Patents Examined by Winnie S. Yip
  • Patent number: 5983593
    Abstract: Sealed insulating glass units with multiple-pane construction containing an intermediate taut, flexible heat shrunk plastic sheet are made using silicone edge sealant which exhibits a sheet creep of less than 0.018 cm after 500 hours at 71.degree. C. The plastic sheet remains substantially wrinkle free by the use of such silicone edge sealants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Donald Carbary, Chris Edward Nowak, William Robert O'Brien, Leslie Joan Waters
  • Patent number: 5983911
    Abstract: A device resting on a floor surface for enhancing the self-mobility of a person comprises a base structure comprised of a plurality of floor rail stabilizers and a base platform. The plurality of floor rail stabilizers include parallel sides. The base platform is comprised of a base frame and a base plate fixably attached to the base frame with the base frame having parallel side surfaces and being fixably attached in flush surface-to-surface relation to the plurality of floor rail stabilizers for strength and stability. The base platform is located and positioned between the plurality of floor rail stabilizers for holding the device to the floor surface. A plurality of upright side stands are sized and positioned on the floor rail stabilizers for sustaining and transferring a lateral force applied by the person. Each upright side stand is comprised of a plurality of vertical rail members and a plurality of angled rod members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard B. Steele
  • Patent number: 5983578
    Abstract: A penetration-resistant modular security passway (20) includes a concrete vestibule (24), a doorframe (70), and a penetration-reactive security door (32). The vestibule (24) has a plurality of reinforcing members (36), a plurality of lifting lugs (26), and an embedded passive antipersonnel device (56). The doorframe (70) has hinge and strike jambs (108,110) attached to the reinforcing members (36). The hinge jamb (108) has a plurality of studs (124) and the strike jamb (110) a plurality of deadbolts (126) for protrusion into the door (32). The door (32) has a substruction (72), to which are affixed grates (86,92) and cladding (84,90). A girdle (100) is affixed to the cladding (84,90). Within a space (76) within the substruction (72), a metallic cable (78) is woven and a plurality of individually sealed tubes (96) containing a foaming agent (98) under pressure are suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventors: A. David Huttie, Maurice A. Black
  • Patent number: 5983574
    Abstract: A merchandise display panel comprises a plurality of profiles including outer edges, the profiles being arranged in a stacked edge-to-edge configuration; and a plurality of stiffeners glued to the back surfaces of the profiles across the edges between adjacent profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Showall, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Holztrager
  • Patent number: 5970675
    Abstract: A connector attaches panel elements such as wall panels, shelves, columns and the like to assemble modular structures. The connector frictionally engages the surfaces of elongated channels at the edge of the panels to be joined. The connector includes a contoured base section complementary with the channel of a first panel, to which the connector can optionally be screwed. A deformable cam section is carried on an intermediate section for receipt in the channel of the second panel. The cam section preferably has opposite cantilever arms which engage flanges of the anchor channels and the arms are tapered to deform inwardly of the channel for friction and inwardly from the joint so as to draw the panels together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: James D. Wright
    Inventor: Steven Schray
  • Patent number: 5970670
    Abstract: A fire collar (10) is supported around a plastic material pipe (30) extending through a bore (32) in a wall (44). The fire collar (10) comprises a cylindrical metal collar (12) carrying a layer of intumescent material (36) on its inner circumferential surface. A sleeve (22) of fire resistant material is attached to the metal collar (10) and extends within the collar and around the pipe (30). In the event of a fire the pipe (30) melts. The intumescent material (36) is constrained to expand radially inwardly and as it does so it pushes the fabric sleeve (22) radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: J.W. Bollom & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5967162
    Abstract: A mobile shelter which provides a canopy that protects from sun and rain. The canopy is mounted on a series of curved rib units that are connected to a triangular support system which is attached at each end to a truncated A-Frame support on wheels. The shelter is high enough to provide adequate clearance for activities such as golf. The shelter can span distances of up to 200 feet or more, and the canopy may be retractable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Mark Alan Bolton
  • Patent number: 5966876
