Patents Represented by Law Firm Patterson & Keough
  • Patent number: 6038473
    Abstract: A defibrillator battery pack comprises a housing having a first set of battery cells having an upper set and a lower set of cells and a second set of battery cells connected in parallel with one of the upper or the lower sets of the first set of battery cells. The first set of battery cells is used for charging a capacitor bank of a defibrillator. The second set of battery cells cannot be used for charging and is only used for developing a nominal 5 volts to drive a microprocessor and other circuitry components of an electrical control system of the defibrillator. This arrangement increases the life of the battery pack in the lower voltage range, which is advantageous for operating the microprocessor. This arrangement also maintains the intelligence of the electrical control system because the battery cells supplying power to the microprocessor will always fail after, and not before, failure of the battery cells supplying power for charging the capacitor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: SurVivaLink Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Olson, Byron L. Gilman, Gary B. Stendahl
  • Patent number: 6033291
    Abstract: A grinding stone for grinding a railhead surface of a rail includes abrasive material. The abrasive material has a first side surface and an opposed second side surface. The first and second sides surfaces are joined by a circumferential surface. The circumferential surface is transversely disposed with respect to at least the first side surface. The abrasive material presents a bevelled grinding surface extending from a substantially circular locus of points on the second side surface to a substantially circumferential locus of points on the circumferential surface. A method of re-profiling the railhead surface of a rail includes the steps of:rotating at least one grinding stone;bringing the bevelled grinding surface of the grinding stone into contact with the railhead surface; andadvancing the grinding stone along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Mathison, Tab A. Ashwill
  • Patent number: 6034307
    Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a hybrid sunflower seed and plant, designated PAN 9612. Further provided are regenerable tissue, callus and sunflower plants regenerated from the regenerable tissue and callus. Also provided is a process of producing a hybrid sunflower seed designated PAN 9612 and a process of producing a sunflower seed from hybrid sunflower PAN 9612. Further yet provided is a sunflower zygote arising from a fertilization of a gamete, the gamete arising from hybrid sunflower PAN 9612, the gamete an egg cell or a sperm nucleus, a sunflower seed arising from the zygote, and a sunflower plant arising from the sunflower seed. Finally, a sunflower plant and its parts produced by hybrid sunflower seed designated PAN 9612 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Pannar Seed Limited
    Inventor: Johan J. W. Potgeiter
  • Patent number: 6026613
    Abstract: The present invention provides a strong yet lightweight truss arch which could be used in many applications, and is adapted particularly to a support framework for those fabric covered structures utilizing a single piece of fabric stretched over the top of the supporting framework. The truss arch is made up of sections comprising tubular upper and lower arctuate truss members separated by a continuous tubular web. The coupling plates on each end of the sections are attached such that the top edge of said coupling plate is below the upper side of the upper member, providing a smooth upper surface to the truss arch and eliminating wear points which could damage the fabric or other material stretched over or supported by the truss arch. The truss arch is easily transported and manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cover-All Shelter Systems
    Inventors: Richard Quiring, Nathan Stobbe
  • Patent number: 6029085
    Abstract: A fail-safe safety circuit for a portable automated external defibrillator allows earlier charging of capacitors. In turn, the earlier charging of the capacitors allows quicker release of a defibrillation shock than prior art method of automatically detecting the appropriateness of administering a defibrillation shock and subsequently preparing the shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: SurVivaLink Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Olson, Byron L. Gilman
  • Patent number: 6028113
    Abstract: Solid sanitizing compositions have advantages over corresponding liquids and powders. A solid sanitizing product can be contained within a plastic bottle with a label indicating that the contents have antimicrobial or deodorizing properties containing a non-flowable solid composition having greater than about 0.02 percent by weight antimicrobial compounds. The preferred solid sanitizing compositions consist essentially of an antimicrobial compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, fatty amines and diamines, chlorhexidine gluconate, phenol, derivatives of phenol, parachloro metaxylenol and mixtures thereof, and between 0 and 99.98 percent by weight of a cleaning composition. The solid sanitizing compositions can be effectively used with solid dispensers. The solid dispensers have a bowl with a drain at the bottom and an upward pointing spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sunburst Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Scepanski
