Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael R. Schacht
  • Patent number: 6394027
    Abstract: A control system for milking parlors. The control system allows the neck rails move from an open position to a predetermined time period after the operator presses an open all gates button. The lowering of the neck rail is restricted or slowed such that the cow has time to exit the milking stall and any contact by the neck rail with the cow is gentle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Blue Diamond Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Gallagher, Scott J. Pawlowicz
  • Patent number: 6371496
    Abstract: A mobile base for allowing machinery having an effective footprint within a predetermined range of effective footprints to be moved along and/or fixed relative to a floor surface. The base comprises a frame assembly having a width dimension and a depth dimension, first, second, third, and fourth wheels attached to the frame assembly such that the frame assembly may be moved, and a locking system. The locking system comprises a lock housing, a lock member, a drive member, and a magnetic portion. The lock housing defines a lock chamber. The lock member is slideably mounted within the lock chamber and moves between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the lock member frictionally engages the floor surface. Axial rotation of the drive member causes the drive member to move towards or away from the floor surface. The drive member is located above the lock member and is capable of rotating with respect to the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Woodstock International, Inc.
    Inventor: Shiraz Balolia
  • Patent number: 6356434
    Abstract: A vault system for batteries that supply a battery power signal to an electronic device. The vault system comprises an enclosure assembly, a control enclosure, at least one terminal set, and one or more lead pairs. The enclosure assembly contains the batteries. The control enclosure assembly is arranged within the enclosure assembly. The at least one terminal set is arranged within the control enclosure. At least one lead pair is associated with each battery and each lead pair is connected at one end across terminals of the battery associated therewith and at another end to the terminal set. Power cables extend from the control enclosure to the electronic device. The terminal set interconnects the lead pairs and the power cables such that the battery power signal is generated by the batteries connected to the at least one lead pair and present across the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas A. Osterman
  • Patent number: 6354244
    Abstract: A modular garden accessory system. This system comprises a post assembly, one or more branch assemblies, and one or more garden accessories that may be connected to or suspended from the post assembly or the branch assemblies. The system is comprised of a relatively small number of standard parts that may be connected in a number of configurations to obtain a relatively large number of accessories. The system is designed for easy assembly with a minimum number of fasteners. Many of the accessories are constructed about a plastic base member that defines an upper surface appropriate for use as a feeder and a lower surface that allows the accessory to be attached to a post assembly or branch assembly in one of a number of configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Larry Green
  • Patent number: 6355112
    Abstract: An extractor tool for extracting invasive fluid from a floor covering defining a floor surface. The extractor tool comprises a frame assembly, an extraction head, and a drive roller. The frame assembly defines a support surface. The extraction head is mounted to the frame assembly and defines an extraction opening that engages the floor surface. The drive roller assembly is mounted to the frame assembly and also engages the floor surface. A user stands on the support surface between the extraction head and the drive roller assembly such that the user's weight is transferred to the floor surface through the extraction head and the driver roller assembly. The user operates the driver roller assembly to propel the extractor tool along the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dri-Eaz Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bartholmey, Kevin A. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6352184
    Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing accoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle to diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stern, James A. Tryon
  • Patent number: 6332369
    Abstract: The device is characterized in that it comprises: one ring-shaped sensor (1) body comprising a main part (3) delimiting a sensor chamber (5) extended by a threaded part (6) as well as a skirt (4) around the sensing chamber (5) and defining a support surface (8) to be fixed on the wall (10) of the can or bag to be checked, a tubular connecting screw (2) coupled with continuous analyzing means and designed to cooperate with the sensor (1) body, and sensing means capable of cutting or perforating the wall (10) of the can or bag to be checked so as to allow the gases, if any emitted in this can or bag, to enter the internal conduit (11) of the connecting screw (2) to be sensed by the continuous analyzing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: AES Laboratoire, Societe Anonyme Ayant Son Siege Social
    Inventors: Didier Bombe, Olivier Delebecque
  • Patent number: 6328185
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall, ceiling or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member is preferably in the form of a resilient tube that defines an outlet opening, where the tube may be squeezed to change the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stern, James A. Tryon
  • Patent number: 6305300
    Abstract: An adjustable table system comprising first and second offset members, an attachment system, a support assembly, and a work surface assembly. The offset members each comprise offset edges defining a offset planes, engaging surfaces defining reference planes, and spacing walls extending between the offset edges and the engaging surfaces. The spacing walls are sized and dimensioned to create offset angles between the offset planes. The attachment system attaches the offset members together such that the offset members are rotatable relative to each other about an offset axis. The support assembly engages one of the offset members to support the offset member at a desired location. The work surface assembly engages the other offset edge to form a work surface at the desired location. Rotation of the offset members relative to each other about the offset axis alters an angle between the offset planes and thus an angle of the work surface with respect to horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Richard P. Honea
