Patents Represented by Attorney John S. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5931483
    Abstract: A foldable-unfoldable bowling caddy has two spaced apart, parallel, generally vertically extending support legs mounted on wheels. A series of spaced apart flat forward racks rotatable to and from a folded position aligned with the two parallel legs to and from an unfolded horizontal position are attached to the two parallel legs. A third leg is pivotally connected to the two parallel legs and is movable to and from a folded position adjacent the two parallel legs to and from an angular position that forms a tripod with the two parallel legs. A rear rack is also connected to the two parallel legs and is rotatable to and from a folded position extending along the plane of the two parallel legs to and from an unfolded horizontally extending position. The third leg is releasably pinned to the rear rack when both are in their unfolded positions. A swivel ball is attached to the lower end of the third leg. Each rack contains seat openings for seating bowling balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: David Lee Haynes
  • Patent number: 5305571
    Abstract: Two types of corner couplings together with horizontally extending and vertically extending beams form a multi-cornered paneled frame structure. One coupling connects, with suitable connectors, horizontally and inwardly extending panels to the horizontally extending beams and the other coupling connects, with suitable connectors, vertically extending panels to said horizontally extending beams and to the vertically extending beams. Other suitable connectors secure the two types of couplings to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Jose A. Trevino
  • Patent number: 5031718
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating seismic energy in offshore areas includes energy propagating means for directing energy downwardly vertically into an earth formation. A carrier contains an elongated rigid coupler means that extends from the carrier at the water level to the seat floor. A base plate may be connected to the lower end of the coupler means. The coupler means may be a section of pipe. Driving means on the carrier drives the coupler means to cause sound energy to emanate from the coupler means or base plate into the sea floor. Such means may be a hammer-type device or a vibrator-type device. Alternatively, the lower end of the coupler means or the base plate may be driven by means of a vibrator-type device to cause sound waves to emanate from the coupler means or the base plate directly into the sea floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Johnny G. Peavey
  • Patent number: 4937880
    Abstract: A shield to protect a wearer's face from liquids, light solids, and objects in the air includes a face mask that is configured in the abstract shape of a face. The mask has an opening in the eye area that accommodates the eye piece parts of goggles. The mask also has a nose piece and lateral extensions that protrude from at least each side of the face mask. Attachment means are provided including means on the face mask and means on the goggles that releasably attach the goggles to the face mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Beard
  • Patent number: 4831773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting crustaceans in a shallow body of water use submerged traps in which the crustaceans are trapped connected into a piping system that is periodically flushed with water to wash the trapped crustaceans to a suitable receiver. The traps have valves that may be periodically shaken to loosen any crustaceans caught in the valves. Means are also provided to aerate the piping system and body of water. The trapping, flushing and aerating steps may be repeatedly carried out while the apparatus is maintained in a stationary position in the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: William C. Rostrom
  • Patent number: 4755157
    Abstract: An icebreaking buoy system includes an icebreaking buoy connected to clump weight means positioned on the sea floor by a mooring line having minimum extra length sufficient to permit the buoy to ride up over the largest expected wave. Several such buoy systems may be used to form a line along one or more sides of, or a ring entirely around, an offshore structure or rig to break an ice sheet in the direction or directions it is moving. An anchor fixed to the sea floor may be connected to the clump weight means. Each buoy has a downward sloping bottom portion and a cylindrically or spherically formed top portion. The sides or ends and the bottom of the buoy may be beveled, conical or spherical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Richard K. Coleman
  • Patent number: 4741434
    Abstract: A case for carrying a condom is attached to a key holder. The case is made of two identically configured matable members each having an engageable, peripheral shoulder surrounding a recessed inner surface to form an enclosed space when engaged. Each member is provided with means having openings through which continuous holder means extend. Means are formed on said members for releasably locking them together. Each member may be made of transparent or of opaque material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Herman Liebman
  • Patent number: 4736807
    Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously rotating and reciprocating well pipe mechanically utilizing the rotary table on the drilling rig includes a rotating pipe clamp assembly having an irregular cross-sectional mid-member and clamp members for releasably gripping the well pipe connected to the ends of the mid-member for rotation therewith; a square block for fitting the rotary table square and having a selected groove configuration; and a torque transmitting means fitting into the groove and having openings there-through having the same irregular cross-section as said mid-member cross-section. Means connects the torque transmitting means and the block for limiting torque applied to the well pipe via the clamp assembly and the torque transmitting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Kevin D. Davis
  • Patent number: 4676309
    Abstract: A perforator for perforating a subsurface formation surrounding a well bore to ensure perforation of channels in a cement sheath surrounding a casing pipe cemented in said well bore comprising a series of stacked plates, each plate containing spaced apart co-planar, pie-shaped linear charges and a co-planar, pie-shaped non-charged spacer arranged between each of said linear charges. There are preferably four linear charges and four non-charged spacers forming each plate. The linear charges on each plate are spaced angularly from the linear charges on each other plate so that the linear charges are aimed at different angular portions of the bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Manuel E. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 4656944
    Abstract: A well perforator system and method employs an electromagnetic wave frequency receiver, one for each of at least two gun intervals, that receives a transmitted signal conveyed through well tubing from the earth's surface. The signal is converted to an electrical pulse which detonates a blasting cap and fires the gun perforators. Each gun interval is a separate system with different activating frequencies and each is separately activated to assure that all the intervals are fired. A timer may be used to activate the electromagnetic wave receiver after the gun is in the well to prevent accidental surface firing of the guns from stray sources of electromagnetic waves. Once in the well, only the transmitted pulses are able to detonate the guns. Once the last interval is fired, a wave frequency-activated gun above the uppermost gun interval is detonated with circulation shots to penetrate only the tubing. This creates an instant, intense pressure drop across the perforations to help in cleanup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Manuel E. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 4648751
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for installing an integrated deck on a platform substructure located in a body of water. The deck is supported on jack-up means which, in turn, are mounted on a rigid pontoon raft having a U-shaped configuration. The jack-up means is capable of raising and lowering the deck to and from, respectively, the substructure and for raising the composite platform from one position and lowering it to another position offshore. The U-shaped opening in the raft is oriented so that the jack-up means on the barge straddles the substructure below the deck. Piles may be driven through the base from the raft and from the platform itself when the raft has been removed from the deck once the deck has been installed on the substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Richard K. Coleman
  • Patent number: 4648752
    Abstract: A template retaining wall for use in marine environments is composed of a plurality of interconnected, piled, prefabricated templates. Each template comprises a series of vertically extending, horizontally spaced apart legs and a series of battered, horizontally spaced apart legs. The legs are interconnected by horizontally and diagonally extending truss/strut members. A track guide is positioned on one lateral end of each template and a rider guide is positioned on the other lateral end of each template. The rider guide on one template engages the track on an adjacent template. A metal sheet pile is welded between each of the vertical legs and piles, extend through each of the legs into the ground underlying the water. The retaining wall may be curved into a circular configuration to enclose and retain an artificial island or may be formed into other shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Guy, Maynard S. Glasscock
  • Patent number: 4619323
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in conducting well workover operations includes a coiled non-electrically conductive matrix shaped into a string and containing at least one conduit capable of conducting fluids and electrical conductor means capable of transmitting electrical energy through said matrix. Tool means for performing well operations is connected to the matrix string. Preferably, the matrix string contains three conduits. A variety of workover methods may be carried out using various tool means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: John L. Gidley
  • Patent number: 4615387
    Abstract: Well apparatus for use in injecting corrosion inhibitor into the annulus between casing and tubing strings below an injection/packer assembly positioned in such annulus which includes an annular gas trap positioned below the injection/packer assembly. The annular gas trap comprises a plurality of individual gas traps. Each individual gas trap comprises a series of S-shaped conduits and includes one passageway open to the annulus above the gas trap and another passageway open to the annulus below the gas trap and a third passageway connecting those two passageways. A check valve may be positioned in each individual gas trap to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through the gas trap into the annulus above the gas trap and a seal may be provided on the gas trap to engage a polished bore receptacle formed on the casing string to seal off the space between the casing string and the annular gas trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Dale V. Johnson, John M. Bednar
