For Pivotal Motion Patents (Class 403/113)
  • Patent number: 5111582
    Abstract: An ergonomic handle mechanism for a cutting machine having a vertically reciprocating knife. The position of the handle between a horizontal orientation and an orientation at an angle thereto is adjustable for greater comfort as well as a longer working time without tiring so that greater productivity may be achieved. A link to which the handle is attached is pivotally mounted to a block which is fixedly attached to the machine housing. A pin having an eccentric portion received in a groove in the link is provided to determine handle position by the rotational position of the pin. A projection is provided on the block for limiting the pivotal movement of the link and thus acting as a stop in case of pin breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Machine Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Pieroni
  • Patent number: 5105955
    Abstract: Provided is an articulable spherical connection for a railway coupling arrangement. The connection includes a male connection member having a spherical connection portion secured to one end of a body portion and a female connection member having a split body portion. Each body portion of such femal connection member having a spherical cavity formed therein to receive a portion of the spherical connection portion of the male connection member therein. A securing device is provided to secure such split body portion together around the spherical connection portion of the male member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignees: Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Sargent Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hawryszkow, William D. Wallace, Edward G. Lynch, Jr., David W. Daugherty, Jr., Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 5044360
    Abstract: A releasable controlled-motion ankle-foot orthosis includes an elongated shell adapted for releasable attachment to the lower leg above the ankle joint, a foot support adapted for releasable attachment to the foot, and lateral and medial controlled-motion ankle joint assemblies attached to the shell and to the foot support in alignment with the axis of rotation through the ankle joint. Each ankle joint assembly includes a rigid support plate affixed at one end to the shell, extending across the ankle joint, and affixed at the other end to the foot support. Sets of cam members in matching pairs are used interchangeably for controlling range of motion in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. Each individualy selectable cam member is rotatably mounted to the support plate for contact with a stop on the support plate to control angular motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: United States Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Wayne R. Janke
  • Patent number: 5039247
    Abstract: An orthopedic and orthotic hinge having a hinge body that includes two spaced, parallel plates with two hinge arm carriers having end portions pivotally mounted between the plates for movement in directions of flexion and extension. The end portions of the hinge arm carriers have peripheral teeth that respectively engage two toothed slide members. Such members are slidably disposed between the plates, preferably carried in grooves formed therein, and are independently movable with respect to each other when the hinge arm carriers are pivoted. First and second variable stops are provided by the hinge for limiting the extent of sliding movement in opposite directions of the two slide members, thereby restricting extension and flexion of the hinge arm carriers while at the same time permitting true bi-pivotal operation of the hinge. In one embodiment, the variable stops are offset from the midplane of the hinge body and the toothed slide members have extensions engageable with such stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Protectair Limited
    Inventors: David E. Young, Kenneth P. Davis
  • Patent number: 5037135
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a length of seat belt webbing relative to the body of a vehicle includes a D-ring with a slot through which the webbing can extend. A bolt is fixed to the webbing guide and has a portion extending through an opening in a bracket fixed to the body of the vehicle. The surfaces on the bracket which define the opening in the bracket include a pair of stop surfaces. The bolt is pivotable relative to the bracket. A surface on the bolt abuts the stop surfaces on the bracket to limit rotation of the bolt relative to the bracket and prevent the D-ring from rotating so far forward that the edge of the belt webbing jams or twists in the end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander P. Kotikovsky, Craig A. Busch
  • Patent number: 4950100
    Abstract: An articulated arm for supportably attaching a movable first body to a second body comprises a connector bar which fits inside a substantially hollow sheath, each of the connector bar and sheaths being pivotally attached to a first intermediate member at a first end thereof and to a second intermediate member at a second end thereof. Fasteners are provided to temporarily and disengagably fix the position of the connector bar with respect to the sheath. Hardware is described for attaching the first intermediate member to a movable first body and for attaching the second intermediate member to a second body which is substantially stationary with respect to the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Tru-Bore Engineering
    Inventor: Jon C. Horgas
  • Patent number: 4934860
