Rod In Socket Patents (Class 403/165)
  • Patent number: 6106182
    Abstract: A hook assembly for a vacuum cleaner handle which has a base member formed in the handle with a continuously internally walled extension defining an opening into which a continuously externally walled extension of a hook member can be inserted so that portions of the externally walled extension engage portions of the internally walled extension so that loads applied to the hook are transmitted to the handle through those surfaces. A spring normally biases the surfaces together, but can be manually overcome to rotate the hook for easy removal of the cord. A double hook arrangement is also provided to support a vacuum hose and an electrical cord with similar interengaging surfaces to transmit the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tacony Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Hamm, John F. Kaido
  • Patent number: 6042297
    Abstract: A locking device for tent poles capable of achieving a firm and easy coupling to poles and easily and conveniently replacing a broken pole piece without replacing the entire pole including the broken pole piece. The locking device includes a mushroom tip member having a fitting portion fitted in one end of a tent pole, a V-shaped longitudinal groove formed on a peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the mushroom tip member, a guide groove formed on the peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the mushroom tip member in such a manner that it crosses the longitudinal groove, and a protrusion radially inwardly protruded from an inner surface of the pole piece corresponding to the end of the tent pole. The protrusion is engagable in both the longitudinal groove and guide groove at the cross point between the longitudinal groove and guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Samjong International
    Inventor: Jeh-Kun Lah
  • Patent number: 5881509
    Abstract: A spiral staircase includes a shaft pole for the staircase, a plurality of arms spirally connected to the outer periphery of the shaft pole, treads fixed to the upper surface of each arm, a plurality of balusters fixed to the outside end portion of a plurality of arms in parallel with the shaft pole, and a plurality of handrails mounted and connected between the balusters pillars, wherein each of the arms is connected to the shaft pole by an arm connecting metal, each baluster is connected to each arm by a baluster connecting metal, and the baluster and the handrails are connected by a handrail connecting metal. Since the connecting metals are used for the connection between the shaft pole and the arms, between the arms and the balusters and between the balusters and the handrails, connection and assembly of the spiral staircase can be carried out easily, reliably and firmly without requiring skilled labor, and the cost of the production and high operation efficiency can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Inafuku Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nouzen Inafuku
  • Patent number: 5816732
    Abstract: A connection device for use with a cable includes a link member to permit connection to another article and a housing formed in the link member having a passage therethrough including an annular cavity of larger diameter than the passage. There is a shaft member fixedly mountable to a cable and insertable into the housing passage. The shaft member is formed with an external annular groove. A clip member is mountable in the external annular groove. The connection device is assembled by insertion of the shaft member through the housing passage in a first longitudinal direction to expose the annular groove. The clip member is mounted in the exposed annular groove of the shaft member and the shaft member is retracted into the housing passage in the opposite longitudinal direction to pivotally and releasably connect the link member and the shaft member by virtue of the clip member rotatably engaging in the annular cavity of the housing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Carl-Erik M. Nissen
  • Patent number: 5772350
    Abstract: A protected swivel has first and second members connected in swiveling engagement and a sleeve overlaying and enclosing at least a portion of each of the first and second members. The sleeve is coupled in sealing engagement with the first member to swivel with the first member. A first seal is interposed between the sleeve and the second member for sealing engagement of the sleeve with the first member. A second seal extends between the first member and the second member. The second seal may include a barrier layer of a viscous material. A swivel bearing is interposed between the first and second swivel members, with the second seal extending between the bearing and the second swivel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Robert C. Ferguson, Todd Sutton
  • Patent number: 5607249
    Abstract: A non-oscillating joint comprises a housing with an annular inner surface, an annular sleeve wedged within the housing, a stud with a radially outer bearing surface received in said housing, a radially outer bearing surface of the stud adjacent a radially inner surface of the sleeve, and an annular bearing wedged within the sleeve, the bearing having a longitudinally inner bearing surface contacting a longitudinally outer bearing surface of the stud. In a first embodiment of the present invention, both the radially outer bearing surface of the stud and the radially inner surface of the sleeve are generally conical, the stud wedged within the sleeve. In a second embodiment, a second bearing is wedged between the sleeve and the stud. The joint is subjected to additional compression pre-load when the housing is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Garth Maughan
