Patents Represented by Law Firm Smart & Biggar
  • Patent number: 4976431
    Abstract: A ball tee comprising an upright helical spring and a base member which extends downwardly from the column, and is adapted to engage the ground. The upright helical spring consists of a laterally flexible column which flares at its upper end to provide a resting place for a ball. The lowest coils of the helical spring are distorted to create a friction grip between the spring and the base. Preferably, the base member is configured to form a horizontally planar arcuate base, or a stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Cameron Guenther
  • Patent number: 4934318
    Abstract: A method of controlling the population of sea lamprey wherein a suitable treatment site is chosen and rocks of a sufficient size and concentration are then introduced to the floor of the watercourse to create an inhospitable environment for spawning lamprey. Various means of locating appropriate treatment sites and carrying out the treatment of the site chosen are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: William A. Davis
  • Patent number: 4925289
    Abstract: A remote-controlled rear-view mirror assembly is movably supported in a housing and can be adjusted by an electric motor from a remote point. An electric motor is mounted in the mirror housing and has an electrically reversibly direction of rotation and stepdown gearing. The drive shaft is connected to a crank. A pin connected to the crank executes circular motion about the centerline axis of the drive shaft when the motor is activated. The pin slides in an endless groove cut in the face of a spherically shaped cam. The spherically shaped cam and mirror are rigidly attached at opposite ends of a common shaft. The common shaft has a spherical ball located at a point between the two ends. The spherical ball moves within a spherical cup which is attached to the mirror housing. The movement of the pin in the groove causes the mirror to pivot about the center of the spherical ball joint, giving the mirror its necessary range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventors: William L. Cleghorn, Charles H. Cleghorn
  • Patent number: 4922434
    Abstract: Linear interpolation is applied to each pair of placement coordinates in a data driven surface mount component placement robot in order to eliminate component misplacement due to board artwork dimensional inaccuracies. The linear interpolation algorithm is derived by measuring the actual dimensions of the artwork of a given board by an integrated vision system via a camera attached to the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Control Data Corporation
    Inventor: Andras G. Fule
  • Patent number: 4920707
    Abstract: To form an audience chamber in a roofed stadium, at least one truss suspendable from the stadium roof and a canopy removably connectable to the truss. The canopy comprises a plurality of parallel, contiguous elongated panels of flexible material. A close-off curtain is suspendable from the canopy when only a portion of the stadium is to be used as the audience chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventors: Wiktor Moskaliuk, Christopher M. Allen, Roderick G. Robbie
  • Patent number: 4919952
    Abstract: Food grade protein and dietary fibre concentrates are prepared from wheat millfeed. The process utilizes an efficient alkali extraction to obtain in excess of 75% w/w of the protein present in the millfeed in a solution which is further treated to separate the suspended starch and fat. The clarified liquid containing the protein is passed over a semipermeable membrane during which it is further purified and concentrated. Hydrogen peroxide and heat are introduced to the liquid thereby reducing its color prior to spray drying. The resulting residue from the extraction is dried or further treated with hydrogen peroxide and heat to produce a light colored dietary fibre concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Robin Hood Multifoods Inc.
    Inventors: Gobind T. Sadaranganey, Wendy Zellen, John Michaelides
  • Patent number: 4903600
    Abstract: An in-line array of product dispensers overlie a conveyor belt. An ink jet printer overlies the conveyor belt downstream of the product dispensers. Information identifying the product dispensers which hold the desired products for a particular set and the desired number of sets of that type are entered to a controller operatively associated with the product dispensers and the printer. The controller times the dispensing of products from the selected product dispensers so as to form imbricated sets of products on the conveyor belt. As the products in the imbricated set pass under the printer, the controller activates it to print desired information on the exposed portion of each product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: John A. Long
  • Patent number: 4869614
    Abstract: To join a part having a threaded shaft protruding therefrom with a second part having a bore sized to receive the shaft and an intersecting cavity, a housing is provided which rotatably receives a nut. The nut has a circumferentially extending external gear surface and the housing has two nut actuator receptors communicating with its interior at this gear surface of the nut. The housing with nut is received within the cavity of the second part and the shaft of the first part is inserted into the bore in the second part till the shaft abuts the nut. A nut actuator inserted into one of the nut actuator receptors may then be rotated to thread the shaft into the nut and draw the two parts into abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Fisher Gauge Limited
    Inventor: William F. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4864737
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device comprising: an upper impermeable sheet; a lower impermeable sheet; an intermediate flexible impermeable sheet which is deformed to provide a grid of spaced peaks projecting on each surface thereof, the peaks being fixed to the upper and lower sheets to form two chambers of interconnected pockets, the upper one chamber being filled with a non-compressible liquid and the lower other chamber being filled with a compressible gas, the liquid and the gas being sealed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventor: Hugo Marrello
  • Patent number: 4848349
    Abstract: The invention discloses a new class of compounds, namely fluorescently labelled bile acids, as well as processes for their production. These compounds may be used for diagonistic and research purposes in humans and animals. The fluorescently labelled bile acids may be used: to indirectly measure hepatic blood flow; to measure gastrointestinal absorption of bile acids or salts; for the localization of nodules in tissues which absorb bile acids; and for the in vitro and in-vivo analysis of cellular or microcirculatory transport or other phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventors: Igor A. Sherman, Murray M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4805679
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the cutting of dressed lumber to achieve the optimum valve of cut pieces based upon the specific structural and surface defect characteristics of each board, as well as upon historical demand, business inventory and market factors. The invention includes the use of a Modulous of Elasticity test and photo-electric surface scanners in order to determine these specific structural and surface defect characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Integrated Wood Research Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Czinner