    Abstract: A support arrangement which allows pivoting of a non-rotatable shaft has a flexure structure and a pair of axially-displaced inner and outer hubs respectively connected to, and disposed inwardly and outwardly of, the flexure structure. The flexure structure is composed of a disk-shaped flexural elements disposed in stacked, axially spaced relation to one another and connected peripherally one to the next. The flexural elements together define a frictionless, laterally stiff, fulcrum or pivot point about which the shaft can pivot through a predefined range of angular motion. The inner hub is attached to an inner end one of the flexural elements at an interior peripheral edge thereof, whereas the outer hub is attached to an outer end one of the flexural elements at an exterior peripheral edge thereof. The shaft extends axially through the bores in the hubs and an opening in the flexure structure along a common axis, and is rigidly attached to the inner hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Garrett
  • Patent number: 4932806
    Abstract: A compliant joint is provided for prosthetic and robotic devices which permits rotation in three different planes. The joint provides for the controlled use of cable under motion. Perpendicular outer mounting frames are joined by swaged cables that interlock at a center block. Ball bearings allow for the free rotation of the second mounting frame relative to the first mounting frame within a predetermined angular rotation that is controlled by two stop devices. The cables allow for compliance at the stops and the cables allow for compliance in six degrees of freedom enabling the duplication or simulation of the rotational movement and flexibility of a natural hip or knee joint, as well as the simulation of a joint designed for a specific robotic component for predetermined design parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Wayne D. Eklund, James J. Kerley
  • Patent number: 4917526
    Abstract: A clevis assembly having a folding clevis for supporting an air launched missile has an attached pivot pin having a non-round cross section which rotates in a elongated hole in the sides of the clevis block in which the clevis lies in its stowed position. When the clevis is extended in position to engage the hooks on the missle ejector, the pivot pin is raised in the elongated hole to its upper position in which the non-round profile of the pin fits into the non-round profile of the elongated hole in the side of the recess in which it is mounted so that the pin cannot rotate. This provides a longitudinal restraint of the missile on the ejector because the clevis is prevented from rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Peter S. Paterson
  • Patent number: 4906121
    Abstract: A cable arranging device for an industrial robot has a cylindrical support casing (2), a swing casing (3) supported on the support casing (2) and swingable about the axis of a swing shaft, and cables (5) interconnecting the swing casing (3) and the support casing (2). One end of a substantially C-shaped cable guide (4) is pivotally supported in the swing casing on the axis of the swing shaft, the other end of the cable guide is pivotally supported in the support casing on the axis of the swing shaft. Spaces for allowing the cable guide (4) to swing therein through a prescribed angle are defined respectively in the swing casing (3) and the support casing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Torii, Ryo Nihei, Hitoshi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4874118
    Abstract: A pistol holster with a limiting swing clutch having the holster and belt-loop separated from one-another by the engaged swing clutch face-to-face elements, all held in a tightly compressed state susceptible of limited flexing movement against a flexible leather washer, all mounted on a female bolt's female-threaded shaft between underface flat surfaces of the heads of the female bolt and the mated male bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: John K. Parlante
  • Patent number: 4861094
    Abstract: A support post for a curtain sided trailer comprises an elongate member arranged to be hung from an overhead rail on the trailer. The elongate member has a roller assembly at one end allowing the post to be displaceable along the rail. A leg is secured to the other end to pivot about a knee joint. The leg is securable to the base of the trailer. A locking member locks the knee joint with the elongate member and leg extending in a straight line so that the post supports the roof of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Krueger Transport Equipment Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: John G. Krueger
  • Patent number: 4858962
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated joint for the articulating connection of two joint bodies, having a first bearing body disposed in a bore of one of the joint bodies for rotation therewith and provided internally with a first spherical bearing surface, having a second bearing body joined with the other joint body for rotation therewith and having a second spherical outer bearing surface in contact with the first bearing surface, and having at least two fluid pathways leading through the two joint bodies and the bearing bodies for at least one fluid and having gaskets for sealing off the fluid pathways. Each fluid pathway has a recess formed in the bearing surface of the bearing body, and a passage being associated to one of the recesses and formed in the bearing surface of the other bearing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventors: Fritz C. Bolling, Josef Sellner