  • Patent number: 5607248
    Abstract: A swivel includes two heads rotatably mounted to one another with a bearing arrangement including at least two angular contact bearings arranged to receive a tension loading, and one angular contact bearing arranged in an opposite direction to receive a compression loading. The swivel is attachable, such as with a clevis, to underground drilling equipment for use in pulling a cable or conduit during a widening operation. A calcium-based grease lubricates the bearings. Periodic flushing with calcium-based grease is through a grease zerk and two single lip seals. A separate center pin for mounting the inner races of the bearings is threadably mounted to one of the heads, wherein an unthreaded portion of the shaft is positioned in a counterbore in the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Condux International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Hasse
  • Patent number: 5593113
    Abstract: A multiple payload system comprising a sling assembly and a frame assembly for suspension from an aircraft. The sling assembly includes an elongated load bearing cable having a first end and a second end. A stress sensor used in measuring the weight of the payloads extends between the aircraft and the first end of the load bearing cable. A payload hook is also attached to the sling assembly with an anti-torque device extending between the second end of the load bearing cable and the payload hook. The anti-torque device permits the payload hook to freely rotate relative to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing cable. The frame assembly is attached to the payload hook and comprises an airframe with a plurality of payload hooks secured thereto. The payload hooks are used for selectively attaching and releasing multiple payloads. A stabilizing wing and a plurality of legs are also attached to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Donald P. Cox
  • Patent number: 5573251
    Abstract: A dart flight stem comprises a metal root portion attached by screw thread to a dart barrel. A flight-holding portion is mounted on the root portion for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the flight stem. A shaft extends axially from the flight-holding portion into a complementary bore extending axially from the adjoining end of the root portion. The shaft has a circumferential groove and the peripheral metal wall in the root portion is locally crimped to form radially inwardly peripheral projections in the circumferential groove around the shaft, whereby the flight holding portion is held captive on said root portion. The dart flight stem made by a method of selecting root portion with screw threads at the front end for attachment to a dart barrel. A flight holding portion is mounted on the rear end of the root portion. An axial blind bore is provided in the root portion to establish a rotating fit with a shaft on the flight holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Target Sports Limited
    Inventors: Eric Beard, Gary Plummer, Christopher Thorburn
  • Patent number: 5531625
    Abstract: A universal joint device includes a number of couplers. Each coupler has a spherical head and a frustum portion secured together for engaging with the frustum portion and the spherical head of the other couplers. A tube has a frustum portion formed on one end for engaging with the spherical head of the couplers and has an annular rib extended radially inward from the other end. A rod has a number of teeth for engaging with the annular rib so as to secure the rod to the tube. The rod has a spherical head formed on one end for engaging with the frustum portion of the couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Chun-Chium Zhong
  • Patent number: 5484220
    Abstract: A self cleaning ball bearing swivel connector. The first swivel member is equipped with a seal engaging surface defined by a frusto-conical shoulder and a cylindrical neck. The end of the tubular body which contains the bearing assembly is adjacent to but spaced a distance from the shoulder and together with the shoulder and the neck defines a seal receiving space. A flanged seal is supported in the seal receiving space and the flange is adapted to serve as a one-way flap type valve, permitting debris inside the seal receiving space to be extruded by centrifugal force as the swivel connector rotates, yet preventing the entry of debris or surrounding liquids. The angled surface provided by the frusto-conical shoulder decreases the resistance to the centrifugal force propelling the debris out of the seal receiving space and, thus, facilitates the extrusion of debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Lewis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles T. Lewis, Charles A. Lewis, Thomas J. Pogue, III, Sidney E. Pogue
  • Patent number: 5407291
    Abstract: A coupler for use in swivably independently securing the remote ends of a monofilament or wire, which wire is constantly in a cantilever bending motion at its remote end when folded and necessitates a freedom of rotation. The connector itself has a preferably cylindrical body having two tapered elongate nesting pockets which are separated from each other by an interior stop at the mid-portion of the connector cylindrical body. The elongate pockets are characterized by a taper which is dimensioned to receive and friction fittingly engage the remote ends of a wire or monofilament a spaced distance from the central stop of the connector cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Pop-Tent, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Hazinski, Sidney Samole
