Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 7187965
    Abstract: The present invention is a cardiac rhythm-monitoring device, which allows patients to perform a preliminary screening for supraventricular arrhythmia. The device detects beat-to-beat heart rhythms (i.e. the R—R interval between individual heart beats) and performs a screening test to determine if there are indications of arrhythmia. The test looks for variance in the R—R interval that is outside of the normal range, either using a pre-constructed chart based upon general population studies to determine the normal range of variance or using normal distribution analysis of the patient's own heart rhythm to determine the normal range of variance for determining irregular heartbeats, and if there are multiple irregularities within the sensed time frame, the patient is warned of potential supraventricular arrhythmia. By sensing both electrical impulses form the heart and mechanical responses to the heartbeat, the device may augment its analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Edward T. Bischoff, Gary D. Menszer
  • Patent number: 6827850
    Abstract: The Diffusion Bar Aerobic Treatment Plant (“DBATP”) is a device which processes sewage for buildings which are not connected to municipal sewer lines. It is comprised of a pre-tank which captures trash and allows anaerobic microorganisms to begin breaking down the sewage, an aerobic tank where aerobic microorganisms digest the sewage, and a post-tank which acts as a gravity separating clarifier in which solid particulate contaminants settle downward, leaving a clean effluent for discharge to the environment. The aerobic tank encompasses a diffusion bar, which emits air bubbles that activate and stimulate the aerobic microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6752733
    Abstract: The Internal Combustion Engine Efficiency Unit (“ICEEU”) is a device that improves the fuel efficiency of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, producing low-emission vehicles. It accomplishes this by replacing a single larger engine with two smaller engines, connected together via the ICEEU to produce a single rotary output that powers the vehicle. Both engines are used together when power is needed, but one engine can be shut down when the vehicle is cruising and needs less power to simply maintain its forward momentum. The ICEEU effectively removes the second engine completely from the power train when it is unneeded, so that it does not produce any drag, and also allows the second engine to reenter the power train as needed at any RPM or torque. The ICEEU comprises an open differential and two planetary gear sets to provide the phase shifting ratio that allows for a pair of internal combustion engines to be integrated and separated smoothly throughout operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventors: William Douglas Rogers, Richard Douglas Rogers
  • Patent number: 6547689
    Abstract: The angular motion translator is a device with direct mechanical coupling which allows a user to reliably and durably change the angular relationship between two elements in a rotating frame (i.e. two output shafts) by changing the angular relationship between two elements in a static reference frame, whereby the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the rotating frame is proportional to the change in the angular relationship of the elements in the static reference frame. Essentially, the angular motion translator is comprised of two linked identical planetary gear sets facing one another as mirror images. Matching elements in the two planetary gear sets are held static, although one of the static elements may be rotated with respect to the other, matching elements are rigidly attached together so that they rotate as a single unit, and the remaining matching elements are attached to either the input shaft and the inner output shaft or the outer output shaft respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: George Paul Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6490229
    Abstract: The Trolling Motor Transducer Mount (“TMTM”) is a device which allows a transducer, as would be used for sonar depth-finding equipment commonly used by fishermen, to be rigidly but removably mounted onto a trolling motor. The secure attachment prevents the transducer from being knocked loose and lost or knocked out of alignment due to impact from underwater obstructions while the trolling motor is propelling the boat. It also shields the transducer from direct impact with underwater obstructions, preventing damage to the transducer. The TMTM is formed of a housing for the transducer, two brackets which are each rigidly attached at one end to the housing and then extend out to form a circular collar with an open end, and a means for clamping the open ends of the brackets closer together. The open circular collar slides onto the trolling motor. Once in place, the clamping mechanism reduces the radius of the collar until it is tightly secured in place on the trolling motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Caver
  • Patent number: 6463928
    Abstract: The Pediatric Prepatory and Induction Anesthesia Device (“PPIAD”) is designed to aid anesthetists in effectively administering anesthetic gas to young patients. The PPIAD has a toy-like appearance, which calms the fears of children. The PPIAD also incorporates toy-like devices such as whistles and balloons. When the PPIAD is given to children prior to treatment, the child can play with it as a toy. During this play time, the PPIAD actually teaches the child proper breathing for the administration of anesthetic gas because the whistle and balloon are only activated by deep breathing. Thus, when the child is administered anesthetic gas with the PPIAD, the application of anesthetic gas is much more effective. In addition, as the anesthetic gas is applied with the PPIAD, the child is encouraged to breathe deeply to activate the toy-like devices, enhancing the application of anesthetic gas to the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Irwin Buisson
