Having Leveling Means Patents (Class 411/537)
  • Patent number: 5545230
    Abstract: An adapter assembly which is particularly advantageous in allowing for adjusting and positioning of prosthetic devices which are attached to a stump or stump socket. The adapter is particularly advantageous for orienting and positioning of a Symes prosthesis, due to the small space requirements. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an interface member is attached to a stump socket, with a nut movably disposed inside of a cavity of the interface member. The nut includes an aperture extending therethrough, and receives a hollow laminating bolt which clamps the prosthesis and adapter assembly in place to allow the user to test the prosthesis. If adjustments are needed, the hollow bolt can be loosened, and adjustments performed via the movably disposed nut. Once a desired position is achieved, a resin is injected through the laminating bolt and into the cavity of the interface. After the resin has hardened or cured, the hollow laminating bolt is replaced with a solid bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Ohio Willow Wood Company
    Inventors: Jay H. Kinsinger, Robert E. Arbogast, James W. Capper, James M. Colvin
  • Patent number: 5542777
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a composite panel 10 with nonparallel face sheets 12,14, and a reinforcing core 16, preferably honeycomb, lying therebetween. A fastener 30 lies in an aperture 22 of the panel, and includes a socket 32 with a flange 40 bearing against first face sheet 12, and a body 46 defining a through aperture 54 and a spherical cavity 50. Fastener 30 also includes a swivel 34, with a ball-shaped knob 62 rigidly coupled to a post 64. Knob 62 fits into cavity 50 and can swivel. Post 64 is internally and externally threaded. An internally threaded spacer 36 is screwed onto the exterior threads 65 of post 64, to adjust the length of the fastener to the thickness of panel 10. Either post 64 or spacer 36 includes an additional fastening arrangement. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the additional fastening means of the spacer is a flange, and in another embodiment, it is a threaded portion of the bore of the post or of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Martin E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5540514
    Abstract: An assembly for mechanically hanging a glazing element to a supporting structure uses an articulated fixing system allowing the plate to tilt about its support point on said system. It includes a cavity defining element engaging the glazing element and a carrying element connectable to the supporting structure and having a portion fittable in a cavity defined by said cavity defining element so as to form an articulated connection with said cavity defining element. The articulated connection has a bearing region and supports the glazing element for turning with a pendular motion about the bearing region. This makes possible a bending movement of controlled amplitude of the glazing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Yves Demars, Rene Poix
  • Patent number: 5534032
    Abstract: An orthopaedic implant assembly I including a securing member or screw 10 and sealing washer 20 assembled thereto. The assembly 1 further includes a base member 30 with a hole 31 therein for receiving the screw 10 and washer 20. The screw 10 includes an enlarged head 11 with an arcuate undersurface 14 with a groove surrounding head 11 for receiving the sealing washer 20 therein. The screw hole 31 includes a complementary arcuate surface to enable screw 10 to be inserted in a selectively variable angled orientation with respect to the screw hole 31 while the washer 20 provides a seal between the head 11 of screw 10 and the base member 30. The assembly 1 may further include an additional member 40 over the hole 31 and screw 10 and washer 20, such that this layer 40 generates wear debris. The sealing washer 20 provides a barrier to the advancement of the wear debris or particulate matter beyond the sealing washer 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hodorek
  • Patent number: 5326206
    Abstract: Method and assembly for producing shear-resistant attachment between a prefabricated top plate having a plurality of preformed bolt passage holes and a support member having a corresponding plurality of bolt-receiving holes which may be slightly out of alignment with the bolt passage holes in the top plate. The bolt passage holes are oversize and have conical walls, and the bolts have a rounded undersurface which makes line contact with the conical wall when each bolt is tightened into a nut or floating nut plate aligned and/or attached at the undersurface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Jack W. Moore
  • Patent number: 5309788
    Abstract: A tilt couple device having a pair of mounting members with each member having a wedge-shape cam. At least one of the cams has teeth on it that engages a pinion on an operating shaft. Rotation of the operating shaft causes the pinion to rotate one cam member relative to the other in order to change the inclination of one mounting surface relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Michael D. Summerfield
  • Patent number: 5263997
    Abstract: A plate for spreading bolt loading around the horizontal joint flanges of a turbomachine, such as a steam turbine, is provided. The plate is contoured so that its surface area substantially matches that of the surface of the steam turbine flange against which the compressive load associated with the joint bolt preloading is applied. The plate is disposed between the flange and the nuts on the joint bolts and is made from a high yield strength material so that the locally high stresses under the nuts do not cause creeping or yielding of the plate. The plate serves to distribute the compressive joint loading around the entire surface of the flange, thereby eliminating the locally high compressive stresses that can cause creep and yielding in the flange. Spherical counter bores are machined in the plate bolt holes and spherical washers are installed between the plate and the nuts so that misalignment of bolt holes does not cause the nuts to impose bending forces on the bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Parker, John A. Moreci
