Patents Examined by Jordan Lofdahl
  • Patent number: 6357166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a passive restraint system and method for a variety of implements, such as a fisherman's rod assembly, adapted to allow rapid extraction of the implement from the restraint system. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a retaining member configured to provide a substantially spiral groove to result in a side exit of a retained rod when operated in a otherwise useful motion, such as a hook setting motion of a fisherman's rod. Preferred embodiments also include the use of resilient closures to provide an incarceration force which may easily be overcome in a typical use situation, but which are sufficient to discourage unwanted release or removal of an implement from a holder of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Tempress Products L.L.C.
    Inventors: John A. Malmanger, Mikal B. Greaves
  • Patent number: 6354246
    Abstract: A creature transporting container which can cheaply and safely transport a single fighting fish or other creature. The creature transporting container includes a cup-like container. An upper opening portion of the container is covered with an air permeable waterproof sheet that is permeable to air and not permeable to water. The air permeable waterproof sheet is held on the container by means of a removable cap having a structure that permits the air permeable waterproof sheet to contact air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kamihata Fish Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigezo Kamihata, Yasuhiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 6349675
    Abstract: An animal enclosure cover may be provided on an animal enclosure (such as an aquarium) to prevent the escape of animals therein. The animal enclosure cover includes a stationary panel and one or more clamping members, wherein the clamping members are used to affix the stationary panel atop the animal enclosure. The stationary panel is bounded by a peripheral frame having opposing upper and lower surfaces. Each clamping member similarly has opposing upper and lower surfaces, and the clamping member upper surfaces are shaped to extend in parallel relation to at least a portion of the peripheral frame of the stationary panel. The stationary panel may therefore be fit on the top rim surface of the enclosure rim of the animal enclosure, and each of the clamping members may be fit below the enclosure rim with the upper surfaces of the clamping members being aligned in parallel spaced relationship to the lower surface of the stationary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: David James Thrun
  • Patent number: 6347568
    Abstract: A guide system for the recoiling mass of a gun relative to its cradle, the recoiling mass being equipped with a carrier that slides relative to sliders attached to two lateral slides. The carrier is provided with a rail incorporating a groove in which a slider is disposed. Each groove has a shape preventing the slider received therein from being extracted from it. Each slider is attached to a support. The combination of carriers and sliders is adjustable relative to the slides, by the supports, to compensate for wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: GĂ©rard Soulaigre
  • Patent number: 6347623
    Abstract: A toy projectile launching assembly for safely permitting the projectile to be launched only in predetermined directions and only under at predetermined pressure levels through the use of redundant safety mechanisms and pressure relief systems. The launching assembly has a fluid system enabling multiple launches without the need for replacing a fluid such as water in the launch assembly. The launch assembly provides water and pressurized air for a projectile such as a rocket to launch from a self-contained, portable launching assembly, which is easy to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Spin Master Toys
    Inventors: Charles D. Kownacki, Jeffery G. Rehkemper
  • Patent number: 6339902
    Abstract: A propagation tray configured to receive a plurality of seedlings or root cuttings comprising a tray member having an outer peripheral skirt formed about the periphery thereof and a plurality of propagation cells each having an upper centrally disposed aperture formed in the upper portion thereof inwardly of the outer peripheral skirt to receive a growing media and seedlings or root cuttings therein, a lower centrally disposed drainage aperture formed in the lower portion thereof and a growing media support member formed across the lower centrally disposed drainage aperture to retain the growing media and seedling or root cutting therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas A. Holmberg
  • Patent number: 6338315
    Abstract: A feeder container for live insects which is made from transparent material, and the feeder container has mounting elements for mounting the feeder container on an enclosure for a pet. In addition, the feeder container has a self closing opening for capturing insects from the feeder container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Mark W. A. Stillman
  • Patent number: 6336407
    Abstract: A fuze operates in two modes. In a primary mode, the fuze functions similarly to a conventional M223 fuze. In a secondary, self-destruct mode, a pyrotechnic delay mechanism is initiated. The slide assembly is comprised of an aerodynamic safety release, a safety pin, a rotational firing pin fitted with a resilient member such as a spring, a M55 detonator, pyrotechnic initiator, a pyrotechnic delay mix and end cap. In use, the fuze is fitted to a grenade. As the grenade is dispensed from its carrier, a grenade stabilizer starts to oscillate. The oscillation results in an arming screw and an inertial weight to back out from a slide assembly, allowing the slide assembly to move to an in-line position relative to a main M55 detonator in-line with the arming screw (firing pin). Concurrently, the aerodynamic safety release is lifted in the upward direction under the force of the airstream, releasing the safety pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Louis J. Adimari, Keith R. Fulton, Joseph A. Donini
  • Patent number: 6324957
    Abstract: A rocket-launched line charge apparatus for obstacle breaching includes at least two explosive charges connected by detonating cord. The detonating cord passes through a flexible tubing, and is bunched in a sinuous arrangement within the plastic tubing so as to store excess detonating cord. The detonating cord is attached to the two ends of the flexible tubing by cable ties. The explosive charges, the tubing and the detonating cord are enclosed in a fabric sock formed by overbraiding, the fabric sock being the strength member connecting the two explosive charges during deployment. The plastic tubing arrangement is applicable to storage of other cords in other systems involving tethered deployment of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John E. Hendershot, John P. Murphy, John R. Luense
  • Patent number: 6318271
    Abstract: A fuse igniter adapter assembly that adapts various fuse cord sizes to a firing device for ignition by a primer. The assembly includes a hub subassembly, four retaining blades, a circular slide element, a circular cap element, a spring, and a snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Clark
  • Patent number: 6308631
    Abstract: A micromechanical device that takes a vertical force to a micro substrate that results into a vertical motion and translates that vertical motion into horizontal motion. A pit is etched onto a micro substrate where the walls of the pit meet the floor of the pit at less than a 90° angle. A vertical force is applied to a structure to push it along the angled wall of the pit and as the structure reaches the bottom of the pit the vertical motion is translated into horizontal motion. By attaching a spring or similar mechanism to the structure, one can store the horizontal momentum for later use by latching the structure in some way before the spring can pull the structure back into its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Smith, Lawrence Fan