitol Formation Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Federico
  • Patent number: 5644832
    Abstract: A corrugated spiral pipe with a joint is formed by the steps of winding a seal material on thread portions of a pipe end of a spiral pipe, fitting a part of a cylindrical joint body to the pipe end so as to cover a portion on which the seal material has been wound, injecting a liquid foamable resin material through an injection hole and letting it foam, and filling a trough portion of the spiral pipe with the foamed resin material so as to make the spiral pipe watertight for coupling purposes. When the spiral pipe with the joint is coupled to another spiral pipe, a waterstop is forced into a trough portion of a pipe end portion of the latter pipe, an elastic seal ring is fitted onto an outer peripheral face of the latter pipe, and the pipe end of the latter pipe is forced into an outward protruded portion of the joint body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Shiro Kanao
  • Patent number: 5634255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a mash welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and the lap joint is welded along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Bob R. Bishop
  • Patent number: 5588582
    Abstract: A cooling drum can continuously cast a favorable band-shaped cast piece having little thermal deformation. The cooling drum comprises a three-layer structure including a rigid member, a cooling member metallurgically bonded to the outside of the rigid member, and a heat-resistance member plated by electro-deposition on the outer circumferential surface of the cooling member. The rigid member is made of austenite group stainless steel, the cooling member is made of Cu or Cu-alloy, and the heat-resistance member is made of either Ni or its alloy or Co or its alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunimasa Sasaki, Youichi Wakiyama, Takahiro Matsumoto, Kisaburo Tanaka, Keiichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5584112
    Abstract: A process for the production of a whisk for an electric kitchen beater, comprising a rod (12) having at one of its ends a hub (15) carrying at least two loops (19, 20) each forming an agitator and made from a metallic wire whose ends are secured to the hub, the hub (15) being produced by an over-molding operation by injection of a plastic material onto the rod (12) and onto the two loops (19, 20) adjacent the rod. Before over-molding the hub on the end of the rod and adjacent portions of the loops, the loops are positioned in a mold in planes transverse to the horizontal axis of the rod. Then, after molding, the loops are swung down into their final position in which their sections (19b, 20b) opposite the hub (15) contact each other. At this contact point (P), the loops are secured together as by welding. In this way, a complicated mold for the hub, that would accommodate the loops in their final position, is not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Diore, Jean-Jacques Linger
  • Patent number: 5575056
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mold for molding a box-shaped product having metal inserts each having a body and leg portions projecting from the product. The mold includes a pair of mold halves, and a core for placing the inserts thereon in such a manner that the body of the insert slightly spaced from the core, and that the body of the insert is disposed generally flush with or slightly spaced from a surface of one of the mold halves in which a cavity is formed. Slide cores, received respectively in grooves in the one mold half, for movement therealong in directions perpendicular to a direction of opening of the two mold halves, and each of the slide cores has a cavity portion which is to be aligned with the cavity in the one mold half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited
    Inventor: Yuji Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5495654
    Abstract: Flat-rolled sheet metal is manufactured to preselected gage, mechanical properties and surface finish and is fabricated into unitary sheet metal shingle structures with interlocking folded over sheet metal layers providing for ease of assembly and weatherproofing along each side of a rectangular configuration portion which remains exposed after assembly of shingle structures in side-by-side interlocked relationship in a horizontal direction, and in overlapping partially-covering relationship in a vertical direction. Galvanized mild steel provides lightweight, high-tensile strength, impact-resistant and long-service-life shingle structure. Finish coating enables selection of coloring and thermosetting polymeric coatings facilitate embossing of exposed portions to simulate the appearance of cedar shakes or other types of shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Goodhart, Jane M. Brown, William E. Carnahan
  • Patent number: 5488771
    Abstract: A novel means for manufacturing a precision linear or rotary motion system that is comprised of one or a set of precision machine bearing rails (i.e., long straight and parallel surfaces, or a single straight shaft), precision manufactured modular bearing pads, and a carriage or housing that surrounds the bearing pads when they are placed onto the rails and held in place by placing a vacuum on the port normally used to supply pressurized lubricant to the bearing rails, but leaves a gap between the rough surface of the housing or the carriage and the backsides of the bearing pads, into which gap a stable epoxy is injected to fill the gap between the backs of the bearing pads and the inner rough surface of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Engineering Systems, Operations & Products Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Devitt, Alex Slocum
  • Patent number: 5452510
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck and method of manufacture of the chuck in which the component parts are machined, then partially anodized to provide a hard insulating surface on surfaces that are not in contact with the wafer, and then assembled, after which the top surface abutting the workpiece is machined and a correction radius is cut to suppress discharges between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Barnes, Robert P. Westerfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5432991
    Abstract: A display and seat cushion for use at arenas, stadiums, and the like, has a generally hand-shaped foam polymer member having a plurality of finger portions thereon and a ductile frame extending through the foam polymer member plurality of finger portions so that the foam finger portions can be shaped as desired. A fabric covering covers the foam polymer member and a glove compartment is formed in the foam polymer member for hand holding the display. The foam polymer member is shaped and sized to act as a stadium cushion as well as a hand-held display having changeable, positionable finger portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Peter J. Godleski
