Innovative Office Products, Inc.

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Metro Industries, Incorporated

Somat Corporation

Other

Robert W Altonji

Bradley A Derry

Odd N Oddsen, Jr

David VanDuzer

Robert J Cohn

Howard M Williams, Jr

Steve Bowman

Albert Kolvites

Joseph C Dille

Steven M Eno

John H Welsch

Robert J Welch

Willard J Sickles

David A Reppert

Bradley J Carlson

Robert K Swartz

Douglas J Kaminski

Stephen R Kramer

Paul J Fallon

Guoging Wang

Brad G Carmen

A force actuated modulating control valve such as a direct acting solenoid valve or pilot actuated bellows valve with a knife edge seat so that the metering location on the seat is at the very outer diameter. In one embodiment, a portion of the valve seat outside of the metering edge is removed to substantially the outside diameter to reduce contact with high velocity fluid flow. In certain embodiments, a flow shield may be positioned just outside of the metering edge of the seat to prevent the high velocity fluid from circulating toward parts of the spool assembly. In some embodiments, the flow shield may be fixed to the body of the instrument so all fluid forces are transmitted to the body. Embodiments of the force actuated modulating control valve may be employed in a mass flow controller for controlling fluid flow.

Force actuated control valve

The disclosed embodiments include a mass flow controller for controlling a flow of a fluid. In one embodiment, the mass flow controller comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid; a flow path in which the fluid passes through the mass flow controller; a mass flow meter for providing a signal corresponding to mass flow of the fluid through the flow path, the mass flow meter having a bypass through which a majority of fluid flows; a turning vane positioned upstream of the bypass for generating a more uniform fluid flow; an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of the fluid out of an outlet of the mass flow controller; and a controller configured to apply a valve control signal to adjust the adjustable valve to a desired valve position to control the flow of the fluid out of an outlet of the mass flow controller.

Turning vane

The present invention pertains to extension arm apparatuses that are adapted to support user devices throughout a range of positions. A given apparatus may include one or more arms that position the user device remotely from a support position. An extension and retraction device such as a gas cylinder is received within each arm, and provides a force to support the user device as the arm is placed into a given position. A variable force clevis is connected to the extension/retraction device within the arm. The variable force clevis is connected to a pair of locations in the arm as well. As the arm moves, for instance up or down, the variable force clevis rotates within the arm and dynamically adjusts the force provided by the extension/retraction device. Thus, the arm may be positioned as desired, as such force adjustment stabilizes the arm.

Extension arm with cable management

Extension arm with moving clevis

The present invention provides a portable support stand for various devices such as laptop computes, tablet PCs and other electronic equipment. The stand has a tripod configuration which promotes stability of the user device. The front legs of the tripod may be adjusted between compact and extended positions, and may be placed in a position relative to the rear leg anywhere from 0&#xb0; in a fully closed position to approximately 180&#xb0; in a fully open position. Audible indicators are used with overall stand adjustment and with adjustment of stoppers at the ends of the front legs. Adjustment of the front legs relative to the rear leg employs a pivot section, including a finger disc spring, an adjustment actuator and an engagement member between the spring and the actuator. The engagement member includes projections or dimples which engage receptacles on an engagement member to secure the stand in a desired arrangement.

Folding support stand for portable electronic devices

The present invention pertains to extension arm apparatuses that are adapted to support user devices throughout a range of positions. A given apparatus may include one or more arms that position the user device remotely from a support position. An extension and retraction device such as a gas cylinder is received within each arm, and provides a force to support the user device as the arm is placed into a given position. A variable force clevis is connected to the extension/retraction device within the arm. The variable force clevis is connected to a pair of locations in the arm as well. As the arm moves, for instance up or down, the variable force clevis rotates within the arm and dynamically adjusts the force provided by the extension/retraction device. Removable and/or pivotable covers are provided for managing cables of the user device attached to the extension arm.

