Biased Catch Or Latch Patents (Class 403/326)
  • Patent number: 5054952
    Abstract: To detachably fasten and secure a drainage element (3) on pressing plate (1) of a fruit press, the end of drainage element (3) provided with an insert (4) is inserted into sleeve (5) of pressing plate (1). On sleeve (5) there is placed a retaining ring (7) made as a flat spring ring that carries several cams (9, 10) on its inner periphery. In sleeve wall (12) there are slots (11) in which cams (9, 10) engage. While cams (9) are used to fix retaining ring (7) and to secure sleeve (5) axially, cam (10) is guided through sleeve wall (12) and engages in a recess (13) of insert (4) so that drainage element (3) is secured against axial movement and torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Bucher-Guyer AG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Alexander Chara
  • Patent number: 5054953
    Abstract: A locking device is described which is self-adjusting in length and it is therefore adapted to compensate possible differences in the distance between the points of mutual fastening of two bodies.The device of this invention includes a first and a second member, one of them being integral with one of the bodies to be connected, while the second is non-rotatably slidable within the first member, and is biased to partially project out of the latter, by a spring interposed between the first and the second members. The spring keeping the second member abutting against a fastening portion of the second body. The device includes a fastener for mutual fastening of the first to the second member, and to the fastening portion of the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Videoplastic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvio Mattiolo
  • Patent number: 5049158
    Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly includes a single piece bearing component having an inner bearing surface for receiving a ball attached to a femoral prosthesis and an outer surface. The assembly also includes a shell component for attachment to an acetabulum to replace a natural hip socket includes an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the bearing component therein. The inner surface of the shell component is formed to include an arcuate groove therein. A formed wire is situated in the arcuate groove of the shell component. The wire is configured so that a portion of the wire extends radially inwardly from the arcuate groove of the shell component to engage an arcuate groove formed in the bearing component to retain the bearing component inside the shell component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Engelhardt, Jon C. Serbousek, C. Wayne Allen, Alex M. DiNello, Jeff M. Ondrla, Duane G. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5048996
    Abstract: A universal connector for linking and retaining first and second members to one another, wherein the first member has a tapered end portion for insertion into the connector, the first member having a reduced cross sectional portion forming an annular groove adjacent but spaced from the tapered end portion, wherein the connector has a main body with one end portion having an aperture for receiving the second member in retaining engagement, an opposite end portion having an aperture for receiving the first member in retaining engagement, and a bridging portion interconnecting the one end portion and the opposite end portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Chester G. DuBois, Kurt R. Dembski
  • Patent number: 5037233
    Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a lug and a pipe to be fitted onto a projection at the lug, annular grooves opposite to each other being disposed at the mutual contact surfaces of the lug projection and pipe, wherein an unidirectional form memory alloy changeable of its outer diameter by heating is disposed in one of the opposite annular grooves, and the projection of the lug and the pipe are bonded at the fitting surfaces by means of a thermosetting adhesive, whereby the bicycle frame is high in safety and superior in productivity and has an improved bonding strength and mechanical juncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munekazu Nishihara, Kenichiro Suetsugu, Tetsuo Fukushima, Jyunji Ikeda, Yakeshi Yoshii, Masato Tanida, Kazumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5026200
    Abstract: A releasable connector (3) is described for connecting a first member (2) to a second member (1), the members (1, 2) being adapted to be inserted into one another. The releasable connector (3) comprises a lock element (4) located in a recess (5) in a surface of the first member (2) and biasing means is provided to bias the lock element (4) to a first position in which the lock element (4) extends from the recess (5) to engage a shoulder on the second member (1) to lock the first member (2) to the second member (1) against withdrawal. A movable release device (7) is located on the second member (1) so that actuation of the release device (7) causes the release device (7) to co-operate with a surface (9) of the lock element (4) to move the lock element (4) to a second position against the action of the biasing means. This causes the lock element (4) to be disengaged from the shoulder on the second member (1) with the release device (4) terminating short of the recess (5) in the first member (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Plexus Pipe Products Limited
    Inventor: Bernard H. van Bilderbeek
  • Patent number: 5014934
