Patents Represented by Attorney Charles L. Thoeming
  • Patent number: 6621420
    Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus using existing traffic preemption technologies to include automatic vehicle location, remote traffic preemption, and central decision support system for transit, congestion and emergency vehicle control. The apparatus includes emitters mounted on emergency or transit vehicles to activate and preempt existing intersection control systems, automatic vehicle location protocol, real time mapping of intersections within the system, and interconnecting communications means for transferring the system output data to the respective control or data receiving center. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a wireless modem with embedded software protocol connected to the preemption card installed at a typical traffic intersection controller cabinet. As vehicles approach the intersection, the wireless modem reports the location and preemption information to the control center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Siavash Poursartip
  • Patent number: 6561188
    Abstract: The apparatus is configured to provide improved nasal breathing to persons requiring a range of respiratory based remedies ranging from opening collapsed nasal passages to treating allergic reaction to delivery of immediate dosage or controlled release medication. The apparatus includes connected nasal inserts which provide nodules to open the nasal passage and which directly align with the nasal air channel. For a preferred embodiment which provides a means to delivery of breathable gas mixtures or nasal and sinus rinse solutions, the inserts contain cannula which receive and connect to the source of the gas or rinse. For another embodiment using filtration, the inserts receive disposable filtration pacs. Sustained release of predetermined medical dosages is obtained by a further embodiment wherein the inserts receive medication inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Alan D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6560510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the efficient simultaneous loading and unloading a plurality of compact disc media into and out of a plurality of recording bays. The present invention provides a plurality of two position platters that allow the simultaneous rotation of a plurality of compact discs along horizontal planes defined by the platters above compact disc drive input trays for the transfer of the compact discs to a plurality of compact disc drives using a plurality of associated compact disc lifting devices that lift the compact discs off the platters allowing the platters to rotate along a central axis and then distributes the plurality of compact discs into the compact disc trays. One platter is used for each compact disc recording or writing drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Dan N. Costas
  • Patent number: 6543774
    Abstract: A gaming method using a 52 cards presenting a plurality of suits and a plurality of card values, including the steps of dealing to four players an equal number of cards until all cards has been distributed, designating a constant trump suit, bidding tentative trick quotas within a defined bidding hierarchy playing a plurality of tricks until all distributed cards have been played, assigning values associated with the degree of bidding accuracy based upon the tricks actually taken, continuing play until all players establish a finish position so that exact finishes can be awarded, and providing ranking points to each player depending upon the player's respective finish in the game. A player is also allocated nine lives where one life is deducted for each trick that is overbid or underbid. Any player losing all nine lives before the game is ended for feits their seat in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Lloyd Taylor
  • Patent number: 6426195
    Abstract: A method of silver staining a pathologic sample is disclosed. The method involves the reduction of silver diamine complexes bound to components of the sample by a reducing agent released from a reducing agent carrier. The use of a reducing agent carrier which slowly releases the reducing agent during the reaction permits staining at ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventors: Shude Zhong, Taiying Chen, Sunil Kumar Aggarwal, Sheng-Hui Su
  • Patent number: 6398697
    Abstract: The present invention presents a glance blow detecting bag which rotates on a pivotal axis around a circular in shape adjustable bag mounting pole which is supported on a portable free standing stand for exercising and training a punch boxer, kick boxer, or football blocker, to strike the center of a moving target, and the center of a specific body part. The glance blow detecting bag assists in training accurate placement of blows by spinning rapidly upon detecting a glance blow when the center of the bag is missed on impact, and not spinning when the center of bag is hit indicating a good strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest Nichols, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6287655
    Abstract: An improved, removable adhesive hook and loop wall mount floral vase. The improved wall mount vase is principally intended for holding one or more buds or a bouquet of flowers, and comprises a vinyl outer body having a predetermined body shape, a predetermined diameter, a predetermined height, and a predetermined thickness. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a polyvinyl chloride ridged inner body of a predetermined width, height and thickness. The improved vase further comprises an adhesive hook and loop fastener means attached to the outer flat back-side wall of the vinyl vase, for easily mounting the vase onto a flat surface without use of metal fasteners or permanent bonding materials. The removable adhesive hook and loop fastener allows the removal of the vase for cleaning and refilling with water and floral arrangements. The adhesive fastener can be warmed and removed from walls and other flat surfaces with out damaging the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Ernest Nichols, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6209964
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating removing cargo from a dump truck. A plurality of air hammers are strategically located on an underside of a cargo bed of a dump truck and placed in operative communication with an on board air source carried by the dump truck. Energization of the air hammers facilitate dumping the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Jose Pinto, Leia Pinto
  • Patent number: D449240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robert H. Johnson
  • Patent number: D449545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Robert H. Johnson
  • Patent number: D465699
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Christina Stiles
  • Patent number: D471107
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Rudy P. Rodriguez