  • Patent number: 4337790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter for use in a faucet of the type having a removable cartridge member receivable in an underbody member, the cartridge member carrying a cam member, at least one cam follower member and a valve member actuated by the cam follower member upon movement of the cam to control fluid communication between a spout and a source of water. The filter member is removably attached to a projection on the valve member and moves with it within a passage in the underbody member through which water flows from the source. By this means, large particles are prevented by the filter from entering the faucet. The filter comprises an inner annular member, an outer annular ring member, and a plurality of flat web connecting members extending radially between the inner and outer annular members. The inner annular member has a through hole which tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter so that the inner annular member can be forced over a head portion on the projection whereafter it is latched thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Waltec, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Buchner
  • Patent number: 4320540
    Abstract: Disclosed is a discharge drain assembly (for use in a sink) including a drain body and a plug assembly adapted to fit in the drain body which features limited rotational movement between an open and a closed position. The plug includes a stainless steel strainer with an integral hollow knob having opposed sides which are inwardly concave. The knob securely but releasably retains a slotted head portion of a spindle. The spindle has a neck portion for receiving a sealing washer and a lower body portion including three leg portions. The leg portions support the plug in the open position, restrain rotation in a first direction beyond the open position, and cam the plug to the closed position when rotated in a direction opposite said first direction. The structure substantially eliminates a "finding" problem common in prior art arrangements and provides a good seal in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Waltec, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Hudson Leavens
  • Patent number: 4317316
    Abstract: The specification discloses a truss having first and second wall columns and first and second roof elements. Knee braces connect the wall columns intermediate their ends with the roof portions intermediate their ends. A center cord spans the roof sections, the latter comprising pairs of stacked wooden elements arranged vertically edge to edge bridging the point at which the knee braces join the roof elements and the point at which the center cord joins the roof elements. The construction minimizes costs and wastage of materials, and uses standard commercially available lumber while providing for adequate strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Dandi Products Limited
    Inventors: Eldon W. Atwood, Alfred E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4155418
    Abstract: A safety control system for a snowmobile engine provides a switch which senses the position of the carburetor control element, and a second switch which responds to the presence of the operator's hand on the throttle lever. The switches operate to short-circuit the ignition coil of the engine in the event of a malfunction so that, if the carburetor throttle remains stuck open after the pressure on the throttle lever has been momentarily released, the engine will be killed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Bombardier Limited
    Inventors: Georges Tremblay, Jerome Bomardier
  • Patent number: 4147051
    Abstract: A densimeter for measuring the density of liquids is disclosed. The densimeter comprises a substantially vertical shaft having a central axis. The densimeter further comprises means for rotating the shaft about its axis and a vessel mounted on the shaft asymmetrically with respect to the shaft axis. Counterbalancing means are provided on the shaft for at least partly compensating for the asymmetry. The shaft is resiliently mounted with freedom of oscillation transverse to the shaft axis. Means are provided for measuring the amplitude of the oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Sharon Electronics Limited
    Inventors: John S. Griffiths, Roger N. Stone
  • Patent number: 4116496
    Abstract: In snowmobiles operating under wet snow conditions, compaction of the snow between the upper and lower runs of the snowmobile track may cause undue friction eventually resulting in stalling of the snowmobile. This invention provides a series of projecting ribs on the internal surface of the snowmobile track, the ribs being constructed and arranged to sweep the region between the suspension elements of the snowmobile thereby inhibiting the build up of snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Bombardier Limited
    Inventor: Gary Scott
  • Patent number: 4098770
    Abstract: A method of preparing a modified phenol-formaldehyde resin in solid particulate form comprising reacting together, in an aqueous medium, phenol and formaldehyde, in a ratio of 1.0 mole phenol to between 1.8 and 3.5 moles of formaldehyde, in the presence of between 0.1 and 1.0 moles of a basic catalyst; continuing this reaction until a desired viscosity is reached; modifying the reaction system by adding thereto between 0 and 30%, based on the weight of phenol originally taken of a non-phenolic polyhydroxy compound; spray drying the thus modified liquid resin in a pressure nozzle drier, and chilling the spray dried particulate solid. These solid resins are redispersible in water and stable on storage, compared to the known aqueous, equivalent, systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Reichhold Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Antoine Berchem, Krishan Kumar Sudan, Edward Michael Gres
  • Patent number: 4045855
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in replacing the bolster-supporting springs between a truck and a bolster of a railway car is disclosed. The apparatus has first engagement means to engage an upper part of the truck, second engagement means to engage the bolster and hydraulically actuated means connected at one end to the first engagement means and at the other end to the second engagement means to urge same together when actuated, whereby the bolster is raised to permit removal and replacement of the springs. Preferably, the first engagement means comprises a pair of hanger bars having hooks at their upper ends to engage the top of the truck and the second engagement means comprises a member slidably mounted on said hanger bars and having a portion insertable into the end of the bolster. The hydraulically actuated means preferably comprises a pair of piston and cylinder arrangements mounted one on each of the hanger bars at its lower end and engaging the slidably mounted member at its upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Canadian Pacific Limited
    Inventors: Anthony Richard Kruk, Richard Bryant, Samuel Harper
  • Patent number: D298735
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Millbrook Mould Limited
    Inventor: Steve Lakatos