    Abstract: A first fastener component (26) is secured to an inner aircraft skin surface (6) by a mounting flange (12) and extends across a discontinuity (8) in the skin (2). A second fastener component (28) is secured to a rib (24) on the inner surface of a resilient blade (22) and extends through the discontinuity (8) into engagement with the first component (26). Inward pressure on the blade (22) urges the components (26, 28) into releasable locked engagement with each other. The components (26, 28) secure the blade (22) in a flattened use position in which it is substantially flush with and sealingly engages the outer skin surface (4). The blade (22) may be removed by inserting a tool under it and exerting a lifting force to disengage the components (26, 28). The blade (22) may be dimensioned to cover the outer ends of adjacent fasteners (14) extending through the skin (2). The blade (22) is preferably conductive to provide a continuous electrical path along the outer skin surface (4) across the discontinuity (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James K. McClaflin
  • Patent number: 5000614
    Abstract: A quick connector assembly has a female housing with a hair pin style retaining clip to retain a beaded conduit therein. The female housing includes a pair of slots forming ramped surfaces on the housing to enable legs of the retainer to be transversely positioned within the axial bore of the female housing to retain male fittings therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Huron Products Corporation
    Inventors: Donald C. Walker, James McNaughton
  • 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: 4968910
    Abstract: An axial securing device for the shaft of a small motor in which one end of the shaft is solidly connected with a rotor and the other end is supported in a thrust bearing of a stator. A securing element is locked into an annular groove of the shaft. The securing element has an inwardly directed bulge and a cylindrical projection. When the shaft is inserted, the securing element is pushed in front of the annular groove during the radial extension and locks into the annular groove by itself during further axial movement. The projection is so dimensioned so that through this movement its underside surrounds the contact surface of the shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Micronel AG
    Inventors: Peter Meier, Ernst Scherrer
  • Patent number: 4966488
    Abstract: A universal joint yoke has a ball and socket connection at one end. The ball is held in the socket with an assembly of a retainer and a hidden spring. The spring is rectangular and is compressed into an external rectangular groove of the retainer. The retainer is then inserted into a recess at the end of the socket. The retainer must be inserted past its final farthest-in position for the spring to expand into an internal rounded groove in the recess to assure a loose connection without any preload on the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Weasler Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Mayhew
  • Patent number: 4964432
    Abstract: A method and means for removably connecting a valve member (62, 62A) on a valve stem (46, 46A) for movement between open and closed positions relative to a valve seat (24, 24A). The removable connection includes a split frustoconical connector (76, 76A) forming two halves (78, 78A) which fit about a frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the valve stem (46, 46A). A retainer sleeve (84, 84A) holds the split connector (76, 76A) about the frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the stem (46, 46A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Keystone International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: 4954004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable coupling between a male element and a female element. The coupling comprises a split clamp ring that is ranged to be received in corresponding annular recesses in the male element and female element, whereby the ring shall have one wedge surface to engage with a support surface in one recess on the male element and another wedge surface obliquely, disposed from the first wedge surface to engage with a support surface in the other recess in the female element. By applying a circumferentially directed force to the end portions of the split ring, it will be possible to achieve a locking engagement between the ring and its matching recesses, thus assembling the male and female elements to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: AB Sandvik Coromant
    Inventors: Kurt H. A. E. Faber, Ute M. I. Faber, Knut Faber, Inken A. H. Faber, Andrea J. Faber
  • Patent number: 4951550
    Abstract: A brake booster is disclosed which reduces an idle stroke of an input shaft. A key member which is mechanically coupled to a valve plunger which forms part of a valve mechanism is provided with an elastic member so that when the brake booster is inoperative, the elastic member on the key member abuts against a shell and a valve body, respectively, thereby limiting a retracting movement of the valve body. Under this condition, a retracting movement of the key member is allowed by an elastic deformation of the elastic member if the input shaft is pulled rearward to cause a retracting movement of the valve plunger and the key member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Ohki, Shintaro Uyama
  • Patent number: 4952093
    Abstract: A fastening for mounting on a pipe shaft or hollow polygonal cross-sectional shaft for use in a business machine or other industrial machine to hold an element on the shaft. The fastening has a ring having a gap at a peripheral portion, the portions of the ring on opposite sides of the gap being a pair of holding arms extending peripherally toward the gap, the holding arms having the ends opposed to each other and spaced slightly less than the diameter of the pipe and positioned a little past a diameter through the center of the ring and perpendicular to a diameter extending through the gap. Each holding arm has a curved holding surface at the end thereof on the inside of the ring for intimate engagement with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Yokiyoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 4941764