    Abstract: A watertight manhole insert and tether apparatus designed to prevent rainwater from entering sanitary sewer or other systems through a manhole closed by a manhole cover. The manhole insert is located beneath the manhole cover and is connected directly to the manhole by a tether apparatus mounted in the manhole, to plug the manhole, prevent theft of the manhole insert and deny access to the manhole. The manhole insert is characterized by a pan-shaped insert body having a curved, flat or ribbed insert bottom and one or more pressure-relief valves, one or more lift straps and an upward-standing, sloping or perpendicular side wall fitted with an outwardly-extending top rim for engaging a shoulder shaped in the manhole to support the manhole insert in the manhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Southwestern Packing & Seals Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Neathery, Timothy B. Ely, Michael D. Humke, Michael W. Humke
  • Patent number: 5964073
    Abstract: A brick laying aid comprising a box-shaped container open at one end and one side to receive a brick as a relatively close fit between two side walls and lying against a base wall and an end wall which may be of adjustable thicknesses, one side wall having an opening enabling the brick to be finger pressed against the opposite side wall to hold the brick in place when the device is grasped by the hand across the base wall, which is equipped on the outside with a handle which may be adjustable for hand size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Philip Harper
  • Patent number: 5960600
    Abstract: A system for attaching carpet to a wall. This system uses a lightweight form body to support a strip of carpet. The form body is curved and the carpet is curled over the form. The form body can have a number of different profiles, depending on the look desired and the material being used. The form body is attached to the floor or the wall using common fasteners. Two special mitered corner pieces are included-one for an inside corner and one for an outside corner. To fit a corner, the length is measured and a straight cut is made across the corner piece. The mitered end that has been removed can be turned to fit against the factory made miter end to complete the corner. To facilitate installation, a special tool is included that is marked in feet. A 45.degree. miter is included in the center of the tool to score the carpet for miters. A second 45.degree. arm is included to make outside cuts as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: John A. Monaco
  • Patent number: 5956905
    Abstract: A molded plastic extension member for use in increasing the height of manholes, or catch basins when surfacing or resurfacing a roadway. The extension member may be formed having a sloping upper planar support surface to thereby adjust the angle of the catch basin support frame or the manhole cover support frame. An outer surface of the extension member includes indicia that allows the user to align the slope of the upper planar support surface parallel with the roadway surface. When several sloped extension members are stacked, the indicia may be used to create a complex angle of slope relative to the underlying base members vertical axis. The extension member includes a pocket adaptable for receiving and retaining mortar between two stacked extensions. Planar surfaces may extend from both the upper and lower edge of the extension member, thereby providing support and added stacking surface for the stacked extension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Dwight G. Wiedrich
  • Patent number: 5957145
    Abstract: A selectively moveable umbrella (10) for use in providing shade during outdoor leisure and work-related activities, in which a support holds an umbrella post (36) with a first end (37) and a canopy (41) attached to a plurality of support ribs extending from a portion of the post near a second end (39) distal from the first end. The support attaches to a triangular base frame (12). An elongated handle (28) extends outwardly from under the canopy from a corner edge (13) of the base frame. Two back wheels (34) are attached to the base frame near an end remote from the handle and an additional support (24) depends from an end of the base frame remote from the back wheels. Using the handle, the base frame is moved in order to wheel the umbrella to a new position for shading outdoor activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Richard P. Plumer
  • Patent number: 5954074
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to combination adjustable crutches and/or canes that can be converted from a crutch to a cane or vice versa. The present invention includes a main single support shaft made of lightweight-ridged square tubing. A unique handle that clamps onto said square support shaft. Additionally, a novel underarm support cradle with stem that telescopes inside said square support shaft to be adjusted up or down. Also, a novel way and means to provide auxiliary forearm support. Patient's hand wrist, forearm and upper arm then being in a natural ergonomic position, without twisting or bending of patient's hand, wrist and upper arm. Fatigue, discomfort, and pain then being minimized or eliminated. Also, a crutch/cane that can be firmly set aside, out of the way, in an upright position on a horizontal surface when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Evert C. Mattson
  • Patent number: 5953865
    Abstract: A device for releasably fastening a cover slab to the opening of a crypt or niche extending back from a vertical support wall. Each device is positioned at a common point of adjacency of a plurality of slabs. Each device has a rotatively mounted locking plate for engaging slots in the sides of each of the slabs. The plate has a cutaway sized and dimensioned to allow for the passage of one of the slabs through the cutaway when the cutaway is rotated into proper alignment. Keyed tool means for turning the plate indicated the positioning of the cutaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: John W. Rickards