  • Patent number: 4796324
    Abstract: The handle of the broom is canted in relation to its axis of rotation about the broomhead back through a given angle, and connected to the back by way of a hinge the axis of which is inclined through an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis of the back itself. The broom can be used with the handle either upright, or folded down in such a way as to keep the broomhead with the bristles resting upon the surface to be cleaned, without any unwanted tilting or wobbling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Francesco Sartori
  • Patent number: 4790389
    Abstract: A field cultivator frame has a number of generally horizontal implement frame sections, each frame section having ground engaging wheels for movable support over the ground. First and second center frame sections are pivotally connected to a prime mover by a hinged draw bar assembly. Front ends of the center frame sections are pivotally connected by a flex link assembly including a connecting bar with ball joint connections at either end. The flex link assembly allows vertical movement of the center frame sections relative to one another, which movement is limited by a plate assembly attached to one of the center frame sections. A swivel joint assembly connects rear parts of the first and second center frame sections for allowing hinged movement of the frame sections relative to one another. A spring-loaded limit assembly connects the first and second center frame sections and includes compression springs for resilient limiting of relative movement of the center frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Flex-King Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond A. Adee, James A. Boone, Dennis L. Lewallen
  • Patent number: 4767232
    Abstract: A hinged joint for adjustably connecting tubular handrails to stanchions or posts, in the assembly of stairway railings, include first and second pivotally connected components, one of the components adapted to be mounted to a stanchion or post and the other to a rail, providing for the adjustable angular offset of the rail with respect to the posts. The pivotal components making up the joint each include a semi-spherical and axially-extending hinge portion, which portions terminate in quarter-spherical end surfaces. The respective hinge portion surfaces are received in corresponding mating quarter-spherical sockets formed in the opposite members. A transverse connector adjustable external to the joint permits the first and second members to be set at a predetermined angular position in accordance with the slope of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Superior Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Francis
  • Patent number: 4744266
    Abstract: A manipulator module comprises an arm bearingly mounted on an axle, confined between left and right adjustable stops with a suitably completed fixing surface. On the arm are stationary mounted hard stops with slits, charged with helical cylindric springs. The springs contact the adjustable stops when the arm approaches the respective stop. Onto parallel guideways, formed by the stationary stops with slits, roll the extreme bearings of a three bearing bearings block, the intermediate bearing of which contacts the fixing surface of the respective stop while the mover is at "on" position. When the arm has reached the stop and has deformed the spring, the "fix" mover is actuated, the arm is fixed to the stop and the energy lost during the arm's movement is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Institute Po Technicheska Kibernetika
    Inventors: Nedko S. Shivarov, Gencho S. Stainov, Todor N. Todorov
  • Patent number: 4717165
    Abstract: A boat trailer having the parallel boat supporting portions of the trailer frame free of any fixed cross frame members rigidly connected to the trailer side booms. The parallel spacing between this portion of the trailer frame is effected by a downwardly curved cross bar member pivotally connected at each end to the trailer side frames. The ends of the pivotally connected cross bar are supported from the trailer side frames in a manner which eliminates the necessity of any side frame-to-cross bar mounting bracketry, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the trailer and simulating a welded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4700017
    Abstract: A ball joint is disclosed to couple together elements of an electric lamp fixture. Two semi-spherical ball joint members are pivotalbly mounted about a pin so as to form a sphere. An arm portion extends from each ball joint member along its equatorial plane. Each arm draws its ball joint member into a socket having a truncated spherical surface so that semi-spherical surfaces of both semi-spherical ball joint members are drawn into sliding contact with truncated spherical surfaces of the socket. In drawing both ball joint members into the socket, the two ball joint members are urged together. The forces with which the arm portion is drawn into the socket determines frictional forces required to rotate each socket relative to the ball joint members as well as one ball joint member relative to the other ball joint member. A continuous passageway passes internally through the ball joint through which electrical wires may pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Norman Wade Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Michel J. E. D. Morand
  • Patent number: 4671696
