Patents Represented by Law Firm Bush, Riddle & Jackson, L.L.P.
  • Patent number: 5692997
    Abstract: An exercise machine (10-10l) is provided having a platform (12-12l) on which a user (14-14l) is supported in a reclining position with the weight of the user (14-14G) being utilized as a resistance which may be selectively varied to the various exercises which may be performed on the exercise apparatus (10-10l). A lever (20-20l) is pivotally connected (30-32l) to the platform (12-12l) with the lever being actuated by the user for raising one end of the platform (12-12l) with respect to a pivot point with resistance to such raising being varied by the pivotal mounting of the lever (20-20l) on the platform (12-12l). Two of the various embodiments (FIGS. 13-16) include a base support (41F, 41G) having a rail (42F, 42G) on which a lever (20F, 20G) has a roller (47F, 47G) mounted for riding movement thereon and pivotally connected (32F, 32G) to a lower leg (62F, 62G) for pivotal movement. Other embodiments (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Stearns Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5675551
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for use with a horizon picking method for 3D seismic data. Variables such as picking method, whether simple or iterative, score required of an iterative method and .DELTA.T between target wavelets and seed wavelet are input into the computer. During the picking process, parameters as to the number of successful picks and the number of failed picks because of the method of picking and because of failed picks due to the score not being achieved in the iterative method and because of failed picks due to the difference in time between the target wavelet and the seed wavelet being greater than the .DELTA.T variable are recorded. The number of score failures to pick a target wavelet from a seed wavelet is recorded where the score achieved is less than the input score. A characteristic of such number of score failures, such as the percentage of score failures to the total number of picking tries, is displayed on a CRT screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Mun K. Sitoh
  • Patent number: 5669071
    Abstract: A cap (10) having a crown portion (12) for fitting about the head of a wearer and a relatively narrow stiff brim (18) extending outwardly from the crown portion (12). A visor (20) overlaps the brim (18) and a hinge (32) is secured to the lower surfaces of the brim (18) and the visor (20). The visor (20) may be pivoted manually to a desired angular relation with the brim (18). The visor (20) is preferably formed of a transparent tinted material and may be folded downwardly in front of the eyes of the wearer to shield the eyes from the sunlight or glare as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Thien C. Vu
  • Patent number: 5666677
    Abstract: A portable bath tub (20, 20A, 20C) and a supporting frame (46, 17A, 200) for the bath tub (20, 20A, 20C) are positioned alongside a bed (10, 10A, 10C). The bath tub (20, 20A, 20C) has a front side (76) which overlaps a mattress (12, 12A, 12C) on the bed (10, 10A, 10C) and is supported thereby. The tub (20, 20A, 20C) bridges the bed (10, 10A, 10C) and the supporting frame. The bed (10B) has a bed frame (14B) which is movable vertically for raising and lowering the bath tub (20) which is partially supported on the mattress (12B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Easy Lift Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Crawford, Joseph M. Crawford, James R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5664577
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the recording of distortion product emission (DPE) levels in human beings. At least one microphone and a sound-delivery system is inserted in the external ear canal. Two primary tones T.sub.f1, T.sub.f2 are applied simultaneously to the ear. The cochlea of the inner ear produces a DPE tone which is sensed by the microphone. DPE levels are sensed as a function of input frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. Such DPE frequency is equal to 2f.sub.1 -f.sub.2. Such DPE frequencies are collected in 100 Hz step by adjusting f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 and maintaining a substantially constant ratio between f.sub.1 and f.sub.2. Two output forms are created: an DPE audiogram and a DPE input/output function. Noise picked up is reduced by averaging the DPE signals many times, yet causing each of the DPE signals that is averaged to be of the same phase a every other DPE signal. Random phase noise is reduced by the averaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventors: Brenda L. Lonsbury-Martin, Glen K. Martin
  • Patent number: 5658227
    Abstract: An exercise device (10) has a handlebar (30) with handgrips (32) for gripping by a user (U). An adjustment plate member (26) is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot (28) on a fixed support plate member (18). A seat (58) supports the weight of the user U to resist to the rotation of the adjustment plate (26). A generally horizontal exercise movement is performed by pulling on the handlebar (30) and simultaneously pushing on foot pedals (70) on a foot frame (68) secured to the adjustment plate member (26). The horizontal exercise movement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be easily converted to a vertical exercise movement shown in FIG. 3 at the discretion of the user (U) by changing the motion exerted against the handlebar (30) by the user (U).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Stearns Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5652384
