Patents Examined by Kevin Weldon
  • Patent number: 5947379
    Abstract: A dispenser for scented material for use during hunting includes a container body defining a cavity therein with the cavity being divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a wall member. A reel is rotatably mounted in the first compartment and a line is trained around the reel to extend from the first compartment through the second compartment and outwardly into the atmosphere for selected payout of the line from the container body. An absorbent member is disposed within the second compartment for impregnation with animal scent material and includes an opening formed therein for passage there through of the line with the line being in contact with the absorbent material for deposit of a portion of the animal scent material on the line as it is paid out from the reel with a line retaining a portion of the animal scent material thereon after the line has entered the atmosphere from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Camo-Camouleaf, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry G. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5947207
    Abstract: A dual mode fire suppression system includes first and second, different, fire suppression nozzles. Each nozzle is coupled to a fire suppressing medium. A fire detector is coupled to at least one of the nozzles. The detector monitors an adjacent region, and, is insensitive to the medium associate with the coupled nozzle. In the presence of a detected first fire condition, the detector activates the coupled nozzle which releases the respective medium. The detector continues to monitor the adjacent region and in the absence of the first fire condition, the first nozzle is deactivated. In the presence of a detected second fire condition, different from the first condition, the second nozzle is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Fred J. Conforti, George A. Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 5947380
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a center tube, a first valve separate from the center tube and surrounding a first end of the center tube and a second valve also separate from the center tube and surrounding a second end thereof. A solenoid is actuable to independently move the first and second valves and thereby control the application of fluid pressures to first and second ends of a check assembly, in turn to control injection of fuel into an associated engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Lucas Industries PLC
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Marvin P. Schneider, James J. Streicher, David E. Martin
  • Patent number: 5944114
    Abstract: Devices for constraining wildfires are disclosed. The first device is a free-standing hollow structure which contains at least one lower intake duct, a vertical duct, and an upper outlet duct. This device contains curved chambers which may have baffles. This device also provides an open container for the delivery of water to the fire in the form of steam. A second device is a free-standing structure which is anchored to the ground by lines attached to spikes and supporting legs. The upper portion of the device is curved toward the fire so as to direct the fire back upon itself. There is an arcuate baffle at approximately the midpoint of the device which serves to break up the heat wave. A third device is similar to the second device in design, but is made of folding sections for ease of storage and transportation. A fourth device comprises a fire-resistant sheet which may be draped over trees or structures or may be put on the ground to form a barrier to the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Brent L. Farley
  • Patent number: 5944261
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for flowing liquid metal through a casting nozzle includes an elongated bore having an entry port and at least two exit ports. A first baffle is positioned proximate to one exit port and a second baffle is positioned proximate to the other exit port. The baffles divide the flow of liquid metal into two outer streams and a central stream, and deflect the two outer streams in substantially opposite directions. A flow divider positioned downstream of the baffles divides the central stream into two inner streams, and cooperates with the baffles to deflect the two inner streams in the same or different direction in which the two outer streams are deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Lawrence John Heaslip, James Derek Dorricott
  • Patent number: 5941459
    Abstract: The fuel injector nozzle for a gasifier includes a protective refractory sheath that is flush mounted at a downstream end proximate the nozzle outlet portion. The refractory insert is of annular form to surround the nozzle outlet. The annular refractory member can be a one-piece structure or a multi-segment structure of preferably not more than four pieces. Whether the annular refractory member is a one-piece structure or a multi-segment structure, it is recessed in a downstream end surface of the fuel injector nozzle and retained in the recess by locking pins or by thread-like engagement between a projection and a groove that are provided on complementary inter-engaging surfaces of the recess and the refractory member. The retaining structure provided on the annular refractory member and at the recess in which the refractory member is disposed securely maintain the annular refractory protective member in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Texaco Inc
    Inventors: Donald Duane Brooker, Michael Edward Fahrion, Gary Thomas Delgrego, Augustine Camacho
  • Patent number: 5941456
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning solution spray nozzle having a cleaning spray extension and a cleaning spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The coating gun nozzle is disposed at an end of a coating gun nozzle extension. A single spray shield is disposed over the end of the coating gun nozzle extension, and has a flange portion which extends at least to an external surface of the cleaning nozzle extension to shield the components of the apparatus from oversprayed coating material. A check valve mechanism disposed within the cleaning spray extension prevents cleaning solution from dribbling or drooling from the cleaning spray nozzle. A control system controls the operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Waryu, Thomas A. Loparo, Sean Scott Davis
  • Patent number: 5938121