    Abstract: A brake booster is easily fastened and free from play on the splash wall of an automotive vehicle. The guiding portion (10) of the booster housing (1) is provided with an annular groove (11) receiving a clamping ring (3) held on the splash wall (2) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Breitwieser, Wolfgang Kirchner
  • Patent number: 4936612
    Abstract: A seal lock for use on the access doors of freight cars, trailer trucks and cargo containers or other applications requiring a one time use disposable locking device. In the preferred embodiment a C shaped locking body (10) having a locking mechanism within its upper leg member (14) and a blind hole within its lower leg member (16) and a locking pin (30) with its first end temporarily held in place by the locking mechanism within the upper leg member (14). The seal lock is positioned over the hasp and the locking pin is pushed with sufficient force to overcome the temporarily held position and is pushed through the aperture of the hasp until the first end of the locking pin (30) fully engages and is secured and supported by the blind hole within the lower leg member (16), while simultaneously the opposite end of the locking pin (30) permanently engages the locking mechanism within the upper leg member thereby securing the seal lock in place by means of a single engagement permanently secured locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Raymond F. Kohn
  • Patent number: 4924757
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a cylinder head on a hydraulic actuator to a cylinder uses a plurality of segmented, curved rings. The rings engage curved surfaces on a plug portion of the cylinder head and on the cylinder. Shear ring retaining plates position the shear ring segments. The cylinder head has a bearing which defines a bore for rotatably connecting the cylinder head to an external structure. The cylinder head also has a neck which joins the bearing with the cylinder plug. The neck has an enlarged dimension transverse to the bore axis and cylinder axis to minimize reaction forces against the shear ring segments generated by torque exerted against the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Howard F. Keene, Frank M. Wyckoff
  • Patent number: 4919559
    Abstract: A locking assembly (10) having a female member (12) and a male member (22) particularly suited for use in an automotive arm rest. The female member (12) has a receiving cavity (14) with opposing and spaced walls (16a, 16b) extending along a receiving axis (18). The female member defines a plurality of locking recesses (20) spaced along the axis (18) on one wall (16a) of the cavity (14). The male member (22) has a plurality of tines (24) spaced apart longitudinally therealong for snapping into the recesses (20) to retain the male member (22) in the cavity (14). The assembly (10) is characterized by the female member (12) presenting a plurality of biasing beams (26) independent from one another and spaced along the opposite wall (16b) of the cavity (14) for respectively engaging the tines (24) to retain one tine (24) in each of the recesses (20 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest L. Belleville
  • Patent number: 4916958
    Abstract: At least one axial groove is formed on an output shaft which extends from an end of the output shaft to a stop ring groove and has a depth substantially equal to that of the stop ring groove to allow a stop ring fitted therein to be pushed up by a pin or the like inserted along the axial groove into the stop ring groove. A stop ring groove may be formed in a position on the output drive shaft adjacent to an end thereof, and an extension of a pinion drive shaft is provided which extends from an end face of the pinion drive shaft to form a cylindrical protective cover for a stopper fitted by the stop ring received in the groove and protruding from the end surface of the pinion drive shaft when the latter is retracted fully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Okamoto, Kazuo Takami
  • Patent number: 4917423
    Abstract: A seal lock for use on the access doors of freight cars, trailer trucks and cargo containers or other applications requiring a one time use disposable locking device. In the preferred embodiment a C shaped locking body (10) having locking mechanisms within its upper leg member (14) and lower leg member (16) and a locking pin (30) with its first end temporarily held in place by the locking mechanism within the upper leg member (14). The seal lock is positioned over the hasp and the locking pin is pushed with sufficient force to overcoming its temporarily held position and is pushed through the aperture of the hasp until the first end of the locking pin (30) permanently engages the locking mechanism within the lower leg member (16) while simultaneously the opposite end of the locking pin (30) permanently engages the locking mechanism within the upper leg member thereby securing the seal lock in place by means of a double engagement permanently secured locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Raymond F. Kohn
  • Patent number: 4913580
    Abstract: A connector aassembly for releasably joining a first structural member and a second structural member. The connector assembly includes a female connector component carried by the first structural member including a window having first and second ends, an outside surface and an inside surface, a cam wall positioned adjacent the first end and recessed from the outside surface, and a deflector positioned adjacent the second end and the inside surface. The cam wall has a ramp surface which converges with the outside surface away from the second window end. The assembly further includes a male connector component carried by the second structural member. This component includes a male member for reception in the window and a stem joining the male member and the second structural member. The male member is resilient and has a head with an undersurface for riding on the ramp surface along with a tail extending rearwardly from the head. The head and tail have a generally coplanar outside surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 4909370