    Abstract: A sensor structure (10) has a central mass (16) mounted within a support structure comprising an outer support frame (18), and upper and lower plates or covers (12, 14). Eight L-shaped ribbon springs (32, 34) fit about the corners (28) of the mass (16) to mount mass (16) for movement from a reference position with respect to the support structure. One leg (38) of each spring (32, 34) is connected to an associated side (26A) of the mass (16) centrally of the length of the associated side (26A). The other leg (40) is connected to the outer support frame (18). The sensor structure is designed for use as a sensing mechanism in an electrostatic accelerometer arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: I/O Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: W. S. Henrion, Raymond K. Erickson, Hubert R. Plumlee, Matthew W. Ip
  • Patent number: 5642939
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for unloading a fine powder-like pulverulent material from bags and mixing it with a liquid carrier in preparation for its use, while at the same time minimizing the potential for liberation of the particulate into the environmental air. Very finely particulate or flour-like pulverulent material is transferred by dumping it into a hopper. The pulverulent material is then mixed with a liquid carrier by a venturi that is located within a valve controlled, pump energized liquid circulation conduit system having connection with a supply vessel to circulate the mixture within the circulation vessel and supply vessel and thereby maintain an efficient liquid/pulverulent mixture that it is readily available for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Mathis P. Comardo
  • Patent number: 5640735
    Abstract: A power driven dental toothbrush mechanism is provided having a suitable power source such as a water turbine motor or an electric motor operating through a drive shaft and gear train assembly to accomplish controlled rotation of a plurality of gear driven bristle tufts. A brush head assembly is releasably connected to a motor housing structure and defines an internal gear chamber within which is located a plurality of bristle tuft gears and drive gears therefor. The toothbrush mechanism incorporates a flushing water supply passage in communication with a water inlet source and which transitions the joint between the brush head and housing structure and opens into the internal gear chamber. The brush head and housing structure also define a flushing water exhaust passage in communication with the internal gear chamber of the brush head opposite the flushing water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Peter T. Manning
  • Patent number: 5621169
    Abstract: A method for predicting the hydrocarbon/water contact level for oil and gas wells which relates porosity .phi., water saturation S.sub.w, air permeability k.sub.a, and capillary pressure P.sub.c. Such contact level may be estimated without actual capillary pressure measurements. The method relies on a worldwide correlation of permeability and porosity to a function of capillary pressure. The hydrocarbon/water contact levels are predicted through regression analysis using porosity .phi., water saturation S.sub.w, and air permeability k.sub.a from well log and core analysis information. Relationships used in this method include ##EQU1## where P.sub.c is mercury capillary pressure, F.sub.g is pore geometrical factor, S.sub.w is water saturation, P.sub.d is mercury displacement pressure, k.sub.a is air permeability, and .phi. is porosity. The constants set forth in equations (b) and (c) above may be adjusted to fit measured data from rock samples within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Restech, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Harris, Donald L. Luffel, Joseph M. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5609760
    Abstract: A bilge water filter having an elongate tubular housing defining a bilge water outlet and adapted to receive a filter and filter support assembly which is secured in sealed relation therewith by manual retainer elements. The filter and filter support assembly defines an inlet through which is caused to flow bilge water of a marine vessel which may contaminated by oil and other petroleum products. The filter and filter support assembly incorporates an elongate, tubular perforate filter support element about which is positioned and secured a generally cylindrical closed end body of a thick filter media in the form of meltblown polypropylene (polyolefin hydrocarbon). The filter assemblies may be incorporated in valve controlled banks and may be controlled by valve settings to utilize the filters independently, sequentially or together to accomplish separation of oil from the bilge water to thus insure an overboard discharge of oil free bilge water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: James T. Leach
  • Cap
    Patent number: D385389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Kati Sportcap Inc.
    Inventor: Allan K. Bell
  • Cap
    Patent number: D386889
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Kati Sportcap Inc.
    Inventor: Allan K. Bell