    Abstract: A shaft assembly comprises a shaft having at least one small diameter portion located on the way in the axial direction thereof, and at least one member mounted to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion of the shaft rotatably and/or movably in the axial direction. The shaft assembly is produced by first forming the member on a large diameter portion of the shaft and then moving the member from the large diameter portion to the small diameter portion. The member moved to the small diameter portion is mounted to the small diameter portion rotatably and/or movably in the axial direction by the shrinkage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Suzuki, Hideo Koizumi, Jun Takeyama, Kunitsugu Tsukui
  • Patent number: 4660845
    Abstract: A stop mechanism for selectively varying the turning angle of an agricultural tractor is disclosed. The stop uses a series of limit tabs, one or more of which may be positioned between two abutments on a knuckle and yoke to provide a number of discrete adjustment points for the turning angle. The tabs are fixed to the steering components, readily movable to a position between the abutments, and semi-permanently attached to the tractor thereby allowing quick adjustment of turning angle without the need for loose parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Herbert W. Herr
  • Patent number: 4640482
    Abstract: A folding tripod the legs of which are moveable into operative positions where they can be arrested to impart stability and firmness to the tripod, by clamping them against peripheral surfaces of brackets protruding from a center post of the tripod. Each bracket is provided with a bearing acting as a fulcrum for its associated leg, and with a peripheral surface surrounding the bearing, the surface having at least one portion which is closer to the bearing than other portions, whereby the legs tend to resist pivotal movement from an operative, load bearing position while permitting movement in an opposite direction to facilitate their release and subsequent storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Howard G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4606667
    Abstract: A stationary robotic base carries a movable robotic platform and supports a pair of vertical striker plates spaced apart by a central, elastomeric block. The striker plates are confined within a compartment of the stationary base, and extend upward into a pathway defined by a lug depending from the moving platform. The lug contacts the top portion of a given striker plate and, as the plate is struck, it tends to pivot about its bottom edge toward the other plate, compressing the elastomeric block, while the other plate is held from moving away from the block. The assembly is bidirectional, with each striker plate being yieldable toward the other as it is encountered by the moving lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4566350
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a lever assembly which comprises generally two parts, which are lever holder and a lever proper. The lever holder has at its one side a tubular portion which is lockably fitted in an opening formed in a door panel, while, the lever proper has at its one side a hollow shaft portion which is lockably but pivotally received in the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Issei Miyamoto, Yuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 4558967
    Abstract: A joint (10) is described for connecting a pair of beams to pivot them between positions in alignment or beside one another, which is of light weight and which operates in a controlled manner. The joint includes a pair of fittings (16, 18), and at least one center link (20) having opposite ends pivotally connected to opposite fittings and having axes (36, 38) that pass through centerplanes (36, 38) of the fittings. A control link (24) having opposite ends pivotally connected to the different fittings controls their relative orientations, and a toggle assembly (26) holds the fittings in the deployed configuration wherein they are aligned. The fittings have stops (28, 30) that lie on one side of the centerplane opposite the toggle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Norwood D. Craighead, II, Richard J. Preliasco, Timothy D. Hult
  • Patent number: 4538393
    Abstract: The specification discloses a structural connector for pivotally connecting two support members to form a folding truss. The support members can be pivoted with respect to the connector between collapsed and extended positions. The connector includes a generally planar body, a locator tab extending from the body and secured between the support members when in their extended position to orient the connector with respect to the connector, and spring clips extending from the body to lock the support members in their extended position. In an alternative embodiment, the connector includes two of the locator tabs to maintain the support members in spaced relation so that a ridge member can be positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Jer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4507820
