Patents Represented by Attorney Bill B. Berryhill
  • Patent number: 6382071
    Abstract: Apparatus for capturing fleeing animals or persons comprises a gun having a barrel and stock to which are attached a pair of elongated tubular members, one on each side of the gun barrel and substantially parallel thereto. Attached to the end of the gun barrel is a guide assembly which includes a central tube coaxially aligned with the gun barrel and on either side of which are outwardly extending guides. Retainer assemblies provided near the rear ends of the tubular members include chambers which are in fluid communication with the interior of the gun barrel. The apparatus comprises a bola assembly having a central plug from each side of which extends a cord at the end of which are weights. The plug is insertable into the central tube of the guide assembly and the weights are insertable through the elongated tubes for releasable engagement with the retainer assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Bertani
  • Patent number: 6361721
    Abstract: Refractory investment material and method for forming a positive replication of a tooth structure on which a high-alumina based porcelain tooth restoration is to be formed, the material being formed from a refractory powder which includes calcined alumina mixed with a liquid carrier comprising an aqueous colloidal dispersion of silicon dioxide. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a negative impression of the tooth structure on which a tooth restoration is to be placed; forming a positive replication of the tooth structure by pouring the mixture of refractory powder and aqueous dispersion into the negative impression; allowing the positive replication to harden; removing the positive replication from the negative impression for degassing and cooling; and coating the positive replication with a mixture of high-alumina porcelain in an aqueous carrier to form a core layer of porcelain on which subsequent layers of high-alumina porcelain may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Alvin L. Stern
  • Patent number: 6318114
    Abstract: A container for rapidly cooling and holding foods at safe temperatures for extended periods of time which includes an upwardly opening inner container in which foods may be placed and another container surrounding the inner container. An enclosed chamber is formed between the bottoms and side walls of the inner and outer containers and is provided with a slow-to-freeze, slow-to-thaw gelatinous material which may be frozen by placing the container in a low temperature freezer. The container is further characterized in that the bottom and walls of the inner container provide insulating properties which control the rate of heat transfer between the gelatinous material, when frozen, and foods placed in the container and further characterized in that the bottom and walls of the outer container provide insulating properties which substantially retard heat transfer between the gelatinous material, when frozen, and the ambient air which surrounds the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Marion W. Slaughter
  • Patent number: 6290024
    Abstract: An improved oil mist generating system in which air and oil are supplied to a mist generator in which the air and oil are combined to form oil mist. The system is characterized in that the oil is alternately provided by a main oil reservoir and an auxiliary oil reservoir each of which is provided with a mist generator. Each mist generator is operatively associated with a control device for alternatively activating one of the mist generators while deactivating the other. Also disclosed is an oil mist generator which includes a heater manifold extending into an oil reservoir heating both air and oil prior to entry into a mist head in which the air and oil are combined to form an oil mist. Air and oil are introduced into the mist head through plates which are removable for replacement by plates of different sizes, allowing oil mist capacity to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Lubrication Systems Company of Texas, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Ehlert
  • Patent number: 6276918
    Abstract: Dough cutting apparatus including a plurality of spaced apart blades the lower edges of which are uniformly curved from one end of said blades to the other and a plurality of intersecting spaced apart blades the lower edges of which are straight. The blades cooperate to form multiple uniformly sized cavities therebetween. A handle is attached to the blades for engagement by the user of the apparatus for rocking the apparatus along the lower edges of the curved blades to separate a layer of dough into separate multiple dough products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Marion W. Slaughter, David P. Slaughter, Bob G. McKinney
  • Patent number: 6257872
    Abstract: Decorative apparatus for removable attachment to a cigarette lighter the body of which tapers upwardly and inwardly from its base to the top thereof. The apparatus includes a rigid band the interior of which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lighter base but larger than the cross-sectional area of the lighter top. One or more distinctive members may be affixed to the band for enhancing appearance and identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: J. M. (Jack) Williams
  • Patent number: 6220130
    Abstract: Apparatus for machining the ends of pipe, which has a clamping section insertable into a section of pipe for forcible engagement with the interior of the pipe in fixed coaxial alignment therewith and a cutting section which includes a cylindrical mast, attached to the clamping section for coaxial alignment therewith, and a cutting head assembly on which is carried one or more cutting tools. The cutting head assembly is mounted on the mast for rotation and axial movement relative thereto for moving cutting tools into and away from cutting engagement with an end of the pipe section. The apparatus cutting section mast is removably attached to the clamping section allowing removal and replacement of the clamping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Lane D. Beakley
  • Patent number: 6119476
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling and retarding temperature elevation of liquids in a vessel having a bottom, side walls and end walls forming an enclosure for receiving the liquids. The vessel is provided with at least one compartment having a bottom and sides forming a pocket in which one or more containers of slow-to-freeze, slow-to-thaw gelatinous material may be placed. Support members are attached to and support the compartment so that it does not contact the bottom or walls of the vessel, allowing liquid in the vessel to freely flow around the bottom and sides of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventors: Marion W. Slaughter, Daniel P. Slaughter
  • Patent number: 6089158
    Abstract: A chain delivery assembly for withdrawing sheets from a rotating cylinder of a sheet-fed offset printing press includes first and second spaced apart sprockets independently mounted for rotation about a common axis which is parallel to the axis of the rotating cylinder, first and second gears being coaxially affixed adjacent to the first and second sprockets, respectively. A pair of chains, carried by the sprockets, have grippers for engaging leading edges of sheets to carry them away from the cylinder. A rotatable shaft, mounted away from the chains and whose axis is parallel to the axis of the rotating cylinder has third and fourth gears affixed to opposite ends thereof. The first gear is operatively connected to the third gear for rotation of the rotatable shaft and the fourth gear. The fourth gear is operatively connected to the second gear to drive the second sprocket in coordinated rotation with the first sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Earl N. Barroso
  • Patent number: 6082932
