Adjustable Patents (Class 74/522)
  • Patent number: 4508037
    Abstract: In a railway hopper car with several bottom dump doors, the doors are operated by a main door operating member in the form of a thrust bar running the length of the car. The bar, when moved, rotates levers which rotate actuator shafts which move door operating linkage arrangements, opening and closing the dump doors. An adjustable positioning structure is provided on each lever to cause adjustment of the individual dump door positions. The adjustment is accomplished by tightening or loosening bolts in the adjustor, which is fixed on an actuator shaft running to the linkage arrangement. The adjustor and actuator shaft rotate on a bearing with respect to the lever, but are held in locked adjusted position by the adjustor bolts abutting on flanges welded to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Pullman Standard, Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Rousseau
  • Patent number: 4505166
    Abstract: A remote manipulator for a robotic system has a plurality of intercoupled manipulator links and a principal manipulator drive unit coupled to manipulate the remote position of an end-effector supported by said links in response to a manipulator control signal. Coarse adjustment of the end effector is refined by a precision control subsystem which augments the principal manipulator to achieve a "control-in-the-small" robotic manipulator system. The augmenting precision-achieving subsystem includes a coupling mechanism, coupled with one of the links, for establishing the position of one of the links relative to another link, and a precision adjustment device, associated with the coupling mechanisms for adjusting the position of the one link relative to another link as established by the coupling mechanism, independently of the action of the principal manipulator drive unit and effectively without bearing the load supported by the one of said links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: University of Florida
    Inventor: Delbert Tesar
  • Patent number: 4502346
    Abstract: A variable mechanical advantage/variable effective length torque arm assembly (100) for a synchronized transmission is provided. The torque arm assembly comprises a substantially rigid body (102) fixedly mounted to a shift shaft (36) at one end (104) thereof for axial and rotational movement therewith. The body is provided with an axially extending elongated slot (106) in which a pivot pin (124) is received for pivotably attaching an axially movable control rod (22) to the body of the torque arm assembly. A biasing spring (134) bias the pivot pin to a first end of the slot closer to the axis of the shift shaft to define a first effective length (138) of the torque arm assembly which biasing force may be overcome by a sufficient resistance to rotation of the shift shaft (36) allowing the pivot pin to move away from the axis of the shift shaft to define a second effective length (140) of the torque arm assembly greater than the first effective length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph D. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 4499780
    Abstract: A control linkage has levers for actuating the throttle lever of a carburetor and a primer pump. A slide actuator has cam grooves engaging ends of the levers to actuate the levers in response to movement of the slide actuator. An adjustable linkage is provided on the end of the lever to allow adjustment of the linkage without the use of tools. The adjustable link has an adjustment arm formed integrally with the lever and ratchet teeth on the arm and lever engage to allow adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Boda
  • Patent number: 4498015
    Abstract: An energy storage device comprising three flywheels mounted mutually perpendicular on said shafts in three dimensions within a rigid enclosure. The shafts are interconnected within the enclosure through a bevel gear arrangement in which the motion of one flywheel is imparted to the other flywheels. The shafts pass through the walls of the enclosure through a bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Inventor: Mario H. Gottfried
  • Patent number: 4474357
    Abstract: A valve control linkage is disclosed which provides a variable rate of relative motion between a valve spool and a control lever. The relative rate of valve spool displacement with respect to the lever motion is lowest adjacent the neutral position of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Ingersoll Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Tim J. Noffke
  • Patent number: 4465640
    Abstract: A carburetor situated on an intake manifold of an engine is shown having an induction passage with a choke valve therein mounted on a choke shaft which in turn has a choke control lever; a thermostatic control situated on a different portion of the intake manifold is operatively connected to the choke control lever as through a rod linkage; a selectively adjustable retainer carried by the choke lever operatively engages the rod linkage; the retainer is adjustable to accommodate variations in the effective distance as between the choke lever and the thermostatic control to be spanned by the rod linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corp
    Inventor: Michael Dougherty
  • Patent number: 4434686