    Abstract: A concealable handle for carrying an article having one or two elonated channels with a U-shaped cross-section. The handle works in combination with the channels, the handle comprising two elongated straps proportioned to fit inside the channels, one inside each channel. Each strap has a pivot at one end and an attachment at the opposite end. The pivot is too wide to slide out of the channel and is proportioned with longitudinal dimension about equal to the distance between the bottom of the channel and the lips. The latitudinal dimension, perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, is shorter than the longitudinal dimension and the intersection of the edges is rounded. The dimensions of the pivot allow sliding of the strap means along the length in the channel and free rotation of the strap out of the channel to the perpendicular position. At the perpendicular, the pivot is restricted from further rotational movement. Further, at this position, movement of the pivot along the channel is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Dale M. Purcocks
  • Patent number: 4492488
    Abstract: A substantially tubular housing houses a swivel unit proximate one of its ends and a tailpiece proximate the other of its ends; with a relatively strong spring disposed therebetween to urge each unit against its respective housing end with sufficient pressure to retain each such unit as selectively positioned. A swivel seat washer is disposed between the spring and swivel; while a pair of washers, one plastic and one brass, are disposed between the spring and tailpiece. The swivel unit includes an extension with external threads and flat sides that cooperate with flat sides of an opening in the housing end and through part of the sidewall of the housing; the flat sides of the extension and of the housing opening coacting to restrict rotation of the swivel to ninety degrees of rotation about a first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: I. W. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome Warshawsky
  • Patent number: 4462621
    Abstract: A swivel stop for use in lamps of all kinds comprising a lower tube and an upper tube, a member partially secured within the lower tube and partially extending therefrom and formed with a keyway and a stop, and a sleeve secured within the upper tube and provided with a pair of keys.The swivel stop preferably is designed in two versions: an extendable version and a non-extendable version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Chapman Mfg. Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Earle F. Chapman
  • Patent number: 4406576
    Abstract: An industrial robot with a safeguard mechanism for mechanically preventing occurence of any uncontrolled movement of a movable part of the industrial robot, the safeguard mechanism having mechanical engagement means which provides a disengageable mechanical lock between the movable part of the industrial robot and the stationary part of the industrial robot or another stationary member different from the industrial robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Fujitsu Fanuc Limited
    Inventors: Hajimu Inaba, Masao Kita, Shinsuke Sakakibara, Ryo Nihei
  • Patent number: 4406451
    Abstract: A non motorized bidirectional jogging apparatus having a rectangular base member with a roller assembly formed on the base member. A level adjustment device is coupled to the base member in order to adjust the angular incline of the base member relative to the support surface. A collapsible frame extends upwardly from the base member. The collapsible frame consists of four upright posts hinged at their lower ends to the respective front and rear corners of the base member. Grasping rods axially extend from the front upright posts. A handlebar interconnects the top of the two rear upright posts. Side rails each respectively pivotally coupled to a front and rear upright post are each formed in two sections which are releasably coupled together so that on uncoupling, the frame can be folded flat. The hinges include stops to limit hinging of the posts between their upright and folded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Inventor: Salvatore Gaetano
  • Patent number: 4353361
    Abstract: An articulated orthotic/prosthetic appliance for supporting an infirm anatomical knee includes joint assemblies which prevents abnormal or injurious knee motion while freely permitting normal or desirable motion. The appliance includes upper and lower support members having associated spaced apart end portions which form parts of the joint assemblies. Each joint includes a generally disc shaped connecting member disposed intermediate associated end portions of upper and lower support members. The end portions are secured to the connecting member for independent pivotal movement about parallel axes. Concealed stops carried by and disposed intermediate the end portions cooperate with the connecting member to limit pivotal movement of the support members relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: Robert W. Foster
  • Patent number: 4287968
    Abstract: A device at a brake actuator for permitting thrust force transmission between an axially movable push rod (4) of the actuator and a brake block holder (6) moving out of line with the push rod.In order to ensure force transmission irrespective of the brake block holder movements and to avoid any slippage between the members a transmission part (5) is arranged between the push rod (4) and the brake block holder (6) and has spherical surfaces in engagement therewith, these surfaces having a common center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: SAB Industri AB
    Inventors: Bo G. Stensson, Jan O. Harstrom, Jan Csiba
  • Patent number: 4228928
