Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease
  • Patent number: 6321485
    Abstract: A fluid exchange system includes at least one container. A feed tube connected to a fluid source is positioned to dispense fluid into the container. A drain tube is connected to the container and is adapted to remove fluid from the container. The container is removable for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Arden L. Borgen, Cleon C. Merrill, Damon E. Rockwell
  • Patent number: 6318936
    Abstract: A plunge router adjustment mechanism including a drive shaft longitudinally fixed but rotatable in a base plate and extending towards an opposite end of the plunge router. A carriage moveable along the drive shaft is connectable to the router housing. Optionally, a sub-carriage, moveable along the carriage and directly attached to the housing, allows fine adjustment of the housing relative to the base plate. Optionally a coarse adjustment stop member is releasably fixable along the drive shaft for coarse positioning of the housing relative to base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Robert E. McFarlin, Jr., David L. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6318241
    Abstract: A piston for use in the cylinder block of a hydraulic power unit. The piston has an elongated cylindrical body and one end terminating in a spherical surface. The piston is composed of a body and insert which are made from different materials, preferably metallic materials, and joined together. The piston body takes the form of a solid cylinder or a hollow cylindrical tube. The spherical surface takes the form of an internal spherical socket or an external spherical ball. The insert takes an elongated or abbreviated form providing for both open cavity and closed cavity piston configurations. The piston includes a conduit which traverses the body and insert, providing a path for pressurized fluid. The body and the insert are preferably formed by a metal injecting molding process utilizing a molding material comprised at the time of molding of a mixture of metallic grains and a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Stoppek, Mark A. Landwehr
  • Patent number: 6318020
    Abstract: An improved fishing lure is provided wherein the surface of the lure includes a multi-layered thermochromic surface. The thermochromic surface responds in different temperature ranges so that as the temperature changes, the surface displays a sequence of colors over a broad range of temperatures. The process for creating the purified thermochromic paint involves mixing thermochromic powder with clear oil and water in order to indicate undamaged thermochromic crystals for mixing with a clear lacquer so as to apply, in multiple layers, to the fishing lure and repeated for as many layers in as many colors as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Larry Mefferd
  • Patent number: 6320123
    Abstract: A method and system for shielding electrical components from electromagnetic waves is provided. The enclosure is lined with layers of lead and copper. These layers are electrically connected to wires that route electricity generated by an electromagnetic wave to a halo of wire on the ceiling. The halo is connected to one or more ground windows which in turn are connected to a wire that runs the current into a ground so as to provide maximum protection to the electrical components by shielding them from the electromagnetic wave and any current generated thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Steven S. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6319292
    Abstract: A capacitor includes a porous pellet formed from compressed conductive particles. The pellet has a lead receiving external surface. The conductive particles at the lead receiving surface are fused together to create a fused layer on the external surface of the pellet. A lead wire has one of its ends welded to the fused layer on the surface of the pellet. The fused layer is formed by exposing it to high temperatures, preferably by use of a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Vishay Sprague, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri L. Pozdeev-Freeman, Boris Levi, Semion Akselrod
  • Patent number: 6317994
    Abstract: A robot aligning apparatus includes a pointer which may be connected to either the robot or the tool carried by the robot. The apparatus also includes a stationary post having a sleeve mounted thereon. The robot or the tool with the pointer mounted thereon are moved to a test station adjacent the sleeve and post, and the sleeve is moved upwardly over the pointer to indicate proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Genesis Systems Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan C. Mangelsen, David N. Bermann
  • Patent number: 6317906
    Abstract: A strainer assembly for bathtub drains has a strainer body with a circular horizontal flange having a center opening and which is adapted to fit over and around a vertically disposed drain port in the bottom of a tub or the like. A hollow bushing extension extends downwardly from the center opening and terminates in an open lower portion with external threads. A hollow attachment bushing having a center opening is threadably secured around the lower portion of the bushing extension and extends downwardly therefrom. The attachment bushing has a lower open end with at least one crossbar extending thereacross. A bearing hub is formed in the center of the crossbar on the center axis of the aforesaid center openings. A vertically disposed threaded aperture is located in the hub and is adapted to threadably receive a connecting stud from a drain strainer or closure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6318693
    Abstract: A concrete floor of a portable storage building is made for one or more storage units with each unit including a floor made through use of a single pair of mold sections or a plurality of pairs of mold sections interconnected for multiple storage units. Each mold section has a raised center and a circumferencial channel with concrete being poured onto the raised center and into the circumferencial channel. Removable exterior mold side walls complete the floor mold. A jack bracket is removably attachable to the floor corners and in turn is engageable with a hydraulic jack for raising and lowering the floor for loading onto the flatbed of a truck for transport to a remote site of use. A chain hoist connected to a top edge of a building wall panel is used to pivot the wall panel to a raised vertical position as the hoist moves on a rail to the vertical plane of the wall panel when raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Dayle Eugene Erickson
  • Patent number: 6319118
