Patents Represented by Attorney Alexander Norcross
  • Patent number: 5411215
    Abstract: An extremely efficient reduction of ten mesh feedstock to minus 80 mesh fine elastomeric rubber product may be obtained by interconnecting two sequential grinding mills. The first mill is fed a feedstock slurry reaching ten mesh particle elastomers in a transport fluid such as water. This mill is set to produce a minus 30 to 40 mesh in a single pass, preferably by use of a relatively coarse grinding stone producing a relatively high through put. Water or transport fluid is then added to the thirty mesh output of the first state to bring it back to a transportable slurry which is then fed to a second grinding stage set to produce an average minus 80 mesh particle. This can be produced best by a finer grit grindstone and concomitant advantages will occur due to the uniformity of the feedstock and the lack of large particles in achieving a higher through put.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Michael W. Rouse
  • Patent number: 5394955
    Abstract: An apparatus for seat belt use encourages use without inducing extensive user resistance. A seat mounted switch detects occupancy of a seat and activates an inducement circuit; a seat belt latch mounted switch detects the fastening of a seat belt and completes the inducement circuit. The inducement circuit controls power to occupant comfort and convenience features of the automobile, notably radio, audio and heating/cooling systems. The automobile will continue to function if seat belts are not used, but at a generally undesirable loss of comfort and convenience features. Seat belt use occurs as it is less uncomfortable to use the seat belts than to omit use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Warren Howard
  • Patent number: 5384920
    Abstract: A toilet for bed-ridden patients is supported by a flat planar support surface which holds the weight of the patient. One end of the support surface is tapered and rests on the surface of the patient's bed; the other end is supported by a pair of height adjustable legs so that the entire support surface may be set up level, over a range of bed heights. Back and side support rails fit into the support surface, and may be positioned so that the support may be mounted either to the right or the left side of a bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas R. Havens
  • Patent number: 5381382
    Abstract: An improved hydrophone body, suitable for forming an array of towed hydrophone bodies or "fish", formed by placing an acoustic shield or scatterer in the nose and tail sections of the hydrophone body to reduce noise coupling from the cable into the hydrophone sensor. This resulting hydrophone has significantly reduced background noise interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Richard A. Marschall
  • Patent number: 5367497
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a construction of a hydrophone body and hydrophone sensors which provides a significantly enhanced wide band frequency sensor capability within the construction of a sensor array towed in a cable. This construction extends a tuned resonator or sensor along the hydrophone body and into an adjacent section of interconnecting cable. This elongated sensor, in the form of a tubular sensor, provides an enhanced, very low frequency sensing capability within the overall hydrophone array, supplementing the frequency range of the encased hydrophone sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Richard A. Marschall
  • Patent number: 5357982
    Abstract: A patient restraint, especially suited for pediatric patients, for securing and supporting the child during lumbar puncture procedures. A platform base supports the child on its side, acting as a lateral restraint. A padded mid-back support board, fixed to a bottom edge of the platform base, provides support for the lumbar region; an opening in the board provides access to the L4-L5 interspace region of the back. The child is clamped against this support board by a moveable padded abdominal stabilizer which is mounted on the platform base. A cervical support board is hinged to the mid-back support, and is fastened into an angled position to the mid-back support. A padded, triangular knee support is mounted to the base, at a position along a positioning groove which is inwardly angled from the bottom edge of the base, so that as the knee support moves inwardly, it moves upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Fredrick C. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5351438
    Abstract: A planter container for growing a house plant in soil or a growth medium which contains multiple vent pipes extending vertically from the bottom to the top of the container. Air convection occasioned by the natural water transpiration processes of the growing plant is sufficient to cause polluted air flow through the vent pipes, and the vent pipes then enhance air flow throughout the root growth medium, exposing the air to large surface areas of plant root and biologically active growth medium for enhanced microorganism removal of volatile organic chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Billy C. Wolverton, John D. Wolverton
  • Patent number: 5316462