    Abstract: A pulled-type motor vehicle clutch to be used between a combustion engine and a gear box comprises a clutch release ring, axial movement of which results in releasing or opening the clutch. A clutch release sleeve is insertable into the clutch release ring and is connectable to the clutch release ring by a wire clip. The wire clip has a circular basic wire ring and two end portions. The wire ring extends over nearly 360.degree.. A gap is defined between the ends of the circular basic wire ring. The end portions are adjoined to the ends of the circular basic wire ring. These end portions can be engaged by hand or by a tool for widening the circular basic wire ring. The end portions cross each other. The gripping faces are directed in opposite circumferential directions away from each other such that mutually approaching said gripping faces results in widening the circular basic wire ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Limbacher, Karl Muller, Nikolaus Rudolph, Herbert Voit
  • Patent number: 4902280
    Abstract: The trocar is provided with a leaf spring in the housing which abuts a collar on a protective tube which surrounds the sharp tip of the stylet. A spring finger extending from the leaf spring is actuated by a slider when the two housings of the trocar components are squeezed together. The spring finger initially lifts the leaf spring from the collar to release the protective tube for sliding proximally while the collar subsequently lifts the spring finger from the shoulder of the slider to prevent a re-release of the leaf spring when the protective tube 16 is moved back into the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: Jack R. Lander
  • Patent number: 4898523
    Abstract: A gear pump in which a drive shaft is telescoped into a bore in a spur gear and is held against rotation relative to the gear by means of a key fitting into keyways formed in the shaft and in the bore of the gear. To retain the shaft against axial movement relative to the gear, a spring steel ring is formed with a radially extending slot having a transverse width just slightly greater than the transverse width of the key. The ring is collapsed hoopwise into a groove in the shaft and is positioned such that the slot in the ring is alined axially with the keyway in the shaft. When the shaft is telescoped to a predetermined depth in the bore in the gear, the ring expands hoopwise and snaps into a groove formed in the wall of the bore. The coaction of the ring with the two grooves locks the shaft against axial movement relative to the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Suntec Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Frank L. Harwath
  • Patent number: 4896989
    Abstract: A lockable, pin-retaining coupling comprising a clevis having a bore extending therethrough and a pin slidably positioned within the bore. A brake restrains movement of the pin within the bore. Stops adjacent opposite ends of the pin prevents the pin from being removed from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: William E. Swager
  • Patent number: 4892432
    Abstract: A clip to clip independently rotatable parts that must be axially held relative to each other, but not be constrained from sliding axially together. Each part (9, 10) has a bore and an internal annular groove (28) and the clip has transverse flanges (23, 24) that spring out and enter the grooves when the bores are aligned. The clip has a gap so that the cross-section can be changed considerably by gripping holes in the flanges with long-nosed pliars, or other gripping tool, that can enter the internal bores, address the clip to the grooves, and release the clip to enter the grooves. The tool is also used to remove the clip for dissembling the parts. Thus the parts, e.g. mainshaft gears, that have to be slide each way to engage respective dogs, can be replaced individually - in contrast to existing gear-pairs which tend to be unseparable without destruction of the clip (and usually of both gears).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4865503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for joining together building units, comprising a lock housing (2) positioned in one building unit; a peg (3) projecting from the other building unit; and a locking means (7) by means of which the peg is locked in the lock housing and which comprises two branches (10, 11). After having passed the peg, the branches are turned towards each other by means of a guide surface (12) provided in the lock housing (2). In prior devices the locking means (7) has to be very strong because the contact surface between it and the flange of the peg is small. A large contact surface can be provided between the locking means and the flange of the peg by forming the guide surface into a continuous arched surface (12) which bends the branches sharply towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Oy Lohja AB
    Inventor: Matti O. Kaimo
  • Patent number: 4854764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable coupling between a male element and a female element. The coupling comprises a split clamp ring that is ranged to be received in corresponding annular recesses in the male element and female element, whereby the ring shall have one wedge surface to engage with a support surface in one recess on the male element and another wedge surface obliquely, disposed from the first wedge surface to engage with a support surface in the other recess in the female element. By applying a circumferentially directed force to the end portions of the split ring, it will be possible to achieve a locking engagement between the ring and its matching recesses, thus assembling the male and female elements to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: AB Sandvik Coromant
