Patents by Inventor Michael G. Howe

Michael G. Howe 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).

  • Patent number: 9016282
    Abstract: A sterile imaging head protective apparatus includes a radiolucent rigid sheet configured to cover an imaging head of an X-ray imaging machine and a sterile flexible drape attached to the radiolucent rigid sheet. The drape extends away from the radiolucent rigid sheet to an open free end. A member is provided adjacent the open end, wherein the member is operable to maintain the open end in abutment with a portion of the X-ray imaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Contour Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Grajek, Michael G. Howe, Michael W. Czop
  • Publication number: 20130167845
    Abstract: A sterile imaging head protective apparatus includes a radiolucent rigid sheet configured to cover an imaging head of an X-ray imaging machine and a sterile flexible drape attached to the radiolucent rigid sheet. The drape extends away from the radiolucent rigid sheet to an open free end. A member is provided adjacent the open end, wherein the member is operable to maintain the open end in abutment with a portion of the X-ray imaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Mark S. Grajek, Michael G. Howe, Michael W. Czop
  • Patent number: 6723036
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for folding pliable sheet material wherein the sheet material is wound on a mandrel to form a roll which subsequently is stripped off the mandrel and transferred to a pleating station at which successive creases are formed in the roll to produce a pleated packet. During the winding of the sheet material the latter is adhered to the mandrel by the application of negative air pressure to the material via the mandrel. Following the formation of the roll, the application of negative air pressure is discontinued and positive air pressure is applied to the interior of the roll so as to facilitate stripping of the roll from the mandrel. At the pleating station the roll is creased successively to form a plurality of pleats and the direction in which the creasing proceeds is such as to facilitate the escape of air from the roll as it is pleated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Contour Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Weaver, John W. Schaefer, Michael G. Howe
  • Publication number: 20030236157
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for folding pliable sheet material wherein the sheet material is wound on a mandrel to form a roll which subsequently is stripped off the mandrel and transferred to a pleating station at which successive creases are formed in the roll to produce a pleated packet. During the winding of the sheet material the latter is adhered to the mandrel by the application of negative air pressure to the material via the mandrel. Following the formation of the roll, the application of negative air pressure is discontinued and positive air pressure is applied to the interior of the roll so as to facilitate stripping of the roll from the mandrel. At the pleating station the roll is creased successively to form a plurality of pleats and the direction in which the creasing proceeds is such as to facilitate the escape of air from the roll as it is pleated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: CONTOUR FABRICATORS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Weaver, John W. Schaefer, Michael G. Howe
  • Patent number: 5499437
    Abstract: A method of assembling a variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout. Methodology of the invention includes providing a drive housing with a relatively large interior access opening. The drive housing has a support backbone at a generally central location in the interior access portion. The support bracket is mounted to the support backbone to straddle support the output shaft having a pair of variable speed discs mounted thereon. A singular one of a pair of constant speed discs is mounted on the input shaft. The drive belt is installed about the output shaft entrained in between the variable speed discs and with the loop of the drive belt placed about the input shaft. A second one of the constant speed discs is mounted onto the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Todd C. Lucich, Edward F. Krome, Jr., Michael G. Howe, Larry D. Fields, Joseph R. Mihelick
  • Patent number: 5236395
    Abstract: A variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout further includes a cooperating housing backbone and support bracket. The housing backbone supports one axial end of the output shaft, and supports the support bracket, which extends through the loop of the drive belt to support the opposite end of the output shaft. The straddle support arrangement permits use of a nonload bearing housing cover and permits the performance of maintenance procedures for the drive belt and input shaft without disengaging alignment and support of the output shaft. One end of the input shaft is supported by the housing and the opposite end is supported with a thrust bearing which is received in a pivot mounted shifting yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Todd C. Lucich, Edward F. Krome, Jr., Michael G. Howe, Larry D. Fields, Joseph R. Mihelick
  • Patent number: 5189456
    Abstract: A processor has switches that detect events during operation of the processor and provide signals to a microprocessor which controls operation of the processor. A replenishment system for a processing fluid includes a pump that provides replenishment fluid to a chamber. The processor control is changed to a calibration mode of operation and the switches are used to determine the volume of fluid provided by the pump during one cycle of operation of the replenishment system, and then, if necessary, to adjust the time the pump is operated to increase or decrease the volume of fluid delivered during one cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David G. Sherburne, April M. Seim, Michael G. Howe
  • Patent number: 5167320
    Abstract: A variable speed drive for a screw conveyor includes a mechanical adjustable variable speed belt drive and a torque-arm speed reducer. The belt drive is associated with the speed reducer through the combination of a mounting adapter and a mounting plate. A coupling shaft extends from the output discs of the belt drive through the mounting adapter and plate into driving relationship with the input of the speed reducer. The output shaft includes a mated splined output for receipt in a female splined input of the speed reducer. The speed reducer is outfitted with a CEMA standard flange for attachment to a screw conveyor with the screw conveyor drive shaft received in an output bore of the speed reducer. The mounting adapter and plate support the belt drive in a C-flow drive power configuration for minimizing space requirements, while avoiding damage to the screw conveyor mounting flange by controlling undesired bending forces thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Todd C. Lucich, Edward F. Krome, Jr., Michael G. Howe, Larry D. Fields
  • Patent number: 5048287
    Abstract: An exhaust processor is provided for filtering particulate matter from a combustion product. The exhaust processor includes a housing providing a main passageway having a substrate mounted therein for solid particle filtration. The housing also provides an auxiliary passageway containing a muffler for attenuating noise of combustion product. Combustion product is diverted through the auxiliary passageway after the substrate collects a predetermined amount of solid particles from combustion product to permit regeneration of the substrate by a burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Howe, James C. Arthur, Robert T. Usleman
  • Patent number: 5009065
    Abstract: An exhaust processor is provided for filtering particulate matter from a combustion product. The exhaust processor includes a partition situated inside a housing to form a first flow passage and a second flow passage in an upstream portion of the housing. A main substrate is mounted in the first flow passage for solid particle filtration. An auxiliary substrate is situated in the second flow passage to filter combustion product passing through the second flow passage during regeneration of the main substrate. A muffler is situated in a downstream portion of the housing and is arranged so that the entire spacial volume of the muffler can be utilized by combustion product passing through either the first or second flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Howe, James C. Arthur, Robert T. Usleman
  • Patent number: 4961314
    Abstract: An exhaust processor is provided for filtering particulate matter from a combustion product. The exhaust processor includes a partition situated inside a housing to form a filtering region and a bypass region in an upstream portion of the housing. A substrate is mounted in the filtering region for solid particle filtration. A muffler is situated in a downstream portion of the housing spaced apart from the partition so that the entire spacial volume of the muffler can be utilized by combustion product passing through either the filtering region or the bypass region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Howe, James C. Arthur, Robert T. Usleman