Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Marcella R. Louke
  • Patent number: 6920389
    Abstract: System and method for preventing unauthorized or impaired operation of a motor vehicle by requiring a potential operator to sequentially energize several vehicle devices, within a set time period, prior to placing the vehicle ignition into a start position. The system includes a sequencing mechanism comprising an array of J-K flip-flops in a daisy chain configuration and an R-C timer mechanism. Logic outputs from the sequencing mechanism and the timer mechanism are fed to a NAND gate operating as a logic decoder that is used to control the vehicle ignition circuit. Only if all the inputs to the logic decoder are “go” will the output signal allow the ignition circuit to close. A sensory indicator may alert the potential operator as to the condition of the decoder output. An unauthorized user is inhibited from operating the motor vehicle because the performance sequence is unknown to him/her.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventors: Howard Stanley Hale, Elaine Elizabeth Futrell
  • Patent number: 6668440
    Abstract: A method for sequentially forming teeth in a belt that is supported on two cylinders. The method avoids having to measure the neutral plane radius by dividing the uncured belt into discrete molding sections and adjusting the length of each section prior to molding. The adjustment to the length is made so that the belt section is equivalent to a required length necessary to accommodate the proper fraction of total teeth. The first section to be molded is marked and aligned with the mold. Sequential belt sections are marked and aligned in similar fashion until teeth are molded along the entire circumference of the belt. The inventive method eliminates cumulative error by positioning each section of teeth relative to the underlying belt structure and not relative to the previous section which may have position errors within its own position tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 6595738
    Abstract: A lift gate assembly particularly adapted for use in a vehicle having a side opening. The assembly includes a platform that folds and pivots to the interior of the vehicle when in a stored mode. When deployed, the platform pivots to the exterior of the vehicle and unfolds. A telescoping column allows movement of the unfolded platform between upper and lower levels. Movement of the platform may be accomplished by employing hydraulic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Waltco Truck Equipment
    Inventors: Ken Rock, Andy Grow
  • Patent number: 6186278
    Abstract: A bearing grease fitting for directing grease into an interior portion of a wheel hub. The bearing grease fitting is an integral piece having a protrusion with a nippled end. The grease fitting has a first portion, which seats within a wheel hub. Grease is transferred from a grease gun through the protrusion to an interior portion of a wheel, such as an axle. A bearing grease fitting assembly consists of the grease fitting together with the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Al Borling
  • Patent number: 5977546
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the quantity of sample materials which provides stable measurements for extended periods of time. A source beam containing measuring radiation and reference radiation is directed through a sample material. The measuring radiation consists of spectral energy that interacts substantially with the sample material. The reference radiation consists of spectral energy with substantially different interaction properties with the sample material. Radiation is directed along separate analyzing and normalizing information channels wherein the radiation has substantially different sample interaction. Analyzing and normalizing detectors provide responses to radiation in respective analyzing information channel or normalizing information channel. A measuring mode is established by inserting a first filter into the source beam to allow substantially only measuring radiation to propagate to the detectors, creating measuring responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Lee Richard Carlson