  • Patent number: 6296252
    Abstract: A game assembly for dousing a target individual with water when an object hits a target. The game assembly comprises a support arm for supporting a source of water, a support assembly for supporting the support arm at a desired location, and an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly preferably has a target member, and actuating member, and connecting assembly. The target member defines a target portion forming the target. The target portion is attached to the support arm for movement between first and second positions. The actuating member is mounted on the support arm for movement between retracted and extended positions. The actuating member engages the source of water such that water falls from the desired location when the actuating member is in the extend position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Frank Hubka
  • Patent number: 6290844
    Abstract: A filter system for a pond system. The pond system comprises a pump vault arranged such that unfiltered water in a pond flows into the pump vault, a pump, and a pump vault cover. The filter system comprises filter material adapted to remove impurities from unfiltered water to obtain filtered water and a frame structure connected to the pump vault cover for suspending the filter material within the pump vault. With this arrangement, unfiltered water first passes through the filter material before entering the pump. The filter material is removed from the pump vault for replacement and/or cleaning by removing the pump vault cover from the pump vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Irven H. Tennyson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6288916
    Abstract: A UPS system for communications systems. The UPS system comprises an input stage that generates primary and standby AC power signals. The primary and standby AC power signals are passed through an isolation transformer and through an output rectifier to obtain an output DC power signal. A plurality of output inverters are used to generate a plurality of output AC power signals from the output DC power signal. A switch circuit is provided to connect one or more of the output DC power signals to one or more loads of the communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alpha Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Liu, Pu Han, Lam Vu
  • Patent number: 6283554
    Abstract: A dump truck system comprising a vehicle, a trailer assembly on which is mounted a trailer bed, a hitch assembly for connecting the trailer assembly to the vehicle, and trailer dump assembly for pivoting the trailer bed relative to the trailer about a dump axis. Optionally, the dump truck system may comprise a tilt assembly for tilting the trailer bed relative to the trailer assembly about a tilt axis, where the tilt axis is substantially perpendicular to the dump axis. The trailer assembly optionally comprises a trailer frame assembly, a tube member pivotally connected to the trailer frame assembly, and a suspension assembly arranged between the tube assembly and the trailer frame assembly to resiliently oppose transmission of shocks from the trailer frame assembly to the vehicle. The trailer assembly optionally comprises a trailer frame assembly, a support tube member attached to the trailer frame assembly, a slide tube member that extends through and is supported by the support tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mountain Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon D. Oberg
  • Patent number: 6276570
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stern, James A. Tryon
  • Patent number: 6264846
    Abstract: A system for processing water by mixing the water with an additive. The system comprises a source of unprocessed water; a destination of processed water; a source of the additive; structure defining a main passageway, a bypass passageway, and an injection passageway. The bypass passageway is in fluid communication with the main passageway at first and second locations. The injection passageway is in fluid communication with an injection portion of the bypass passageway. The injection portion of the bypass passageway is configured such that the flow of unprocessed water through the bypass passageway causes additive to flow through the injection passageway and into the bypass passageway. The system may further comprise optional structure for creating a differential pressure between an inlet portion of the main passageway and a mixing portion of the main passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Tony L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6256895
    Abstract: A leveling assembly to establish elevations in a building structure for installing cabinets, bookshelves, countertops, etc. There is a telescoping mounting post adapted to be positioned in bearing engagement between a floor surface and the top of a doorway, ceiling or other upper surface. A laser that transmits a horizontal laser beam is mounted to a mounting device that can be moved to different positions along the length of the post. Locking devices hold the laser mounting device in place, and also properly position the post to be in firm engagement with its bearing surfaces. The laser mounting device can be swung to upper and lower positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Akers
  • Patent number: 6250349
    Abstract: A jointer fence assembly and method for a jointer system comprising a table assembly defining a table surface and a cutter gap and a cutter assembly arranged within the cutter gap. The jointer fence assembly comprises a fence member assembly defining a fence surface, a fence extension assembly, a fence tilt assembly, and a fence lock assembly. The fence extension assembly comprising a fence support that may be moved across the cutter gap. The fence tilt assembly is connected between the fence support and the fence member assembly such that the fence member assembly rotates about a fence pivot axis spaced above the table surface. The fence lock assembly is connected between the fence support and the fence member to allow a fence angle between the fence surface and the table surface to be locked into a desired angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Crofutt
  • Patent number: 6244180
    Abstract: A system for forming artistic ink impressions. A case stores ink stamping accessories and/or allows large surface area stamps to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Winston
  • Patent number: D448153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Max Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: D454240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mobile Merchandisers, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Wells