Michael C Johnston

US Patent:

D4259408, May 30, 2000

Filed:

Nov 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

D/063088

Inventors:

Joseph A. Halfen - Woodbury MN
Peter H. Haugen - Eden Prairie MN
Lyle R. Hilk - Chaska MN
Michael R. Johnston - Savage MN
Tianhong Ouyang - Victoria MN
Timothy J. Porth - Eden Prairie MN
Alan Wetterlin - Chaska MN

International Classification:

2102

US Classification:

D21191

US Patent:

53360761, Aug 9, 1994

Filed:

May 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/059092

Inventors:

Michael P. Waldherr - Brooklyn Park MN
Michael L. Johnston - Champlin MN
James N. Weinstein - Minneapolis MN
Thomas G. Cremers - Buffalo MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B29C 4324

US Classification:

425294

Abstract:

An apparatus (79) for setting the nip gap between first and second rollers (30, 32) includes nip control blocks (83) movably mounted adjacent the front edges (150) of the end plates (151a, 151b) between which one of the rollers (32) is journaled. In the preferred form, each of the control blocks (83) are threadably received on a shaft (138) and include a slide surface (142) which slides on a shoe (134) mounted on the end plates (151a, 151b) and include an opposite, abutment surface (144) at a minor acute angle to the slide surface (142) and the movement direction of the control blocks (83). Contact surfaces (164) are articulately mounted to the end plates (51a, 51b) between which the other of the rollers (30) is journaled. In the preferred form, the contact surfaces (164) are formed on a thrust knuckle (160) having a semi-spherical surface (162) slideably received in a semi-spherical depression (156) of a thrust socket (154) secured in a recess (146) in the front edges (150) of the end plates (51a, 51b). The rollers (30, 32) are pivotally mounted relative to each other by pivotally mounting the end plates (51a, 51b) of the first roller (30) relative to the end plates (151a, 151b) of the other roller (32).

US Patent:

58301143, Nov 3, 1998

Filed:

Nov 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740929

Inventors:

Joseph A. Halfen - Woodbury MN
Peter H. Haugen - Eden Prairie MN
Lyle R. Hilk - Chaska MN
Michael R. Johnston - Savage MN
Tianhong Ouyang - Victoria MN
Timothy J. Porth - Eden Prairie MN
Alan Wetterlin - Chaska MN

Assignee:

Nordictrack, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

A63B 6918

US Classification:

482 70

Abstract:

A cross country ski exerciser has an adjustable forward support that provides for changing the inclination of the frame. The adjustable support permits automatic adjustment of the frame inclination in a series of steps. The adjustment mechanism will reset so that it can be collapsed to a frame lowered position, returned to an operative position and automatically be operative to support the frame. The ski exerciser has folding frame components for compact storage utilizing a single bolt latching arrangement. An arm exerciser supported on the frame has a flywheel for insuring smooth arm movement during the exercise sequence.

US Patent:

42894700, Sep 15, 1981

Filed:

Apr 30, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/145275

Inventors:

Michael L. Johnston - Champlin MN
Loren J. Gordon - Osseo MN
Dietrich E. Weinauer - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A21C 1124

US Classification:

425336

Abstract:

An apparatus for shaping semolina dough ribbons into pasta products useful for lasagna. The apparatus shapes and dough ribbons to give opposite marginal edges which are undulated to provide ruffles. The apparatus comprises a frame supporting a pair of vertically spaced, transverse shafts upon which are mounted matched crimp rolls. Motor and gear means are provided to counter rotate the shafts. The crimp rolls are formed with opposite marginal, fluted edges for shaping the dough.