Patents Represented by Attorney James E. Walton

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  • Bloodless intravenous integrated catheter
    Patent number: 7666166
    Abstract: An intravenous catheter system having a retractable needle system and a body system is disclosed. The retractable needle system includes a housing, a needle, a docking feature, and an optional anti-shearing mechanism. The body system includes a body, at least one hub, a catheter connector, at least one plug, a plug recoil mechanism, a locking mechanism, a flash chamber, and a flash window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: BLIVIC, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Emmert, Hoyt Frenzel
  • Method and apparatus for manufacturing interchangeable and replaceable parts
    Patent number: 7657988
    Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is disclosed, whereby a specific production process is used in conjunction with a specific tooling methodology to provide a tooling process package that is capable of controlling tolerance stack-ups and process variations by accounting for them at each step in the process. One application particularly suited for the present invention is in the manufacturing of panels that are assembled to form the skins of a tiltrotor aircraft (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Greene
  • Slide-driver
    Patent number: 7654175
    Abstract: A tool for rotating fasteners has an inner body with a cavity in a forward end, the cavity being configured to engage the head of a fastener. An outer socket has a cavity in a forward end, the cavity being configured to engage the head of a fastener, and the outer socket is coaxial with and slidably carried on the inner body. The outer socket is movable between retracted and extended positions, the retracted position locating the cavity of the inner body in a position for engagement of the head of a fastener, the extended position locating the cavity of the outer socket in a position for engagement of the head of a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Rodney D. Hamon
  • Variable stiffness support
    Patent number: 7650819
    Abstract: A variable stiffness support has a support housing that is configured to adjust the orientation of an internal elastomer assembly. The support housing includes an adjustment mechanism, and the elastomer assembly includes an outer ring that encircles an elastomeric material, a central bushing embedded in the elastomeric material, and a plurality of shims embedded in the elastomeric material in a parallel planar fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Haynes, David L. Williams, Michael R. Smith, Robert J. Pascal
  • Weight-on-gear sensor
    Patent number: 7637459
    Abstract: A weight-on-gear sensor for use on an aircraft with landing skids having a bracket and a displacement sensor attached to the bracket is disclosed. The bracket has a center member connecting a first end member to a second end member. The center member has a centerline and the end members extend from the centerline of the center member. Mounting members extend along the centerline of the center member to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a cross tube. The displacement sensor connects the first end member to the second end member. The displacement sensor is parallel to, and offset from, the centerline of the center member so that when a bending moment is applied to the center member the first displacement sensor is either elongated or shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Grant Mast, Charles Eric Covington, Paul Eugene Darden, William L. McKeown
  • Solar-powered thermometer and clock
    Patent number: 7615962
    Abstract: A solar-powered clock and thermometer having solar energy system for powering an electrical subsystem is disclosed. The electrical subsystem may include lighting elements for illuminating the clock and thermometer and the area around the clock and the thermometer in a decorative and functional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: World Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Gustav P. Kuelbs
  • Ice management system for tiltrotor aircraft
    Patent number: 7604202
    Abstract: An ice management system is configured for an aircraft having at least one rotor, each rotor having a plurality of blades. The system has an electrical power supply adapted to be carried by the aircraft remote from the rotor, and at least one heater is carried by the rotor for heating at least a portion of the rotor. A solid-state control relay is carried by the rotor and conductively coupled between the power supply and each heater for selectively controlling the flow of electrical power from the power supply to each heater. In addition, the system may incorporate a solid-state feed relay carried by the aircraft remote from the rotor and conductively coupled between the power supply and the control relay for selectively controlling the flow of electrical power to the control relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Froman, Daniel R. Tippett
  • Proprotor blade with leading edge slot
    Patent number: 7594625
    Abstract: A proprotor blade (27a, 27b, 127a, 127b) having a fixed, spanwise, leading edge slot (215) located in at least the inboard portion of the proprotor is disclosed. The slot (215) is formed by a selectively shaped slat (217) disposed in a selectively shaped recessed area (219) located at the leading edge (202) of the main portion of the proprotor blade. The slot (215) is selectively shaped so the a portion of the airflow over the lower airfoil surface of the proprotor blade is diverted between the main portion of the proprotor blade and the slat (217) and exits at the upper airfoil surface of the proprotor blade. The present invention may be used on both military-type tiltrotor aircraft (11) and civilian-type tiltrotor aircraft (111) with only minor variations to accommodate the different shapes of the proprotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Robertson, Dudley E. Smith, Charles L. Hollimon, Jimmy C. Narramore, Robert B. Mullins
  • Torsionally de-coupled engine mount system
    Patent number: 7594623