    Abstract: A seed package handling system for a test plot combine. A seed packaging assembly in the combine packages the seeds and deposits the packages onto a conveyor, which transports the packages to a first hopper. After the first hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the first hopper is raised on an elevator and then tilted so as to dump the seed packages into a larger second hopper. After the second hopper has received a predetermined quantity or weight of seed, the second hopper is tilted to discharge the seed packages into a wagon separate from the combine, which transports the seed packages to a processing facility. The movement of the conveyor and first hopper is controlled by a PLC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Gary W. Clem, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Donald F. Handorf, Nick Merfeld, Ryan D. Jensen, Scott A. Sporrer
  • Patent number: 6317359
    Abstract: A device and method for sensing the status of a non-volatile magnetic latch. A cross-coupled inverter pair latch cell is employed for the data sensing. During the ‘Sense’ cycles, the inputs to the latch cell are from Giant Magneto-Resistive effect devices, each located in its respective inverter pair. The magneto-resistive storage devices have complimentary resistance states written into them. A switch, connected to the inverter pairs, is used to reset and initiate a regenerative sequence. Whenever the switch is turned on (reset) and off (regenerate), the latch cell will sense a potential imbalance generated by the magneto-resistive storage devices with complimentary resistance. During regeneration, the imbalance will be amplified and eventually the inverter pairs will reach a logic high or logic low state. The latch can be used as a memory circuit, however, upon loss of power the memory is retained. The state of the circuit is retained inside of GMR components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Black, Marwan M. Hassoun
  • Patent number: 6314841
    Abstract: A hand tool includes an elongated substantially rigid body having generally opposite first and second ends. The first end has a first socket of a given width and depth formed longitudinally therein. A first slot extends longitudinally into the first end and across the first socket. The first slot has a width less than the width of the first socket. The second end has a second socket formed therein which also extends longitudinally. The first and second sockets can be of different widths and depths. This hand tool is useful on projects where a variety of fastener sizes and types are encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Larry K. Burk, Raymond S. Hodyniak, Jr., Michael R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 6315115
    Abstract: A golf bag carrying case with club head protection and a method of protecting the club head of golf club stored in a golf bag during transport are disclosed. The method includes providing a first protective member disposed within a cavity near the top end for protecting the club heads in the golf bag, the first protective member having a first end within the cavity and the second end free and wrapping the first protective member at least partially around the club head of the golf club. The carrying case includes a protective member having a first end attached to an outer covering and a second end which is free to wrap at least partially around the club heads in the golf bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Team Effort, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bradshaw, Brian Walker
  • Patent number: 6314729
    Abstract: A specific type of hydraulic fan drive system is provided for engine drive machines, such as on road and off road machines, such as buses, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and so on. The hydraulic fan drive systems turn a cooling fan (39) which provides airflow to cool the engine on such machines. This system uses a proportional pressure reducing valve (34) (or combination of valves providing a pressure reducing function) between the pump (12) and the fan motor (38). This valve (34) or (combination of valves) controls the pressure drop across the fan motor (38) based on a control signal from an electronic controller (50). The valve allows as little or as much flow to pass as is required to maintain this pressure drop at the load (the fan motor (38)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley W. Crull, Mark A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6315653
    Abstract: A stuffing tube mounting assembly has an elongated barrel with a forward end terminating in a cylindrical barrel portion. A hollow elongated stuffing horn having a rearward end is detachably telescopically mounted on the barrel portion. Interlocking surfaces on the rearward end of the stuffing tube and the barrel portion hold the tube and the barrel in only a single radial orientation with respect to each other to maintain an inlet port in the side of the stuffing tube in a predetermined fixed position with respect to the barrel. The interlocking surfaces are elongated registering grooves in the stuffing tube and the barrel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company
    Inventor: John William Ciancitto
  • Patent number: 6314996
    Abstract: A foam marking system is provided with separate tanks for water and foam concentrate. A water pump and a concentrate pump deliver water and concentrate from the respective tanks to a mixing chamber at a pre-selected ratio. The water pump is controlled by a master control, while the concentrate pump is controlled by a slave control depending from the master control. The master control generates and output signal which is sent to both the water pump and the slave control, such that the slave control and concentrate pump operate as a function of the master control and water pump, so that the selected mix ratio can be maintained, regardless of the output level of the foam from the system. A foam generation chamber connected to the mixing chamber and to an air source generates foam when the foam solution is mixed with air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Richway Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard P. Borglum, Anthony R. Borglum, Corey W. Cerwinske
  • Patent number: 6314686
    Abstract: A light seal for use with robotic equipment includes a window having a divider panel rotatably mounted therein. Flexible sealing flaps at the opposite sides of the window opening engage the divider panel when the divider panel is in a sealed position to provide a light seal between the edges of the divider panel and the edges of the window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Genesis Systems Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Scherer, Douglas H. Juhl
  • Patent number: D450440
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Christine M. Clarke, Walter J. Vosicka
  • Patent number: D450474
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mark J. Sokoloff
  • Patent number: D451649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: David C. Lovell