By Separate, Deformable Element Patents (Class 403/278)
  • Patent number: 6275556
    Abstract: A control rod drive mechanism includes a first tubular member having a first threaded portion and a first generally cylindrical outer surface, the first tubular member including a first plurality of slots spaced circumferentially on the first outer surface and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the first tubular member, and a second tubular member having a second threaded portion and a second generally cylindrical outer surface, the second tubular member including a second plurality of slots spaced circumferentially on the second outer surface and extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the second tubular member. The first and second tubular members are axial aligned with the first and second threaded portions being engaged with each other to form a threaded joint therebetween. A locking sleeve overlaps at least a portion of the first outer surface of the first tubular member and at least a portion of the second outer surface of the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Calvin L. Kinney, Richard Frank Guardiani, Martin E. Duga
  • Patent number: 6217250
    Abstract: An initially separate blank and pin, where the blank one is formed of powdered metal, and is joined to the pin compressing and locally densifying the blank so that a deviation from perpendicularity of the joined pin to the blank is less than or equal to approximately 0.00120″ at a distance of approximately 0.4″ from a planar first surface. In accordance with a further embodiment, the blank is formed of powder metal and is joined to the pin by compressing the blank so that for a process limit of approximately 0.00120″ at a distance of approximately 0.4″ from a planar first surface, a capability index of the joined pin to the blank is greater than or equal to approximately 2.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: The Presmet Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos E. Camelo, Thomas M. Donohue
  • Patent number: 5689872
    Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Ladd B. Forsline
  • Patent number: 5547050
    Abstract: A shock absorber valve for a hydraulic telescoping strut shock absorber, has, running through a valve body, passages whose respective outlet-side openings are covered by ring-shaped valve discs, whereby the valve discs and the valve body are fastened and axially braced in line. A fully-automated assembly with short cycle times using the dry process can be made possible, whereby a valve closing force independent of tolerances is achieved by using a method which generates as few chips from cutting and machining as possible. To achieve this, the valve discs and the valve body are fastened and prestressed onto a cylindrical component using a fastening element, which fastening element is non-detachably fixed to the cylindrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 5524999
    Abstract: A multiple thermostat assembly includes a plurality of thermostats which grouped together to form a structural unit, with each thermostat including a base plate. The base plates of neighboring thermostats are joined together by plastically deformable adjusting elements in form of U-shaped mountings, webs or pins for allowing a positional adjustment between neighboring base plates relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation Elektronischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft mbH.
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Morbitzer
  • Patent number: 5404630
    Abstract: A method of joining a frame tube to a lug, including steps of making through holes on the lug, squeezing a first elastomer to deform the frame tube causing a plurality of outward projections raised from the frame tube and engaging the through holes, then inserting a reinforcing tube into the frame tube after removal of the first elastomer and then squeezing a second elastomer to deform the reinforcing tube causing a plurality of outward projections raised from the reinforcing tube to engage the inside wall of the frame tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Yung-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 5395093
    Abstract: A T-post fence extender is formed from a cylindrical tube by swedging both end portions of the tube while leaving the central portion as a cylinder. In an alternative the tube is swedged throughout its length. Each swedged portion has a cross-section similar to that of a studded T-post and is sized to fit closely over the end of the T-post. Once in place, the extender may be welded to the T-post, the marginal end portions of the extender may be struck so as to be formed against the T-post between adjacent studs or a slot may be cut out to define a finger which may be deformed inwardly to seat between adjacent studs. The extender may be used either to raise the height of an existing fence or to erect a high fence from the beginning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Chrisman
  • Patent number: 5384948
    Abstract: An assembly of two components comprises a male member and a female member, the latter having a shoulder, with the male member abutted against the shoulder in back-to-back relationship. The female member has a groove. The male member is worked so as to cause its material to invade at least part of this groove in plastic flow. The groove is located beside the periphery of the shoulder having the larger diameter (i.e. the outer periphery of the shoulder), so that the plastic flow of the material of the male member takes place radially outwardly. Arrangements are also provided for sealing the assembly of the two components. The invention is applicable, for example, to torsion dampers for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Ciriaco Bonfilio, Dieter Rohrle