  • Patent number: 5405210
    Abstract: A hoist ring assembly where the mating parts on the hoist ring member and the retainer member are formed by forging and are assembled in the as forged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: CBC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Tsui
  • Patent number: 5399042
    Abstract: A swivel utilizing multiple angular contact bearings arranged in such a manner as to provide preloading for two-directional axial and radial thrust stability. This bearing arrangement of angular contact ball bearings applied to swivels adds capabilities of compression and side loading. The boring operations for which the present invention is primarily intended commonly take place in a pressurized environment of liquid and dirt slurry, thereby making sealing of the bearing cavity critical to the exclusion of foreign material which would damage the bearings. The rigidity of the assembly provided by the preloaded bearings creates critical stability in the seal area. The swivel provides the capability for bi-directional axial load support, radial load support, and a sealed inner bearing structure for both passive swivel and power driven swivel products. A particular load capacity is obtained through application of counterpoised arrangements of particular sizes of angular contact ball bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Leonard L. Ivel
  • Patent number: 5286130
    Abstract: A clevis assembly including a clevis body, a clevis loop pivotally mounted on the clevis body, a collar, a fastener, and a set screw assembly. The collar is externally threaded and threads into a counterbore opening in the lower end of the clevis body. The fastener has a circular head portion which is journalled in a bore in the clevis body with the shank portion of the fastener passing downwardly through the collar. A set screw assembly is positioned in a transverse bore in the clevis body extending between the outer periphery of the clevis body and the bore in which the head of the fastener is journalled so that tightening of the set screw assembly engages the head of the fastener to lock the fastener relative to the clevis body and loosening of the set screw assembly allows relative rotational movement between the fastener and the clevis body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Charles R. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5217315
    Abstract: An articulating joint is provided for use in a foldable frame for a stretcher for example, which is capable of being selectively locked against upward, downward, or lateral folding by rotating the joint relative to the folding frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Lifeport, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy R. Rosane
  • Patent number: 5208569
    Abstract: A unisex coupler assembly is disclosed capable of providing a leak tight coupling for waveguides with axial alignment of the waveguides and rotational capability. The sealing means of the coupler assembly are not exposed to RF energy, and the coupler assembly does not require the provision of external flanges on the waveguides. In a preferred embodiment, O ring seals are not used and the coupler assembly is, therefore, bakeable at a temperature up to about 150.degree. C. The coupler assembly comprises a split collar which clamps around the waveguides and a second collar which fastens to the split collar. The split collar contains an inner annular groove. Each of the waveguides is provided with an external annular groove which receives a retaining ring. The split collar is clamped around one of the waveguides with the inner annular groove of the split collar engaging the retaining ring carried in the external annular groove in the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dimartino Michelangelo, Charles P. Moeller
  • Patent number: 5195393
    Abstract: A braided inner cable (10) for a mechanical control cable assembly (36) having a construction which provides for the use of fibers (14), (22) and (24) which are arranged in a three layer construction in which an inner longitudinal fiber core (12) is bound within a second braided fiber layer (16). A final pressure extruded outer jacket layer (30) surrounds the braided fiber layer (16), and permeates any spaces therebetween. The resulting inner control cable (10) is of a size and shape to fit standard commercially available outer cable housings (34). The inventive inner control cable (10) is intended to be used in applications such as for clutch cables on motorcycles and control cables on bicycles. Standard prior art ferrules (40), are installed on the inventive cable (10) by means of an epoxy adhesive (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Cherokee Cable Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan D. Wolfington, Gregory A. Giesea
  • Patent number: 5167661
    Abstract: This articulation device makes it possible to position a first elongated piece 20, which is capable of being pivoted through 360.degree. according to the arrow A, and a second piece 30, which is capable of swivelling about the shaft 40 according to the arrow B. These pieces are made integral with a U-shaped support 10, in relation to which they can be locked by shoes 60 and 70 which are held in position by a single securing screw 50. The pieces 20 and 30 can be connected to elements which are to be positioned, such as pins or connection rods which form part of an orthopaedic external fixing appliance consisting of pins inserted into bone fragments and of an external frame with connection rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Jaquet Orthopedie S.A.