  • Patent number: 5430928
    Abstract: In order to fix a perforated plate (2) to the bottom (1) of a vessel, the plate is fixed by closed-die forging, in particular by cold striking so as to make the metal of the bottom (1) penetrate into the openings (4) in the plate (2). At the same time as the closed-die forging operation, a series of reliefs (5) is formed on the surface of the perforated plate (2) as well as on the surface of the bottom (1) of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Flammang
  • Patent number: 5415380
    Abstract: A fencing system which utilizes coated steel to simulate wrought iron fencing and which comprises prefabricated sections of fence comprised of steel, the length of which can vary, ground or floor-anchored post members to which the fence sections attach using novel connectors. An ornament adorns each top vertical member of each fence section. Novel fence gate structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Ivan Sharp
  • Patent number: 5400505
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing fiber-reinforced engine components having a metal matrix, a long or even continuous silicon carbide fiber is first coated with a matrix metal of a titanium-based alloy by atomizing or sputtering. Then, the fibers coated with matrix material are wound onto a mold in the direction of the anticipated stresses. A covering of foils, bands, wires, pressed-on granulates, sintered-on powders or a top coating of matrix metal is then applied onto the surface of the fibers wound onto the mold. Finally the mold with the wound-on, matrix-material coated fibers and the covering of matrix metal is subjected to hot isostatic pressing. This method is used to manufacture engine shafts, shroud bands for turbine wheels or disk-less turbine wheels having retaining rings holding the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: William Wei, Wolfgang Kruger
  • Patent number: 5394602
    Abstract: The instrument panel assembly is made by initially forming an instrument panel substrate having a door-receiving notch, initially forming a door substrate, and attaching the door substrate to the instrument panel substrate so that the door substrate covers the notch and its sides extend beyond the notch and overlie portions of the instrument panel substrate. A single decorative cover layer is also initially formed. The attached substrates are positioned in a mold in spaced relation to the cover layer, and a foamable material is forced into the space to provide a foam padding for both the instrument panel and the door. The sides of the door substrate overlying the instrument panel substrate are braced to prevent distortion thereof during molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Adelbert T. Czapp, David E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5379507
    Abstract: A tank construction including an outer shell of steel material comprised of two half members welded together. The half members are formed by a deep drawing process. An inner shell of non-corrosive material is cast inside the outer shell by a rotational casting procedure with the external surface of the inner shell located adjacent the internal surface of the outer shell. The inner shell of non-corrosive material provides a substantially leak-fight liner for the outer shell to thus prevent contact between the contents of the tank and the outer shell. The rotational casting of the inner shell inside the outer shell is accomplished by charging the outer shell with a non-corrosive material and then subjecting the outer shell to a rotational casting movement while heat is applied to the outer shell. The outer shell serves as a mold for the inner shell wherein the mold (outer shell) becomes a permanent part of the completed tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: State Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 5369869
    Abstract: A door has a pair of spaced stiles at its side edges, a top rail extending between the upper ends of the rails, and a pair of synthetic resin skins providing the faces of the door and adhesively bonded to the stiles and rail. The skins have opposed flanges along their top and bottom edges which abut to form top and bottom peripheral walls, and they also have opposing spaced lips along the side edges thereof which extend along a portion of the outer surfaces of the stiles. The peripheral walls provided by the flanges have vent openings extending therethrough, and a cellular synthetic resin core is bonded to the skins and fills the interior space between the skins bounded by the stiles, rail and bottom flange. Baffled passages are provided between the vent openings and the interior space. In making She door, after the skins have been assembled and adhered to the stiles and rails, the stiles and flanges effectively seal the interior space which they define and this assembly is placed in a heated press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Sylvester W. Bies, Robert A. Juran, Aldo Romanelli
  • Patent number: 5353503
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing a fireproof and/or wear-resistant lining on objects made of metal, whereby pins are welded onto the object in question, after which anchoring means are screwed on said pins. Subsequently, the fireproof and/or wear-resistant lining material, in its plastic form, is applied to the object around the anchoring means and allowed to cure. The invention furthermore relates to an anchoring means intended for being used when applying the method according to the invention, the anchoring means having a polygonal base portion, whereby lips, which extend transversely to said base portion, join the edges of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Wouter Garot
  • Patent number: 5303461
    Abstract: Long thermal paths and the resulting slow response times in sealed and electrically insulated thermal sensors may be substantially reduced by insulating and sealing the sensor (26) by a method which includes the steps of providing (30) an electrostatic fluidized bed of electrically insulating resin; locating (34) the sensor (26) at the bed; coating (36) the sensor (26); removing (38) the sensor from proximity to the bed; and curing (40) to the resin to form a uniform, thin coating encapsulating the sensor (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Okey, Joseph F. Leicht, Francis T. Carriglitto, Colum O'Hare, Keith E. Garr, Lawrence J. Kintz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5300165