  • Patent number: 5328773
    Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed having a first part constructed or powdered metal and having a lip which extends outwardly from one end of the first part. A second part, for example a steel stamping, has a first side, a second side and an opening extending between its sides. The opening is dimensioned so that, with the second part positioned on the end of the first part, the lip extends through the opening and outwardly from the second or outer side of the second part. The first and second parts are then mechanically secured together by deforming the lip so that a portion of lip overlies and entraps an edge portion of the second part between the deformed lip and the end of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: ICM/Krebsoge
    Inventor: Norm Scott
  • Patent number: 5211500
    Abstract: A method for forming an fixing end portion of a composite rope comprises the steps of mounting a mold on an end portion of the rope, pouring a molten metal in a cavity defined between the end portion of the rope and the mold under pressure, covering a predetermined part of the end portion of the rope with a cast metal formed from the molten metal, cold-pressing the cast metal and fixing the portion coated with the cast metal to a fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Tokyo Rope Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takaki, Hiroshi Kimura, Ryuichi Endo
  • Patent number: 5177920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cross-connector of plastic material for hollow profiled window grill bars introduced into the insulating space of an insulated window assembly consisting of two panes. Such a cross-connector consists of four legs positioned perpendicularly to one another and being configured such that they be inserted into the ends of the hollow profiled window grill bars in order to become fixed with these bars which are fixed to the peripheral frame of the window at their other ends. The present invention achieves the advantages of increased flexure and torsional strengths, and lower weight, while using a plastic material containing break-throughs, or alternatively, recesses. In addition, angled pins positioned oblique to the direction of insertion of the cross-connector legs result in a tighter, more permanent connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Cera Handelsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Karl Rafeld
  • Patent number: 5051543
    Abstract: A grounding ferrule is characterized by a generally cylindrical hollow member having at least three equiangularly circumferentially spaced axially extending slots which cooperate to define a plurality of circumferentially adjacent webs. Each web has a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions provided on the inner surface thereof. The ferrule responds to a radially inwardly directed crimping force applied circumferentially to the exterior surface of the webs by deflecting radially inwardly to define a constricted central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: David E. McGuire
  • Patent number: 4985975
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and a method for attaching the end of a tube of a plastically deformable material such as titanium to a hard metal fitting in a manner that can provide the resulting tube joint with increased strength and fatigue resistance. In the method the tube and fitting are assembled by inserting the tube into the end of a bore in the fitting. A radial force is exerted against a predetermined axial length of the tube wall, and thus also against the fitting, to plastically deform the tube wall radially into plural, axially spaced, circumferential grooves in the fitting bore. While this radial force is being exerted, a die restrains the fitting, causing it to deform elastically more near the end of the fitting bore than near the end of the tube. In the resulting tube joint the fitting applies residual circumferential stresses to the tube that are larger near the end of the fitting bore, and this stress distribution increases the fatigue resistance of the tube joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Unidynamics Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Austin, Jeff D. Gruenberg
  • Patent number: 4950838
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a first conductor to a second conductor. The electrical connector includes a generally E-shaped body which defines first and second conductor receiving cavities for accommodating the respective conductors. An intermediate member extends generally centrally in the interior of the body member, serving to separate the conductor receiving cavities. The body member is provided with an opening communicating with the conductor receiving cavities, by means of which the conductors are adapted to be positioned within the cavities. A plurality of rib members project from the body member into each of the cavities, and are deformable under pressure to vary the size of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg Gordon
  • Patent number: 4930204
    Abstract: A composite tubular structure, such as a vehicle drive shaft. The ends of a fiber reinforced resin tubular member are formed with a plurality of longitudinal slots and each slotted end of the tubular member is positioned in overlapping relation with a cylindrical sleeve portion of a metal yoke. A cylindrical metal collar is disposed around the overlapping joint and spaced portions of the collar are deformed inwardly by electromagnetic energy into contact with the sleeve of the yoke. The deformed portions can be mechanically interlocked with the sleeve by welding or the like. With this construction, the torsional load is transmitted through the deformed portions of the collar and the edges of the tubular member bordering the slots to provide an improved mechanical connection between the fiber reinforced tubular member and the yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Schurter
