Patents Represented by Law Firm Timmons & Kelly
  • Patent number: 5697476
    Abstract: A pair of pawl assemblies is mounted on a shaft. Each pawl assembly includes a pawl, an arm and a hub. The arm is attached to the hub by a pivot, and a spring biases the arm toward the hub. The pawl attaches to the end of the arm, and the surface of the pawl has several teeth pointed in the direction of rotation. A brake drum made of two halves is bolted together around the shaft and pawl assemblies. The inner surface of the drum has teeth designed to mesh with the teeth on the pawls. A brake lining band fits around the brake drum in a groove formed along the circumference of the brake drum. The brake lining band attaches to adjustable mounting hardware, which is secured to a fixed surface. When the rotational speed of the shaft exceeds a safe level, the teeth on the pawls engage the teeth in the brake drum, causing the drum to turn against the brake lining band. The friction of turning the drum slows the shaft to a full stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Reid J. Susmark
  • Patent number: 5687938
    Abstract: A curved pipe is connected to a support surface with a pair of U-bolt assemblies. One assembly supports the vertical portion of the pipe and the other supports the horizontal portion. Each of the U-bolt assemblies has a U-bolt, a clamp bracket, and a support bracket. The support bracket is connected to a support surface. One or both of the assemblies may also include a pair of spade bolts and a hinge for spacing the support plate away from the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Michael E. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5671950
    Abstract: A binding (B) for a plurality of sheets (10) has a front cover (12) attached to a rear cover (14) along a fold line (16). The front and rear covers (12 and 14) each have an interior and an exterior surface. A movable closure flap 26 is attached to the rear cover 14 joins the front and rear covers (12 and 14). A first retainer (34) attached to the front cover 12) and a second retainer (36) complementary thereto releasably secures the closure flap (26) to the front cover (12) in a closed position (32). A display jacket (38) has a front panel (40) connected to a rear panel (42). The front panel (40) has a passageway (46) through which the second retainer (36) releasably engages the first retainer (34). A front pocket (40) is formed with the interior side (20) of the front cover (12) and has an opening (50) facing a top edge (52) of the front cover (12) for receiving a flap (54) of the rear panel (42) of the display jacket (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Ampad Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Hanson
  • Patent number: 5657782
    Abstract: A header, a rotating head and a base piece are sequentially mounted on the end of a stand pipe. Water hoses attach to threaded connections in the header. Channels in the header and rotating head supply water from the water hoses to number of passages, that in turn carry water to a number of nozzles located along an outer face of the rotating head. The nozzles are pointed so as to create water jets, which break up material on the floor of a septic tank and generate a torque in the rotating head that turns it about the stand pipe. Spring-loaded legs on the base fold up to allow the apparatus to be inserted through an opening in the septic tank, then extend outward to provide a stable stand. An extension fits over the opening in the septic tank and effectively raises the opening of the septic tank to ground level. A cap covers the extension when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Robert D. Berning
  • Patent number: 5657721
    Abstract: Local and remote motion detectors sense the presence or movement of a cat in an area near the toy and in an area remote from the toy. In response to the motion detectors, an electric motor moves a target to attract the cat. A device disconnects the target from the electric motor, when the cat subdues the target, allowing the target to stop moving while being held by the cat and giving the cat an artificial sense of "post-kill" satisfaction, while simultaneously prolonging the component life of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventors: Lydia J. Mayfield, David Klimek, Larry L. Uland, Wendell Wilson
  • Patent number: 5652957
    Abstract: Multi-section safety apparel used by a workman installing or repairing steep sloped roofing for effecting a reduced coefficient of sliding friction between the workman and the roof surface. The first section is comprised of a coarse textured layer of foam rubber or high density polyurethane foam adapted for a wrap installation about at least the buttocks and rear of the wearer's thighs. Additional sections attachable to the first section, are available for optionally protecting also the calfs and knees of the wearer while a hammer loop and nail pouch are available for detachable attachment to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventors: Glenn P. Williford, James H. Oliver
  • Patent number: 5645047
    Abstract: A valve device (D) of the type used for a breathing apparatus (A) includes a mask section (10) that is adapted for mating with a desired subject (U), such as about a mouth and nose. An inlet tube (12) communicates a desired fluid, such as oxygen, into an interior chamber (16) of the mask (10). At least one plate assembly (18) has a thin, pliable outer section (20) to act as a flapper. A plate mount (22) retains the plate assembly (18), and has at least one pair of passages (24a and 24b) formed therethrough for communicating the fluid (14) out of the interior chamber (16) and an external fluid into the interior chamber (16) of the mask (10). Compatible portions (26a and 26b) of the pliable outer section (20) movably cover the passages (24a and 24b) in the plate mount (22) forming at least one inlet valve (28) that permits the flow of the external fluid into the interior chamber (16) and a second outlet valve (30) that permits the exhaust of combined fluid out of the interior chamber (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Stand-By Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward G. Akers
  • Patent number: 5638604
    Abstract: A variety of sighting device embodiments for use on projectile type weapons including a scope type sight for archery and barrel supporting sights for guns. Some sights utilize a predetermined length of a light gathering flourescent fiber having a distal end at which gathered light is focused. The fiber or fibers are arranged in various configurations and/or pairs in predetermined relations for exposing the ends in a sighting plane visible to the user of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Tru-Glo, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Lorocco
  • Patent number: 5638711