  • Patent number: 6027644
    Abstract: A cartridge based water purification and filtration system which permits cartridge changes without drainage at the input and output ports. Interlocking flanges at the manifold and cartridge lock the cartridge to the manifold and raised surfaces at the cartridge operate the inlet valve with a rotational seating of the cartridge. A spring biased inlet valve depends from a supply manifold input port and cooperates with the filter cartridge to prevent forward flow until the cartridge is seated to the manifold. The check valve includes a split stem which prevents chatter with valve operation. A check valve at the output port cooperates with a sealed bayonet fitting that mates to a concentric outlet port at the cartridge to prevent back flow with cartridge removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: PentaPure Incorporated
    Inventors: Jan H. Magnusson, Alan Lonneman, David M. Botts
  • Patent number: 6026588
    Abstract: In a vapor drying system, solvents such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) are boiled and condensed to provide a means of removing water and other contamination from process parts loaded into the equipment. The parts enter the apparatus via an automated lift assembly. Upon entering the vapor zone, solvent condenses on the parts and fixtures due to a temperature differential, displacing the contaminants. This condensate/contaminant waste stream gravity drains to a buffer tank below via a sloped, temperature-controlled drip tray. After vapor condensation on the parts ceases, drying is accomplished using superheated vapors formed in a stabilized zone generated by one or more offset boil sumps and separate vapor heat exchangers. Any liquid solvent remaining on the parts is flash-dried in the vapor zone, so that parts emerge clean and dry. The invention incorporates a computer-implemented PLC to control process parameters, cover mechanism, transport mechanism, safety features during operating, idle and standby conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Forward Technology Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Clark, Anthony K. Green, Steven E. Sykes
  • Patent number: 6024416
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a stroller includes a wheel base including a sleeve having an inner periphery containing a passage and an outer periphery transversely containing a cavity connecting to the passage, and an extension having a first end portion extending from the outer periphery of the sleeve and having an inner wall containing a receiving space connecting to the cavity. A wheel is rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the extension. A biasing member is pivotally received in the receiving space and includes a first end portion pressing on the inner wall containing the receiving space and a second end portion formed with a locking hook extending through the cavity into the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Link Treasure Limited
    Inventors: Er-Jui Chen, Hung-Chung Hou, Ying-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 6026173
    Abstract: The invention is a system and method for non-invasive tomographic spectroscopy of tissue using a plurality of microwave emitter-receivers spatially oriented to the tissue, an interface medium placed between the emitter-receivers, and a control subsystem operably coupled to the plurality of emitter-receivers for selectively controlling power to the plurality of emitter-receivers and for receiving signals from the plurality of emitter-receivers so that multiple frequency radiation is emitted from a selected plurality of emitter-receivers and received by a selected plurality of emitter-receivers after interacting with and passing through the tissue, and a computational subsystem operably connected to the control subsystem for computing a tomographic spectroscopic image of the tissue from the microwave signals received from the selected plurality of emitter-receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Robert H. Svenson, Serguei Y. Semenov, Vladimir Baranov
  • Patent number: 6026355
    Abstract: A power consumption meter is disclosed for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, wherein the electronics of the power consumption meter are isolated from lightning and power transients. The meter has a first GMR sensor that is disposed proximate the power conductor and is magnetically coupled to the power conductor. The first GMR sensor detects magnetic flux in the power conductor and produces a first output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the current flowing through the power conductor. A second GMR sensor is disposed proximate the power conductor and is magnetically coupled to the power conductor. The second GMR sensor detects magnetic flux in the power conductor and produces a second output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the voltage on the power conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mizanur Rahman, Roberto Capriotti, Jerry J. Conley, Gary B. Mortensen
  • Patent number: 6022078