    Abstract: To adjust the relative positions of two elements mounted for guided sliding relative motion in a first direction and in a contact plane thereof, a cylindrical adjusting tool is fitted into a reference bore in one element and rotationally and non-slippably engaging an edge of the other element. A manually operable button on the tool may be depressed to remove a cam permitting adjustment rotation of the tool, or released to secure the tool in the bore while clamping means are operated integral with the two elements, and the tool can then be removed. Substantially one-handed adjustment is thus possible leaving an operator's other hand free to operate other apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: AMPEX Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis M. Ryan
  • Patent number: 4429589
    Abstract: A dual ratio accelerator arm assembly is disclosed. The assembly provides a slow first throttle opening rate through a first arc of movement of the arm assembly and then a discrete change to a higher throttle opening rate through a second arc of movement of the arm that noticeably signals a higher fuel consumption. The assembly comprises an accelerator arm, a bracket supporting the arm for operable movement, a pair of pivot pins carried by the arm, and means in the bracket for defining at least one pair of first and second pivot pin receptacles. Each receptacle is associated with one of the pins, has a fulcrum segment, and is effective to allow limited movement of the pin therein. The first segment, with its fulcrum segment engaged by its associated pin, defines a force applying lever arm which is shorter than the force applying lever arm defined by the second receptacle with its associated pin in engagement with its fulcrum segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Raymond Stocker
  • Patent number: 4413776
    Abstract: A controller for a damper maintains a substantially constant volumetric rate of flow of air through a duct into a controlled space for a given condition in the space and resets the rate of flow as a function of at least one sensed condition which causes changes in a control pressure. A dual lever system enables the controller to be calibrated to establish various air flow spans while utilizing substantially the full available range of control pressure to effect a change in air flow within each selected span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventor: George C. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4399714
    Abstract: Destabilization of a gyro-stabilized platform (such as employed for mounting an antenna on-board a ship) resulting from uncompensated yaw or rotation of the platform in azimuth from a fixed reference orientation is prevented by employing a pair of counter-rotating gyros for each stabilized axis and caging gyros having a spin direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Navidyne Corporation
    Inventor: A. Clifford Barker
  • Patent number: 4388943
    Abstract: A linkage for use in moment balancing measuring apparatus of the pneumatic type includes first and second pivotally mounted levers, the second lever being adapted to be acted upon by a measuring force and the first lever being adapted to be acted upon by a pneumatic force for balancing the linkage. According to the invention, apparatus are provided for adjustably varying the leverage ratio of the linkage, i.e., the ratio of the pneumatic force to the measuring force according to the particular application to which the linkage is put. The leverage ratio adjusting apparatus includes a rod-like member having one end rotatably attached to one of the levers and first locking means for selectively securing the rod-like member in a particular position corresponding to the particular application to which the linkage is put.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Valmet Oy
    Inventor: Juhani Kukkula
  • Patent number: 4384637
    Abstract: A band brake assembly comprises a friction element (12) engageable with a rotatable member (10) and an input linkage assembly (30) controlling engagement of the friction element with the rotatable member. The input linkage assembly (30) is carried by a mounting bracket (32) and includes a first lever (34), a bearing assembly (38) and a second lever (40) engageable with an end plate (42) secured to the ends of the friction element (12). The end plate (42) carries pins (22, 24) secured to the friction element and extending into slots (52, 54) on the mounting bracket (32). The pins transfer braking torque to the mounting bracket (32) and are guided by the slots to provide a servo assist during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Dean E. Runkle
  • Patent number: 4375878
    Abstract: An agile payload orientation system for a space satellite comprises a three-axis gimbal (30) for coupling an appended body (20) containing the payload (24, 25, 26, 27) to a main body (10) of the satellite. The appended body (20) also contains moment control gyroscopes (29), which are responsive to external command for changing the orientation of the appended body (20) relative to an inertial reference. The gimbal (30) comprises three separate torquer-resolver units (31, 32, 33), which are connected to each other in series so that their axes are mutually orthogonal to each other and coincide at a single point (34) located at the center of mass of the appended body (20). Since the center of mass of the appended body (20) does not move when the appended body (20) is rotated about the axis of any of the torquer-resolver units (31, 32, 33), a change in orientation of the appended body (20) can be made without disturbing the orientation of the main body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Gary C. Gibson
