Patents Represented by Attorney Norvell E. Von Behren
  • Patent number: 4738448
    Abstract: A support assembly for use in controlling basketball dunk shots at all height settings of the goal. The support assembly, upon which is mounted the basketball basket and backboard, controls a downward dunking force and then returns at a slower controlled rate to its original position. The assembly may also control a forward dunking force, from a player approaching the basket from a center court position, during a dunk shot and then returns the assembly at a slower controlled rate upon completion of the dunk shot. The assembly may also be used to control a sideways force occurring from a dunk shot when a player hits the basket from the side court. When this happens the support assembly will rotate to absorb the dunking force and then will return to its original position at a slower controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Arvin F. Liester
  • Patent number: 4696666
    Abstract: A centrifuge rotor and apparatus for the determination of whole blood micro-hemotocrits for in vitro diagnostic use. The centrifuge rotor comprises a base with at least two inner tube retainers and at least two outer tube retainers. An elongated hole is provided in both of the tube retainers for securely positioning a tube containing blood onto the centrifuge rotor. As the centrifuge rotor is subjected ot rotary action, the tubes are held in place by centrifugal force in conjunction with the inner and outer tube retainers and neither central lateral support for the tubes nor a separate cover is required for use of the rotor or apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventor: Richard D. Rice, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4676284
    Abstract: A bag filling machine for use in holding a larger empty bag by a plurality of bag loops, the bag being filled while being held by the machine and then being released from the machine to be transported to a remote location is disclosed.The machine comprises a plurality of downwardly and inwardly inclined members fixedly attached to the frame of the machine with the inclined members holding the empty bag by the plurality of bag loops usually used on an empty bag. A generally C-shaped hook is pivotably mounted on each inclined member and is moved from a holding position to a release position by a plurality of linkage rods connected to an activating mechanism. The inclined members and the C-shaped hooks co-act to permit the filled bag to release itself by gravity from the inclined members upon an activation of the C-shaped hooks by the activating mechanism. The activating mechanism may be a manual one such as a human being, a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder and an electric solenoid among other types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Charles E. DeCrane
  • Patent number: 4672817
    Abstract: There is disclosed by the present invention a device for increasing the efficiency of the condenser unit of an air conditioner which consists of a predetermined length of copper tubing having perforations punched into it at regular intervals of approximately two inches, and which is covered by a sleeve made up of a woven textile material which is of the length equal to that length of tubing having perforations punched into it. The perforated length of tubing, ensheathed in the sleeve of woven textile material is laid atop the fins, of a condenser unit, which have been bent to accommodate this portion of the device resting on top of the condenser unit. When ambient atmospheric temperature rises above a certain temperature a thermostat causes a valve to allow water to flow into the device, when it flows out of the perforations in the copper tubing and is diffused by the wicking material along the length of the device until the wicking material is saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: Frank D. Croce
  • Patent number: 4671215
    Abstract: A liquid injection system using a novel venturi injector and a novel liquid level control chamber for use in an internal combustion engine. The injection system uses water and/or a water/alcohol mix in the preferred embodiment which is pumped from a remote liquid level tank to a liquid level control chamber. A venturi injector is positioned within the internal combustion air cleaner housing to inject predetermined amounts of liquid into the carburetor of the internal combustion engine. The rushing air within the air cleaner passing through the venturi injector causes water to be pulled into the venturi and into the throat of the carburetor from the liquid level control chamber. Control means is provided in the system to control the pump to supply more liquid to the liquid level control chamber from the remote liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Waechter
  • Patent number: 4656769
    Abstract: A device for use in the assembly of fishing flies and in particular the attachment of loose dubbing material to the thread used in making the fishing fly is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated rod which has positioned around a portion of the rod means for holding the rod while permitting the rod to be rotated as desired. On one end of the rod is attached rotating means for rotating the rod at predetermined speeds within the holding means. The other end of the elongated rod has formed thereon gripping means for gripping the thread used in the assembly of the fishing fly in a spaced apart manner. The dubbing is positioned between the spaced apart thread and the elongated rod may be rotated to tightly wrap the thread around a portion of the dubbing. The method for attaching dubbing to a thread using the applicants device is also disclosed. The device may be used in a modified form as a conversation piece and as a pacifier for nervous people such as executives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Larry L. Walker
  • Patent number: 4646438
    Abstract: A rotary shear attachment and tool for laminated plastic and other materials is disclosed. The shear attachment comprises a frame which is fixed to an existing motor case and has an upper and a lower portion spaced apart and separated by a central portion. Driving and cutting wheels are positioned on the frame and are rotatably mounted for cutting the plastic and other materials. A chip breaker is positioned on the frame to break up the chip formed by the shear attachment and the frame has means associated with it for diverting one side of the plastic being cut in a direction away from the plane of the other side of the plastic. The novel rotary shear attachment may be incorporated into an improved rotary tool, may be incorporated into existing rotary tools and may also be used with a novel table for cutting a large sheet of plastic at a job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Donald B. Hessler
  • Patent number: 4640075
    Abstract: A contaminant sealing system which may be utilized to enclose dust and other contaminants such as asbestos in an area between the roof and ceiling of a building. The contaminant sealing system utilizes a new and novel suspended ceiling comprising a plurality of ceiling tile frames, and a plurality of ceiling tiles which are positioned within the ceiling tile frames by way of an attaching mating means such that the cell which is formed is sealed to prevent the passing of dust or other contaminants through the cells. The plurality of cells are connected to each other and sealing means are provided in the form of seam covers to prevent dust or contaminants from passing through the connection between the cells. A plurality of X-shaped braces are positioned partially over the seam covers and are fixedly attached to the corners of the ceiling tile frames to reinforce the entire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Inventor: Theodore Nuncio
  • Patent number: 4621723
    Abstract: A freewheeling adapter for use on a vehicle such as a car or truck which is designed to be mounted on the existing wheel hub of the vehicle is disclosed. The adapter allows the vehicle to be converted to freewheeling thereby permitting the vehicle to easily be towed without damaging the drive train such as the automatic transmission of the vehicle. The adapter as designed eliminates the use of a wrecker truck in towing an automatic transmission vehicle by raising the drive wheels off of the ground during the towing process. The adapter may be designed having a lock-out feature which allows the adapter to be converted from freewheeling to non-freewheeling should it be desired to permanently mount the adapter on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Bell and Carlson, Incorporated
    Inventor: Gaynor V. Carlson
  • Patent number: D287435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Shellee A. Broncucia
  • Patent number: D288660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Inventor: Doyle R. Hudson
  • Patent number: D289208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Michael A. Fanciullo
  • Patent number: D289516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Inventor: Billy M. Watts
  • Patent number: D289842
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Earl G. Schomaker
  • Patent number: D291623
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Craig A. Ericksen
  • Patent number: D293045
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Inventors: Michael T. Merritt, James M. Kelly
  • Patent number: D294539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Sidney L. Coggins
  • Patent number: D295545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Bell and Carlson, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dennis L. Bell
  • Patent number: D295718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Ronald B. Peterson
  • Patent number: D297378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: B & J Welding Shop, Inc.
    Inventor: Jowel J. Briscoe