Patents Represented by Attorney Bill B. Berryhill
  • Patent number: 5288005
    Abstract: Apparatus for end-to-end alignment of first and second sections of pipe for the welding together thereof including a frame assembly carrying independently expandable and retractable first and second axially spaced clamps for engagement and disengagement with the interior walls of said pipe sections. The frame assembly also carries a drive assembly by which the apparatus is propelled through said pipe sections and a brake assembly to slow or stop movement of the apparatus therein. Controls are connected to the clamps, the drive assembly and the brake assembly which are responsive to sensing of the end of the first pipe section by a sensor to deactivate the drive assembly, activate the brake assembly, arrest movement of the apparatus and, upon predetermined alignment, to activate the first clamp and finally the second clamp for engagement with the walls of the pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Lane D. Beakley, Jerry P. Christopher
  • Patent number: 5280976
    Abstract: A security device for preventing the opening of a hinged door surrounded by a door frame and a door jamb. The security device includes a jamb mount attachable to the door jamb and having horizontal guide plates which extend outwardly from the door frame. The device also includes a locking mount which has horizontal guide plates for juxtaposed disposition with the jamb mount guide plates and which are provided with extending arm portions engageable with a side of the door upon attempted opening thereof. A vertical pin member of polygonal cross-section is engageable with corresponding polygonal holes in one or both of the jamb mount and locking mount guide plates locking the jamb mount and locking mount together to prevent opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Solly Melyon
  • Patent number: 5279428
    Abstract: A holder for a string of electric lights of the type having a plurality of lamps and corresponding lamp sockets connected at spaced intervals to electrical wiring. The holder is made up of connected upper and lower relatively thin elongated mounting plates along the sides of which are provided uniformly spaced alternating tabs and open ended slots. The upper and lower mounting plates and slots are aligned. Each one of the lower slots is for receiving wiring emanating from the base of a corresponding one of the lamp sockets and each one of the upper slots is for receiving a corresponding one of the lamps, the corresponding lamp sockets then being confined therebetween the upper and lower mounting plates. Two or more of the holders may be connected side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 5259829
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating oil and water from a stream of fluid may include a stationary housing in which is centrally disposed for rotation therein a chamber assembly including an upper and lower chamber. A plurality of U-tube assemblies extend radially outward of the chamber assembly providing a plurality of U-tube paths which are inclined downwardly from the chamber assembly. A power device rotates the chamber assembly and the U-tube assemblies subjecting the stream of fluid to centrifugal forces and separating oil and water into the upper and lower chambers, respectively, for exit therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Cornelis F. H. VanEgmond
  • Patent number: 5244115
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing one or more stacks of paper slips and for sequentially dispensing single slips from a stack as needed. The apparatus may include a protective housing having one or more compartments in which is disposed a flat plate on which a stack of paper slips may be placed. The plate is free to move upwardly or downwardly in the compartment and is biased upwardly. A roller assembly carried at one end of the housing for frictional engagement with the uppermost paper slip in a stack is selectively rotatable by a persons hand to dispense the uppermost slip through an opening in the end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Joel C. Huck
  • Patent number: 5238403
    Abstract: An improved orthodontic appliance of the twin bracket edgewise type in which a pair of spaced apart brackets are affixed to a pad member adapted for attachment to the surface of a tooth, each of the brackets including a base portion resting against the pad member, upper and lower wing portions projecting outwardly from the base portion and an outwardly opening slot of predetermined height between the upper and lower wing portions for receiving an arch wire in cooperation therewith, the height of the arch wire receiving slot of one of the brackets being greater than the arch wire receiving slot of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: George F. Schudy
  • Patent number: 5238842
    Abstract: A method of abandoning an underground storage tank including the steps of: removing residuals, if any, from the tank; washing the tank with a detergent solution; removing the washing solution; and filling the tank with a mixture which includes water, sand, a binding agent and a material for enhancing the flowability of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Richard C. Hannay
  • Patent number: 5228262
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for anchoring one end of a temporary brace to the ground from which it extends to support an object at its other end. The anchor assembly may comprise a substantially vertical member for longitudinal engagement with a stake to be vertically driven into the ground. A fastening device is attached to the vertical member for fastening the stake to the vertical member after it is driven into the ground. A horizontal base is attached to the lower portion of the vertical member for supporting it on the ground and one or more plate members extend transversely from the vertical member to provide at least one flat surface against which one end of a temporary brace may lie. One or more holes are provided in the plate members through which fastener members may be inserted for fixing the temporary brace to the anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Irvin F. Meriwether