  • Patent number: 4609307
    Abstract: An anode pod system for cathodically protecting offshore structures and method of installing the system in which a set of anode pod units are individually placed on the ocean floor adjacent an offshore structure. Each anode pod unit comprises a plurality of anodes attached to a top tubular ring and a base tubular ring larger than the top tubular ring to form a conically-shaped unit. An electrical conductor cable connects each anode pod unit to the offshore structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Guy, John R. Plugge
  • Patent number: 4576523
    Abstract: A mechanism for releasing a pre-installed pile attached to a pile guide connected to an offshore platform is supported in the pile and includes pile latch means rotatable from a latch position in which one end extends through an opening in the pile and engages the upper end of the pile guide to a retracted unlatched position in which the entire latch means is located within the pile. The inner end of the latch means is connected to a collapsible compression linkage assembly which when in one position maintains the latch means in its latch position and when moving from the one position to another collapsed position causes the latch means to rotate to its unlatched position within the pile. A slide plate capable of causing the linkage assembly to collapse when moving downwardly from a first position to a second position is releasably held in the first position by shearable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Edward C. Smetak
  • Patent number: 4501330
    Abstract: A production casing string is composed of an upper section and a smaller diameter lower section. The lower portion of the upper section forms upper and lower polished bore receptacles. The upper receptacle has an internal bore of larger diameter than the bore of the lower receptacle. A first annular shoulder is formed at the junction of the bores. A support shoulder is formed in the lower receptacle at the junction of the bore of the lower receptacle and the inner wall of the lower section. A hanger seat member is positioned on the support shoulder. An outer tubing string positioned in the production casing string has a reduced diameter stinger section provided with an annular external seal unit which sealingly engages the bore wall of the lower receptacle. A second annular shoulder is formed on the outer wall of the outer tubing string at the junction of the outer walls of the outer tubing string and the stinger section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Juan A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 4474243
    Abstract: A jet shoe, connected to the lowermost end of a large diameter pipe to be placed in a subsea formation, comprises a cylindrical housing in which is arranged an inner tubular receptacle, a check valve permitting downward flow but preventing upward flow and jet tubes extending from the receptacle through the lower end of the jet shoe. The receptacle, valve and tubes are cemented in the housing. The tubes contain nozzles for jetting fluid to erode formation ahead of the shoe. A stinger arranged on the lower end of a smaller diameter pipe extends into and seals in the receptacle. A closure member on the smaller pipe closes off the upper end of the larger pipe. The smaller pipe and the larger pipe, together with a permanent guide base connected to the upper end of the larger pipe, are lowered to the ocean floor. While jetting fluid through the smaller pipe and out the shoe the formation ahead of the shoe is eroded until the larger pipe reaches a pre-determined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Gaines
  • Patent number: 4469170
    Abstract: Apparatus for skimming an overlying non-conductive lighter liquid from an underlying conductive heavier liquid in a two-liquid body which are particularly applicable for recovering oil and/or gasoline from a well. A skimmer designed to float in the two-liquid body contained in the well includes a closed cylindrical float, a hollow cylindrical skirt installed over a portion of one end of the float and permanently attached to the float. The end of the skirt surrounding the float is open to the lighter liquid. Spaced-apart liquid level controls are positioned on the skirt for sensing the liquid/liquid interface level. The other end of the skirt is connected to a pump for removing lighter liquids collected in the skirt. Means operated by the controls turn the pump off and on in response to higher and lower levels, respectively, of the two-liquid interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Verne E. Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4431534
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating a multiphase liquid mixture of lighter and heavier liquids which includes a caisson into which the liquid mixture is introduced. A surge plate extends horizontally across the interior of the caisson dividing it into upper and lower sections. The lower section forms a reservoir for receiving the liquid mixture. A wier plate extends vertically from the surge plate forming a reservoir and a spillover bucket chamber in the upper section for the lighter liquid. An opening in the surge plate communicates the lower and upper section reservoirs. Means are provided for supplying liquids to the lower section reservoir and for removing the lighter liquid from the bucket chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gordon