Extension arm with moving clevis and cable management

Boom extension arm

A pneumatically actuated fluid control valve includes a piston and a piston actuator including a permanent magnet. First and second piston actuator positions for magnetically disposing the piston in valve open and valve closed positions are provided. A pneumatic actuator driving circuit pneumatically moves the piston actuator from one to the other of first and second piston actuator positions to dispose the piston in the open and closed positions. The valve includes an annular valve assembly. One valve assembly position is a normally closed position and a positive air flow control signal moves the piston to open the valve. Another valve assembly position is a normally open position and a positive air flow control signal moves the piston to close the valve.

Pneumatically actuated valve

A system for supporting a member on a support post includes a wedge assembly, having a tapered face and mountable on the support post, and a collar secured to the member to be supported. The wedge assembly has a camming surface, and the collar has a camming portion for abutting the camming surface. In addition, a locking mechanism is mounted to the collar and press-fits against the wedge assembly.

Self-adjusting support system

A storage system including a storage container body, a door, and a lock assembly, the lock assembly including a lock latch mechanism located in a side wall of the storage container body remote from the door, and a striker member located on the door, wherein the lock latch mechanism includes at least one lock catch selectively capable of engaging and securing either one of a storage article resident in the storage container body or the striker member. The lock latch assembly may include a lock latch extension mechanism that includes a shuttle slide including a locking portion engagable with a lock catch of the lock latch mechanism, and a latching portion engagable with the striker member of the lock latch mechanism. The lock latch extension mechanism preferably also includes a shuttle retainer for slidably supporting the shuttle slide between a locking position, where the lock catch of the lock latch mechanism is engagable with the locking portion, and a release position, where the lock catch is not engagable with the locking portion, and where the striker member is engagable with the latching portion when the shuttle slide is in either the locking position or the release position, and is releasable from the latching portion when the shuttle slide is in the release position.

Storage system including multifunction lock assembly utilizing lock

A waste compaction and liquid extraction system and method are provided. The system includes a tank for containing liquid and solids, and a tray that seats on the tank. The tray includes a feeding mechanism for moving bags of waste across the tray, and a stuffing mechanism for pushing the bags down into the tank. A rotary disc impeller is mounted in the tank for grinding the solids to form a mixture of liquid and solids. The impeller has a rotating blade with inclined and bevelled cutting members. A stationary helical screw is horizontally mounted to the output port of the tank. The screw has a receiving end adjacent to the output port and a discharge end. The tank conducts the mixture to the receiving end of the screw. A sieve is provided having a cylindrical sieve surface surrounding the screw. The liquid drains through the sieve. The sieve is rotatably mounted to the output port of the tank. The sieve rotates about the screw to move the solids longitudinally towards the discharge end of the screw. A restrictor at the end of the sieve maintains backpressure to squeeze liquid out of the partially dried solids. A housing surrounds the sieve. The housing is mounted to the input port of the tank for communicating liquid that drains from the sieve back to the tank by way of the input port.

Waste pulping and liquid extraction system and method including

A waste compaction and liquid extraction system is provided. The system includes a tank for containing liquid and solids. The tank has an input port for receiving liquid, and an output port for discharging a mixture of liquid and solids. A rotary disc impeller is mounted in the tank for grinding the solids to form the mixture. The impeller has a rotating blade with inclined and bevelled cutting members. Each cutting member has a helical leading edge. The tank conducts the mixture to the output port. A stationary helical screw is horizontally mounted to the output port of the tank. The screw has a receiving end adjacent to the output port and a discharge end. The screw has a tapered shaft that increases in diameter towards the discharge end. A sieve is provided having a cylindrical sieve surface surrounding the screw. The liquid drains through the sieve surface. The sieve is rotatably mounted to the output port of the tank. The sieve rotates about the screw to move the solids longitudinally towards the discharge end of the screw. A restrictor at the end of the sieve maintains backpressure to squeeze liquid out of the partially dried solids. A housing surrounds the sieve. The housing is mounted to the input port of the tank for communicating liquid that drains from the sieve back to the tank by way of the input port.

Growing community of inventors

Quakertown, PA, United States of America

Robert W Altonji