    Inventor: Marcel H. Wagenknecht
  • Patent number: 5122007
    Abstract: An improved cable pulling eye including breakaway protection. The cable pulling eye includes a main body having a female end and a second body with a male end which may be inserted together. The bodies are held together by a breakaway pin passing through the male shaft and the walls of the second body. The pin includes spaced annular grooves as weak points where breakage is limited and will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Jackson A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5112075
    Abstract: A towing system for a vehicle comprises a coupling frame attachable to the rear end of a towing vehicle and to the front end of the vehicle to be towed. The coupling frame includes a rotatable coupling member which permits independent tilting movement of each fron wheel of the towed vehicle during towing operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: John A. Tomse
  • Patent number: 5094134
    Abstract: A cutting pen with a bar-shaped cutter having a blade portion at one end thereof and a cylindrical holder into which the bar-shaped cutter can be inserted from the other end of the bar-shaped cutter. The holder has a radial bearing disposed corresponding to one end of the bar-shaped cutter and a thrust bearing disposed corresponding to the other end to support the inserted bar-shaped cutter in such a manner as to allow rotation around the axis thereof. The cylindrical holder attracts and holds therein the bar-shaped cutter by magnetic attraction, in such a manner that the work of attaching and/or detaching the bar-shaped cutter can be performed simply and easily in a short time, and the bar-shaped cutter is held firmly preventing it from falling off the cylindrical holder during use of the cutting pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiya Mizukoshi
  • Patent number: 5078075
    Abstract: The antenna clamp holds securely a connective member of an object suitable for display at the top of a vehicle antenna mast. The clamp consists of a hinged inner part called the enclosing unit, which is configured to fit around both mast and the tip at the top of the mast and secure the connective member to the mast, and an engaging device, of which there are several, to hold mechanically the enclosing unit on the mast and tip. The antenna clamp is rotatable, easily attached and removed, and does not affect radio reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventors: Richard E. Liming, Treesa V. B. Liming
  • Patent number: 5060533
    Abstract: A fitting structure of a first arm fitted to a robot base of a horizontal articulated robot, wherein a linearly movable slide is longitudinally guided along the robot base. A base at a base end of the first arm is rotatably fitted to the slider, and rotation of the base relative to the slider is restricted by a removable fixing device. This invention is efficiently used when packaging the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobotoshi Torii, Susumu Ito, Akira Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5037087
    Abstract: A wrist exerciser comprises first and second neck engaging members which each carry a neck receiving recess for engagement around the neck of a bottle. The bottle is at least partly filled with water and acts as a weight. One end of a rope is connected to an upper end of the first and second members while the opposite end of the rope is connected near the middle of a bar. Opposite ends of the bar carry handles which can be held by a user who rotates the bar to roll the rope on the bar and thereby lift and lower the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Peter Roth
  • Patent number: 5037231
    Abstract: A joint device, wherein a shaft is supported by a base member, and can rotate in a first direction and a second direction. Two coil springs are mounted on the shaft. The first coil spring has an end fixed to the base member. The inner diameter of the first coil spring is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft. The first coil spring is wound around the shaft in the first direction. The first coil spring is wound tightly around the shaft when the shaft is rotated in the first direction. An arm is attached to the shaft. The arm twists the free end of the first coil spring in the second direction, whereby a return torque is accumulated in the first coil spring. The second coil spring also has an end fixed to the base member. The free end of the second coil spring is twisted when the shaft is rotated in the second direction, whereby a return torque is accumulated in the second coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5028163
    Abstract: An elastic bearing for steering rods of motor vehicles with a stud (1) which is rotatable and which is movable with limited angular and radial mobility. The stud (1) is pressed with interposition of an elastomer bushing (2) into an intermediate shell (3) to permit limited angular and radial mobility of the stud. The intermediate shell (3) is rotatably supported in a joint housing (9), is simpler to produce, and has close moment of rotation tolerances even during operation. For this purpose, the intermediate shell (3) has on the outside a collar (4). Two bearing shells (7, 8) are set between the intermediate shell (3) and the joint housing (9) and are supported against the collar. The bearing shells (7, 8) are pressed by a spring element (10) supported on the joint housing (9) in the axial direction of the stud against the collar (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: TRW Ehrenreich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Krieg, Fritz Busse
  • Patent number: 5024548
    Abstract: Swivelling end fitting for wire rope has a socket element (10) with the end of the rope (30) anchored in a divergent proximal bore portion (12) by splaying its strands therein and securing them with spelter. A distal portion (14) of said bore receives the shank of a terminal element (16) e.g. having an eye formation (18), said shank including a stem (20) terminating in a head (22) held captive but rotatable by a collar (24) round the stem and secured in the distal bore portion, typically by screw engagement with additional security by welding (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Griffin-Woodhouse Limited
