Patents by Inventor Richard C. McClure

Richard C. McClure 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: 8540171
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Publication number: 20110309161
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Patent number: 8006919
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Publication number: 20090072048
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Patent number: 6081938
    Abstract: A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the tank of a toilet and includes a selector assembly and a flush valve. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the toilet and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a larger flush water volume and a smaller flush water volume. A support structure provides for both axial and radial movement of the selector assembly relative to the flush valve in order to facilitate mounting and alignment of the flush valve assembly. A slide mechanism provides for variation of at least the smaller flush water volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: FluidMaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. McClure, John C. McKay, Miguel C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5911353
    Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Bolanos, Alli Alim, Richard C. McClure, Keith L. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5901895
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue which includes a body having a proximal portion defining a central longitudinal axis and an articulating distal portion; a fastener cartridge containing at least one surgical fastener therein and positionable in the articulating distal portion; an anvil mounted adjacent the fastener cartridge and defining a fastener forming surface against which surgical fasteners are formed when ejected from the fastener cartridge; a fastener driving mechanism operatively associated with the fastener cartridge and actuatable from the handle to eject the at least one fastener from the fastener cartridge; a link member having a distal portion offset from the body central longitudinal axis and pivotably connected to the articulating distal portion at a point spaced from the body central longitudinal axis, the link member being movable between a proximal-most position to move the distal portion to an articulated condition away from the central longitudinal axis on a first
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa W. Heaton, Mitchell J. Palmer, Keith L. Milliman, Richard C. McClure, Alan B. Bachman
  • Patent number: 5797538
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an elongated body extending from a handle assembly. A fastener cartridge housing pivotably connected to a distal portion of the elongated body receives a fastener cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. A fastener driving mechanism actuatable from the handle assembly ejects fasteners from the fastener cartridge to form them against an anvil mounted adjacent the cartridge housing. The fastener cartridge is pivotably movable from a position in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body to a position out of alignment with the elongated body. Visual indication of the relative position of the fastener cartridge is provided by a control lever which is movable toward and away from the handle assembly to correspond with movement of the fastener cartridge. A clamp mechanism is also provided to move the anvil relative to the cartridge housing to clamp tissue therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa W. Heaton, Mitchell J. Palmer, Keith L. Milliman, Richard C. McClure
  • Patent number: 5752644
    Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Bolanos, Alli Alim, Richard C. McClure, Keith L. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5718359
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners is disclosed which includes a first lockout mechanism configured to prevent premature ejection of fasteners during shipment, and a second lockout mechanism to prevent reactuation of the apparatus after it has once been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: United States of America Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Palmer, Richard C. McClure
  • Patent number: 5699563
    Abstract: A dual flush valve that can be operated in a partial flush mode to release only about half of the tank water to the toilet bowl, or in a full flush mode to release almost all of the tank water, is of simple and reliable construction. For a partial flushing a chain device (64, FIG. 2) connected to the outer end of the flush member, is pulled to raise the flush member only a small amount (to 14C), and a release mechanism (90) is connected to a separate location on the flush member to keep it up until a float (110) senses that about half of the tank water has been released. The float pivots an arm (102) to disengage a latch 94 on the arm from a catch (96) on the yoke of the flush member to release it. The float slides along the refill/overflow tube (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. McClure
  • Patent number: 5647526
    Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A serf contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Mitchell J. Palmer, Keith L. Milliman, Robert C. Savage, Richard C. McClure, Lisa W. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5645209
    Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Mitchell J. Palmer, Keith L. Milliman, Robert C. Savage, Richard C. McClure, Lisa W. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5478003
    Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Mitchell J. Palmer, Keith L. Milliman, Robert C. Savage, Richard C. McClure, Lisa W. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5312023
    Abstract: A self contained gas powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided for placing lateral lines of surgical fasteners into body tissue. The apparatus includes a frame portion, an elongated portion extending from the frame portion, and an articulating fastener applying assembly associated with a distal end of the elongated portion. The fastener applying assembly includes a base portion, a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil member which has a forming surface thereon against which surgical fasteners are driven as they are ejected from the cartridge housing. A self contained pneumatic system is associated with the frame portion and is actuable to eject the surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Green, Henry R. Sienkiewicz, Richard C. McClure, Robert C. Savage, Keith L. Milliman, Mitchell J. Palmer, Lisa W. Heaton, Graham W. Bryan
  • Patent number: RE38708
    Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Bolanos, Alli Alim, Richard C. McClure, Keith L. Milliman