Patents Represented by Law Firm Richards, Harris, Medlock & Andrews
  • Stage cementing apparatus
    Patent number: 4751967
    Abstract: A stage cementing apparatus (100) is disclosed which incorporates a stage cementing tool (102), a barrel (104) and a mandrel (106) for stage cementing of a casing within a wellbore. The apparatus (100) can be moved between a closed position preventing cement from flowing therethrough to the exterior of the casing at the apparatus to an open position to permit cement to flow from the interior of the casing exterior the casing to cement the casing to the wellbore. The barrel and mandrel can have cooperating splines which are engaged in a position which corresponds to the closed position of the apparatus. When the splines are disengaged, the apparatus is open to permit cement flow exterior the apparatus and concurrent rotation of the barrel relative to the mandrel to enhance the cementing of the casing within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventors: David M. Blandford, John H. Easter
  • Subpurlin and attachment assembly
    Patent number: 4747249
    Abstract: A subpurlin (10) is provided for a building assembly having a plurality of overhead structural members (50), an insulating layer (62) and a plurality of overlapping roof panels (56). The subpurlins (10) support and space the roof panels (56) without compressing the insulating layer (62). Connector assemblies (30) secure the subpurlins (10) on the structural members (50) while permitting differential thermal movements between the roof panels (56) and the structural members (50). The connector assemblies (30) have ferrules (32) which slidingly engage slots (16) in the subpurlins (10). Washers (34) are fastened to the structural members (50) through the ferrules (32) during subpurlin (10) installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: AMCA International Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bell, III, Robert E. Hodges, Jr., Harold E. Martin
  • Downhill ski exercise device
    Patent number: 4744557
    Abstract: A ski exercise device (20) includes a stationary mainframe (22) and an arcuate track (50) having first (50a) and second (50b) ends. The ends (50a, 50b) of the arcuate track (50) are connected to the stationary mainframe (22). A rail (70) having ends (70a, 70b) is provided. The rail (70) is pivotally mounted to the stationary mainframe (22) and includes a wheel (78) for engaging the arcuate track (50). The rail (70) moves along the arcuate track (50) between the ends (50a, 50b). Biasing structure (200) biases the rail (70) to the stationary mainframe (22) such that the rail (70) acts against the force created by the biasing structure (200) as the rail (70) moves along the arcuate track (50). Structure (90, 92) is provided which is mounted to the rail (70) for supporting the user of the ski exercise device (20) and which allows for longitudinal and rotational motion of the user's feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Heinz J. Smirmaul
  • Downhill ski exercise device
    Patent number: 4744558
    Abstract: A ski exercise device (500) includes a stationary mainframe (502) and an arcuate track (520) having first (520a) and second (520b) ends. The ends (520a, 520b) of the arcuate track (520) are connected to the stationary mainframe (502). A support platform (540) is slidably mounted to the arcuate track (520). The support platform (540) moves along the arcuate track (520) between the ends (520a, 520b). Biasing structure (720) biases the support platform (540) to the arcuate track (520) such that the support platform (540) acts against the force created by the biasing structure (720) as the support platform (540) moves along the arcuate track (520). The support platform (540) supports the user of the ski exercise device (500) and allows for rotational and vertical motion of the user's feet during movement along arcuate track (520).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Inventor: Heinz J. Smirmaul
  • Method and apparatus for optically measuring fluid levels
    Patent number: 4745293
    Abstract: A non-metallic fiber-optic device is provided for measuring the level of fluid in a tank, reservoir, or other vessel. Light from a broadband light source is transmitted through a fiber optic waveguide and an optical coupler to an optical pipe sensor which is immersed in the fluid to be measured. The optical pipe sensor includes a monotonically varied diffraction grating in the surface and along the length of the sensor which serves to retroreflect wavelengths of light as a function of the local spacing of the diffraction grating. For light entering the sensor from the waveguide, wavelengths of light corresponding to the local spacing of the diffraction grating above the fluid level are retroreflected, whereas wavelengths of light corresponding to the diffraction grating spacing below the fluid level either escape into the fluid, are absorbed, or are coupled to a return fiber to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: CV Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Christensen
  • Method for modifying fluoropolymer fibers
    Patent number: 4744857
    Abstract: The present invention provides etched fluoropolymer fibers and a method for etching fluoropolymer fibers, which are then capable of being boned either together or with other materials to form composite materials. In particle, the present invention relates to a method for chemically etching chopped, natural polytetrafluoroethylene fiber by immersing the fibers in an alkai metal polyaryl hydrocarbon etching solution with increased temperatures ranging from 50.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. and high shearing agitation until at least 98% of the fibers are sufficiently hydrophilic to sink when placed in water. This produces etched fiber material which may then be bonded together to form composite fluoropolymer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Acton Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Nelson
  • Solvent recovery system
    Patent number: 4743380
    Abstract: A solvent recovery system (10) is disclosed which separates material from a solution by refrigeration. The solution is used to wash a printing plate and the material is washed from the plate by the solution. The contaminated solution is refrigerated within a disposable container (32) to separate the material from a solution. The purified solution is then drawn off from the container, leaving the material as residue for disposal in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Royse Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin H. Royse
  • Transactions slips pack
    Patent number: 4741558
    Abstract: A sales and credit transaction slip pack with duplicating paper between credit slips is provided. A jagged line of perforations is cut into the duplicating paper at a prescribed position. This position can be such as to obscure an account number and the signature or any other desired combination. When the sales clerk separates copies of the transaction slips the duplicating paper is simultaneously torn and the opportunity for fraud against the purchaser is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Joe N. Louis
  • Surgical drape support and oxygen delivery system
    Patent number: 4739753
    Abstract: An air delivery system (10) for supplying air from a source (28) includes a flexible conduit (20). Structure (22, 24) is provided for connecting the conduit (20) to the air supply (28). A nozzle (44) is attached to the conduit (20) and is adjustable and positionable through placement of the flexible conduit (20), such that air is delivered to the face (16) of a patient (12) without the nozzle (44) or the flexible conduit (20) contacting the patient (12). The system (10) also supports a drape (14) above the face (16) of the patient (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Brehm, Inc.