    Abstract: A headrest includes an L-shaped board and a casing, both of which pivotally clamp a shaft extending transversely between the board and the casing. Two tubular members are movably mounted on the shaft and each has a tube, which extends through the bottom of the board. Each of the tubes has a positioning rod connected thereto, which extends into the seat and is engaged with the engaging device in the seat. Each of the positioning rods has a plurality of notches defined therein and is connected to one of the two respective tubes by bolts extending through the tubes and contacting against the positioning rods. The distance between the positioning rods can be adjusted by moving the tubular members, and the two positioning rods can be rotated by releasing the bolts so as to engage with different engaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Yung-Tsung Chang
  • Patent number: 6019536
    Abstract: A pen having a 3-dimensional pattern thereon is disclosed. There is a aperture defined in a sidewall of the barrel or pen cap of the pen. A flexible strip having a 3-dimensional pattern thereon is suitably deformed and placed inside the barrel or pen cap whereby the 3-dimensional pattern of the flexible strip protrudes through the aperture. A liner ring is further plugged into the barrel or the pen cap so that the flexible strip is securely clamped between the barrel or pen cap and the liner ring. Consequently, the 3-dimensional pattern is securely fixed on the pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Ding Ares Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Huang Lee
  • Patent number: 6017359
    Abstract: A device for sealing an opening or puncture in the wall of a blood vessel or other percutaneous openings. The device includes a shaft section member of a small diameter, with an expandable balloon and atraumatic tip at its distal end. The proximal end of the device has an inflation/deflation port which is utilized to inflate the balloon once it is in place within the blood vessel or other body cavity. The entire device is placed through a hemostasis vascular introducer or sheath, which is used during invasive percutaneous vascular procedures. The balloon is inflated and withdrawn until it engages the inner surface of the blood vessel. A procoagulant is injected via the introducer to the puncture. After a predetermined time period, the balloon is deflated and the device is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Vascular Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Gershony, Daniel J. Kasprzyk, Michael J. Horzewski
  • Patent number: 6017092
    Abstract: A structure is provided for connecting a backrest to a seat frame of a chair, the backrest having two rear legs extending therefrom and the seat frame having a rear side, a front side and two sides connected between the rear side and the front side from which two front legs extend. The blocks each have two inclined side faces, a front surface and a rear surface so that the two blocks are respectively connected between the rear side and the two sides by extending two bolts through the front surface and the inclined side faces to threadedly engage with the two sides. Each of the blocks further has two apertures defined therethrough from the front surface to the rear surface thereof so that two bolts respectively extend through the apertures of each of the two blocks and are threadedly engaged to the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Chain-Hsiang Lee
  • Patent number: 6015393
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the tumescent state of the penis of a patient includes a plurality of sensing elements to be placed in proximity to the penis for sensing penile impedance values. A processing device is operably coupled to the plurality of sensing elements, the processing device determining at least one penile variable using the impedance values. The at least one penile variable is selected from the group consisting of length, volume, volume-change, cross-sectional area and volume-filling rate variables. An output device operably coupled with the processing device to generate a display using the at least one determined penile variable. The output device displays e.g. a plot of penile length, penile volume values and/or penile cross-sectional area values for comparison by a user of the apparatus, readily allowing the user to distinguish artifactual effects from erectile events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: UroMetrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Claire T. Hovland, Roger Dixon, L. Dean Knoll, Jerome H. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6012482
    Abstract: A linear mechanical line break detector for use on a mobile transport, the mobile transport having a supplying vessel disposed thereon for transporting a fluid product, the vessel having an outlet for transferring fluid product from the supplying vessel, the flow of fluid product from the outlet being controlled by a fluid product shut off valve, the outlet being coupled to a transfer line during transfer of fluid product under pressure from the supplying vessel to a receiving vessel, the transfer line being coupled to the receiving vessel for effecting transfer of the fluid product to the receiving vessel, includes a sensor/actuator that is in fluid communication with the transfer line for sensing the pressure of the fluid product therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: DJT Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nelson, John C. Buysse, David E. Jones
  • Patent number: D418277
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Roger Koehntop, Bonnie Koehntop
  • Patent number: D419569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: D420242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chiang