Patents Represented by Attorney Richard K. Thomson
  • Patent number: 6976929
    Abstract: A retainer sleeve surrounds a differential carrier in line with an axle for the two laterally positioned spider gears preventing the axle from slipping out of its mounting in the differential carrier and tearing a hole in the transmission housing. The sleeve is an annulus that has a pair of legs extending from one edge thereof, each leg have a foot with a hole there through which overlies one of the bores in the flange of the differential carrier by which it is attached to the ring of the ring and pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: William J. Bonanti
  • Patent number: 6938286
    Abstract: A crib is sized to permit the legs of a wheel chair bound care giver to fit beneath the bed. The access side of the crib is equipped with at least one laterally opening door which folds out of the way to provide access to the infant. More preferably, the access side of the crib is formed by a pair of bi-fold doors which are secured by a pair of latches which are resistant to operation by anyone other than the caregiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Brack E Smith
  • Patent number: 6939096
    Abstract: A scissor gate is provided which has two securement mechanisms enabling it to be stretched across a cargo hold such as a semi tractor trailer box and connected to the E-track on each opposing wall to retain a transported load against shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Beemac Trucking Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Cline, Richard Macklin
  • Patent number: 6938558
    Abstract: A two-part, blow-molded plastic pallet includes slats which lock onto support stringers by sliding, dovetail engagement. The upper and lower surfaces of the stringer are flat to enhance load distribution. A vertical staking through the slat at a plurality of locations affords structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Victor L Peres
  • Patent number: 6927772
    Abstract: Data is reduced to a graphic representation by have a core value which is wrapped by an annulus of a related value, the thickness of the annulus and the base diameter of the core representative of the magnitudes of the data being represented. A third data family can be represented by depiction being selected from a group consisting of a segment of said first core circle, a segment of said first annulus, and a second independent annulus concentric with said first annulus depending on whether said third variable is a) more closely related to said first variable, b) more closely related to said second variable, or c) is an independent, stand alone variable, respectively. A sequence of graphic depictions representing pie charts at successive time periods can be interconnected and smoothed to form a 3-D surface of revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Jeremy Page
  • Patent number: 6920982
    Abstract: The magnetic susceptibility of one or more plastic articles is enhanced to enable their separation from a waste stream using magnetic separators. An amount of paramagnetic material is added to the plastic formulation to influence magnetic susceptibility without affecting the properties associated with the function of the plastic article. The material is preferably selected from a group consisting of magnetite, ferro-silicon and ferromagnetic particles (e.g., iron filings). The amount or material can be varied in the range of between 0.05% and 5% by weight of the plastic formulation. The plastic with altered magnetic susceptibility and a method separating that plastic from a waste stream are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Eriez Magnetics
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 6896643
    Abstract: The actuator for the exercise machine is mounted to the seat to pivot about a vertically extending axis to permit the user to rotate her/his upper torso and vary the muscle groups being exercised to enhance the beneficial effects. A rotational connection between a shoulder harness element and the actuator arm facilitates this side crunching motion. A second feature which may be used separately or in conjunction with the rotational actuator, is an actuator arm with both a shoulder socket and an elbow joint that pivot, the elbow joint requires additional force to break over. This dual-pivot actuator arm permits the user to perform abdominal crunches with a predetermined resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: New Eagle Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Durfee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6889462
    Abstract: A spring, which may be either a coil spring or a leaf spring, provides an adjustable stabilization force to the barrel of a rifle to tune out harmonic vibrations resulting from firing a particular bullet from the weapon. This tuning enables the scatter pattern for any bullet fired from any rifle to be significantly tightened from the resultant improved accuracy of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Mark Carlson
  • Patent number: 6869024
    Abstract: A first mounting plate attachable to the wall has a hub on which a second enhanced mounting plate is rotated by a humidity sensing spring to decrease the setting registered by the mercury bulb switch when moist air is present and increase the setting when drier air is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Duane W. Kinnear
  • Patent number: 6869368
    Abstract: A first embodiment of carousel device provides a bouncer which cannot be tipped over accidentally. Further, a oscillating circuit enables a battery-operated motor to gently oscillate the bouncer through an 80° arc. A pair of retractable rockers are provided on the bottom of the stationary base to afford the baby additional motion while bouncing. A second embodiment provides a straddlable vehicle which a youngster can peddle, a sound circuit being activated by the pedaling as inducement to continue exercising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: William A Clarke, Pamela J. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6837629
    Abstract: A mounting bracket includes an enclosure which is formed of a single piece of durable plastic formed with three living hinges allowing the generally flat piece of plastic to be folded into an enclosure. Fingers which extend from the lower edge of the front panel engage in openings in the lower panel to retain the bracket in an assembled position forming the desired enclosure. A trigger actuating arm is pivotally mounted to a bushing within the enclosure and permits a photograph to be taken when a critter engages a trip wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: Clayton E. Schulze, Richard A. McGee