    Abstract: A bottle suspending device primarily for a toilet cleaner dispenser bottle for use in a toilet tank. A pivotal member is received in a recess of the bottle's sidewall when stored and is swingable outwardly to an extended position for resting over the top of the toilet tank wall when the bottle is inverted. The pivotal member has a pair of protruding nipples which are press fit upon assembly onto a pair of corresponding sockets in the recess of the bottle wall, so that the pivotal member rotates from its stored position through about 90.degree. to its extended position along a horizontal pivot axis near the upper end of the suspended inverted bottle. A pair of stop ribs on the pivotal member near the pivot axis abut against the dispenser bottle walls when the pivotal member is extended, to prevent rotation beyond the extended position, and structure associated with the recess provides further protection against over-pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Northwest Sanitation Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey L. Hocker, John M. Alcamo
  • Patent number: 4223176
    Abstract: A damping spacer for parallel overhead conductors in which at least two rigid spacing members are provided with integral hub structures having circular, integral raised wall portions and recesses. The thickness of the wall portions is considerably smaller than the width of the recesses, and the wall portions are opposed and radially offset, such that when the recesses and raised wall portions of the hub structures are placed together in mating relationship, and with the arms thereof located in a position to be clamped to two overhead conductors, the recesses in the hub structures permit the wall portions of the hub structures to move in the recesses, the wall portions of the respective hub structures serving to limit relative movement of the spacing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ronald G. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4188144
    Abstract: A pivoting member, especially the air flow rate meter of an internal combustion engine is disposed on a hub which surrounds a locally fixed shaft. Extending inwardly from the hub is a protrusion, for example a pin, which penetrates an opening in the wall of the shaft which is hollow at this point due to a blind bore extending axially into the shaft. The protrusion is held between two balls or rollers which are located in the blind bore and held in position by cooperation of a spring and an adjustment screw. The adjustment screw has a counter nut which bears on the end face of the shaft and also has gear teeth which engage a first set of threads of a pinion. The pinion has another set of threads of opposite and slightly different pitch so that rotation of the pinion causes differential rotation of the counter nut and permits very precise axial positioning of the hub which carries the pivoting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Jurgen Peters, Hermann Nusser, Manfred Knetsch
  • Patent number: 4158511
    Abstract: An improved pivot joint has a rotatable and tiltable stud. A rotational preload force is applied to the stud by a bearing which is circumferentially stressed in tension to apply a clamping force to the stud. This clamping force resists rotation of the stud relative to a housing until a predetermined minimum rotational force is applied to the stud. A tilting or sidewise preload force is applied to the stud by a resiliently compressible bushing which is disposed between the bearing and the housing. Since the tilting preload force is applied to the stud by the bushing, the bearing can be designed to provide an optimum rotational preload force without regard to tilting preload force design considerations. Similarly, the bushing can be designed to provide optimum tilting preload forces without regard to design considerations influenced by the rotational preload forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Herbenar
  • Patent number: 4127341
    Abstract: For use in a trailing arm assembly having a support frame and a spring-loaded trailing arm pivotally mounted on the support frame, an adjustable stop element is provided for limiting the downward deflection of the trailing arm. The stop element is a rotatable eccentrically mounted element having a polygonal cross section, the surfaces around the polygon adjustably engaging the underside of the trailing arm, thereby adjustably limiting the downward deflection of the trailing arm. The deflection limiting element may conveniently be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped eccentrically mounted between two guide plates which provide lateral support for the trailing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Degelman Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: G. Wesley Stevens
  • Patent number: 4093171
    Abstract: A fishing-rod holder to be mounted upon the hull of a boat or other support, comprising an upwardly-directed tubular member into which a fishing rod can be inserted. The tubular member is mounted on a bracket so as to swivel at various angles vertically, and which bracket is pivotally mounted upon a base to permit directing the rod at various lateral positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Inventor: Alfred Mengo, Sr.
  • Patent number: RE33431
    Abstract: The handle of the broom is canted in relation to its axis of rotation about the broomhead back through a given angle, and connected to the back by way of a hinge the axis of which is inclined through an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis of the back itself. The broom can be used with the handle either upright, or folded down in such a way as to keep the broomhead with the bristles resting upon the surface to be cleaned, without any unwanted tilting or wobbling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Francesco Sartori
    Inventor: Francesco Sartori