Patents Represented by Law Firm Barnard & Brown
  • Patent number: 5572434
    Abstract: An efficient numerical procedure for the simulation of Newtonian fluids with non-negligible inertial effect which satisfies the Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation. The method simulates the molding-filling process of incompressible viscous liquid, e.g. semi-solid metal, in a thin and irregular cavity. The moving free surfaces in an irregular domain is tracked using a fixed-mesh method. The material discontinuities across the interface between air and the liquid are removed by replacing the air with a pseudo-gas which has small density and dynamic viscosity but its kinematic viscosity is the same as that of the liquid. During the filling process, the (semi-solid) liquid may solidify on the mold surface. As a result, the effective cavity thickness reduces non-uniformly according to the result thermal analysis. The Navier-Stokes equations are integrated across the remaining gap by assuming that the velocity profile (not magnitude) is similar to that in a fully-developed flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo K. Wang, Shau-Poh Wang
  • Patent number: 5569345
    Abstract: A soft, flexible patch which will not fray, but which may be ironed on to the softest garments, especially suitable for decoration or reinforcement of fleece or flannel sweatsuits, as well as a method of manufacturing such a patch. The patch is made of a layer of fleece material such as flannel, bonded to a layer of heat-fusible transfer web. The patch is trimmed to a pattern and bound with thread using an overlock stitch of 2.5 to 5 stitch per cm density and approximately 5.+-.2 mm depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Sarah Kenyon
  • Patent number: 5560491
    Abstract: A rescue alert kit (10) is provided herein. The kit includes an envelope, preferably a transparent envelope (20), which includes a reclosable opening (22). A high decibel whistle (27) is secured thereto. The envelope includes elements (23) which enables the envelope to be hung or to be secured to a wall. Within the envelope are a chemiluminescent safety light (70) and fire evacuation safety instructions (40) and optionally also a smoke alarm battery test checklist. In addition, the envelope includes an attention flag (51), the attention flag being rectangular and being made of a material having light reflective, or retroreflective, or phosphorescent, or fluorescent properties, and having a plurality of safety appliques thereon (53, 54, 55). The safety appliques are made from a material having phosphorescent, or fluorescent, or light reflective or retroreflective properties. The attention flag includes a grip, e.g., a suction cup (59) secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Rescue Alert and Lifeline Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Romaniuk, Thomas A. Stanley
  • Patent number: 5551642
    Abstract: This invention utilizes the oscillation which is produced in a powder which is acted upon by an electrostatic field. The disperser accomplishes its task by electrically charging the powder in a high voltage DC filed or by contact with a charging electrode, this causes the powder to become polarized and repel or disperse into discrete particles. The passing of particles from one electrode toward a second of opposite polarity will place a charge on the particle which causes oscillation, dispersion and movement toward the second electrode. Additional dispersion of the powder takes place as the particles oscillate and impact against the electrodes during the decent through the apparatus. Particle oscillation is related to particle polarity changes that occur as the particles traverse through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Electrostatic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Dunn
  • Patent number: 5532777
    Abstract: The invention comprises an adapter having a set of four mirrors in two pairs located in front of a camera lens. The outer two mirrors face generally outward along the optical axis of the lens and the inner two mirrors face generally inward into the lens. The centers of the outer two mirrors are spaced apart by an appropriate interocular distance. The two inside mirrors are together large enough to cover the complete viewing area of the lens, each taking exactly half of the lens viewing area. The two outside mirrors are bigger then the inside pair and large enough to cover the viewing area of the inside pair to avoid viewing area reduction. The convergence of the two outer mirrors is adjustable by swiveling them simultaneously and equally about their centerlines with a ganging mechanism. The two center mirrors may be fixed, or could be adjustable by being swiveled so that one side of each remains in tight contact with the other along the optical axis of the camera lens, and each makes a 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Pieter O. Zanen
  • Patent number: 5525222
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improvements to a water filtration system on a water intake line that prevent the infestation of Zebra Mussels in the water system. The water filtration system filters any water entering the water intake line through a filter having a largest pore size that is small enough to prevent the passage of an eggs or veliger of Zebra Mussels. To prevent accumulation of Zebra Mussels on the filters and the filtration unit, copper screens surround the filters and the water intake to the filtration system. The filters are also provided with threaded ends to facilitate easy and reliable removal and replacement of the filters when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Zebra Mussel Filter Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Gleason, Jeffery Bond
