Patents Represented by Attorney Boyle Fredrickson, S.C.

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  • Self-drilling screw
    Patent number: 8192124
    Abstract: Disclosed is a screw for hard wood, comprising a screw tip (3) with two cutting edges (5) that extend approximately parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the screw. The cutting angle of the cutting edges amounts to about 90°. A centering tip (7) which slightly protrudes from the two cutting edges (5) is embodied in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the screw. Said centering tip (7) prevents the screw from deviating to the side at the beginning of the drilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Adolf Wuerth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Wolpert, Juergen Wanner, Andreas Wunderlich
  • Input channel diagnostics
    Patent number: 8193817
    Abstract: Input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system that provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics. The input circuit includes one or more series resistors that have a total resistance that is at least two orders of magnitude greater than the magnitude of the resistance of a conditioned sensor signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Meagher, Gerald Robert Creech
  • Marine power splitting gearbox
    Patent number: 8187046
    Abstract: A power splitting gearbox is provided that allows a single prime mover to distribute power, for example torque, to multiple final drive assemblies, such as surface drives or other final drives. The power splitting gearbox can be provided downstream from a marine transmission and can be mounted directly to a transom of a marine vessel. The gearbox can have a back wall that accepts and supports mounting surfaces of the multiple final drive assemblies such that the gearbox bears the weight of the multiple final drive assemblies. The gearbox has two outputs that rotate in opposing directions so that a pair of final drive assemblies mounted to the gearbox will counter-rotate a pair of propellers for providing a propulsive force that moves the marine vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Disc, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Rolla, Mark B. Wilson
  • Wireless data programmer for electronic utility registers and meters
    Patent number: 8188885
    Abstract: A handheld, key-operated programmer device (10) for transferring data to and from an electronic meter register. Communication between the device (10) and the electronic register takes place over a wireless optical interface (20). The device (10) is configured through a USB port (14) using a personal computer. Operations between the device (10) and the meter register include cycling the meter register display, clearing a totalizer, resetting alarm conditions, and retrieving stored configuration data. A swipe with a magnet is no longer necessary to cycle through the display. The device is battery-powered and can be embodied in a key fob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan M. Beverung, Brian E. Brandt
  • Method for quantifying cell motility and cell migration
    Patent number: 8189872
    Abstract: A method of quantifying cell migration of a cell population is provided. The method includes the step of patterning the cell population within a channel network in a first body. A first image of the cell population is obtained. Thereafter, a second image of the cell population is obtained after a first predetermined time period. The first and second images are compared in order to calculate a quantitative measure of the average directional migration of the cells population and a quantitative measure of the average motility of the cell population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Ivar Meyvantsson
  • Suspended operator platform
    Patent number: 8186475
    Abstract: A suspended operator platform for use with a ride-on lawnmower or the like is connected to a rigid chassis of the ride-on lawnmower by a suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage. The operator platform supports an entire body of the operator and isolation mounts connect a seat assembly to the operator platform. Steering controls of the ride-on lawnmower are connected to the operator platform so that the steering controls move with the operator platform and are suspended and/or isolated from the chassis. The suspension system includes a course-stiffness adjuster and a fine-stiffness adjuster that adjust the suspension stiffness to correspond to a particular operator and/or terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Metalcraft of Mayville, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Sugden, James W. Hall
  • Method and system for controlling path redundancy in the acquisition of utility meter data
    Patent number: 8188886
    Abstract: A method and system by which certain radio transmitters are assigned to certain reception nodes for the purpose of transmitting metering data derived from a plurality of utility meters to a system management computer. The reception nodes are configured to receive and process data transmissions only from those transmitters with data paths assigned to particular reception nodes, and to ignore data transmissions from non-listed transmitters, thereby assuring that on a continuous basis, a majority of the transmitters will utilize only one data path. Lists may be formed for the transmitters and reception nodes in the system management computer and transmitted to the reception nodes. The status of data transmissions through the repeaters may also be uploaded to the system management computer for analysis of data update rates and data path redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lazar, Randy Schultz, Dennis Webb, Theresa Saadeh, Jacob Graudenz, Yacov Kirgner, Anna Kirgner, Yarum Locker, Erez Sharabi
  • Apparatus and method for biogas purification
    Patent number: 8182576
    Abstract: The present invention is a biogas processing system having a compressor having a biogas input and output, a pump having a water input and output, a scrubber tower having a mixing chamber connected to a biogas input, a water pump input, a water output, and a processed biogas output, and a filtration member connected to the water output to remove contaminants from the water exiting the first scrubber tower. The system also includes devices for heating and cooling the recycled flow of water to enhance the ability of the water to absorb contaminants from the biogas and the ability of a stripper to remove absorbed contaminants from the water in a closed loop water system, and a controller for closely controlling the operating parameters of the system to achieve safe and optimal operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: A&B Process Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Roe, David J. Mandli, Amanda M. Neuhalfen