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing moisture content of soil around and beneath the foundation of a building. The system includes a source of pressurized water; one or more conduits buried in the soil around the building foundation, at least a portion of soil conduit being pervious to water, allowing water therein to enter said soil; and a remotely operated valve connecting the source of water to the conduits to permit or prevent flow of water, respectively, from the source of water to the conduits. A controller is operatively connected to the remotely operated valve for transmitting signals to the valve for opening and closing thereof in a predetermined time cycle. At least one soil moisture sensitive device is operatively connected to the controller and/or the valve for interrupting signals transmitted to the valve, to prevent opening of the valve when the moisture content of the soil exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Gary L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6053219
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling containers with liquid utilizing apparatus of the type having a tubular filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and being vertically movable between raised and lowered positions, raising and lowering of the lance being controlled so that the lower emission end of the lance is disposed just below the surface of liquid in the container as the container is being filled through the lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J. Seiver
  • Patent number: 6045335
    Abstract: A differential pressure operated free piston for lifting well fluids from a subterranean reservoir to the surface through a well conduit. The free piston includes a piston body adapted for up and down sliding disposition within the conduit and a sealing assembly carried in a cylindrical space surrounding the piston body. The sealing assembly includes upper and lower juxtaposed sets of longitudinally separated cylindrical segments providing relatively smooth cylindrical surfaces on the exterior thereof for sliding and sealing contact with inner walls of the conduit, the upper and lower set of segments being radially oriented so that separations between the segments of the upper set and separations between the segments of the lower set are not aligned, providing a seal which, when pressure in the well conduit near the surface is subsequently reduced, sufficiently elevates the piston and well fluids thereabove to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert W. Dinning
  • Patent number: 5975078
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring respiration of a patient being ventilated through a flexible gas reservoir of an anesthesia machine. The flexible reservoir is provided with electrical components for generating an electrical signal which varies in response to movement of opposing sides of the reservoir closer to or farther from each other. Sound generating apparatus receives the electrical signal producing an audible sound the pitch and volume of which varies in response to the distance between opposing sides of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Randall O. Pauley
  • Patent number: 5948968
    Abstract: An oil mist density gauge for determining the density of oil mist flowing through an oil mist lubrication system. The oil mist density gauge comprises: a gauge body having an oil mist inlet for connecting the density gauge to the oil mist lubrication system and an air outlet for venting air therefrom; a filter device carried by the gauge body and by which oil mist flowing therethrough is separated into oil and oil-free air; and a collection reservoir attached to the gauge body for collecting and measuring oil separated from the oil mist. An eductor device may be provided in the gauge body for drawing oil mist from the oil mist inlet and for introducing air and entrained oil mist into the filter device under a positive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lubrication Systems Company of Texas, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Ehlert
  • Patent number: 5939638
    Abstract: A remote pressure or vacuum sensing device including a housing having first and second chambers separated by an internal wall, the first chamber being in fluid communication with a pressurized or vacuum environment to be monitored. An activator assembly is carried within the first chamber for axial movement therein between a terminal position and other positions in response to fluid communication of pressure or vacuum conditions of the monitored environment to a portion of said activator assembly. An activatable assembly is carried within the said second chamber for activation upon movement of the activator assembly from its terminal portion to other positions to provide signals for indicating pressure changes in the monitored environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Peter J. Zovath, William L. Rose
  • Patent number: 5933919
    Abstract: An adjustable door hinge including a pair of hinge plates, one for attachment to a door and one for attachment to a door jamb. Each of the hinge plates is provided along corresponding juxtapositioned vertical edges thereof with two or more vertically spaced and coaxially aligned tubular guides. At least two guides of one of the hinge plates is provided with internal threads. A threaded bolt extends through each of the tubular guides and threadedly engages the threaded guides of one of the hinge plates. In a preferred embodiment, the non-threaded tubular guides are provided with a rack of parallel teeth. Washers surround the bolt for disposition next to the racked tubular guides. One side of each washers is provided with a corresponding rack of parallel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: Erik D. Miller, George T. Voiland
  • Patent number: 5921079
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling emissions from an internal combustion engine including an enclosed cylindrical housing and a converter assembly coaxially mounted in the housing for reducing noxious gases emitted from the engine. The converter assembly is characterized by a catalytic module transversely disposed within the housing at a predetermined location between an inlet and an outlet, thereof. The center of the catalytic module is formed by a cylindrical hub closed against flow of exhaust gases therethrough, surrounded by a catalytic cell of annular cross-section through which exhaust gases from the engine may flow, converting nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons to less noxious compounds before being discharged through the outlet. The hub is normally closed against flow of exhaust gases by a closure member. The closure member is openable in response to abnormal increases in pressure from the engine exhaust to prevent damage to the catalytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Harris International Sales Corporation
    Inventor: Harold L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5914176
    Abstract: An article of composite design for attachment to another fabric article, comprising an underlying layer of twill on one side of which an ink portion of the composite design has been screen printed and heat cured. The twill is cut into a desired shape so that the twill and the ink portion form the composite design, the portion of the twill without ink printed thereon forming a substantial portion of the composite design. Methods of making and attaching the composite design are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: M & M Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5836632
    Abstract: Apparatus for balancing and lifting a load supported from opposite ends of a cable or chain and which includes a sheave engageable by the cable or chain and through which extends a pin member. The pin member is radially offset from the center of the sheave and is supported, at opposite ends thereof, by structural members which may be attached to a source of lifting power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Jerry M. Ball
    Inventor: Juan Rogelio Pompa
  • Patent number: D405927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Kyriakos Phillip Mallios