Patents Represented by Law Firm Kokjer, Kircher, Bradley, Wharton, Bowman & Johnson
  • Enclosed dry clutch/brake
    Patent number: 4926989
    Abstract: A combined clutch/brake unit which is enclosed and constructed to avoid heat generation. An enclosed housing supports a driven input hub which carries clutch plates that sandwich a friction line clutch disk. The clutch disk is carried on a rotor which is splined to the output shaft and which also carries a friction lined brake disk. A double acting piston acts in one direction to apply the clutch and in the other direction to apply the brake. The unit may be either air applied clutch/air applied brake or air applied clutch/spring applied brake. The clutch and brake disks are small diameter to minimize the inertia of the output shaft and make it easier to accelerate and stop so that heat generation is minimized. Double friction linings are applied to both disks so that adequate torque is provided for both clutch and brake operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: The Carlson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney D. Bruntz
  • Cast decoration kit
    Patent number: 4927025
    Abstract: A kit for maintaining and enhancing the appearance of a plaster type cast includes a fabric sleeve which can be used to cover the cast if it is soiled, a waterproof cover for use when bathing, a pen set for marking on the cast and a plurality of decorative articles that may be applied to the cast. All of the components are packaged in a clam shell plastic package which is divided into plural compartments for storage of the various parts of the kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventors: Gregory E. Thompson, Paul V. Thompson
  • Latching mechanism for electrical plugs
    Patent number: 4925396
    Abstract: An electrical plug-socket connection in which the socket is provided with sliding latch plates that fit in notches in the plug prongs to latch the prongs in the slots of the socket. Springs urge the latch plates toward their latching positions. Release buttons are diametrically opposite one another on the socket body and may be depressed to release the latch plates through lever arms which slide the latch plates against the spring force to release positions. The latch plates are then disengaged from the notches in the prongs and the prongs may be withdrawn from the slots in the socket. The face of the socket has waterproof gasket and the release buttons are covered by waterproof covers to make the plug-socket water tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Dennis L. Grover
  • Pizza knife with integral handle
    Patent number: 4924575
    Abstract: A pizza knife having a semi-elliptical cutting blade and an integral handle which includes opposite sides and a top arranged in a triangular shape. One side of the blade extends from the blade and the other side has a free edge spaced away from the blade to present a continuous gap leading to a channel provided in the handle. The sides converge as they extend away from the top and connect with the top at smoothly rounded corners to provide a comfortable and secure hand grip to facilitate handling of the pizza knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: ICT Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. James
  • Child's snack carrier
    Patent number: 4921114
    Abstract: A carrier for snack items for a small child has top and bottom dish shaped concavo-convex members releasably secured together near the mid-line of the carrier to present a bulbous shape defining an internal cavity. Food items placed in the carrier are accessible to the child through an opening in the top and the opening is located and sized to minimize the chance for spillage when the child carries the container in hanging fashion from one of a pair of U-shaped handles. A cover is releasably secured to a flange surrounding the access opening and the cover can be releasably parked on a similar flange on the bottom of the carrier when the latter is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Brenda J. L. Rome
  • Multiple purpose fishing device
    Patent number: 4918858
    Abstract: A weighted accessory for freeing snagged lures and for performing other functions requiring weighted down fishing gear. A rigid pin has loops on its opposite ends and a pair of slidable weights which are urged apart and against the loops by a compression spring. Each loop presents a gap which is normally closed by the weight but which can be opened by sliding the weight against the spring force. The gaps allow the accessory to be applied to a fishing line or net such that the line or net is threaded through one or both loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Marvin L. Maxfield, Sr.
