Patents Represented by Attorney Neil F. Markva
  • Patent number: 6065557
    Abstract: The assembly of the invention provides a direct frictional drive system for a wheeled vehicle having a vehicle frame whereby at least one drive roller is in frictional contact with a vehicle wheel, which includes a hub portion having a wheel axle, a rim portion, and a tire portion having a tread surface. The assembly comprises an assembly frame structure including an upper frame portion, an upper drive roller carrier portion, and a lower wheel axle coupling portion for attaching the assembly to a hub portion of the vehicle frame. The upper frame portion is connectable to the vehicle frame and the drive roller carrier portion rotatably supports at least one drive roller in frictional contact with the tread portion. A drive motor mounted to the drive roller carrier portion rotates the drive roller when the motor is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Peter H. von Keyserling
  • Patent number: 6015471
    Abstract: The inflatable lifting cushion comprises two segments (10) each comprising a ring chamber (11) around a central web (12). The two segments (10) are welded together at a junction (13) to define therebetween a central chamber (14). An air inlet fitting (30) (FIG. 1) is attached to one of the segments (10) for simultaneous inflation of the chambers (11) and (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Manger International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Michael Rimington, Richard Edmond Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6009625
    Abstract: A hand tool combination is useful for punching various sized holes in the sidewall of irrigation tubing to discharge water onto crop-growing soil. The tool combination comprises an elongated handle member including a hand grasping section at one end thereof and carrying a cutter element assembly at the other end thereof. The cutter element assembly includes at least one hole-forming cutting element removably mounted to a cutting element carrier module. A plurality of cutting elements each includes a cutting edge effective to penetrate the sidewall of the irrigation tubing when thrust against the tubing by an individual gripping the hand grasping section and swinging the cutter element assembly toward the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: IXL Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob N. Keathley
  • Patent number: 5996133
    Abstract: A toilet aid (10), for use on an ordinary water closet/toilet fitted with an ordinary lift up toilet seat, which aid comprises an overseat (20) supported on an annular or part annular pneumatically inflatable bag assembly (21), and is characterized in that flexible locating means (22) is attached to a bottom part of the bag assembly (21) so as to be foldable or bendable to extend beneath the toilet seat (14) to locate the bag assembly (21) on the toilet seat (14) for pneumatically raising and lowering the overseat (20) relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mangar International Limited
    Inventor: Richard Edmond Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5993077
    Abstract: A stand assembly maintains an optical device at a location spaced from a stand assembly supporting surface wherein the optical device includes a lens system and a longitudinal image axis extending through an objective lens disposed at a distal end of the lens system. The stand assembly comprises a support base member, a plurality of leg members each having one end thereof mounted to one side of the support base member. The support base member is effective to carry the optical device on a side opposite the leg members. The base member includes a device support surface on the side opposite the leg members, and has two opposed outer free end sections and two opposed edge portions extending along the device support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Steven P. Jones
  • Patent number: 5970545
    Abstract: Backrest support apparatus comprising an inflatable flexible bag structure which comprises two hollow limbs (11, 12) configured and connected at a junction or tethered to assume a stable configuration when fully inflated, and to collapse to a substantially planar configuration in which one limb (11) at least partially overlies the other (12) when the structure is deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Mangar International Limited
    Inventors: David Edmund Talbot Garman, Richard Edmond Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5958463
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the method for the production of liposomal microencapsulated boron-containing products to be used for agricultural formulations. More specifically, a new method of production of liposomal microencapsulated is disclosed for active agents such as pesticides. A lecithin is mixed with an organic solvent in a certain proportion so as to provide solutions with varied levels of solubilized lecithin. The particular solvent being used will depend on the amount of active agent (AA) desired in the final solution. The formulation of the lecithin/organic solvent mixture is then allowed to settle. After settling, the top layer is separated and saved, while the bottom layer is discarded. An AA is then added to form a concentrate that is added to water for vesicle formation. Boron-containing materials formulated according to the invention may now be applied to agricultural field crops and fruits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Agri-Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Milne, Paulus P. Shelby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5927604
    Abstract: A hollow body having a nozzle opening (19) to discharge fluid as a jet or spray; the body comprising a first part having an inlet (12a) to admit fluid under pressure into the first part, and a second part (16) movable relative to the first part and said first and second parts are relatively movable from an abutting position in which they define therebetween the nozzle opening and a fluid feed passage (18) in the body and leading to the nozzle opening, and a cleaning position in which the fluid feed passage is split open longitudinally and the nozzle opening is split open to expose the nozzle and passage defining surfaces of said parts, for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Incro Limited
    Inventor: Kevin O. Laidler
  • Patent number: 5922364
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing a layer of liquid medium along an upper surface of a liquid medium bath. A first reserve supply volume projecting upwardly from said surface and a continuous sheet of discharged liquid medium are provided above a working zone along said surface. The discharged liquid medium sheet is substantially uniformly deposited to produce a continuous supply of liquid medium and to add liquid medium to the first reserve supply volume as the continuous sheet moves along the upper bath surface. A liquid medium layer having a preselected thickness is formed with liquid medium flowing from said first reserve supply volume of liquid medium. An applicator assembly includes an applicator device and a pumping assembly to produce the reserve supply volume from a liquid medium bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Albert C. Young, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5908043
    Abstract: This technical disclosure is for a structurally self-contained, RF-shielded enclosure which is rapidly deployable due to it's ultra light weight and ease of assembly. Assembled by one person in one half hour, the enclosure becomes an RF-shielded, free standing room within an existing non-secure room or environment. Lightweight metallized fabric is sewn together with rugged tent fabric and ballistics cloth. Fiberglass rods are connected to aluminum sleeves and unions to configure the room. A bulkhead assembly penetrates the side wall and provides filtered power and electronic signal interfaces. Honeycomb air guides and an electric fan facilitate air exchange within the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Bema, Inc.