  • Patent number: 5953869
    Abstract: A system for flush mounting an object like a solar panel to a roof. The system uses a frame which is coupled to an outer circumference of the object. The frame is used to support and hold the object flush to the roof. An overhang member is coupled to an outside section of the frame. The overhang member is used for supporting roof flashing which is placed under the overhang member. This allows the object to be directly flashed to the roof flashing and further prevents water from seeping in between the object to be flush mounted and the roof flashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Balfour, Charles F. Wood
  • Patent number: 5950379
    Abstract: A window frame includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical frame members each having glazing legs with angled exteriorly facing sides that overlap at the corners and substantially flat planar inwardly facing glazing surfaces against which a glazing element is set in place, with bedding compound between the glazing element and glazing surfaces to adhere the glazing element to the glazing legs. Pockets extending substantially the entire length of the glazing surfaces provide for the positive, accurate location of a continuous bead of bedding compound on the glazing surfaces and control the amount of the glazing compound that is squeezed out between the glazing element and glazing surfaces when the glazing element is set in place to insure a watertight seal around the entire perimeter of the glazing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Florida Extruders International, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl S. Moore, Lovell B. Reed
  • Patent number: 5946879
    Abstract: A brace for mounting on a web member in a generally planar truss to resist flexing of the web member out of the plane of the wooden truss. The brace is an elongate metal member comprising a flange adapted to overlie a face of the web member, and a body, extending from the flange, adapted to lie substantially within the thickness of the web member. A plurality of teeth may be integrally formed in the flange to embed in the web member and mount the brace thereto. Alternatively, holes may be provided on the flange for mounting the brace. The brace, when mounted on a web member, helps reduce bending and flexing of the web member, out of the plane of the truss, and trusses that include the brace do not need cross-bracing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Pellock
  • Patent number: 5946871
    Abstract: A protective cover for concrete reinforcement bars includes an elongated cylindrical collar for securing the protective cover to an exposed end of a concrete reinforcing bar, a cap which is perpendicularly attached to the collar by reinforcing ribs, and a metal seat arranged between the collar and the cap and having slots for permitting direct attachment of the reinforcing ribs from the collar to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Don De Cristo Concrete Accessories, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasken Kassardjian, Patrick Joseph Wilson
  • Patent number: 5941263
    Abstract: A single leg support crutch provides improved stability and balance to a user, who suffers from foot, ankle or lower leg injury, in order to enhance ambulatory movement of the user during recuperation. The leg support crutch comprises a unitary leg cradle that conforms generally to a user's thigh, knee and lower leg, and a plurality of fasteners that comfortably secure the leg support crutch to the user's leg while in a bended position. A support strut is releasably attached to the cradle and is positioned to support the weight of the user when standing or walking. A releasable coupling attaches the strut to the cradle at one of a plurality of locations. The multiple locations of the strut on the cradle allow the position of the strut to be adjusted in order to properly align the axis of the strut with the location of the user's femur in the cradle. As a result, the weight of the user is transferred more efficiently to the strut to improve the user's comfort when standing or walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Venetec International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Bierman
  • Patent number: 5941047
    Abstract: A method of laying floors or like surfaces with desired material, wherein the floors or like surfaces are supported by or comprised of rigid units in the form of boards or like elements. The boards are provided with tongues and grooves on respective edges thereof to enable boards to be joined to mutually adjacent boards. The method is mainly characterized by using boards that have been provided with a friction layer on their undersides. A corresponding friction layer is placed on the underlying sub-floor. A sheet of material is removably placed on the underside of the boards and transfers and places one board adjacent to another board. The boards are laid loosely on the friction layer of the sub-floor and mutually joined to adjacent boards solely by coacting between the tongues and grooves of respective boards in the absence of any binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Dan Johansson