  • Patent number: 5217317
    Abstract: A slope and skew hanger for connecting a rafter to a beam at a variety of slope and skew angles. The hanger includes a connection portion and an integrally attached seat portion which is connected with the connection portion along a bend line. The connection portion includes a central opening, a pair of side connecting brackets joined by connecting strips and adapted for connection to the beam, and a pair of centrally positioned connection flanges extending outwardly from the front face of the connection portion and adapted for connection with the sides of the rafter. A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a raised spherical portion and an offset nail receiving opening to facilitate the angled nailing of such a hanger or bracket to the beam or rafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: United Steel Products Company
    Inventor: Daniel E. Young
  • Patent number: 5196680
    Abstract: A magnetic head support for a card reader includes a cardanically mounted support arm. Cardanic movement is permitted by a spherical bearing on the arm, which is biased against a screw fixed to a stationary component to form a universal pivot. The arm is guided by guide members on the stationary component and includes, at one end, an adjustment frame in which the head is adjustably positioned relative to a specific track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Schuder
  • Patent number: 5147151
    Abstract: A washer insert is made preferably of plastic for use with a bearing plate and a mine roof bolt. The bearing plate includes an upper surface, lower surface and a hole passing therethrough. The roof bolt includes a shaft having a head attached to the shaft. The outer diameter of the head is greater than the outer diameter of the shaft. The washer insert includes a hollow first section having a first end and an inner diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the roof bolt shaft and less than the outer diameter of the roof bolt head. A flange attaches to the first end of the first section extending outwardly from the first section and coaxial with the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Edward C. Hipkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5037258
    Abstract: The device comprises a nut (4) floatingly housed in a seat made in a barrel (3) of partially cylindrical form and provided with a radial through-hole (10) emerging in the seat and permitting the passage, with play, of the threaded rod of a screw (6) intended to interact with the said nut for the assembly of two parts (1, 2). The bearing surfaces opposite the seat and the nut (4) are provided so as to form a pivot joint for taking up any angular offset between the axis (13) of the screw (6) and the axis (14) of the through-hole (10) of the barrel. On its periphery, the nut (4) is provided with means (23) for immobilization in rotation relative to its seat in the barrel (3). The device also comprises means (5) for retaining the nut (4) on the barrel as well as a pair of washers (7, 8) for compensating for a variation in thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Shur-Lok International S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Heurteux
  • Patent number: 4979872
    Abstract: The support structure for the bearing compartment for a gas turbine engine includes eight radial tie bolts connected with the clevis wherein the outer diameter clevis is connected to the mount ring with an accessible bolt for easy assembly and disassembly. The tie bolts, while preloaded in tension, can accept compressive loads during severe loading operation conditions. The turbine exhaust case housing the tie bolts and bearing compartment are designed to facilitate cooling and maintainability at reduced costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Myers, Perry P. Sifford
  • Patent number: 4971497
    Abstract: A flush mounting fastener system for threadably attaching a threaded member to a plate or shell structure is described which comprises in one representative embodiment an internally threaded bushing flanged on a first end for attachment to the housing within a hole of preselected size in the housing, a plurality of circumferentially spaced crenelations of preselected size and spacing on the second end of the bushing, an insert threaded on the outer surface for threadably engaging the bushing and on the inner surface for threadably attaching a threaded member to the housing structure, and a plurality of tangs on one end of the insert corresponding in size and spacing with the spaced crenelations in the bushing and being radially outwardly bendable into spaces between the crenelations to lock the insert within the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Lewis J. Stoffer, Andrew MacGee
  • Patent number: 4906036
    Abstract: A pivoting adjustment screw for mounting the bolt of a latch to provide vibrational damping along with increasing preload as the contact point of the adjustment screw to the mating structure shifts in a shock or vibrational environment. The adjustment screw includes a pivoting portion which permits the screw to pivot which allows a rotating rather than a scraping or abrading movement in response to the relative movement between the elements being connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: The Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Darrell L. James
  • Patent number: 4830557