  • Patent number: 4366918
    Abstract: A variable ratio metering, mixing and dispensing apparatus comprises a plunger pump for a main component which is driven by a piston-cylinder assembly, a plunger pump for a hardener which is driven by a piston-cylinder assembly, and a mixer for mixing together the main component from the main component pump and the hardener from the hardener pump. The plunger of the main component pump and the plunger of the hardener pump are connected by adjustable metering means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Naka Seiki Company Limited
    Inventor: Kozo Naka
  • Patent number: 4365785
    Abstract: Roller-tip rocker-arm for high-performance internal combustion engines, pivotable about a trunnion therethrough, having a roller in the tip thereof for contacting the stem of a valve depressed (i.e., in the engine, per se, "lifted" from its seat in the "closed" position) thereby and having on the other end (i.e., tail) thereof an arcuate surface for contacting and abutting the cooperatively shaped end of a pushrod, the latter of which lifts said tail, wherein the roller and arcuate surface are so positioned so that, at the point in the motion of the rocker-arm wherein the valve stem is at a location corresponding to the mid-lift of the valve to which it is attached, the angles (a) that the axis of the valve stem defines with the axis intersecting the axes of the roller and trunnion and (b) that the axis of the pushrod defines with the axis intersecting the center of the arcuate surface and the axis of the trunnion are both essentially 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Inventor: James M. Miller
  • Patent number: 4361055
    Abstract: A torque converter is disclosed which comprises a gimbal assembly having a gyroscope mounted for rotation within one of the rings thereof. The spin axle of the gyroscope and the entire gimbal assembly are adapted to rotate about the precessional axis of the gyroscope. The gimbal ring is further adapted to oscillate about a torque axis that is perpendicular to the precessional axis to set up gyroscopic forces in the converter. The spin axis of the gyroscope is independently connected to the output gear of a differential drive unit and the input gear of the unit is connected to the drive shaft of the engine. A planetary gear section is interposed between the input and output gears of the drive unit that is adapted to turn the loaded output shaft of the converter. Oscillating means rock the gimbal ring about the torque axis at some fixed multiple of the engine speed while the entire gimbal assembly is turned about the precessional axis at some fixed multiple of the load speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Juris Murnieks
    Inventor: Robert Kinson
  • Patent number: 4348916
    Abstract: A brake operating device for a bicycle, which comprises a bracket member fixed to a handle bar and a control lever pivoted to the bracket member through a lever shaft. The lever is pivoted to the bracket member at a pivot portion disposed on a straight line passing through the center of a distance between the brake applying position and the brake rest position of the grip portion of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Keizo Shimano
  • Patent number: 4324378
    Abstract: A powered gimbal high torque/acceleration stabilized platform including an uter gimbal ring and gimbal torquer and an inner gimbal gear and torque motor. The inner gimbal torque motor is secured to the outer gimbal ring to permit increased weight and volume sensors to be packaged and located at the center of rotation of the gimbal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Frederick D. Groutage
  • Patent number: 4324155
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a control actuator has a mounting surface, a mounting portion and a bore in the mounting portion. The control actuator is mounted on the mounting surface and the mounting portion is connected to a wall at an aperture in the wall. An input shaft is pivotally positioned within the bore and extends through the aperture. A device connects the input shaft to the control aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert D. Dorris
  • Patent number: 4322984
    Abstract: A gyroscope caging system includes a clamping ring encircling a portion of the rotor of the gyro and adapted to engage an annular groove in the rotor simultaneously with engagement of a groove in a base support member, for clamping to and supporting the rotor during very high acceleration launches of a missile or airborne vehicle. The caging system is adapted to preload the gyroscope bearings in order to insure that the maximum load is carried by the cage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventors: George Lasker, Paul G. Redman
  • Patent number: 4318307
    Abstract: A brake operating device for a bicycle has a bracket which carries a control lever pivoted thereto and is adjustable mounted to a fixed member fixed to a handle bar of the bicycle. Structures are provided to enable the bracket position to be changed with respect to the fixed member to adjust the distance between the grip of the control lever and the handle bar without changing the relative position of an outer sheath of a control cable supported at the bracket with respect to a control wire of a control cable supported at the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kine