    Abstract: An unitary vacuum bag for forming of a fiber reinforced composite article, made of a curable elastomer, having molded in resin distribution means formed to the specific article to be made. Optional vacuum conduits are molded into the periphery of the bag, causing the bag to be adapted to any number of mold shapes. The vacuum bag is constructed upon that mold which forms the base for the construction of the desired fiber reinforced composite article. The bag contains an open sided, resilient main distribution conduit running laterally along the long axes of the vacuum bag with branch conduits, depending upon the shape of the mold, to provide for long distance flow of resin to all parts of the composite article. A multiplicity of cross channels are formed on the inner surface of the bag, covering most of the area under which the fiber lay up is placed within the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: William Seemann
  • Patent number: 5311700
    Abstract: An improved container for growing and holding plants for transplanting encloses the root ball in a polyurethane liner, which is then supported within a wire mesh outer basket. The polyurethane liner does not rot above ground, yet is permeable, so that the roots in the root ball air prune, forming extensive fine filamentary root growth, significantly improving the viability and health of the plant when transplanted. Although the liner of the invention does not rot above ground, it easily passes roots when the basket and root ball is planted, As a result, the basket and liner need not be removed prior to planting the plant, significantly simplifying handling of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Johnny D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5240017
    Abstract: The invention shows a comb for the formation of braids and similar hairstyles in professional hairdressing. One embodiment is a comb, having teeth of a spaced pattern common in the trade; extending out from the back of the comb, for a substantial distance along the back of the comb is a flat, flexible bar, spaced a distance from the comb. Preferably, the spacing is tapered, being narrower at the point of attachment of the bar to the comb. This forms a tapered space for holding a section of hair, and aids in retaining the section of hair by the comb, permitting a hairdresser to separate a section of hair into the space, and then allow the comb to hang free. In a second version of the comb, the flexible bar is in the form of a spring, a curved flexible bar fastened to one end of the comb, and extending in for form of a looped curve along the back to a pivot pin at the other end of the comb; the bar then is curved around the pin and extends back a distance along the comb to form the hair braid retention space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Gary M. Terwilliger
  • Patent number: 5238194
    Abstract: A method for grinding fine elastomeric particles between opposed rotating grinding wheels in which a flow rate of carrier liquid is first established through the stones when closed to a desired grinding pressure, establishing a maximum flow rate of carrier liquid. A slurry to be ground is then fed into the grinding wheels at a flow rate equal to that established for the carrier liquid alone. It is found that the gap between the two grinding wheels will remain substantially constant, and the throughput rate of ground material will be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventors: Michael W. Rouse, Morgan L. White
  • Patent number: 5236404
    Abstract: A device for swim training, for a swimmer in a stationary pool, which is attached to a float vest or belt. The belt has two sides; on each of these sides a strap is stitched or attached. These two straps extend, nearly parallel to each other, below the belt and interconnect the belt to a cross bar located behind the feet of a horizontal swimmer wearing the vest. Two lines interconnect the center of the cross bar to two separated points of attachment on the side of a pool. The cross bar separates the straps as they stream below the vest, spacing these straps so that they are clear of the feet of the swimmer. The cross bar in turn forms a point of attachment for connecting the apparatus to the side of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: Robert MacLennan
  • Patent number: 5226892
    Abstract: A clamp for Laprosocopy tubing in surgical procedures. A folded, plastic frame, has a contact adhesive base for non-penetrating affixation to a sterile drape. The foam forms a top and a bottom plate, which are hinged in facing opposition; each contains opposing foam pads for holding, without crimping or crushing, Laprosocopy and other surgical tubing having varying diameters. The plastic frame is sufficiently flexible to form a hinge section, and has a molded-in snap tab closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas A. Boswell
  • Patent number: 5211506
    Abstract: Tools for correcting placement of backer rod on tape within the spacings between adjacent stones of a building assures proper depth of sealing compound for setting of protective caps and for preventing pulling or separation of the sealing material due to subsequent joint dimensional movement. The tools are based on a flat plate, having an edge of a thickness adapted to a substantial proportion of the width of the joint to be sealed. Along one or both sides of the plate, parallel to the edge, are gauging bars, spaced a distance from the edge proportional to the joint width of the joint for optimum sealing depth. The edge placement tool has an open channel as its operative edge, and in use is tamped along the joint down on backer rod, correcting the placement where the backer rod edges contact the joint walls without displacing the body of the backer rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: William Manion