  • Patent number: 6450523
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems used to steer trailing sections of articulated vehicles and trailers. The preferred embodiment of this invention is a steerable dolly that can be manually and/or automatically switched among multiple modes. The dolly receives its primary input from the angle of the rear of the front trailer (or other towing vehicle). There are at least two modes. In one mode the wheels of the dolly are steered in the opposite direction as the rear trailer, providing more maneuverability. In the other mode the wheels are steered in the same direction, providing a more stable mode. It is envisioned that the more stable mode would be used at high speeds while the more maneuverable mode would be used at lower speeds. There is also disclosed an alternate steering algorithm, which provides for additional maneuverability beyond that of the mode in which the wheels are steered in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan E. Masters, Andrew C. Masters, Connie R. Masters
  • Patent number: 6422257
    Abstract: Cycling, self checking parameter sensing systems that continuously cycle such that the user of the monitoring system can determine not only if the vessel being monitored is above or below the desired parameter value, but also whether or not the monitoring system is functional. When the parameter being monitored is pressure, a system pressure chamber is attached to the vessel being monitored, and the pressure in this chamber is cycled to constantly test the function of the system components. The cycle is monitored for any irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: G. Paul Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6406619
    Abstract: The Three Stage Sewage Treatment Plant is an uniquely designed three stage sewage waste water cleaning device for use in homes and other buildings which are not attached to municipal sewer systems. It employs both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms to break down sewage, in addition to gravity separation of solids from the effluent. The cleaning process is centered around a cylindrical aerobic tank which is divided into an inner and an outer chamber by a funnel shaped clarifier. In the outer chamber of the aerobic tank, air droplines aerate the sewage, promoting the aerobic microorganisms that break down the sewage, and create turbulence. In the inner chamber, the sewage is gravity separated, such that solid particles are extracted from a cleaned effluent. The device is comprised of a pre-treatment tank, which screens out solid particles and allows for the preliminary anaerobic cleaning process, and a post-treatment tank, where the effluent is chlorinated and stored, in addition to the aerobic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6315276
    Abstract: A spring seating support system with a hard front edge that is pivotally connected to an upper support wire grid. The wire grid consists of latitudinal wires which contact and hold in place the uppermost portion of rows of coil springs, and longitudinal wires which are rigidly connected to the latitudinal wires, and which provide support for padding and upholstery. The bottom most portion of the coil springs are attached to a lower support unit, which is rigidly connected to the bottom of the hard front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Bruno Policicchio
  • Patent number: 6228258
    Abstract: The Sewage Treatment System with Chlorinator (“STSC”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a two stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned in the aerobic tank, which is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier hanging down in the aerobic tank, with the opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank. Air droplines hang down in the outer chamber of the aerobic tank, so that sewage in the outer chamber is aerated, stimulating aerobic microorganisms which digest the sewage. The sewage in the outer chamber then moves into the inner chamber inside the clarifier where gravity separates solids from the effluent. This cleaned effluent is then drained to the post-treatment tank for the second cleaning stage, where it is chlorinated and stored for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6200472
    Abstract: The Three Stage Sewage Treatment System (“TSSTS”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a three stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned anaerobically in the pre-treatment tank as gravity acts to separate solids from the effluent. Sewage then flows into the aerobic tank for further cleaning by aerobic microorganisms and continued gravity separation of solid contaminants from the effluent. The aerobic tank is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier. In the TSSTS, the clarifier is a separate piece with a lip around the top of the funnel-shaped main body. The lip of the clarifier rests atop the sidewalls of the aerobic tank, and the clarifier hangs down in the aerobic tank, with an opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Hubbard H. Donald, George E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6058956
    Abstract: Cycling, self-checking block valve system that continuously cycles such that the user of the block valve system can determine if the system is operational at all times. A dual port block valve body contains two block valves which alternate between open and closed. The open and closing cycle is monitored for any changes, and the operator is alerted if one of the valves is not operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: G. Paul Baker, Jr.