  • Patent number: 4300799
    Abstract: A system for restraining forward movement of an occupant of a motor vehicle seat comprises a chest pad 18 on an arm 16 which is pivotable about a transverse axis 20 behind and below the seat, together with a lap restraint in the form of an arm 10 having a padded portion 12 which extends across the user's lap. The arm 10 is pivotally mounted on a transverse axis 24 located near the front of the seat. A lever 26 is fast with the arm 16 and a lever 28 is fast with the arm 10. A roller 32 engages confronting surfaces 34 and 36 on the arms 26 and 28. When the roller 32 is in the position shown, forward movement of the arm 16 causes relatively little backward movement of the arm 10 so that the occupant can lean forward in his seat without forcing the bar on the arm 10 into his lap. If, due to sudden decceleration of the vehicle, the occupant moves forward in his seat, lifting the padded portion 12, the roller 32 shoots forwards into engagement with stop surface 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: B.S.G. International Limited
    Inventor: Douglas J. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4295381
    Abstract: A constant torque power transmission consisting of a rotating mass, or gyroscope, rotating around a first axis and supported by a frame or enclosure in turn pivotally supported about a second axis at right angle to the first axis by a gimbal, the gimbal being pivotably supported around a third axis disposed at right angle to the second axis. The reciprocating member of a crankless reciprocating engine, of the free piston or free-cylinder type, oscillates the gimbal and the rotating mass about the third axis, causing the rotating mass frame or enclosure to develop a precessional force oscillating about the second axis. The oscillating precessional force is applied to an output shaft through a one-way clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventor: Virgil A. Hinds
  • Patent number: 4286474
    Abstract: A mechanical proportioning trim execution device has a fulcrumed lever which swings between fully retracted and fully advanced positions. The fulcrum is movable back and forth from a neutral point along a fulcrum path. The lever has a fulcrum-engaging slideway extending in skewed relation to the length of the lever such that when the lever is in fully retracted position the fulcrum path and slideway are parallel but become increasingly skewed as the lever moves toward the fully advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Cleveland Controls, Incorporated
    Inventor: James F. McMahon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4281562
    Abstract: A universal adaptor linkage for connection between the transmission and the shift or linkage rod associated with the gear selector lever of an automobile comprising a lower linkage portion having at least one hole therein for selective connection to the shift or linkage rod, a center linkage portion having a hole therein for connection to the gear shift control valve trunnion of the transmission, a transverse linkage portion for connecting the upper end of the lower linkage portion to the lower end of the center linkage portion, an upper linkage portion extending upwardly from the center linkage portion and having at least one hole therein for selective connection to the shift or linkage rod, and an upper transverse linkage portion extending between the upper end of the center linkage portion and the lower end of the upper linkage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Mr. Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Venuto
  • Patent number: 4279348
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00080 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Filed Feb. 9, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01682 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 21, 1980An adjustable double link mounting for interconnecting a pair of structures, such as structures (37, 51) mountable on a crawler vehicle (10), including at least a pair of spaced-apart lugs (44, 82, 83, 84, 85) on each of the structures and each having a bore, a pair of spaced-apart links (80,81) having a pivotal connection at each end to at least one lug as provided by a pin-receiving opening (91, 92, 105, 107) for receiving a pin (93, 94, 104, 106) which also extends through an apertured lug, and one (81) of the links including a turnbuckle (110, 111, 112) for adjusting the effective length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Robert W. Harper, Robert A. Kleiber
  • Patent number: 4271718
    Abstract: A brake cable operating lever is disclosed including a device for adjusting the cable tension which is produced when the operating lever is in the brake-on position, characterized in that the rotary tension adjusting screw (36) which extends axially of the operating lever includes intermediate its ends an annular collar portion (36a) that is rotatably supported by an abutment shoulder (20f) on the operating lever (20), whereby the apparatus remains operable even if the manual operating knob (38) were to be removed from the screw member. An internal friction producing device (40) is provided for restricting rotation of the screw member about its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Orscheln Co.