    Abstract: A pop-up-sprinkler housing has a cap sleeve (1) that slides adjustably into a base sleeve (2) having a base plate (3) with a fluid conveyance (4) that screws onto underground sprinkler plumbing (10) and into sprinkler shafts (8). A housing cap (11) on top of the cap sleeve has a sprinkler-shaft aperture (12) that is sized and shaped to allow ingress and egress of pop-up portions (13) of select sprinkler shafts and has cap-sleeve shoulders (14) that extend over the base sleeve and a support surface (15). Threaded fasteners are provided for attaching the fluid conveyance to the sprinkler shafts and to the underground sprinkler plumbing. A plurality of sprinkler adapters 31 are provided for adaptation to different sizes and types of pop-up sprinklers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: William E. Ferguson, Leigh A. Morehouse
  • Patent number: 5938116
    Abstract: A pump sprayer is disclosed for dispensing fluids such as insecticides and herbicides. The sprayer comprises a supply container which holds the fluid to be dispensed, a manually-operated piston pump, a pressure vessel or accumulator, and a manual control valve for controlling fluid dispensed through a spray wand. The accumulator includes an elastomeric bladder which is adapted to accumulate fluid from the pump and to deliver the fluid to the spray wand at a desired pressure. In order to provide a pump sprayer which can deliver fluid at a substantially constant pressure from a fluid supply contained in conventional containers, the pump and elastomeric bladder are configured to pass through the fill openings of the containers and to be secured therein during operation of the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The Fountainhead Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario J. Restive, Alexander C. Sarnacki
  • Patent number: 5934565
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a liquid jet, in particular for washing vehicle wscreens or headlight fronts. The nozzle includes a feed duct and at least two outlets each communicating with the feed duct via a respective communication hole. At least one of the outlet ducts is inclined relative to the feed duct, and each of the feed duct and the outlet ducts is substantially rectilinear. The nozzle further comprises a partition occupying at least a portion of the feed duct adjacent to the outlet ducts so as to subdivide the feed duct into compartments each of which communicates with a respective communication hole. The partition has the function of preventing non-uniform transit of the liquid into the outlet ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Societe D'Etudes et Realisations Industrielles et Commerciales -SERIC-
    Inventor: Reynald Lelong
  • Patent number: 5934567
    Abstract: An air assisted fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel nozzle having a fuel orifice and a targeting section cooperating with the fuel nozzle for targeting atomized fuel within the engine. A throttling section in disposed upstream of the targeting section and cooperates with the fuel nozzle. The throttling section throttles assist air prior to the air atomizing the fuel emerging from the fuel orifice. Thus, any adverse effects on fuel flow from the fuel injector due to back pressure variability downstream of the fuel nozzle are reduced. In a preferred embodiment, an air shroud is fitted on the nozzle of the fuel injector and includes both the throttling section and the targeting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Ron G. Fly
  • Patent number: 5934557
    Abstract: A decorative fountain includes a body, a motor pump housed in a water box, a water deflector and an IC battery chamber housed at the bottom of the body. The body includes a base which has a lower water trough which holds the water box and a top cover including an upper trough which attaches the water deflector at an opening thereof. The water box has a water inlet fluidly communicates with the lower water trough. The motor pump has a water outlet leading to the upper trough. Activating the motor pump, water will be pumped from the lower water trough to the upper trough and then drops to the lower water trough for continuous circulation. The IC battery chamber is located below the water troughs and thus is free from water moisture erosion. The base and the top cover may be integrally formed. The body therefore may be made water tight without additional painting work. It is simple to produce and assemble, and also more reliable and trouble free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Barry Shih
  • Patent number: 5931391
    Abstract: A fluid injection valve includes a valve seat having a conical concave surface and a valve seat surface, a needle having an edge surface and an annular contact surface whose diameter is Ds, an orifice plate having a perforated surface disposed in a downstream portion at a distance h from the edge surface of the needle and at a distance H from valve seat surface. Thus, a fluid chamber is defined by the perforated surface of the orifice plate, the edge surface of the needle and the conical concave surface of the valve seat. The perforated surface has a plurality of first orifices having a diameter d on a first circle whose diameter is DH. The fluid chamber is formed to have the following relationships among the diameters Ds, DH, d and the distances h, H: 1.5<Ds/DH<6, h<1.5d, and H<4d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhide Tani, Yukio Mori
  • Patent number: 5931393
    Abstract: A salt-sand spreader for use for spreading materials onto road surfaces primarily where icing or slippery conditions occur. The spreader includes an applicator for coating the particles with a liquid prior to discharging the particles to tend to speed up the ice melting reaction and if a suitable coating is used to inhibit corrosive action of the salt. Additionally, the velocity of discharge of the particles from a discharge mechanism is sensed or correlated to fan speed and the discharge velocity is adjusted to match the forward speed of the vehicle so that there is essentially zero relative velocity between the particles and the ground when the particles strike the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Iboco, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Alsip, John P. Ellingson, Harvey E. Hoffman, Jack D. Messner, David G. Trooien
  • Patent number: 5931383
    Abstract: The instant invention provides for illuminated drinking straws which employ chemiluminescent mixtures as lighting sources. The illuminated drinking straw may be used with either hot or cold beverage such as water, fruit juices, soft drinks, coffees and teas, milk products or alcoholic beverages. A new and exciting drinking straw for amusement purposes is intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Omniglow Corp.