    Abstract: A pickup truck spare tire is mounted on a hoist having a hoist shaft, accessible through an opening in the rear channel or rear bumper. A winch tube cover is placed over the hoist shaft to allow access to the hoist shaft only through the winch tube cover. An insert is mounted in the rearward end of the winch tube cover and extends through the opening in the rear bumper. An open bore through the insert provides access to the hoist shaft. A lock is temporarily attached to the insert to prevent access to the hoist shaft through the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Adell Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schotthoefer
  • Patent number: 5636883
    Abstract: A pair of covers for the side walls of a pickup truck consist of an outer panel cover and an inner panel cover removably attached along an edge. The outer panel cover overlies the outside face of the side wall and the top rail, and fastens to the bottom edge of the side wall with specially shaped plastic hooks. The inner panel cover removably attaches to wall fasteners that in turn permanently attach to the inside face of the side wall forming part of the cargo bed. The two sides of the inner panel cover are made of materials with different textures, to allow the user a choice of surfaces for lining the bed. A number of tie-down straps provide points for securing a load in the bed. A strip of reinforcing material is attached to the outer panel cover along the section covering the top rail, and provides both stress relief and an attaching surface for the tie-down straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Second Step Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse A. Johns
  • Patent number: 5620664
    Abstract: A lightweight, personal, portable dispenser of medically pure oxygen at appropriate temperature and delivery rate for direct inhalation is disclosed. The dispenser contains an oxygen producing generator to initiate the creation of oxygen instantaneously from a fuel-less self-contained chemical reaction of extended shelf-life inert compounds in a totally safe and reliable generator. The oxygen initially enters an expansion chamber. A cylindrical dispenser body houses the oxygen producing generator and forms an annular space between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator. A bottom web attached to the periphery of the bottom of the cylindrical dispenser body allows air from outside of the dispenser to enter the annular space formed between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator and flow out the top of the cylindrical dispenser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5605271
    Abstract: A nail is held within a cylindrical nail chamber by a magnetized cylindrical driver rod. A driver sleeve is concentric with the nail chamber, and attached to the rearward end of the driver rod. As the driver sleeve is moved toward a surface, the driver rod drives the nail into the surface. A coil spring, attached between a chamber guide nut on the driver sleeve and the nail chamber, biases the nail driver in the extended position. A reinforcement cap between the driver rod and the driver sleeve is adjustable to adjust the distance that the nail is driven into the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Michael W. Russell
  • Patent number: 5599210
    Abstract: A vehicle battery terminal connector and repair system for a battery terminal connector and cable harness. The invention includes a battery terminal connector having a battery terminal adapter portion for affixing the battery terminal connector into electrical contact with the battery terminal; a flat body portion affixed in electrical contact to the adapter portion at a right angle to the battery terminal; and a flexible connector portion affixed in electrical contact to the flat body portion of the terminal connector. Further provided in various embodiments of the present invention are means for removably affixing one or more cables extending from equipment or accessories of a vehicle into electrical contact with the battery terminal connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Charles L. Green
  • Patent number: 5590425
    Abstract: A wafer container is permanently connected to a handle, and temporarily attached to the underside of a toilet seat or lid. The wafer container is attached to a base that is permanently connected to the toilet seat. The base has a top, two sides and two bottoms pieces, forming an opening into which the wafer container is telescopically inserted. The handle may be made of a substance that glows in the dark, and may be coated and treated with a disinfecting material. The wafer container holds a wafer, which gradually emits deodorizing and disinfecting vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Ernest A. Janik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5585785
    Abstract: A pressure transducer is attached along the circumference of the steering wheel of a vehicle and measures total hand grip pressure on the wheel. A control unit having a microcontroller monitors the variable pressure signal from the transducer and sounds an alarm when the pressure falls below a lower limit and when the transient behavior of the pressure signal deteriorates substantially. A display unit, attached to the steering wheel and having a number of LED's, gives a visual indication of the driver's drowsiness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventors: Ronnie Gwin, Betty A. Gwin, Charles R. Hyde
  • Patent number: 5582048
    Abstract: A cylindrical winch tube cover is placed over the rear end of the hoist shaft for blocking access to the rear end of the hoist shaft. A lock bracket is mounted on the winch tube cover, and a padlock secures the lock bracket to the winch tube cover and prevents removal of the winch tube cover from the hoist shaft. The shackle of the padlock passes through a pair of aligned holes in the lock bracket and a groove in the winch tube cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Adell Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schotthoefer
  • Patent number: 5582135
    Abstract: Three pieces are stamped out of a rigid flat material. A bottom piece having a bottom, a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and panel flaps is folded to form a tray for holding a plastic bag containing a quantity of pet litter. A middle piece forming a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall is assembled into a single continuous loop, and fits snugly around the tray formed from the bottom piece. A top piece having a center panel, two end panels and a lip running around the perimeter of each end panel fits onto the middle piece to form a lid. The middle piece has an intermediate fold in each side wall, allowing the middle piece to collapse along the intermediate folds and the foldable adjoining edges of the side walls. The top piece collapses into a box in which the collapsed middle piece, the plastic bag and the tray formed from the middle piece are stored. A handle integral with and formed out of part of the top piece allows the container to be carried like a suitcase in the collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Wallace L. Bellows
  • Patent number: D378605
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas C. Yaquinto
  • Patent number: D380730
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Charles L. Green
  • Patent number: D383916
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: Roger H. Richards, William C. Richards