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a porous sheet comprising a plurality of porous sheets such as foamed sheet, mesh sheet and nonwoven fabric sheet. These sheets are adhered and layered to each other either by a melting or with an adhesive or by layering without each other with adhering these sheets to each other. Then, the porous sheet thus layered is plated at a high current density by forcibly applying plating liquid to the layered sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto in a plating tank, or by vacuum evaporation while the layered sheet is being transported inside the vapor deposition vacuum container enclosed by a cooking tank through a cooling roller mounted therein. The metallic porous sheet formed according the above-described method is preferably used as the electrode of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Katayama Special Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sugikawa
  • Patent number: 5288356
    Abstract: A coated article comprises an outer, coated metal veneer coated with at least one coating selected from primer coatings, pigmented topcoat coatings, pigmented basecoat coatings and outer clear topcoat coating, the coated metal veneer being affixed to an underlying substrate having substantially the same shape as the coated veneer.The coated articles are particularly useful as body parts such as doors, hoods, trunk and roof panels, fenders, and rocker panels of automobile and truck bodies.A method of manufacturing the coated articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Benefiel
  • Patent number: 5276956
    Abstract: Apparatus for taking a plurality of terminals arranged in a first spatial configuration, and rearranging them into a second spatial configuration for insertion into a stator or other electrical component, is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes, one for each terminal, which convey the terminals to new locations and, if necessary, twist along the way to change the orientations of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Axis, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Bertocchi
  • Patent number: 5273803
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating accurate, numerically defined curved surfaces and volumes comprising a skeleton framework having a plurality of bulkheads fixed in spaced relationship with each other, each of the bulkheads having an equal number of boreholes passing through the outer perimeter thereof so as to provide a set of selected boreholes. A flexible spline having a memory is passed through each set of mating boreholes and is secured with the boreholes after the splines have reached their static states. The resultant framework is encased in a cured polymer and the polymer is trimmed and faired between the outer edges of the splines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5255424
    Abstract: For the manufacture of a heavy duty elastomeric having a stack of elastomeric and metal reinforcing layers interleaved with one another use is made of a mould sufficiently large to allow an elastomeric cover layer to be formed and cured simultaneous with compression and cure of the elastomeric layers. Relative transverse movement of the metal layers during compression is restricted by spacers which occupy in the mould a small part of the space that in the finished product is to be occupied by the cover layer. Subsequent to moulding and cure the spacers are removed and the resulting spaces in the part formed cover are filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth W. J. Raines
  • Patent number: 5249347
    Abstract: A wire mesh face mask for hockey or other sports is manufactured from a steel having carbon content in the range of AISI grades C-1018 to C-1038, and preferably C-1022. The mask is made by forming a grid of generally horizontal wires overlaid by generally vertical wires, shaping the grid into a mask shape, welding the wires to each other where they intersect, heat treating and quenching the grid to increase hardness, dipping the grid to coat it with an epoxy coating. This combination of materials and processes permits the use of a thinner wire than has previously been possible in face masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Canstar Sports Group Inc.
    Inventor: Franz W. Martinitz
  • Patent number: 5238615
    Abstract: A method for joining together tubular plastic products (1, 2) by heating the joint faces of the plastic products (1, 2) which have been chamfered at least partly in advance, and by passing molten plastic material into the space (4), that is formed between the opposite joint faces. The fixing of the tubular plastic products (1, 2) and the feed of the molten plastic material take place with the aid of a mold tool (5) which is applied onto the space (4), and molten plastic material is passed rapidly into the hollow space between the mold tool, (5) and the joint faces through a feed stub (6) provided in the mold tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: OY Muotekno AB
    Inventor: Ralf Stoor
  • Patent number: 5229048
    Abstract: A water heater construction and method includes arranging the inner water tank and the surrounding outer shell in an inverted orientation and positioning the outer shell into a cover which is arranged with clearance openings for the plumbing connections extending from the top of the tank to extend therethrough. With the tank, shell and cover in an inverted and assembled condition, the annular clearance space defined between the tank and shell is filled, at least the majority, with liquid, foam-in-place insulation. By inverting the water heater and injecting liquid foam insulation material, the clearance space above the inner water tank is foamed first thereby assuring that the foam material at this location will have greater uniformity in foam density and cell structure than at the lower portion of the annular space so as to provide enhanced thermal efficiency at the most critical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Soltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5212864
    Abstract: A method is provided for installing a nozzle restrictor assembly in a fuel filler tube. The method comprises the steps of attaching a restrictor plate to an inner surface of the fuel filler tube, coating the restrictor plate and the fuel filler tube, and inserting a closure plate through a first slot formed in the restrictor plate so that the closure plate is positioned to block the opening. A nozzle restrictor assembly is also provided which comprises a restrictor plate sized for insertion into a fuel filler tube and a mechanism for selectively closing an opening formed in the restrictor plate upon withdrawal of a fuel filler nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Bates, Daniel N. Smith, Richard F. Little