    Abstract: A torsionally de-coupled engine mount system (13) for use in tilt rotor aircraft (11) applications is disclosed, in which an engine is mounted at its forward end to a prop rotor gear box by means of a forward mount (303) that is a simple adapter fitting, and at its aft end to a pylon assembly by an aft mount (305) that is a simple bi-pod fitting. The forward mount (303) counteracts forces and moments in six degrees of freedom, but the aft mount (305) only counteracts lateral and vertical loads. The contribution from the engine to the overall dynamic response of the aircraft is tuned by selectively tailoring the size, shape, weight, and material of the forward mount (303). The engine mount system torsionally de-couples the engines from the prop rotors, thereby preventing rotor torque from being induced into the engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Howard, Stephen E. Mildenstein
  • Solar powered bird feeder
    Patent number: 7540262
    Abstract: A bird feeder having a rechargeable electrical power source and a solar energy system that collects solar energy, converts it into electrical energy, and uses the electrical energy to recharge the rechargeable electrical power source is disclosed. The rechargeable electrical power source can be used to power a wide variety of electrical devices, such as microphones, radio receivers or transmitters, cameras, audio recording and playback devices, video recording and playback devices, loud speakers, lighting elements, timing devices, remote controls, motors, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: World Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory G. Kuelbs
  • Retractable tow hook
    Patent number: 7537502
    Abstract: An aquatic recreational device is configured for towing with a towline and has a rider-support structure for supporting a rider during travel in water. The device has a hook for releasably retaining the towline, the hook being movable between a first position, in which the hook is oriented to be substantially within the rider-support structure, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the hook is located exterior of the rider-support structure for engaging the towline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventor: Keith Parten
  • Aquatic recreational system with retractable tow hook
    Patent number: 7530872
    Abstract: An aquatic recreational device is configured for towing with a towline and has a rider-support structure for supporting a rider during travel in water. The device has a hook for releasably retaining the towline, the hook being movable between a first position, in which the hook is oriented to be substantially within the rider-support structure, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the hook is located exterior of the rider-support structure for engaging the towline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Keith Parten
  • Solar wind chime
    Patent number: 7518253
    Abstract: A solar-powered wind chime has a solar energy system for powering an electrical subsystem. The electrical subsystem may include lighting elements for illuminating the wind chime and the area around the wind chime in a decorative and functional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: World Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Gustav P. Kuelbs
  • Gooseneck quickie
    Patent number: 7506887
    Abstract: A device to hasten the process of attaching a trailer, primarily a gooseneck variety, to a towing vehicle. The invention temporarily snaps on the towing ball of the vehicle and, when contacted with the trailer tongue, is activated and partially lowered. This action is observed by the vehicle driver and indicates a quick and sure position for attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventors: John E. Seely, Tommy R. Thompson
  • Conveyor system
    Patent number: 7500551
    Abstract: A conveyor system has a pair of outer wheel tracks and a pair of inner wheel tracks, the wheel tracks of each pair being spaced from each other and extending parallel to each other. Each wheel track has at least one generally vertical portion and at least one generally horizontal portion. A conveyor member has two pairs of wheels, the wheels of each pair being located on opposite sides of the member, each pair of wheels engaging one pair of wheel tracks; The wheels and tracks are configured and oriented relative to each other so that the member is maintained in a selected orientation as the member moves relative to and along the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Harold R. Greene
  • Muscle powered dynamic knee brace
    Patent number: 7500957
    Abstract: A dynamic knee brace that can be used to apply a bending force across the knee. Two brace arms are connected together by a central joint that allows the knee to pivot. A joint in each brace arm allows the brace arm to be inclined toward the leg. A cam assembly is present to actively incline each brace arms toward the leg as the knee moves to full extension. An adjustment mechanism for the cam assemblies provides control over the maximum amount of inclination each brace arm achieves. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the cams equally so that both brace arms are inclined by the same amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Rotorcraft control system with stepped mixing linkage
    Patent number: 7461812
    Abstract: A control system for a rotorcraft is disclosed. The control system includes a stepped mixing linkage, such that a selected amount of right-left lateral cyclic output is generated for certain amounts of forward-aft cyclic input. The stepped mixing linkage includes two supporting links and a floating link pivotally coupled between the two supporting links. The ratio of the lengths of the two supporting links to the length of the floating link is small, thereby generating a selected lateral sinusoidal output, a selected rotation of the sinusoidal output, and a selected ramped output in response to each forward-aft pilot input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fenny, Duane Hicks
  • Display case with curved front
    Patent number: D584552
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventors: David M. Brinson, Garland R. Brinson
  • Body form for display case
    Patent number: D591980
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: David M. Brinson, Garland R. Brinson
  • Detachable motorcycle trike body
    Patent number: D596993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Lawayne L. Matthies