  • Patent number: 5184464
    Abstract: Improved noise and emission control apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine which include an enclosed cylindrical housing. Mounted in the housing is: noise reduction apparatus, catalytic converter apparatus and heat exchange apparatus. The heat exchange apparatus transfers heat from engine exhaust gases to a fluid passing through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Harris International Sales Corporation
    Inventor: Harold L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5178184
    Abstract: A valve having a tubular valve body, an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage therebetween. A valve seat is carried by the valve body at the inlet. A cylindrical cage with flow ports through its walls is carried by the valve body, the interior of which defines a cylindrical enclosure open at the end nearest the inlet and partially closed by an end wall at the opposite end. A ball closure member is carried within the cage for limited axial movement between a seated terminal portion, blocking reverse flow through the valve, and an unseated terminal position unblocking flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventor: Milton M. Skillman
  • Patent number: 5161683
    Abstract: A protected towel assembly for providing the user thereof with a protectively enclosed towel. The assembly may include a towel, an enclosure and a connector connecting the towel and enclosure for cooperative suspension from a selected object. The enclosure is formed from a sheet of water impervious material which, when folded, provides a protective enclosure around the towel which may be opened along a side to expose the towel for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Trustee of "The Terry Family Trust"
    Inventor: Robert G. Smith
  • Patent number: 5142883
    Abstract: Unitized air conditioning apparatus for conditioning air for an enclosed space may include: an inlet chamber through which air may be drawn; first and second selectively operable air handling units by which air may be drawn through the inlet chamber and refrigeration apparatus for circulating refrigerant through the air handling units for heat exchange with air prior to discharge into the enclosed space. Air dampers are provided for isolating one of the air handling units, when not operating, from the other air handling unit when it is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Jimmie W. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 5125480
    Abstract: An improved lubricating system for lubrication of equipment bearings comprising: an air supply subsystem, an oil supply subsystem and an oil mist generation subsystem. The oil mist generation subsystem is connected to the air supply and oil supply subsystems for combining air and oil therefrom into an oil mist for distribution to the equipment bearings. A computerized controller is connected to the air supply, oil supply and oil mist genrating subsystem for controlling and monitoring the operating conditions of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Lubrication Systems Company of Texas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Gregory, Charles W. Ehlert, G. Everett Sloat
  • Patent number: 5121843
    Abstract: A restraining net for restraining dishes in a dishwasher comprising a generally convex net the peripheral edges of which correspond with the periphery of a dishwasher rack with which it is to be used. Fasteners are provided for fastening the periphery of the net around the periphery of the dishwasher rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Shirley A. Elder
  • Patent number: 5078192
    Abstract: An improved high flotation, low pressure radial tire, the carcass of which is formed of one or more plies of radial tire cord, one or more plies of circumferential tire cord, and one or more plies of sidewall reinforcing tire cord forming a reinforcing annulus the major diameter of which is substantially the same as the major diameter of the sidewalls and the minor diameter of which is greater than the minor diameter of the sidewalls so that the reinforcing annulus terminates well short of the tire bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Rubber Applicators, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 5071376
    Abstract: Apparatus for emergency enablement of a boat propeller. The apparatus comprises a central mounting plate having an aperture for engagement with one end of the propeller shaft to which the propeller is attached. A plurality of cantilevered members, the proximal ends of which are fixed at spaced intervals around the periphery of the central mounting plate, extend perpendicular to the mounting plate for disposal within longitudinal spaces of the boat propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Lynn B. Walker
  • Patent number: 5040368
    Abstract: An improved actuator of the type in which a piston is translatable in a piston housing in response to an expandable working fluid in fluid communication with one end of the piston. An improved sealing assembly prevents leakage of working fluid from the piston housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Actronics Incorporated
    Inventor: William E. Baker
  • Patent number: D317545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Lambert, Joe A. Brown, John L. Morgan
  • Patent number: D318695
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: John Rosa
  • Patent number: D332882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Jay D. Graves