  • Patent number: 5518051
    Abstract: An adaptive holder for a pump-style dispenser including a holder base and at least two converging side rails slanted from top to bottom and connected to the holder base. The dispenser base slides between and under the top of the converging side rails until it is secured to the holder base by frictional compression forces between the dispenser base, the converging side rails and the holder base. A toothbrush holder system for positioning a toothbrush in proximity to the dispenser is disclosed. A toothbrush holder base is secured in the adaptive holder along with the dispenser. The toothbrush is supported by support base and held in proper position by the side rails. As an alternative, the adaptive holder which includes a support rail can be provided with a toothbrush support base and toothbrush guide rails. The adaptive holder can be provided with support arms and an extension handle arm pivotally connected to the support arms. When the extension arm is depressed the pump actuator is also depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Wesley W. Wells
  • Patent number: 5518082
    Abstract: A new kind of saw horse comprising two major assemblies that separate into two flat pieces for easy storage and handling. Each assembly has two outside legs which meet an upper beam at a slight angle to the vertical. A vertical center support leg on one of the two assemblies gives additional weight-bearing capacity. Each assembly has an extra lower tie beam that runs horizontally, tying the legs together. The two major assemblies are arranged in a cross format in which each major assembly with its two or three legs forms a ninety-degree angle (right angle) with the other assembly. This arrangement allows the Invention to give a higher degree of safety than the conventional horse, as well improved support for heavy objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Ming K. Liao
  • Patent number: 5516040
    Abstract: The present invention includes a two way envelope that has a front panel, a rear panel, side flaps and a first mailing flap that seals the envelope during the first mailing like any other normal envelope. In addition to these standard features, the envelopes of the present invention include a second mailing flap which folds out to cover a portion of the first mailing information and display second mailing information. The second mailing flap can seal the envelope for the second mailing or a second mailing sealing flap can be provided. The two way envelope differs from the previous two way envelopes primarily in the ease with which the second mailing flap is folded out. The sides of the envelope are closed from the bottom of the envelope to only a portion of the way to the top. The fact that the top portion of the sides are not sealed allows the front and rear panels to be spread apart and the second mailing flap can be removed from between the two panels or the first mailing flap can be inserted with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Sheng C. Lin
  • Patent number: 5515584
    Abstract: The present invention reaches a wire connection system that includes a wire and two tubes. The wire has one end that is threaded and fits into one of the tubes that is also threaded. The tubes are connected and oriented between 45.degree. and 135.degree. with respect to one another. The second end of the wire can be removably secured in the second tube thereby preventing rotation of the first tube. In the preferred embodiment, the tubes are perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Carrie Adell
  • Patent number: 5501266
    Abstract: A new method and apparatus for the injection molding of semi-solid materials (SSM). In this process (called Rheomolding), a superheated liquid metal is cooled into the semi-solid state in the barrel of a special vertical injection-molding machine, with the growing dendrites of the solid phase being broken into small and nearly spherical particles by the shearing force generated by the screw and barrel. Compared with the superheated liquid metal, SSM has lower temperature, lower shrinkage and a more stable flow pattern. Therefore, the rheomolding process can produce net-shape metal or metal-matrix-composite parts continuously at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo K. Wang, Hsuan Peng, Nan Wang, Shau-Poh Wang
  • Patent number: 5501541
    Abstract: A flexible coupling device including a flexible metal rod or wire within a flexible tube which can be removably secured through the aligned bores of the pieces. The pieces are held in a fixed longitudinal relationship using the axial tension created by the flexible coupling device while still permitting relative rotation between each of the pieces. The flexible metal rod or wire is secured through various mechanism which include radial angular ridges in the interior of the flexible tube and a retaining post having radial angular ridges that interlock with the ridges in the flexible tube such that, as the post is inserted into the flexible tube, the post ridges and the tube ridges interlock to secure the flexible tube. In addition, radial angular ridges on the exterior of the flexible rod interlock with a retaining post having an interior bore with corresponding radial angular ridges as the flexible rod is inserted into the retaining post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel Gomes