    Inventor: David A. Timmington
  • Patent number: 5018474
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for attaching a ski rope to the pylon of a towing boat for preventing chatter and wear on the front end of the rope. The device includes a vertically extending support pin which is mounted on the upper end of the pylon. A cylindrical swivel head is mounted by means of an anti-friction bearing on the support pin for rotation about a vertical axis. The swivel head is formed with an annular groove which is intermediate upper and lower shoulders that are sized to retain a loop on the front end of the rope onto the swivel head during towing. The rope loop freely turns with the swivel head as the rope angularly displaces relative to the boat during towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Malibu Boats, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Jellen
  • Patent number: 5003837
    Abstract: A curved cable end connector for providing directional changes of a flexible control cable includes a male end adapted to be rotatably locked within a female receptacle at the end of a cable conduit. The connector is formed of relatively rigid plastic material and includes an enlarged male receptacle end having resilient locking tabs formed therein for receiving a similar connector or other type of cable end connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Orschlen Co.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Italiano
  • Patent number: 5002420
    Abstract: A swivel snap hook of low cost, high strength construction for bearing loads wherein all the primary components are constructed of a stamped material including a body having a hook opening formed thereon for receiving a load member and a pivotally mounted keeper located adjacent the hook opening movable between a latched position closing the hook opening and a load attachment bypass position. The other primary components include an anchor and a swivel for rotatably mounting the body to the anchor. The swivel also being of a stamped and formed construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce L. Loyd
  • Patent number: 4998551
    Abstract: A storm umbrella comprises a canopy, a center pole, a first sleeve slidably mounted on the center pole, and a plurality of outer ribs extending outwardly from a top of the pole and forming a frame for the canopy. A plurality of intermediate ribs are each connected at one end to a corresponding one of the outer ribs and connected at another end to the first sleeve to support the outer ribs and open and close the canopy. In one embodiment of the invention, the center pole is divided and a rotational joint is connected between upper and lower portions of the center pole. In a second embodiment, the center pole is not divided and the rotational joint is connected between the center pole and a handle for the umbrella. Consequently, in either embodiment, when the canopy is subject to a torsional force, the canopy can rotate relative to the handle to shunt the force. This avoids damage to the umbrella and makes the umbrella easier to hold by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Winpro Industries
    Inventor: James G. DeSarno
  • Patent number: 4985959
    Abstract: End support members mountable at each end of a paint-applying cover sleeve and adapted to receive the axle of a roller handle. Each support comprises a central hub which defines a chamber greater in diameter being the axle of a handle member. A radially expansible split tube is positioned in the chamber. The interior diameter of the split tube prior to expansion is smaller than the diameter of an axle and the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of said chamber. When the axle is inserted into the split tube the latter expands radially outwardly and exerts radially inward pressure on the axle to frictionally retain the axle in its longitudinally adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: RAF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry A. Lieberman, Kenneth R. Stoddart
  • Patent number: 4986457
    Abstract: The closed loop cable system was designed for preventing the theft of coats, but could be used for many other applications. When used for theft prevention, a length of cable is passed through one or both sleeves of the coat to form a loop, and the cable ends, which are provided with mating ferrules are then mated together and then crimped. The cable loop through bath sleeves prevents anyone from trying the coat on, and through one sleeve enables customers to try the coat on, but alerts clerks that it has not been paid for, and thus prevents anyone from putting a coat on and walking out without paying for it. A specialized tool is used to crimp ferrules on the ends of the cable together, and the same tool can be used to cut the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Lucky Line Products
    Inventor: F. Dale Faris
  • Patent number: 4958838
    Abstract: A snap-on dart flight that is readily attachable to a flight rotation shaft by the simple procedure of inserting the shaft mating portion into an internal axial cavity located within the flight. The axial flight cavity is comprised of a flight mating portion having one or more extension(s) and/or recess(es) which can be of any desired cross-sectional shape. e.g., rounded, v-shaped, cylindrical, etc., and is located along the flight central axis. The flight of this invention is comprised of a centrally located bushing tube having a plurality of vanes, usually four, equally spaced around said bushing tube. The vanes can be integral with the flight bushing tube or mounted on the outside surface thereof, e.g., using an adhesive. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the flight is molded or otherwise formed in one piece to have the axial cavity described. Alternatively, a flight axial bore tube can be inserted within the flight bushing tube to define said cavity forward portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Charles W. Farler
