Patents by Inventor Paul H. Nicholas

Paul H. Nicholas 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: 6681418
    Abstract: A water flow control valve (10) designed to be installed externally on a toilet tank (108) or as an integral element of a toilet ballcock (110). The valve (10) incorporates a diaphragm (46), a spring (62), a poppet assembly (70), and an inlet port (38) that is connected to a utility water supply (100) and an outlet port (42) that is connected through a pipe (102) to a fitting (106) on the the toilet tank (108). The valve functions by sensing the pressure at the inlet port (38). When no large demands are placed on the water supply (100), the valve (10) remains open, thus allowing the toilet tank (108) to fill. When a shower is turned on, the water pressure drops which reduces the upward force on the diaphragm (46), thus allowing the spring (62) to place the poppet (70) in a closed position which prevents the toilet tank (108) from filling. When the water demand ceases, the water pressure opens the valve (10), which allows the toilet tank (108) to fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventors: Gary D. Bierend, Paul H. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 6538727
    Abstract: A refractometer which provides a “sugar” or “diet” indication when immersed on a beverage. The device is electronic and lights either a “sugar” or “diet” signal to the user. A prove has a light source and a photodetector at one end and an angled face at the other end. Depending on the refractive index of the beverage, the light is either reflected back into the probe and into the photodetector and exits out of the angled face and does not reflect back to the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Paul H. Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20010035950
    Abstract: A refractometer which provides a “sugar” or “diet” indication when immersed on a beverage. The device is electronic and lights either a “sugar” or “diet” signal to the user. A prove has a light source and a photodetector at one end and an angled face at the other end. Depending on the refractive index of the beverage, the light is either reflected back into the probe and into the photodetector and exits out of the angled face and does not reflect back to the photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Paul H. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 5671899
    Abstract: The invention is an airborne vehicle. In detail, the invention includes a main body having a longitudinal, lateral and vertical axis. A pair of wings are pivotally mounted to the main body that are movable about an axis of rotation from a retracted position to an extended position external of the main body along the lateral axis. A linkage assembly for controlling the position of the wings is mounted within the vehicle that includes a guide assembly having an open ended slot aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof. First and second links have their first ends pivotally connected to the wings at a position offset from the axis of rotation of the wings, and the second ends thereof pivotally coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Nicholas, Larry Lipera, Stephen G. Justice, Joseph M. Wurts