    Inventors: Kurt H. A. E. Faber, Ute M. I. Faber, Knut Faber, Inken A. H. Faber, Andrea J. Faber
  • Patent number: 4847950
    Abstract: The assembly comprises two, snap-together pieces which, following their clinched or latched engagement, are freely rotatable relative to each other. One of the two pieces comprises a sleeve which has an inner annular land, and the other of the two pieces comprises a rod having flexible extending fingers which terminate in outwardly-directed, land-engaging and latching lugs. The rod is slid into the sleeve, with the lug-ended fingers entering first, and, consequently, the fingers are resiliently forced inwardly until the lugs reach the land. Then the fingers spring outwardly while the lugs latch onto the land. This latching together of the pieces requires no tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Coleman
  • Patent number: 4840291
    Abstract: The container dispenser comprises a body member, a collar and a container biasing spring for initially receiving a column of nested containers and continuously exerting a biasing force on the containers, such that the last container of the column is disposed at the open end of the dispensing apparatus. The body member is preferrably made of a plastic material formed by extrusion blow molding or injection blow molding and in a further aspect of the invention, the collar is injection molded and secured to the body member by a snap fit or spin weld joining technique. The exterior of the body member is shaped to provide a number of inward depression adjacent the open end of the body member, for engaging the lower most containers of the stack of nested containers. Loading and/or dispensing of containers requires a localized resilient deformation as the containers move past the inward depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Hillwell Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Merlin
  • Patent number: 4833751
    Abstract: In a liquid applicator provided with a fixing member for retaining a liquid-application member having a fixing flange at its rear end, the liquid-application member and the fixing member are assembled to form an assembly which is mounted inside a front shaft of the liquid applicator through a snap-in packing. Since the fixing member is provided with a resilient clipping-plate portion for compensating any variation of the thickness of the fixing flange of the liquid-application member, assembling of the assembly and the front shaft can be easily conducted in the liquid applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Iwase, Kiyokazu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4827550
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is provided for transmitting powered motion to an operating member having a removable head mechanism contained within a hollow housing. A motorized base, including a base drive shaft, is locked onto a head drive shaft of the removable head mechanism in response to axial movement of the base drive shaft into the housing. The head mechanism comprises a collet having outwardly radiating arms and inwardly extending feet at the lower end of the collet and a rack at the upper end. The rack engages rotatable gears containing tufts of filaments. The base drive shaft defines a shoulder and a tip at the upper end which is received into the collet. A sleeve, retained within the head mechanism by the inner dimensions of the hollow housing, receives the outwardly radiating arms and compresses them over the tip of the base causing the feet to engage the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Dental Research Corporation
    Inventors: Cleve A. Graham, John Trenary
  • Patent number: 4822228
    Abstract: In a quick-action connection for retaining an insertion part in an orifice of a carrier, for example a holding nipple in a body wall, there is, in a peripheral groove of a tenon-shaped extension piece of the insertion part, a retaining ring resiliently flexible in the radial direction, which has its largest diameter in the inserted state of the insertion part. The retaining ring partially projects beyond the periphery of the extension piece and is supported on the carrier by means of one of its end faces. So that the retaining ring is capable of guaranteeing a reliable mutual connection of the two parts, even when bending moments are exerted on the insertion part inserted into the carrier orifice with a clearance fit, its annular shell is closed in the peripheral direction and extends in the form of a meander. As a result of this ring design, the retaining ring can be compressed radially in order to introduce the insertion part into the carrier orifice, and after insertion it automatically springs open again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Senft, Herbert Klemmer, Nikolaus Schefscik
  • Patent number: 4813808
    Abstract: A method of retaining a splined male member and a splined female member against relative axial motion therebetween when the splines of the members are in engagement with one another and a unitary axial retaining member for use in the practice of the method. The method includes the steps of mounting a hollow, thermoplastic axial retaining member to the interior surface of the female member and positively interconnecting the other end of the axial retaining member with the male member. The axial retaining member has an inwardly oriented flange for interconnecting one end of the retaining member to the male member and an outwardly oriented radial flange for interconnecting the opposite end of the retaining member to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in one end of the retaining member to separate it into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the retaining member with its associated male or female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Components Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn F. Gehrke