    Inventor: Erich G. Brehm
  • Foundation system for manufactured homes
    Patent number: 4738061
    Abstract: A foundation system is provided for permanently installing manufactured homes on footings set into the ground. Vertical support members are mounted on the footings at ground level. Attached to the top of each vertical support member is a vertically adjustable load bearing plate which provides support for the frame of the house. The bearing plate includes means for engaging a longitudinal frame member on the underside of the house to anchor the house securely to the footing. In addition, the foundation system includes overlapping corrosion resistant fiberglass panels attachable to the base perimeter of the house. The panels are constructed with vertical ribs to provide strength for defining a retaining wall against backfilling around the outside perimeter of the house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas W. Herndon
  • Masonry wall tie unit
    Patent number: 4738070
    Abstract: A brick tie unit comprises a base plate attached to a drywall construction with a plurality of brick ties slideably engaged thereon. The ties are sized to engage the mortar between successive brick layers in a brick veneer. The structure provides a means for frictionally engaging said brick ties to said base plate to prevent longitudinal movement thereof or to selectively release said brick ties to permit movement thereof to a location adjacent the surface of a brick layer to which the tie is attached using wet mortar and successive layers of bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventors: Gary W. Abbott, deceased, by Betty F. Abbott, heiress
  • Apparatus for tracking inventory
    Patent number: 4737910
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring inventory in a business or hospital to provide an immediate indication of the number of items in such inventory, the number of items needed to be reordered at any time to replenish the inventory to its maximum level, and the critical minimum inventory level necessitating a stock reorder to avoid depletion of stock before new stock items can arrive from the business' supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Ronald H. Kimbrow
  • Mechanical setting tool
    Patent number: 4735268
    Abstract: A mechanical setting tool for setting a flow control tool in an oil or gas well using the drill string includes a mandrel with means for attachment to the end of the drill string. Slips are releasably carried on the mandrel by a first release structure. A cone is releasably carried on the mandrel by a second release structure and has tapered surfaces confronting the slips. A stinger is carried on the lower end of the mandrel and has a third release means for releasably engagement to the flow control tool being set. A setting sleeve is releasably engaged to the mandrel by way of a fourth release structure between the sleeve and the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Western Company of North America
    Inventors: Monty E. Harris, Richard A. Sukup
  • Pile sections
    Patent number: 4735527
    Abstract: A pile section for a sectional pile including a string of sections includes a concrete member (10) having at least one longitudinally reinforcing rod (12), the rod including a spigot (14) at one end and a socket (18) at the other which in use are adapted for permanent interconnection so that on driving one section against its neighbor a continuous reinforcing element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Roger Bullivant of Texas, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Bullivant
  • Turbine flow meter viscosity control
    Patent number: 4735227
    Abstract: A viscosity control (10, 200) is disclosed which employs a turbine flow meter (52). A pump (18) provides for a flow of solution through a conduit at a relatively constant pressure. The flow rate of the solution through the conduit thus varies depending on the viscosity of the solution. The turbine of the flow meter rotates at an angular velocity related to the flow rate. The rotational velocity of the turbine is sensed. When the turbine speed decreases as viscosity increases to a set maximum viscosity, the control supplies solvent to the solution to decrease the viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Royse Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin H. Royse, John A. Holstein
  • Constant velocity elastomeric bearing joint
    Patent number: 4734081
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint (200) for interconnecting a first shaft (202) to a second shaft (204) for bidirectional drive is provided. The constant velocity joint employs a carrier (218) which is formed with a series of apertures for receiving elastomeric bearing assemblies (220). The elastomeric bearing assemblies are provided with a spherical elastomeric bearing (60) and a cylindrical elastomeric bearing (48). Certain of the elastomeric bearing assemblies connect the carrier to one of the rotated members while the remaining elastomeric bearing assemblies connect the other rotating member to the carrier. The axis of symmetry of the carrier (218) will always bisect the angle of misalignment between the two rotating shafts to assure that a constant velocity joint is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Neathery, Willem Broekhuizen, Ernst C. Schellhase
  • Side-by-side co-extrusion of film using multiple materials
    Patent number: 4731004
    Abstract: A film of uniform thickness is formed by two or more materials (A, B, etc.) extruded side-by-side with their common edge joined and co-mingled to form a single piece film. The film is preferably formed in a conventional slot die by use of a barrier dividing the entry manifold into two passages so that the materials co-mingle downstream of the barrier at their common edge. In one application, the film can be extruded partially clear and partially opaque to form a bread wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Princeton Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert J. Wenz, Jr.
  • Radiator guard for a construction vehicle
    Patent number: D294707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Cameron
  • Meat smoker
    Patent number: D295136
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: David M. Cox, Jr.
  • Tanning booth
    Patent number: D296131
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Terry L. James