    Abstract: An improved nut fastener is utilize with a back-up plate to perfect a bolted flange joint. The fastener includes a cage having a planar body affixed to the back-up plate in bearing engagement with a surface thereof. Opposed sides upstanding from the cage body are configured to loosely capture a spherical faced washer, a spherical faced nut, and a nut anti-torque collar in self-aligning relation with a joint bolt hole. An extension of either the cage body or the collar is configured to engage the back-up plate in a manner to inhibit rotation of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Harris, Richard L. Elgin
  • Patent number: 4749288
    Abstract: A support for a rolling bearing is provided with an essentially annular transition region between sleeve-shaped portion and a flange connected thereto, the flange having a plurality of circumferentially distributed, axially extending mounting holes. The transition region has a concavely curved or linearly inclined profile. A substantially spherical base surface is provided axially of each mounting hole, the base surface connecting the rim of the hole with the inner surface of a substantially part-cylindrical recess in the transition region, the recess having a diameter greater than the hole diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Tilch, Paul-Gerhard Hoch, Uwe Brockmuller
  • Patent number: 4715626
    Abstract: A clamping sleeve for pipes consists of a rubberelastic sealing ring (1) and a clamping ring (2) which encircles the sealing ring and has clamping plates (5) which are directed radially outward, are located opposite one another and are penetrated by a centrally arranged clamping screw (6). The clamping screw (6) is supported on the clamping plates by intermediate pieces (8, 9), of which one is arranged between the head (7) of the clamping screw and the clamping plate, whereas the other directly forms the nut for the clamping screw. The intermediate pieces (8, 9) have a cylindrical cross-section, so that they sit with a cylindrical surface against the adjacent clamping plate (5). Furthermore, the position of the intermediate pieces (8, 9) is fixed at the clamping plate (5) by stops (11, 12). The swivelling capacity of the intermediate pieces (8, 9) relative to the clamping plates (5) makes possible an inclined position of the clamping plates (5) relative to the clamping screw (6) and relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Mage AG
    Inventors: Manfred Gehring, Heinz Pluss
  • Patent number: 4690365
    Abstract: A clamping device for setting a detail which has at least one oversized throughbore to a fixture base which has at least one threaded throughbore, the clamping device has six degrees of freedom, a longitudinally adjustable body portion which has an upper threaded portion and a lower threaded portion and is fixed in space so as to form a firm point for longitudinal rotation eliminating bending of the body portion during the setting, a flange disposed on the body portion which separates the upper threaded portion from the lower threaded portion, and a clamping arrangement disposed on the upper threaded portion of the body portion which provides single load line jacking and clamping to adjust and hold the detail in position with relation to the fixture base so that lock-up of the clamping device and the detail is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: John Miller, Richard O. Barton, Oscar H. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 4607992
    Abstract: An expansion dowel assembly includes an axially elongated expansion sleeve with an axially extending expansion region, a spreader positioned within the sleeves in the expansion region, and a bolt in threaded engagement within a tapped bore in the spreader so that the spreader can be displaced axially through the expansion region for widening it in the radial direction. The surface of the spreader in surface contact with the interior of the sleeve is spherically shaped. In the assembled state, before expansion, the spreader is held in the expansion sleeve against axial displacement. Accordingly, the parts of the assembly can be preassembled as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Mauritz, Raimer Uhlig
  • Patent number: 4604015
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for retaining an automotive radiator rigid, including sleeve members mounted on oppositely disposed portions of the radiator and an interconnecting rod member. Arcuate-shaped edge portions are formed on oppositely disposed portions of the radiator, each of the sleeve members having longitudinal bores formed therethrough and including arcuate-shaped groove bottoms opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve members matching the arcuate-shaped edge portions and being slidably mounted thereon so as to have the bores thereof aligned. A rod is mounted across the radiator and extended through the aligned bores and secured therein by nuts mounted on the threaded ends against the respective sleeves, to thereby rigidify the radiator for use on trucks and off-highway vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: McCord Heat Transfer Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Lesniak
  • Patent number: 4599010
    Abstract: An anchoring device in the form of a connection (10) has an axial bore (12) formed by two semi-circular elements (14,16) having four sills (26) which form right angle projections. Bores (30) are formed in the sills (26) for receiving bolts (36) having transverse pins (34) in a pivotal relationship. The sills (26) have inclined surfaces (38) which in use form a seat for the nut of the bolt (36) and to orientate the bolt at an angle in the passage (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Tu-Fit (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Warwick P. Hocking
  • Patent number: 4577912
