James A Skurka

US Patent:

46432795, Feb 17, 1987

Filed:

May 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/730733

Inventors:

James A. Skurka - Niles IL

Assignee:

Sloan Valve Company - Franklin Park IL

International Classification:

F16D 6546
B60T 1100

US Classification:

188 795K

Abstract:

A slack adjuster for vehicle brakes is adapted to be mounted between the vehicle brake chamber and the vehicle brake operating shaft and includes a body which positions a drive member movable relative thereto on the brake operating shaft. A lever arm is pivoted to the body and there is an adjustable connection between the lever arm and the drive member for adjusting the relationship between the drive member and the body in response to body movement required for a brake application. The improvement herein is specifically directed to a device for connecting a brake rod to the lever arm and more specifically to a bushing threaded upon the brake rod and rotatably positioned within the lever.

US Patent:

46217142, Nov 11, 1986

Filed:

Jul 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/754462

Inventors:

James A. Skurka - Niles IL

Assignee:

Sloan Valve Company - Franklin Park IL

International Classification:

F16D 6560

US Classification:

188196BA

Abstract:

A slack adjuster for vehicle brakes is adapted to be mounted between the brake chamber and the brake operating shaft. The slack adjuster includes a body and a drive member movable relative to and positioned by the body on the brake operating shaft. A lever arm is pivoted to the body and there is an adjustable connection between the lever arm and drive member for the sensing and take up of slack during a brake application. The adjustable connection includes a clutch having facing and relatively rotatable clutch surfaces, each of which has opposing cooperating ratchet teeth. The teeth on one of said surfaces are separated into a plurality of radially spaced circumferential bands. The teeth in each band are positioned to independently engage the teeth on the opposing clutch face to provide increments of slack adjustment.

US Patent:

40918378, May 30, 1978

Filed:

Aug 2, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/710372

Inventors:

Robert H. Edmunds - Glenview IL
John R. Huebner - Arlington Heights IL
James A. Skurka - Niles IL
Francis B. Wilson - Wauconda IL

Assignee:

Vapor Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F16K 17194

US Classification:

137341

Abstract:

A valve for controlling the pressure within a tank to prevent excessive above or below atmospheric pressure conditions, including a pressure responsive valve and a vacuum responsive valve, wherein each valve includes a pallet with seals and blowdown rings of polytetrafluorethylene material, which is commercially marketed under the trademark Teflon. The pressure pallet includes guide means having Teflon parts, while the vacuum responsive valve includes hinge means having coacting Teflon parts. The breather valve includes structure defining a vertically extending vent structure having an opening arranged alongside the tank in which the valve is mounted, which opening is positioned to avoid being sealed by any normal buildup of ice and snow.

US Patent:

54780470, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

May 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/441669

Inventors:

William J. Best - Naperville IL
Joseph W. Hoff - Bolingbrook IL
Stephen J. Smick - Oswego IL
James A. Skurka - Niles IL

Assignee:

Watts Investment Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F16K 506

US Classification:

251172

Abstract:

A rotary valve has a valve housing with a wall defining a flow passageway, a closure member journalled within the valve housing and mounted for movement between a first position for permitting flow of fluid within the flow passageway and a second position for ceasing flow of fluid within the flow passageway, and a flexible seating ring disposed at least partially within the flow passageway in a position for sealing engagement with the closure member in second position. The flexible seating ring has a flow-through section sized to fit within the flow passageway with a clearance fit, and a flanged seating section extending outwardly from the flow-through section and positioned for sealing contact with the closure member to seal the valve. A seating ring support member is positioned to support the seating ring in a manner to permit the seating ring to move axially and radially within the flow passageway to provide improved tolerance to dimensional variation in manufacture.