  • Patent number: 4812098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for joining together building units, comprising a lock housing (2) positioned in one building unit; a peg (3) positioned in the other building unit and arranged to be inserted into the lock housing, the end of the peg being provided with a flange (8); and a means for locking the peg (3) in the lock housing in the longitudinal direction thereof. In order to prevent the sideward movement of the peg with respect to the lock housing, prior devices comprise a second ring flange attached to the peg at an inlet (9) of the lock housing. The second flange can be omitted, if the bottom plate (1) of the other unit is bent into a collar (10) which surrounds the peg (3) and is attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Oy Lohja Ab
    Inventor: Matti O. Kaimo
  • Patent number: 4805943
    Abstract: The rotary/reciprocating seal apparatus includes a resilient ring member with a circumferential groove therein having a surface of revolution disposed at an angle with the axis of the ring member. The resilient ring member includes an axial opening thereinside for accepting and enabling the shaft to be rotated and/or reciprocated therein. The cylindrical housing is provided which includes an axial opening thereinside to accommodate the ring member and includes a groove on an inside surface of the cylindrical housing with a second surface of revolution disposed at an angle with an axis of the cylindrical housing. Spring means are provided in both the ring member and the cylindrical housing grooves for forcing the first and second surfaces of revolution away from one another in order to cause axial loading between the ring member and the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignees: Peter J. Balsells, Joan C. Balsells
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 4804290
    Abstract: A latching and sealing device suitable for use as a cover seal for a plunger or piston in a syringe or plunger pump includes a cylindrical seal member having a body portion and lip-and-latch means for both sealably engaging a surrounding surface and latching to the piston. A spring disposed in between the lip-and-latch means and the piston provide a constant sealing pressure while allowing the piston and seal member to be moved within a bore. Sealing between the lip-and-latch means and the bore is enhanced by use of a berm and notches radially aligned with the biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignees: Peter J. Balsells, Joan C. Balsells
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 4798129
    Abstract: A booster mounted on a supporting panel by a cam and lock arrangement has an inverse arc securing tab and arm mechanism which prevents further rotation in either direction from the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent M. Staub, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4782848
    Abstract: An automatic safety mechanism including an actuator for operating a valve or other controlled unit and which is operable by compressed air or other pressurized fluid, a valve structure for controlling the delivery of pressurized fluid from a source to the actuator, a shock responsive mechanism operable by shock forces to actuate the valve structure to a condition operating the actuator by fluid from the source, and a device operable automatically in response to a decrease in the pressure of fluid from the source to admit pressure fluid to the actuator for operating it. An assembly for resetting the shock responsive mechanism to a cocked position includes a shaft operable by rotation about an axis to set the mechanism, a sleeve disposed about the shaft, and a retaining element movable to a position in the path of axial removal of the sleeve from the device to retain both the sleeve and shaft against withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Koso International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Sibley, William F. Keller
  • Patent number: 4781487
    Abstract: A coupling which includes an inner and outer part is used to connect two coupled members. The inner part has a cylindrical outer wall and the outer part has a recess around which is a cylindrical inner wall, the recess fitting over the inner part so that the outer wall faces the inner wall. A gliding groove in one wall faces an annular locking member on the other wall, and the annular locking member fits into the groove to lock the inner and outer parts in the mounted position. The gliding groove is shaped to glide over the annular locking member during mounting and dismounting. To prevent the inner and outer part from rotating relative to each other, a key on one part fits into a keyway in the other part. The two parts may be connected by applying a slight compressive force so that the gliding groove glides over the annular locking means into the mounted position. Similarly, a slight tensile force may be applied for dismounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Greco
  • Patent number: 4776178
    Abstract: Frostless type refrigerator/freezers having a plastic liner utilize a metal heat shield disposed between an evaporator and the liner. A defrost heater located below the evaporator is controllably energized to melt frost away from the evaporator. A metal clip of spring steel removably mounts a thermostat to the heat shield above the evaporator to sense the temperature above the evaporator to de-energize the heater when the frost is melted from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Buchser
  • Patent number: 4772152