    Abstract: A self-aligning post is presented to direct and/or balance a load being transmitted. The post has a semispherical end section split from the remaining main cylindrical portion of the post whereby misalignment of the main cylindrical portion is compensated by the split end section. The post is further provided with means for retaining the cylindrical portion in contact with the semispherical end section and for preventing the split end section from slipping from a socket. Preferably, the retaining means is an annular skirt disposed along the flat perimeter of the semispherical end section wherein the cylindrical portion of the post will bear against the skirt during misalignment and thereby prevent slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Raymond Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4553142
    Abstract: A touch panel assembly support system for a CRT includes a lightweight rigid frame surrounding the tube for supporting the touch panel elements in predetermined alignment. The frame is mounted to cut-away portions of the CRT mounting ears to preclude inducing stress in the frame during mounting to the ears and to isolate it from any stress created during mounting of the CRT to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Strauss
  • Patent number: 4523880
    Abstract: A tie rod assembly for a rock borehole anchor includes a tension rod 3 having a plurality of wedge shaped spreading bolts 10 at its lower end surrounded by spreading sleeve 20 segments 21, and a sleeve 40 on its upper end threaded to a tension nut 60 which bears against a ground support or anchor plate 70 upon installation and tightening. The sleeve 40 mates with the tension rod via saw tooth configured circumferential ridges or fins 45, 46 having increasing inclination angles, to thereby provide for a constant force transmission per unit of tooth length. The tension nut and anchor plate have complementarily configured spherical bearing surfaces 65, 77, and the ground engaging lower area of the anchor plate has fracturable webs 75 to accommodate surface irregularities and projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: H. Weidmann, AG
    Inventor: Erwin Isler
  • Patent number: 4431353
    Abstract: An improved fastener assembly may be used to mount a vehicle wheel on a hub. The fastener assembly includes a nut which is rotatable relative to a washer to enable the fastener assembly to be tightened without marring the wheel. The washer has an annular collar which is loosely connected with the nut by a retainer section which extends from one axial end portion of the nut. The nut and washer collar have abutting annular load transmitting surface areas. The washer also has an annular load transmitting and indicating section which extends radially outwardly from the collar. The load transmitting and indicating section includes a bearing section and a spring section. The spring section flares radially and axially outwardly from the bearing section. When the fastener assembly is tightened with a predetermined preload, the spring section is flattened to provide a visual indication that the desired preload has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Russell Burdsall & Ward Corporation
    Inventor: Terry D. Capuano
  • Patent number: 4388921
    Abstract: A plate bearing against a bone has a number of clearance holes with sleeves. Openings provided in the sleeves include each a section diverging away from the bone and bounded by a conical surface. The sleeves are subdivided into tongues by means of slots cut into the free face of the collar. A screw is screwed into the bone at every clearance hole, the head of the screw being bounded by a conical or convex surface. By tightening the screw the tongues are forced apart by the head of the screw, thus clamping the sleeve in relation to the plate. This provides a guarantee, that the plate will stay rigidly connected with the screws, even if a reabsorption of bone takes place. Some of the sleeves comprise clamping parts excentric in relation to the screw axes, enabling the surgeon to press the bone pieces against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Institut Straumann AG
    Inventors: Franz Sutter, Fritz Straumann
  • Patent number: 4362449
    Abstract: Fastener assemblies for mounting a workpiece such as a hub centered wheel rim include a threaded fastener and a clamp washer. The fastener includes a body having a thread structure and a structure engageable by a tool for tightening of a threaded joint to urge the fastener assembly against the workpiece. The clamp washer includes a central aperture surrounding the thread structure and interposed between the fastener body and the workpiece. A pair of cooperating bearing surfaces are formed on the inner end of the workpiece and the outer side of the clamp washer, and a clamp surface is defined on the inner side of the clamp washer. When the fastener assembly is tightened against the workpiece, the bearing surfaces comprise continuous annular spherical zones having common centers and radii of curvature to the end that the bearing surfaces are in intimate wide area face-to-face contact and the clamp surface is in flat area contact with the workpiece regardless of the squareness condition of the threaded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Emil J. Hlinsky
  • Patent number: 4334599
    Abstract: A disc brake includes at least one pin assembly (24) for movably supporting a caliper 14 relative to a torque plate 12. The pin assembly comprises a bolt (54), a sleeve (46) and a pair of arcuate washers (70, 72) which are adapted to accommodate angularity between the pin assembly and the caliper opening (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Irving R. Ritsema, Ji Y. Woo
  • Patent number: D268094
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: Gifford-Hill & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Radmaker