  • Patent number: 5209248
    Abstract: A small, portable, battery operated smoking pipe filling and cleaning tool. A series of small stepped plastic tubes are prefilled with tamped tobacco by the user and placed in a row in the case. To load a pipe, a tobacco filled tube is picked up and inserted within a pipe loader having a fixed central tamper surrounded by an annular spring loaded tube holder. The pipe bowl is then inverted over the tube and pressed downward. The tube, driven by the pipe bowl down against the holder, descends. The fixed tamper shoves the tobacco from the tube into the bowl. When the pipe is removed from the device the tube will readily fall free and the pipe is loaded with a charge of tobacco, correctly tamped for the smoker. The entire operation can be done by feel in one single up and down reciprocating motion. A battery operated, motor driven reamer is centrally mounted within an ash receptacle. A switch causes the reamer to rotate and vibrate. The pipe bowl is inverted over the brush and pressed downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Robert L. Slade, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5209845
    Abstract: A revised sealing structure for an injection molded filter canister, which is resistant to leaks despite the periodic warping of the lid. A nearly square cross-section groove is placed in the body of the filter around the perimeter of the body open end. Within the groove is placed a "lathe cut" gasket; this is an elastomeric gasket having a precision rectangular cross section. On the lid, centered so as to be positioned opposite the groove in the body, and sized to be nearly centered in the groove, is at least one raised, circular ridge. With the addition of the ridge to the lid, in combination with the lathe cut gasket and the revised groove, that the lid may be easily placed in sealing contact with the body, and that the incidence of leaks is substantially eliminated in reinforced plastic molded filters. No special care or skill is needed of the workman in placing and fastening the lid to the filter body to achieve a tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Charles Sims
  • Patent number: 5153953
    Abstract: A lifting and loading device for the disabled is movable on casters mounted on a U shaped base. A pair of lifting bars form a supporting fork, mounted at right angles to the base, are vertically jackable from the base. The supporting fork is raised or lowered with a crank operated mechanical jack. A seating pad for use under the disabled person in a wheel chair or car seat is connected to the elevating fork by straps which hook to the lifting bars. The fork provides additional support to the disabled person by being positioned at chest level. The entire apparatus is assembled of stacked components, which are held together by gravity, and may be easily assembled and disassembled for ready movement and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Joe L. Sumrall
  • Patent number: 5092106
    Abstract: A process for increasing the shipping efficiency of an interleaved or herringbone rick of tires includes the steps of forming a herringbone rick within a container or enclosed restraint, then compressing the rick with a horizontal wedge or plate. Typical compression percentages range up past 30 percent reduction in height. The space above the compressed rick is then filled with an additional rick, or the compressed rick is banded or fastened to an underlying pallet. The compressing plate is withdrawn from the rick. The resulting compressed rick increases the efficiency of shipping tires, with no resulting damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventors: John Doster, Joe Barnett, Jimmy Barnett
  • Patent number: 5090102
    Abstract: A tool for removing a Diesel Injector Sleeve from a Diesel engine head is built of a split, threaded expander section within which is mounted at plunger having an angled end. The plunger extends to form a handle upon which slides a weighted hammer section.The tool is inserted into the neck of an injector tube. A downward blow with the hammer drives the expander over the plunger, expanding the threads into the sidewall of the tube and creating a positive connection with the injector tube. An upward blow then pulls the plunger into the expander, maintaining a positive connection and imparting an upward force that draws the entire tube out of the head.The expander preferably has a screw thread so that the injector tube may be removed from the tool by twisting it off the expander.The tool will engage and pull an injector tube with only a partial thread engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Paul H. Lovell
  • Patent number: 5080791
    Abstract: An apparatus for adapting a paper towel filter to utilize a range of paper towel or filter element sizes. A perforated end plate is provided to engage the ends of the filter element. An inwardly sloped truncated conical extension from the center of the end plate extends into the ends of the filter element roll, which seats along the conical extension, based on its inner diameter. A pipe sealing face is provided along the inner surface of the conical extension, at the end away from the end plate; this face sealingly encloses an axial pipe. The combination of two end plates, so mounted on an axial pipe, and enclosing a paper towel roll, forms a removable filter cartridge for a paper towel filter, which readily adapts to a variety of sizes of paper towel rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Charles Sims