  • Patent number: 5495999
    Abstract: A canard wing surface for aircraft, especially supersonic aircraft, which can be lowered and retracted flush into the fuselage of the aircraft when no longer needed. The canard is hinged to an extendible platform at or near its upper edge, so that a raising mechanism on the platform can raise the canard from a position integral with the skin of the fuselage to a fully extended position as a curved wing. The platform is extended to allow the canard to clear the fuselage, and may be rotated to adjust the angle of attack of the canard from nearly flat, for the transition to high-speed flight, to a range of low-to-medium angles of attack when used as a lift surface during takeoff and landing, to nearly vertical for use as a speed brake during the landing roll. If desired, multiple canard surfaces can be used on an aircraft, arranged along the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Hermann K. Cymara
  • Patent number: 5493107
    Abstract: A price verification method for retail stores using shelf pricing, and apparatus therefor, in which the shelf labels are provided with an extended bar code having the item number and price of the item. A remote unit scans the item number and price, and uses the item number to look up the item in a database which is identical to the store checkout scanner database, and compares the shelf price to the database price. If they are not the same, a new shelf label may be printed immediately. Also, the UPC or other barcode on the product itself is scanned and compared to the shelf price label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Digicomp Research Corporation
    Inventors: Om P. Gupta, Robert C. Ricketson
  • Patent number: 5484061
    Abstract: An apparatus for classifying particles by size comprising: a source of direct potential having first and second terminals, a sieve electrode connected to the first terminal, a solid electrode connected to the second terminal. Particles are fed to a transfer point located between the sieve electrode and the solid electrode such that the particles disperse and oscillate between the sieve electrode and the solid electrode whereby smaller particles pass through the sieve electrode. The new equipment has five adjustable operating parameters, screen angle, spacing between electrodes, field strength, powder input rate and electrode taper. The taper between electrodes is usually small, 0.3 to 0.4 of a degree with the larger opening at the top. The taper is used when the input powder is fine and the particle size differential is skewed either towards the high or low side. The purpose of the taper is to reduce the possibility of arcing at the input as well as to control dispersion of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Electrostatic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Dunn
  • Patent number: 5472230
    Abstract: An anti-collision device in the form of a portable air bag which may be attached to the dashboard of any car. The air bag may be easily moved from car to car or left attached in a single car, adding the passenger side protection which was omitted by the manufacturer. The invention is independently powered, and requires no more effort to install than attaching the base to the vehicle dashboard, adjusting the angle, and turning the device on. If desired, the device can be attached to the dashboard with Velcro.RTM. fastening material or the like, allowing easy movement between multiple vehicles. The activating mechanism automatically adapts to any angle of dashboard, and automatically triggers the bag on impact without need for manual intervention. The activation mechanism is disarmed when the bag is turned off and/or removed from a dashboard, eliminating the danger of false triggering when it is not installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventors: Robert H. Every, Sr., Robert M. Strait
  • Patent number: 5447349
    Abstract: An auxiliary handle for shovels or the like having a shaft with an adjustable length, a clamp for attachment to the shaft of a conventional shovel near the blade, and a swivel linkage connecting the shaft to the clamp, which allows full swiveling of the auxiliary handle relative to the shaft of the shovel. Load, lift and discharge assistance provided by this handle minimizes back exertion during shovel operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Lloyd B. Coble
  • Patent number: 5433434
    Abstract: A pitching, throwing or kicking training device having a support frame, a strike zone frame which is fully adjustable in height and positionable within the support frame, and a catcher target behind the strike zone frame which is adjustable in height and position. A simulated batter is provided to aid in visualization of the strike zone, adjustable in height and reversible to simulate right- or left-handed batters. The strike zone frame may also be distorted into non-rectangular parallelograms if desired to emphasize pitching techniques. The invention is also adaptable to training lacrosse or soccer players or the like by appropriate choice of strike zone frame size and position and possibly change of player silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Eugene A. Helmetsie
  • Patent number: D361204
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Dorita A. Weaver, Bradley A. Weaver
  • Patent number: D368734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Charles M. Curley