  • Patent number: 6811191
    Abstract: A quick locking and unlocking coupling for connecting lengths of flexible, corrugated conduit in end to end registration, or for attaching conduit to an outlet, feeder or source of, for example, industrial, high volume vacuuming equipment, includes a cylindrical conduit joining member having half sections that are insertable within the ends of the conduit lengths for aligning and supporting the conduit ends thereby establishing fluid, gas or material flow communication through the lengths of conduit. An annular center flange projects from the conduit joining member providing an abutment surface for the respective conduit ends, and a pair of pivotally joined arcuate arms are mounted to the flange and are movable from an unlocked position to a locked position encompassing the flange and the ends of the conduit thereby locking the coupling to the conduit ends and interconnecting the conduit lengths thus providing gas, fluid or material flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Mark S. Mills
  • Patent number: 6811268
    Abstract: A water-resistant scope shade is provided having a sun shielding barrel which includes a barrel grasping collar, a barrel body, and a pivotal hook affixed to the barrel. The sun shielding barrel is removably attached to a sighting end of a telescopic sight of a rifle or other optical device. The pivotal hood includes lenses of a circular configuration to be fittingly received on a collar of the pivoting hood. A second embodiment has both a pivoting hood housing the lens and a pivoted cover for protecting the lens in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher M. Watson
  • Patent number: 6802483
    Abstract: A gun rest made of a high-strength, highly durable plastic, such as ABS, is attachable to a tree stand. First and second U-shaped members have a mechanical element to permit its attachment to a portion of the frame of the tree stand. In a first embodiment, the attachment element is a third member with a ratchet face that engages a ratchet on the rear face of the first and second U-shaped members along with an T-shaped clamping arm that is adjustably bolted to the U-shaped member. The T-shaped clamping arm can be used to clamp other elements to the frame of the tree stand, as well. In a second embodiment the attachment element is a dowel that is received in an open end of the tree stand frame. The portions of the U-shaped members that support the gun are jacketed with an elastomeric non-slip surface that is preferably made of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Richard L. Leasure
  • Patent number: 6799389
    Abstract: A game tag holder has a front panel and a rear panel connected by a living hinge. The two panels are preferably made of a transparent plastic (e.g., polypropylene) and have integral attachment hardware: protrusions and reinforced receptacles for closing the two panels and a barbed strip and aligned openings for securing the tag holder to the downed game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: James R. Wolfgang
  • Patent number: 6784800
    Abstract: A system for enhancing safe operation of industrial vehicles includes at least one of three sets of sensors for detecting pedestrians in zones and providing appropriate responses. Zone 1 includes a two to four foot region around a stationary vehicle which might include personnel who had recently been conversing with the vehicle's operator. Zone 2 extends from 2 to 6 feet from the vehicle and personnel entering Zone 2 will cause the vehicle's horn to sound to prevent their walking into the side of the vehicle. Zone 3 comprises hidden danger zones where personnel may enter a region where an industrial vehicle from outside the area and be unaware of the vehicle's presence. Motion detectors associated with Zone 3 cause activation of an RF tag that reflects a radio signal transmitted by the vehicle. The sounding of the horn will notify both the pedestrian and the vehicle's operator of the potential danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Signal Tech
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Orzechowski
  • Patent number: 6782998
    Abstract: A protective case partially surrounds one or more credit card sized articles permitting the card to flexed to pop them in and out of the protective holder. The holder has a bottom wall, four lateral walls and a plurality of protrusions that extend inwardly over the bottom wall to retain one or more credit card sized articles in the holder. The bottom wall has an elliptical opening in it to permit the user to insert her/his finger to belly out the card(s) to shorten its/their effective length facilitating removal from the holder. The procedure may be reversed to insert the card back in the holder. A scraper may be formed along a lower edge of one end wall to permit frost removal from the vehicle's windshield using the credit card holder of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: James A. Koren
  • Patent number: 6758705
    Abstract: A kit is provided permitting a retrofit conversion of an existing trolling motor to foot pedal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Keith D. Bechtel, John W. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 6749797
    Abstract: Window components are made by a fluid-assist injection molding process to reduce manufacturing costs and provide additional flexibility in the configuration of the window. In addition to the inventive product-by-process, two window configurations, a casement window and a picture window, are taught. The casement window has a frame with installation flanges and the window sash has integral mounting posts for handle hardware. Both the window frame and sash have encapsulated insulative air pockets. An acrylic window pane is taught that mimics a glass block window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: SBR Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Kownacki, Stephen T. Mansfield, Craig J Lawson, Charline W. Crooks
  • Patent number: 6679465
    Abstract: A bow rest made of a high-strength, highly durable plastic, such as ABS, is attachable to a tree stand. A first member has a first ratchet surface that engages a second ratchet surface on a second member to permit rotational adjustment of the second member relative to the first member in an orientation to optimally engage and support a bow. The second member has a pair of support arms, one of which has an angled support surface designed to balance the weight of the bow. The support arms of the second member are jacketed with an elastomeric non-slip surface that is preferably made of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard L. Leasure