    Inventors: Ned Z. Paes, Terry Phillips, Robert E. Thomas, Joseph H. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 5895595
    Abstract: The apparatus for making beverages comprises a kettle 15, a stand 10 and separable electrical connector means 16a,b to automatically connect the kettle with an electrical power supply connector in the stand when the kettle is placed on the stand; the stand is extended and provides a platform for a pot 13 and an electric heating member 14 is provided to heat a vessel on the platform alongside the kettle, and is provided with switch means to selectively energize the heating member and/or the kettle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: D. H. Haden PLC
    Inventor: John Denis Haden
  • Patent number: 5870851
    Abstract: The assembly of the invention comprises a comb externally disposed at one end of a housing member adjacent an air inlet opening for separating fleas from the outer skin of an animal. A specific embodiment comprises a retrofit kit combination for converting a hand-held battery-powered vacuum cleaner into a flea removal assembly. A comb assembly has a structural configuration effective to fit in registered alignment with the air inlet opening of the vacuum cleaner for separating fleas from the outer skin of an animal. The comb may be coupled in a fixed manner or be removably secured to the outer distal end of the housing member adjacent the air inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: David G. Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 5820691
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and assembly for sanitizing foodware in a sanitizing zone of a high temperature warewashing machine. The method comprises providing a source of fluid sanitizing material that is effective to sanitize foodware and sensing the temperature of final rinse water being used to sanitize foodware disposed within the sanitizing zone during a final rinse operation of the warewashing machine. An actuating signal is produced when a sensed temperature of the final rinse water is outside the preselected sanitizing temperature range. A sufficient amount of the fluid chemical sanitizing material is then provided in the final rinse water to sanitize foodware disposed in the sanitizing zone when the sensed temperature of the final rinse water is outside a preselected sanitizing temperature range. The specific embodiment is directed to a warewashing pot and pan sink assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Jerry M. Hartman
  • Patent number: 5758558
    Abstract: A precision measuring mechanism includes a precision threaded rod member and an indicating element mounted to move along a linear graduated scale upon rotation of the precision threaded rod member. A circumferential scale has a plurality of marks spaced from a circumferential zero point to indicate a preselected fractional amount of rod member rotation between adjacent circumferential marks. The linear graduated scale includes a plurality of rotation counting marks spaced from a linear zero point and laterally spaced with respect to each other along the linear scale for a linear distance that corresponds and is equal to a complete rotation of the precision threaded rod member. The precision measuring mechanism is also usable with a work operation tool machine which fixes a workpiece on a workpiece supporting table that moves along both an x-axis coordinate and a y-axis coordinate such as a milling machine, drilling machine, mill-drill machine, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Richard D. Squires
  • Patent number: 5743468
    Abstract: A hollow body having a nozzle opening to discharge fluid as a jet or spray; the body comprising a first part having an inlet to admit fluid under pressure into the first part, and a second part movable relative to the first part and said first and second parts are relatively movable from an abutting position in which they define therebetween the nozzle opening and a fluid feed passage in the body and leading to the nozzle opening, and a cleaning position in which the fluid feed passage is split open longitudinally and the nozzle opening is split open to expose the nozzle and passage defining and abutting surfaces of said parts, for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Incro Limited
    Inventor: Kevin O. Laidler
  • Patent number: 5735630
    Abstract: A striking tool assembly comprises a tool head including a tool eye having disposed therein a sleeve member for receiving an elongated tool handle to perform a manual tool work operation. A flexing structure enables the annular wall structure of the sleeve member to temporarily collapse inwardly for a retaining section to be located in a sleeve securing position when the sleeve member is moved in a longitudinal axial direction into the tool head eye. The sleeve member includes a tool eye mating portion and an overstrike portion. The tool head system comprises a plurality of tool heads each of which is effective to perform a different manual work operation. The sleeve member of each tool head assembly has an inner tapered bore including an inner frictionally mating surface effective to frictionally mate with a preselected elongated tool handle, which may be used interchangeably with each tool head of the tool head system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignees: IXL Mfg. Co., Inc., Mann Edge Tool Co.
    Inventors: Bob N. Keathley, John A. Waddell
  • Patent number: 5679173
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and assembly for sanitizing foodware in a sanitizing zone of a high temperature warewashing machine. The method comprises providing a source of fluid sanitizing material that is effective to sanitize foodware and sensing the temperature of final rinse water being used to sanitize foodware disposed within the sanitizing zone during a final rinse operation of the warewashing machine. An actuating signal is produced when a sensed temperature of the final rinse water is outside the preselected sanitizing temperature range. A sufficient amount of the fluid chemical sanitizing material is then provided in the final rinse water to sanitize foodware disposed in the sanitizing zone when the sensed temperature of the final rinse water is outside a preselected sanitizing temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Jerry M. Hartman
  • Patent number: D388912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventors: R. Stanley Hurst, Gunther Degen
  • Patent number: D393882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Anthony Nino Alimonti
  • Patent number: D395070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Jack McGowan