    Inventors: Robert D. Bopp, David P. Klosterman, Eugene C. Lipshield
  • Patent number: 4271918
    Abstract: This specification discloses an off-road vehicle employing an improved hydrostatic drive system including engine driven variable displacement pumps having respective actuating members for varying displacement in two directions equivalent to forward and reverse directions, wheel motors at each wheel representing hydraulic actuating device operable by the fluid from the pump, hydraulic reservoir, serially interconnecting supply and return lines, and an improvement comprising one or more operator control members and a sensitivity control means for controlling the range of movement of the actuating member responsive to movement of the operating control member in a respective direction. Also disclosed is a preferred embodiment in which four wheel hydrostatic drive is employed with an option of converting the hydraulic fluid output that normally goes to one set of wheels such that all of the fluid goes to the other set of wheels for road speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Lloyd A. Molby
  • Patent number: 4269082
    Abstract: A device for displacing the walking beam of deep-well pump drives. The walking beam support of the pivot bearing has on its long sides guides for the walking beam, while its narrow sides have slide arrangements for slightly raising and supporting the walking beam during lengthwise displacement. A two-way shifting device is hinged to the pivot bearing. The other end of the shifting device is connected to that part of the walking beam which engages the crank. On both long sides of the walking beam support, a guide rail may protrude beyond the contact plane of the walking beam support and enclose the lower part of the walking beam. The narrow sides of the walking beam support may mount rollers whose axes run parallel to the narrow sides of the walking beam support. The bottom side of the walking beam has arc-shaped recesses for receiving the roller parts protruding beyond the contact area of the walking beam support. The center axes of these recesses are parallel to the rotary axes of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Wintershall Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Engbers
  • Patent number: 4267736
    Abstract: A tilting arrangement for a vehicle with the aid of which a body of the vehicle is adjustable in a roll direction relative to an underframe of the vehicle to compensate for centrifugal force exerted in curves on subjects resting on the body is controlled by a control signal which is produced with the aid of a device comprising a speedometer and a gyro arrangement for producing signals which are representative of the travelling velocity and the yaw angular velocity of the vehicle as well as the roll angular velocity and the roll angle of either one of said parts of the vehicle. The signals are combined to produce a control signal the magnitude of which is representative of the expression .vertline.m.V..theta..sub.gir .vertline.-.vertline.k.g..theta..sub.roll .vertline., and has a sign, plus or minus, determined by the sign of the signal representative of .theta..sub.roll, in which expression V is the travelling velocity of the vehicle, .theta..sub.gir is the yaw angular velocity of the vehicle, .theta..sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Westbeck Navitele AB
    Inventor: Gunnar A. E. G. Westbeck
  • Patent number: 4265180
    Abstract: A guided vehicle including at each end portion of the body a pair of steerable running wheels adapted to run on track surfaces and a pair of guide wheels adapted to run along guide rails provided at the opposite sides of the track surfaces. A steering linkage is provided for connecting the running and guide wheels so that the former is steered in response to a transverse movement of the latter. A friction type restraining device is provided in the linkage so that the steering movement is not produced by a small amount of surface roughness in the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Uozumi
  • Patent number: 4258890
    Abstract: The system is used in power-assisted control systems to provide a restoring force to the control stick indicative to the pilot of the deflection of a control surface. The feel system is trimmable in that the neutral position can be altered. In prior systems trimming was accomplished by releasing a brake which permitted movement of a part of the control stick linkage toward an equilibrium position in response to the restoring force. In prior systems the released part acquired sufficient momentum to cause it to overshoot and oscillate about the equilibrium position. If the brake were engaged prematurely, the momentum was imparted to the control stick resulting in a disagreeable "kick" felt by the pilot. To overcome these problems, the brake is repetitively disengaged and engaged at a repetition rate in the range 5-40 Hz. The small amount of momentum built up in each of the successive cycles results in an almost imperceptible vibratory reaction on the control stick rather than a single large "kick".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Summa Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory J. Korkosz
  • Patent number: 4256279
    Abstract: A gimbal system utilizing two torque motor drives wherein the motors are on the drive axes and whose rotors and cases provide the gimbal structure for increased off boresite capability (look angle), faster response time due to reduced inertia, low swept volume and low cost based on the simplicity of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Don M. Duel
  • Patent number: 4241613