  • Portable vibratory concrete wet screed with remote grade indicator and folding handles
    Patent number: 8182173
    Abstract: A portable vibratory wet concrete screed includes a blade, an exciter that is selectively driven to induce vibrations in the blade, at least one operator-manipulated handle connected to the blade and extending upwardly and rearwardly, a laser receiver mounted on the screed at a height above an upper end of the handle, and an indicator that is operatively connected to the receiver. The indicator provides a visual indication of the screed height relative to a desired grade. It is located remote from the receiver at a location which, when viewed from the perspective of a person in the vicinity of a screed operator, is at least substantially in a focal area containing the rear edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Lickel
  • Heat-generating element for an electric heating device and method for the manufacture of the same
    Patent number: 8183505
    Abstract: A heat-generating element includes at least one PTC heating element, strip conductors lying flat on it on both sides, and a frame which forms at least one frame opening for holding the at least one PTC heating element. The frame, as a part of a housing, forms a structural unit with a wedge element having a first wedge surface that extends parallel to the strip conductor and a second wedge surface that lies exposed on the exterior side of the housing and that is aligned diagonally to the first wedge surface. For fixing the heat-generating element precisely in place in a slot in the housing, the heat-generating element has spacing surfaces positioned upstream or downstream of the at least one PTC heating element in the direction of the length of the slot. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an electric heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Franz Bohlender
  • Apparatus for fault tolerant analog inputs
    Patent number: 8184417
    Abstract: An input termination board for use with an industrial controller in a safety system is disclosed herein. The industrial controller may be populated with standard analog input modules according to the requirements of the application. The termination board may selectively receive a single analog input signal from a remote device and transmit the signal to corresponding channels on two analog input modules or, alternately, receive two analog input signals and transmit each signal to one of the two corresponding channels. In addition, a program executing on the controller of the safety module monitors and tests each of the analog input channels on the input modules, verifying proper operation of the modules. If the program detects a fault in either input module, the safety system may alternately shut down according to a fail-safe procedure or continue operating under a fault-tolerant mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur P. Pietrzyk, Peter M. Delic, William E. Waltz, Russell W. Brandes, Dennis G. Schneider, Louis L. Smet
  • Distributed scheduling method for multi-antenna wireless system
    Patent number: 8179843
    Abstract: A channel allocation system for a beam-forming wireless network selects receivers to enroll in communication from a pool of candidate receivers, by off-loading a determination of the effects of adding each candidate receiver to the candidate receiver itself. In one embodiment, the candidate receivers nominate themselves for enrollment based on their determination of aggregate data rate changes resulting from their enrollment and the comparison of this aggregate data rate change against an estimate of the aggregate data rate changes of other candidate receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Parmeswaran Ramanathan, Jayakrishnan C. Mundarath, Barry Van Veen
  • Microfluidic devices with SPR sensing capabilities
    Patent number: 8178046
    Abstract: A microfluidic system including a chip sensor and an SPR optical detector. The chip sensor may be made a non-transparent material, such as polyimide or silicon, allowing non-visible radiation produced by the SPR optical detector to pass through and interact with a surface plasmon generating layer on the chip sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sierra Sensors GmbH
    Inventors: Karla Robotti, Daniel B. Roitman, Kevin Killeen
  • Safety switch
    Patent number: 8173914
    Abstract: A lockable safety switch mechanism having a lockable switch mechanism that cooperates in an offset or skewed manner with an electrical switch. The lockable switch mechanism includes a switch plunger that is displaceable along a predetermined axis between a first position and a second position. A contour is formed along the switch plunger and cooperates with one or more locking mechanisms. A fork cooperates with the locking mechanism so as to selectively interfere with free movement of the switch plunger depending on the interaction between the contour and the locking mechanism. A link extends from one of the locking mechanism and the fork and interacts with a plunger of an electrical switch contact carrier so that an axis of movement of the switch plunger can be offset or skewed relative to an axis of movement of the electrical switch plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventor: Julian Poyner
  • Pet fountain cover
    Patent number: D659300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Pet fountain
    Patent number: D659914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Animal trap
    Patent number: D660394
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: J.T. Eaton & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Baker
  • Tool grip
    Patent number: D660421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Miller, Robert Bast
  • Solar powered light bar
    Patent number: D660505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: C-M Glo, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron W. Smith, Anthony P. Lane
  • Oven rack
    Patent number: D660647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Alto-Shaam, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Casey, Ted Henderson, Tom Stollenwerk, Jan Bartelick