    Inventors: William R. Palmer, Stephen L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5931390
    Abstract: In a valve for the dosed discharge of fluids particularly a fuel injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, the valve includes in an valve housing at the front end of an injector housing a valve structure at a fluid discharge end of the valve housing and a stack of piezo elements disposed in the opposite end of the injector housing and a high pressure fluid passages leads to the fluid discharge end which is isolated from the area in which the stack of piezo elements is disposed and which is in communication with a low pressure drain passage such that the piezo elements are not exposed to the high pressure fluid. Isolation is obtained by a compensation cylinder movably disposed in an annular space between, and in sealing relationship with, the valve housing, the piezo stack being enclosed in a piezo guide tube which is sealingly connected to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignees: Daimler-Benz AG, P&S Prolotypen und Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Hoffmann, Gregor Renner, Friedrich Wirbeleit, Jens-Peter Wobbe
  • Patent number: 5924633
    Abstract: A sprayer tank is molded with an internally extending boss in the tank having internal threads and a shoulder at its base for receiving an O-ring of the hose adapter. Internal tank pressure enhances the seal between the tank boss and hose adapter. The hose adapter has several attributes including the ability to swivel independently of the tank fitting hose nut, pressure release slots and ability to remove the swivel part, supply tube and hose without removing the tank fitting hose nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: H.D. Hudson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard Brass, William A. Hudson, W. J. Beissel
  • Patent number: 5924492
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a nozzle through which water is discharged to extinguish fire. The nozzle is normally held in a closed position. The nozzle is opened in the event of fire. A leaf spring is provided to hold the nozzle in its closed position and permit the nozzle to open. The leaf spring is deformed both in the axial direction of the sprinkler head and in a direction at right angles to the axial direction when an axial force is applied. Furthermore, the leaf spring and is resiliently returned to its original shape when the axial force is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Senju Sprinkler Company Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kikuchi, Fukuji Obara, Takatoshi Chiba
  • Patent number: 5924631
    Abstract: This invention relates to a triboelectric projector of pulverulent coating product, comprising a channel for charging the coating product, a supply conduit connecting a source of coating product to said projector, a mixture of air and of coating product circulating in said conduit, an injector of air for dilution and/or acceleration of said mixture of air and coating product, characterized in that the outlet orifice of said injector is disposed on the path of said mixture of air and coating product in an inner chamber of the projector, downstream of the admission of said conduit in said projector and upstream of the inlet of the charging channel. The invention also relates to a process for controlling such a projector, consisting in measuring the charge obtained in the charging channel and in servo-controlling by this charge the instantaneous flowrate of air injected by the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sames SA
    Inventors: Jose Rodrigues, Daniel Belmain, Thierry Barlet
  • Patent number: 5924632
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle and a centerbody. The longitudinal axis of the centerbody is coaxially aligned with the nozzle. The centerbody has a free end portion shaped to create vortices in exhaust exiting the exit area. The vortices enhance mixing action in the exhaust and reduce exhaust noise while augmenting thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John M. Seiner, Mikhail M. Gilinsky