    Abstract: A mass rate flow meter is provided having a universally-mounted gyroscopic apparatus against which a fluid stream, the mass rate of flow of which is to be measured, is directed. The fluid drives the rotor of the gyroscopic apparatus at and angular velocity proportional to the fluid stream velocity and impinges upon a pressure pad mounted on the gyroscopic apparatus, such that the effective impingement force is applied asymmetrically to the rotor, thereby applying a torque to the gyroscopic apparatus proportional to the dynamic pressure of the fluid stream and causing precessional rotation of the gyroscopic apparatus. The resulting precessional rotation of the gyroscopic apparatus is at a rate proportional to the mass rate of flow of the fluid. Measurement of the precessional rotation of the gyroscopic apparatus provides an indication of the mass rate of flow, and totalization of the precessional rotations provides total mass flow indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen C. Bradham, III
  • Patent number: 4239225
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for stopping a rotatable circular disc of the type which has a plurality of notches in the circumference thereof, such as may be used in game machines which have rotatable symbol carrying reels. The apparatus includes an improved index arm assembly which has the capability of cushioning the shock that occurs when its associated stop member engages a notch of the disc for stopping the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4237747
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an engine throttle control for marine propulsion devices and the like, which control includes a main control lever mounted for movement between a neutral or idle position and a full throttle position, a throttle lever adapted to actuate the engine throttle in response to rotational movement of the throttle lever, an actuation member operably connected to the control lever and mounted for movement in response to movement of the control lever, and means connecting the throttle lever to the actuation member for rotating the throttle lever in response to the movement of the actuation member and for effecting gradually increasing rotational movement of the throttle lever relative to incremental movement of the actuation member during at least a portion of control lever movement from the idle position toward the full throttle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Dudleston, Harry Stemper
  • Patent number: 4235567
    Abstract: In a material handling machine having a turret, a boom supported by the turret for movement about a first pivot, and a piston-cylinder unit for pivoting the boom about the first pivot, the piston-cylinder unit being supported by the turret for pivotal movement about a second pivot parallel to the first pivot, the improvement comprising at least one of the aforesaid pivots being journalled for rotation in the bore of an eccentric sleeve member which is in turn journalled for adjustable rotation in the turret. Rotation of the eccentric sleeve produces a change in the distance between the first and second pivots, with an accompanying variation in the speed-power relationship of boom movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Ware Machine Service, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pilch
  • Patent number: 4193308
    Abstract: A caging system for non-closed-loop gyro systems used in gyro stabilized platforms using fluid dashpots in place of automatic caging gyro brakes, torquers, or solenoids. A fluid dashpot is mounted on the gyro stabilized platform for each gyro of the platform with the linear motion of the dashpot along an axis normal to the median general rotational plane of the respective gyro of the platform. Movement of a dashpot linear movement member is greatly accentuated by the dashpot to gyro assembly interconnected linkage as roll component or pitch component amplitude exceeds designed operational gimbal roll and pitch ranges of respectively roll and pitch gyros of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventors: William B. Stuhler, Dorsey T. Smith
  • Patent number: 4192372
    Abstract: A fire detection system for rotary regenerative heat exchange apparatus having multiple detectors, each detector being mounted independently on an arcuately reciprocable scanning arm. The several arms are laterally adjustable by a system of opposed screws in an articulated yoke to permit the selective positioning of each arm independent from the other scanning arms of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: The Air Preheater Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Bellows
  • Patent number: 4190485
    Abstract: A method of welding a thermoshrinkable sheet comprises inserting between opposing faces of the sheet to be welded a piece of uncrosslinked resin tape containing peroxide, securing heat-resisting tapes on and adjacent outer faces of a welding portion of the sheet, and heating and pressing the welding portion.A device for use in the method includes a pressing plate having a heater, a receiving plate, a first link pivotally connected at one end to one end of the receiving plate and at the other end to the pressing plate, an operation lever pivoted on one end of the receiving plate, a second link pivotally connected to the free end of the operation lever and to the first link. The first and second links and the operation lever constitute a power amplifier mechanism in which the turning force of the operation lever is amplified to the pressure of the pressing plate through the second and first links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoki Takeda, Yasuo Negishi, Yutaka Hibino
  • Patent number: 4184382
    Abstract: A new and improved lever arm apparatus for door closers and the like is adapted to be detachably mounted on a rotary shaft and includes a lever arm formed of a thin piece of flat metal having a key-shaped opening dimensioned to receive a portion of the shaft extended transversely between opposite faces of the arm. A wedge plate or hub is adapted to be detachably mounted on one face of the lever arm and is also formed with a key-shaped opening for receiving a shaft. At least one removable fastener is provided for securing the wedge plate to the lever arm at a point outwardly of the openings and the hub or wedge plate includes a sloping cam surface engaged by the fastener for rotatably shifting the relative positions of the lever arm and wedge plate to tightly clamp the flatted surface of the key-shaped openings against the rotary shaft with a scissors-type pinching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Kawneer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Redman