  • Patent number: 4938623
    Abstract: A locking bar for blocking relative movement of movable parts of a device, particularly providing anti-theft nature to devices such as wheelchairs which would probably be manipulated to a collapsed condition as an incident to a theft of the device; and anti-theft nature is especially provided by the locking bar made to appear to be merely a non-removable axle, yet made shortenable for removal, and thus chair-collapsability by authorized personnel, by an internal sliding operativity which is concealed but which achieves length-changing be engagement of screw-threaded parts to permit manual torque-application to movable parts to achieve the length-changing, the sliding member being a socket whose sliding into or from its length-changed position is effected merely by tilting to achieve positioning by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Leads Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry G. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4872666
    Abstract: A skipping rope assembly of a type particularly useful by small children or handicapped people attempting to learn how to coordinate movements required for skipping rope includes a relatively stiff elongate skipping element which carries handles on its opposite ends. The handles are readily removable so they can be opened to permit the ends of the skipping element to be adjusted lengthwise therein, thereby adjusting the length of the exposed portion of the skipping element defined between the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Kristin S. Smith
  • Patent number: 4831916
    Abstract: A piston assembly including a plastic piston defining a socket at its rear face and a metallic annular insert member positioned within the socket and receiving the piston rod of the piston assembly in acting to increase the effective area over which the loading from the piston rod is applied to the plastic piston so as to allow the plastic piston to be used in environments where it might otherwise fail due to the high stress loading. The annular insert also includes prongs struck from the main body portion of the insert member and coacting with an annular shoulder on the piston rod to preclude axial withdrawal of the piston rod from the piston and further includes an annular flange portion which acts to facilitate positioning of the insert member in the socket in the piston and further acts to define the fully retracted or extended position of the piston in coaction with a snap ring on the inner periphery of the associated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventors: Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens, Leslie P. Branum, David C. Barker
  • Patent number: 4821597
    Abstract: An operating crank for a window regulator mechanism includes a one piece molded handle having a visible side and a non-visible side when mounted at one end to a driven mechanism. A knob is rotatably attched to the visible side of the other end of the handle by an attachment located generally in the area where the knob is gripped by an operator. The attachment includes a series of molded ribs on a shank which extends axially from the visible side of the handle and which rotate within a groove inside the knob. The knob retention ribs extend radially of the shank and are molded integrally to the shank by means of a die insert receivable through access slots defined through the knob end of the handle from the non-visible side of the handle, giving access to the coplanar bottom surfaces of the knob retention ribs. The retention ribs may thereby be molded without leaving a visible parting line on the visible side of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: George Z. Marciniak, William M. Selkirk
  • Patent number: 4799646
    Abstract: A valve device for a gas cylinder or the like, characterized in that it comprises an axially mobile piston (3) within a valve-body (1) coming to bear by one end against a seat (2), the piston moving axially by means of a handwheel (4) to which it is connected by an assembly (9, 10) allowing the rotation of the handwheel in relation to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Society said: ROVIP
    Inventor: Marius Rollett
  • Patent number: 4791828
    Abstract: An improved crank handle apparatus including a rod with radial protrusions near its distal end and a rotatable handle having a passageway receiving the rod, the passageway including a proximal portion with keyways therealong for protrusion passage during assembly, a middle retaining portion ending the keyways, and a distal portion of larger cross-section to accommodate the protrusions in any rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Lewisan Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Kaye
  • Patent number: 4784529
    Abstract: A method for securely mooring a floating tension leg platform to an anchoring base template. The method involves swinging an end of a neutrally bouyant, one piece tendon which has an enlarged connector downwardly into position adjacent an anchoring receptacle, pulling the enlarged connector through a side-entry opening in the receptacle, lifting the tendon to seat the enlarged connector in a load ring of the receptacle, adjusting the effective length of the tendon to place it in tension and repeating these steps for each of the mooring tendons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew F. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4723804
    Abstract: A rotatable coupling is provided for connecting the haulback line ferrule of a cable yarding system to cable chokers. The coupling includes a top member and a bottom member rotatably joined along a pair of opposing flat faces which abut each other and allow rotation about only one axis. A slot in the top member includes a wide bottom cavity and a narrow top cavity which meet to form an annular shoulder against which a top face of the ferrule seats. A stop formed by the sidewall of the top member obstructs radial movement of the ferrule out of the bottom cavity when the top face of the ferrule abuts the shoulder. A lock bolt selectively supports the ferrule against the shoulder. A log bundle carried by cable chokers rotates freely with the bottom member while the top member remains stationary. The coupling thereby prevents torsional forces from being introduced into the cable by rotation of the log bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventor: Tom Gatens