  • Receptacle for quick-release fastener
    Patent number: 4919580
    Abstract: A two-part front mounted receptacle for a quick-release fastener is disclosed. The receptacle has a body part (10) having a first, substantially planar, front element (11) with an aperture (13) therethrough, and a pair of leg elements (14,18) depending from the ends of the front element (11). A first one (14) of the leg elements has a sprung barb or barbs (15) in use engaging the rear face of the support (30) in which the receptacle is mounted. The receptacle also has a substantially U-shaped spring retainer (20), one side (21) of which is arranged to be engaged and held to each of the legs of the body part and which projects beyond the end of the body part remote from the first leg (14), and the second side (22) of which has a retention mechanism (27,28) for engaging and retaining in use a stud (2) connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Andrew C. W. Wright
  • Method for manufacturing a friction ring having a conical or cylindrical friction surface
    Patent number: 4917743
    Abstract: In order to enable a friction ring comprising a supporting ring (2) and a sintered friction lining (4) to be produced without sintering the friction lining (4) to an intermediate carrier, one initially forms a self-supporting shaped strip (5) from a compacted dry powder material (1), by presintering or bonding using a bonding agent, whereafter the shaped strip (5) is pressed into the supporting ring (2) and the friction lining (4) is produced by final sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventors: Johann Gramberger, Ferdinand Mairhofer
  • Grain cleaner
    Patent number: 4915826
    Abstract: A grain cleaner and method for cleaning grain is the subject of the present invention. A single rotatable drum presents a substantially continuous screen surface of increasing mesh size from one end to another with the drum having an inlet end and an outlet end. A plurality of baffles are disposed in spaced apart relationship along the periphery of and along the length of the screen surface of the drum for retarding the flow of material therethrough. Retaining means is provided in the vicinity of the outlet end of the drum for retarding the flow of foreign material fromthe drum while accommodating the eventual passage of foreign material out of the drum. The drum is rotated by any conventional power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Larry Nordhus
  • Damper with override control
    Patent number: 4911065
    Abstract: A fire and smoke damper equipped with a thermal responsive electric switch for closing the damper responsive to the elevation of the ambient temperature above a first predetermined level. Control circuitry is provided for permitting selective override of the switch for opening the damper from a remote control panel so that toxic fumes and smoke may be vented through the damper. A second thermal responsive switch operable at a higher predetermined temperature is interposed in the control circuit to insure that the damper may not be opened by the override circuit in the event that such higher ambient temperature has been reached in the location of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Philips Industrial Components Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Van Becelaere
  • Stoppering tray vacuum freeze dryer
    Patent number: 4912359
    Abstract: A freeze dry unit having several novel features is the subject of this invention. A plurality of shelves are placed in the drying unit and are coupled with cables which serve to interconnect three points on each shelf. This assures that an upward force applied at any point on the shelf will be distributed over the entire shelf and the shelf will rise in a true horizontal plane. An improved refrigeration system is also provided which incorporates an auxiliary capillary tube that can be bypassed by a solenoid valve or used to reduce the volume of refrigerant flowing through the system thereby decreasing the load on the compressor. The invention also encompasses a closure door that incorporates a novel hinge and mounting assembly which assures that opening and closing of the door will not pinch the door seal thus deteriorating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley E. Offutt, Larry W. Nelson
  • Aerodynamic end closures for railway hopper cars
    Patent number: 4909154
    Abstract: Apparatus for enclosing open end portions of railway hopper cars in order to reduce the aerodynamic drag. Each corner area of each end is provided with a shroud which includes a side plate and an end plate. The side plate covers the open side area at the end of the car and also covers the first vertical rib on the car side. The end plate covers the part of the end of the car adjacent the corner. Each shroud is shaped in an aerodynamically efficient configuration to minimize air resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Aero Transportation Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Del E. Walker, Stephen R. Early
  • Method and apparatus for decorating cakes and other foods
    Patent number: 4910661
    Abstract: An automatic decorating machine for applying flowable decorative materials to cakes and other food products as well as other articles. Live video images are captured by a video camera and are displayed on a video monitor. The video image can be combined with textual messages composed from alpha-numeric characters and with artwork which can either be composed contemporaneously on site or selected from previously prepared artwork selections. The video image, artwork and text can be edited and combined as desired for display on the monitor to provide a preview of the decorating pattern. The displayed pattern is reproduced on the cake by an X-Y table which moves liquid spray applicators and icing or gel dispensers over the cake and controls the application of food coloring and icing or gel in a manner to reproduce the selected pattern on the cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Edgar L. Barth
    Inventors: Edgar L. Barth, Ricardo Salas, John J. Humbard
  • Heater safety mechanism
    Patent number: 4906818
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for disabling a portable room heater. A lever which extends from the heating face of the heater is coupled with a shut-off switch. Movement of the lever resulting from draping of an object over the heater opens the switch and shuts off the heater. A buzzer may be wired in parallel with the switch to provide an audible alarm when the switch opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Toastmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Lumpp, William W. Wolkoff
  • Animal guard for power transformers
    Patent number: 4906801
    Abstract: A cover for application to a top surface and adjacent portion of the sidewall of a distribution transformer to prevent electrical shorting across the top surface and sidewall portion. The cover comprises an electrically non-conductive material which electrically insulates the transformer top surface and sidewall portion. An aperture is provided in the cover to accommodate a terminal of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Tania M. Beasley
  • Blood collection vial
    Patent number: D306649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Hematronix, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lapicola, William C. Buxbaum
  • Fire extinguisher tank
    Patent number: D306782
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: William A. Enk
  • Pulling apparatus for straightening vehicle bodies
    Patent number: D307028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: McPherson Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Lowell K. Booker
  • Clothing hanger bracket for automobiles
    Patent number: D307359
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Michael T. White
  • Bottle
    Patent number: D308167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Travomatic Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Holmes