  • Patent number: 4180243
    Abstract: An automatic and manual linear reversion control mechanism for a hydraulic servo actuator assembly is disclosed for linearly transferring control between an automatic (fly by wire) control mechanism and a manual control mechanism. A command select mechanism includes two axially aligned pins mounted on a rigid command selector bar, with the first pins slidably mounted in a slot in a control bar of the manual control mechanism and the second pin slidably mounted in a slot in the control bar of the automatic control mechanism so that movement of the command selector bar to displace the two axially aligned pins in their associated slots provides a linear transfer of control of the hydraulic assembly between the manual control and the automatic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Hsu, Robert McPherson
  • Patent number: 4177681
    Abstract: A cylindrical linear actuator suitable for installation in a confined area and capable of infinite stroke adjustment over its scheduled travel and lockable at any position of its designated stroke includes overlapping and combining rod end stroke adjustments to minimize actuator length. Electrical feedback is precalibrated to give a known signal proportional to the actuator stroke and to the position of the load clevis thereby always giving the correct position of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Thomas B. Wess
  • Patent number: 4132126
    Abstract: A ratio select mechanism including a supporting structure, first and second rotary input members mounted on the supporting structure, and a connecting lever extending between the rotary input members. An output member is coupled to the connecting lever. The opposite ends of the connecting lever are mounted for movement on the rotary input members, respectively, along radially extending paths. By adjusting the relative radial positions of the end portions of the connecting lever, the authority which each of the rotary input members has over the output member can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Bertea Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Hussey
  • Patent number: 4119987
    Abstract: In a camera, a shutter release member is pivotally connected to a motion transmitting lever between respective end portions of the lever. One end portion of the lever normally contacts a removable fulcrum, and the other end portion contacts a restraining member provided for a shutter drive member. To initiate shutter actuation for picture-taking, the shutter release member is manually depressed to swing the lever about the removable fulcrum. The swinging lever moves the restraining member from a restraining position to a releasing position, freeing the drive member to actuate the camera shutter. To prevent unintended shutter actuation by inadvertently depressing the shutter release member, the fulcrum is removed from the lever. Then, manual depression of the shutter release member swings the lever about the restraining member, which is spring held in its restraining position to serve as an alternate fulcrum for the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David Easton Beach
  • Patent number: 4104939
    Abstract: A device for applying a constant force to a glass scoring wheel includes a pivotally mounted L-shaped lever arm having the scoring wheel rotatably mounted at one end of the horizontal member and an adjustable vertical member. A constant force coil spring biases the vertical member to pivot the horizontal member in a direction to urge the scoring wheel at a constant predetermined force against the glass sheet. The constant predetermined force acting on the scoring wheel is a function of the height of the vertical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Bonaddio
  • Patent number: 4096765
    Abstract: A control linkage arrangement for use in a vehicle drive. The drive includes a speed control apparatus having a movable control element for causing the speed of the drive to vary in accordance with the positioning of the control element. Manual control of the operation of the vehicle is effected by an adjustment of a manually operable speed lever which is connected to the movable control element by an improved linkage arrangement. The linkage arrangement includes a ball connector received in a guide channel for effecting rotation of a pivot member connected to the speed control means. Selective positioning of the ball connector in the guide channel effects selective movement of the pivot member in either of opposite directions of rotation and to an extent controlled by the movement of the manually operable speed lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cochran
  • Patent number: 4091664
    Abstract: A tightening wrench with an angle indicator for the final tightening operation on threaded fasteners, the angle indicator having a pointer or other angle indicating element which assumes a given angular orientation under the influence of an ambient force field of gravity or magnetism and maintains this orientation while the wrench is rotated, thereby giving an angular reading of the tightening angle. Gravity is used with a weighted pointer, magnetism with a needle compass or liquid compass. Also usable is a gyro, or a freely rotatable mass of high inertia. The wrench may be a torque wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Hazet-Werk Hermann Zerver
    Inventor: Hermann J. Zerver
  • Patent number: 4088039
    Abstract: A ratio changing mechanism is provided for combining two mechanical input signals to produce an output signal. The mechanism includes a first crank mounted on a pivoted link with an input member mounted on the first crank. The mechanical inputs are applied to the input member which moves the crank in such a manner that an output signal is transmitted from one arm of the crank. Movement of the first crank is modified by connection of the other crank arm to a second crank which is adjustable in position to change the ratio of the output to the combined input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Per A. Bolang, Alan B. C. Dawson