  • Patent number: 4714110
    Abstract: A torque relief device for use on sucker rod pumps that relieves sucker rod torque deep in the well. Although the device will relieve torque for all sucker rod pumps it will be most effective for use in long stroke sucker rod pumps; further although the device will be effective on all sucker rod pumped wells, it will be most effective on deviated wells where sucker rod torque is the greatest. The device includes a square tube fixed within the well. Inside of the square tube a wheeled rod guide moves up and down with the sucker rods but is restrained from rotating by the wheels reacting with the tube. At each end of the wheeled rod guide is a swivel that allows the sucker rod to rotate thus dissipating the sucker rod torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Edward D. Dysarz
  • Patent number: 4704044
    Abstract: A wire coupling device for connecting a displacement-transmitting wire therein is formed by engagement of two wire engaging members, wherein a first engaging member is entered through pivotal holes and then a second engaging member is inserted into a hollow cylinder of the first member, thereafter the two members are circumferentially turned to coincide respective notched grooves, thus the wire coupling device is formed. To the formed device, a wire terminal nipple is connected to serve as a wire coupling in a brake system of a bicycle, wherein the first member and the second member are integrally engaged and are adapted to turn in pivotal holes. Further the invention prevents possible disengagement of the connected nipple by way of turning the two engaged members relatively for about 180 degrees to cross over the grooves and openings provided on the members so that the nipple is enclosed in the wire coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Yoshigai Kikai Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiharu Yoshigai
  • Patent number: 4695704
    Abstract: A curling iron includes an elongated heating element attached at one end to a handle and having an outer circular peripheral surface provided with a plurality of generally arcuately spaced, radially open grooves extending longitudinally on the outer peripheral surface of the heating element between the first end adjacent the handle and second free end, with the grooves being axially open at the second end. Plurality of bars supporting hair grooming members are slidingly removably engaged in the grooves through the open ends thereof in heat exchange relation with the heating element. An auxiliary handle is attached to the second end of the heating element for preventing removal of the bars from the grooves, there being free, unlimited, bidirectional relative rotation between the auxiliary handle and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 4687365
    Abstract: A swivel connector for connecting a first and second line for towing of one line by the other wherein there is provided an upper limit on loading that may be imposed between the lines as a safeguard to damage to one of the lines. The swivel connector includes first and second swivel heads connected by a load pin. The load pin is fixed to fracture at an approximate predetermined loading between the first and second swivel heads which loading is beneath that which would otherwise cause danger or damage to one of the lines. Upon fracture of the pin, it is readily replaced so that the swivel head can be used again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Condux International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Promersberger
  • Patent number: 4674218
    Abstract: A gun bore cleaning device serves rods of different diameters with a handle which accommodates to the different rods. The handle has a central through-bore which communicates with an enlarged threaded bore at each of its inboard and outboard ends. The rods are extendable through the central through bore. Each has an end cap fixed thereon at the outboard end thereof for seating in the enlarged bore at the outboard handle end. A threaded inboard end cap is sleevable upon the rod and is threadable into the inboard bore so as to be walked into tight interengagement with the handle. A threaded outboard end cap fits over the end cap and is threadable into the outboard bore so as to be walked into tight interengagement with the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: C. Edward Bottomley
  • Patent number: 4671517
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting an arrowhead on an arrow shaft wherein a biasing force acts to keep the arrowhead in alignment with the arrow shaft. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a flanged support sleeve in the end of a hollow arrow shaft and an arrowhead connector, wherein the shank of the connector is retained in the support sleeve with a biasing force acting to pull the connector and attached arrowhead back against the flange of the support sleeve. The biasing force is of adjustable magnitude for use with arrowheads of differing weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Danny J. Winters
  • Patent number: 4669907
    Abstract: An industrial or heavy duty type swivel used to make connection between load receiving and hoisting devices with relative rotation therebetween, is assembled with minimal machined parts and includes an upper connector having a receiving cavity for a lower connector which has pre-assembled thereon, prior to interconnection within the cavity, a thrust washer or thrust bearing assembly which interconnects by a splined or bayonet type connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: The Crosby Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry C. Patton