  • Patent number: 4829146
    Abstract: A conductive metal coupling sleeve harder and springier than the conductor and connector to be joined is interposed between them. The sleeve having patterned inside and outside surfaces is placed over the conductor end and the conductor-sleeve combination is inserted into the bore of the desired connector and subjected to compressing forces to crimp the components together. The patterns of the sleeve interlock with the conductor and the walls that define the connector bore. The springiness of the sleeve insures good electrical conductivity between the components in the event there is some springback of the components upon the termination of assembly compression or creep during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang Duve
  • Patent number: 4721167
    Abstract: A hitch flexing hinge included within the draft beams of an implement frame of the type that enables vertical flexing of the frame sections. The hinge includes a yoke attached to the drawbar of a draft vehicle and a body section that is received in one end of the draft beam. The body portion carries a swivel ball and attachment of the draft beam to the swivel ball allows rotational twisting of the draft beam about its longitudinal axis as the implement frame sections flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gordon L. Salley, Donald K. Landphair
  • Patent number: 4631797
    Abstract: Methods of forming joints between bars of materials such as mild steel are disclosed. In one method, the bars are arranged to lie in generally parallel planes but with their axes at an angle to one another, and a plastically-deformable tubular stub of round or square cross-section is disposed between the bars with its axis substantially intersecting the axes of the bars, which are then pressed together to deform the stub partially around the two bars. In a second method, a bar is arranged in a T-formation with a hollow member, two opposed regions at the end of the tubular member are deformed inwardly and back along the member axis, and the bar is then pressed into the groove so-formed at the end of the member, to deform the end portion partially around the bar. Heat may be used, in the former case on the stub and in the latter case on the tubular member, so that after completion of the joint the heated stub or tubular member will cool and contract, firmly to grip the or each bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Stuart A. Hill
  • Patent number: 4505979
    Abstract: In order to provide a pin for connecting machine parts with one another, which is of optimally light weight, the pin is of a compound structure comprising a core of filler-reinforced synthetic plastics resin and a metallic envelope. As filler there are used quartz sand or carbon fibers. The envelope is preferably seated on the core under circumferential tensile bias. The manufacture of the pin takes place, for instance, by pressing the filler and a matrix resin system directly into a suitably prepared envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Christoph Ruegg, Peter Voirol
  • Patent number: 4456653
    Abstract: In order to provide a pin for connecting machine parts with one another, which is of optimally light weight, the pin is of a compound structure comprising a core of filler-reinforced synthetic plastics resin and a metallic envelope. As filler there are used quartz sand or carbon fibers. The envelope is preferably seated on the core under circumferential tensile bias. The manufacture of the pin takes place, for instance, by pressing the filler and a matrix resin system directly into a suitably prepared envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Christoph Ruegg, Peter Voirol
  • Patent number: 4453034
    Abstract: A core grip for use in conjunction with a conduction cable having an outer conductor and core element in a hollow elongated compression valve wherein the grip is disposed on an end portion of the core of the cable after the outer conductor has been stripped away and the compression valve is disposed about the grip and is crimped into an engagement with the grip which in turn mechanically engages the core wherein the core grip is formed from two separate semi-circular cylindrical halves made of a deformable metal which when joined together from a solid cylindrical grip having an axial core therethrough coated with grit which is adapted to receive the core of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Fargo Mfg. Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Annas, Russell H. Kraft
  • Patent number: 4426761
    Abstract: A pipe clamp for securing together the annular overlap of a pair of assembled and engaging pipes comprises a ring body snugly and concentrically overlying said pipes and contracted or swaged thereon. The ring body is mechanically interlocked with the outer pipe and the pipes are mechanically interlocked and annularly interconnected and sealed throughout 360.degree.. The method of interlocking and sealing together a pair of telescoped pipes includes assembling a ring body around the pipes at their overlap and annularly contracting or swaging the ring body onto the outer pipe. The ring body deforms both pipes forming concentric annular channels therein and a bead in the outer pipe nested within the channel of the inner pipe, the ring body being mechanically interlocked with the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: McInerney Spring and Wire Company
    Inventor: Frank Sassak
  • Patent number: 4424990
