Patents by Inventor John J. Shoenhair

John J. Shoenhair has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080232982
    Abstract: A pump assembly for an inflatable structure comprises a blower unit disposed in a housing configured to move air in a single direction from an inlet in the housing to an outlet in the housing. A connector is in communication with the housing outlet. The connector is adapted to connect the pump assembly to an inflatable structure to allow inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure. A base is provided with first and second valve bodies positionable in the base for selective movement between inflate and deflate positions. The first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with the connector and the second valve body aligns the housing inlet with atmosphere in the inflate position. The second valve body aligns the connector in communication with the housing inlet and the first valve body aligns the housing outlet in communication with atmosphere in the deflate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis M. Boyd, John J. Shoenhair
  • Patent number: 5765246
    Abstract: A mattress with an inflatable bladder and an outer border wall to support the outer edges of the bladder. The present invention employs foam block border walls that include foam border elements with either an upper or an upper and a lower surface sculpted to present convolutions preferably having generally sinusoidal shapes in vertical cross-section. The convolutions allow for a sensation of softness when being deformed, and allow for ventilation of the inner surface, while at the same time, the foam element can be made of a single piece of foam that is of sufficient stiffness to support the outer perimeter surface of the bladder within the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Select Comfort Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Shoenhair
  • Patent number: 5642546
    Abstract: A mattress with an inflatable bladder and an outer border wall to support the outer edges of the bladder. The present invention employs foam block border walls that include foam border elements with either an upper or an upper and a lower surface sculpted to present convolutions preferably having generally sinusoidal shapes in vertical cross-section. The convolutions allow for a sensation of softness when being deformed, and allow for ventilation of the inner surface, while at the same time, the foam element can be made of a single piece of foam that is of sufficient stiffness to support the outer perimeter surface of the bladder within the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Select Comfort Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Shoenhair
  • Patent number: 5564140
    Abstract: A bed foundation for supporting a mattress in a raised position relative to a floor that includes a frame assembly, mattress support panels, and retaining elements shiftably carried by the frame assembly for securing the mattress support panel against movement in the longitudinal and transverse axes of the bed foundation. The foundation is easily disassembled for compact storage and shipping, yet provides a high quality, sturdy mattress foundation when assembled. The retaining clips include a generally inverted U-shaped in cross section clip element that is slidably carried by the frame assembly frame members, and a retaining pin that is receivable within apertures of the mattress supporting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Select Comfort Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shoenhair, Thomas D. Embertson
  • Patent number: 5339692
    Abstract: An ultrasonic rail web centerline detector locates the web centerline (18) of a longitudinal rail (12) having a head (80), a base (82), and a web therebetween. The detector includes an ultrasound sensor (14) acoustically coupled to the head (80) of the rail (12) for transmitting ultrasound energy through the rail (12) and for generating electrical signals corresponding to received reflected ultrasound energy. A controller (16) responsive to the electrical signals generates control signals representative of a lateral and angular displacement of the ultrasound sensor (14) with respect to the web centerline (18) of the rail. The position of the ultrasound sensor is adjusted as a function of the control signals representative of the lateral and angular displacement. The ultrasound sensor includes a center transceiver (30) and side transceivers (32, 34) which are acoustically coupled to the head (80) of the rail (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Shoenhair, Alex Ivachev
  • Patent number: 5111624
    Abstract: A fan is passively, detachably carried by the grinding head assembly of a railroad track rail grinding machine. The fan plate is oriented above the grinding stone and rotates with the grinding stone during grinding operations. A downward draft of air is induced by the fan to limit the dispersion of sparks, grinding stone residue, and other byproducts of the grinding operation. Water, with or without a surfactant added, can be introduced into the downdraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Shoenhair, Bruce E. Kallevig
  • Patent number: 4779384
    Abstract: A rail grinder vehicle includes a series of connections between grinders and a chassis frame such that pairs of the grinders may be operated in an independent mode allowing separate movement and in wave control mode wherein the pair of grinders are coupled together for movement in unison. The grinders are supported from a K frame which is pivotably mounted at the center of the vehicle for stability. Each grinder is mounted upon a grinder support element and associated structure such that the grind stone of the grinder may be positioned relative to the rail and will automatically and simultaneously orient the grinding face of the grind stone at a proper angle relative to the rail corresponding to the desired position. A control system including a hydraulic system which is controlled by an electrical system is used to operate the grinders and maintain the individual grind motors at a constant power during grinding in an independent mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shoenhair, Darrell E. Johnson, Richard J. Gitter, Bernard C. Lancette, Winfred C. Croft