    Abstract: A releasable connector comprises first and second elements (A,B). The elements (A,B) have flanges (10,34) which lie face-to-face when the elements are interconnected. The flange (10) of the first element (A) has flexible lugs (12) which carry barbs (14). The barbs (14) engage the flange (34) of the second element (B) to retain the elements together. The first element (A) has a socket (2) within which extends a nozzle (4). The second element (B) comprises a plug which fits in the socket (2) and which has a bore (38) fitting over the nozzle (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Nomix Manufacturing Co. Limited
    Inventor: David C. Gill
  • Patent number: 4764048
    Abstract: A lightweight ball-and-socket joint that is for instance capable of being assembled by a robot. The ball-and-socket joint has a ball head, a CIRCLIP and an outer structural part forming a socket, in which there is a circumferential groove the bottom of which forms a support face for the circlip. The support face is substantially defined by a hollow cone and surrounds the CIRCLIP like a jacket, and a flare angle of the support face opens toward the center of the ball head. The CIRCLIP presses with radial bias against the support face and therefore migrates in the direction of its largest diameter and hence toward the center of the ball head until it rests thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Kehl, Ernst-Dieter Schafer
  • Patent number: 4762024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for retaining a shaft within a differential case. A first groove is formed on the interior of an aperture formed through the differential case, which aperture is adapted to receive and retain one end of a shaft therein. The end of the aperture which faces outwardly of the differential case is provided with a chamfered shoulder thereabout. One or both of the sidewalls of the first groove are also chamfered outwardly from the groove. A second groove is formed in the exterior of the end of the shaft. The first and second grooves are adapted to be aligned when the end of the shaft is in a desired position relative to the differential case. A retaining ring is disposed in the first and second grooves in interfering relationship between the shaft and the differential case so as to prevent axial movement of the shaft relative to the differential case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Graft
  • Patent number: 4760700
    Abstract: A master cylinder for an hydraulic pressure system has a pressure cylinder (1) on which is mounted a reservoir (11), the cylinder having an open end closed by a cap (3). The cap is positively coupled to the cylinder (1) by a coupling device (26) arranged so that resulting from pressure applied to the interior of the cap (3) is transmitted via said device to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: John F. Pickering, Peter Schluter, Bernd Wagner
  • Patent number: 4757615
    Abstract: A vial retaining assembly for a level or like object employs a retainer member for securing the vial in a mounting receptacle of the level. The retainer member comprises a first set of generally radially extending ears which frictionally engage the wall which defines the receptacle. A second set of radially extending ears forcefully engages the end of the vial to secure the vial in fixed relationship within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: Norbert J. Cecil
  • Patent number: 4757751
    Abstract: The plunger of the high - pressure cylinder has a driving ram coupled at one end. The coupling includes an annular groove on the plunger end and a two - piece collar with inner ridge. A cup - shaped collar retainer and a snap ring retain the collar in the ram. The coupling eliminates bolting. The open cylinder end is shouldered and grooved to receive a sleeve, a multi - piece key, a seat, and a seal which assemble to receive, center, and seal the plunger in the high pressure cylinder. The seal assembly eliminates the need for a bolted cylinder end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Jose P. Munoz
  • Patent number: 4756640
    Abstract: An axial retaining member for retaining a male member and a female member against relative axial motion therebetween. The axial retaining member includes a longitudinally extending main body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a central passageway therethrough for mounting the main body to the male member. Positive interconnection means, such as an inwardly oriented flange, are provided for interconnecting one end of the main body to the male member and a second interconnection means, such as an outwardly oriented radial flange, is provided for interconnecting the opposite end of the main body to the female member. A plurality of longitudinal slots are optionally formed in the main body to separate one end of the main body into a plurality of flexible fingers to facilitate interconnection of that end of the main body with its associated male or female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Components Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn F. Gehrke
  • Patent number: RE32846
    Abstract: A snap stud usable in window hardware, such as window operators and window hinges, for releasably pivotally interconnecting a pair of members. The snap stud has a stud extending from a first of the members and provided with an external peripheral groove which mounts a C-ring of spring music wire. The C-ring has a retention position partially extending beyond the periphery of the stud for overlying a second of the members and a compressed release position substantially entirely within the periphery of the stud, with the movement of the C-ring to the compressed release position occurring automatically in assembly and disassembly of said members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Truth Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sandberg, Gary F. Paulson