    Abstract: This invention provides novel thermochromic compositions which exhibit distinct color changes at temperatures in the range of about 165.degree. C. to about 240.degree. C. The compositions comprise basic copper carbonate and a sulfur compound. Paint formulations containing these novel thermochromic compositions or complexes of copper and sulfur-containing organic acids are also provided. The compositions are useful with heat-recoverable memory metal couplings to prevent overheating of the couplings during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. White, Tamar G. Gen
  • Patent number: 4392296
    Abstract: In a method of joining two metal members by forming an annular groove at least on one of the two metal members to be joined and causing part of the material of the metal member to flow into the annular groove by plastic deformation to form a joint, at least one annular angled member is formed in the annular groove. The annular angled member extending the entire periphery of the annular groove is substantially triangular in axial cross-sectional shape. The joint has increased strength and can be formed with reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanobu Kanamaru, Akira Tohkairin, Hideo Tatsumi, Naotatsu Asahi, Mitsuo Haginoya
  • Patent number: 4347025
    Abstract: A replaceable fuel nozzle nut lockwasher adapted to fit about the periphery f a fuel nozzle nut so as to secure the fuel nozzle nut to a fuel nozzle. The replaceable fuel nozzle nut lockwasher comprises a pair of semicircular shaped members clinched together by a pair of tabs. A pair of grooves located within the fuel nozzle nut lockwasher prevent the axial movement of the fuel nozzle nut lockwasher upon the fuel nozzle nut. In addition, a pair of dimples located within the fuel nozzle nut lockwasher, and a third tab affixed to the fuel nozzle nut lockwasher prevent the rotational movement of the fuel nozzle nut lockwasher about the periphery of the fuel nozzle nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James M. Long
  • Patent number: 4315175
    Abstract: An aluminum electrical conductor is electrically joined to a copper electrical conductor by a cold weld lap joint which is substantially free of copper-aluminum intermetallic compounds. The overlapped portions of the conductors are deformed at least 74% and no greater than 82% to achieve a weld joint which has both excellent physical properties and excellent electrical properties. The cold weld lap joint is a reliable electrical connection for electrical circuits experiencing current densities of more than 1000 amperes per square inch and a sustained high temperature of 125.degree. C. and above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William C. Hamilton, William G. Moffatt, Gasper Pagnotta
  • Patent number: 4203192
    Abstract: A vibrating wire stress meter and the method used to clamp its wire in position. The wire is highly tensioned diametrically across the sides of a hollow metallic cylinder and held there by two anchor tubes. A wedge and platen assembly in turn hold this cylinder in a rock borehole such that small stress changes in the surrounding rock cause the diameter of the cylinder to slightly change. This cylinder variation is transmitted to and measured by the preloaded wire by noting variations in its frequency or period of vibration. To cause the wire to vibrate a coil, magnet, and yoke are used as a plural pole electromagnetic plucker.Clamping of the wire is accomplished by highly tensioning the wire between two opposite hollow tubes that are seated in opposite aligned countersunk holes of the cylinder and then extruding the steel tubes around the wire. The wire extends through holes of those hollow tubes as well as the aligned holes in the cylinder walls which are diametrically opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of Americas as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: Ivor Hawkes
  • Patent number: 4177714
    Abstract: This invention relates to power steering gears for vehicles and more particularly to a torsion bar for a power steering gear and new and improved connections between the torsion bar and components of the gear for improved gear assembly and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Floyd A. Schluckebier
  • Patent number: 4128965
    Abstract: A telescoping plant stake employing a number of telescoping tubular elements, each of which are fitted with a highly resilient friction element at their inner end. The friction element is secured in a groove with its outermost surface extending slightly above the surface of the tubular member with which it is associated and includes a plurality of diamond like protuberances spaced around the periphery which assume compressive engagement with the encircling tube for that member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: August J. D'Hondt
  • Patent number: 3996417
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed which includes an electrically conductive compression barrel and a deformable core grip which includes an inner sleeve and three longitudinally extending lobes projecting radially outwardly from the sleeve. The core grip fits over the projecting end of the reinforcing core member in a cable, and the end of the cable with the core grip thereon and a length of the cable with conductor strands thereon fit into the end of the compression barrel which is crimped against the core grip and against the conductor strands. Crimping produces a strong mechanical connection between the core grip and both the cable core contained therein and the surrounding compression barrel, and produces a good electrical connection of the compression barrel to the conductor strands on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Nick S. Annas