Patents Represented by Attorney C. A. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 4219800
    Abstract: A device for reminding vehicle drivers to continuously retain their conscious mind on the task of driving the vehicle which utilizes impulsive gripping of the steering wheel of the vehicle with an increased force resulting from stimulation of the adrenal cortex and secretion of adrenalin as fatigue or fear registers in the brain of the driver. The increase in the gripping force serves to close an electrical circuit to energize a reminder in the form of an illuminated message or sign in a flashing pattern for a predetermined time period after which an audible reminder is actuated thereby combining the senses of touch, sight and hearing to remind the driver to give full time and attention to driving the vehicle so that the driver's conscious mind is kept on the task of driving and the driver is warned of imminent danger, thereby avoiding a potential accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Richard D. LeViness
  • Patent number: 4189022
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly having opposite end portions and first and second anchor structures for anchoring the opposite end portions of the belt assembly relative to a vehicle is provided. One of the anchor structures is provided with latch structure releasably anchoring the corresponding belt assembly end portion and includes actuator structure operative, when actuated, to release the corresponding end portion from the one anchor structure. A first end portion of the belt assembly includes a flexible section thereof and control structure is provided for the actuator structure including a portion shiftable between first and second positions and the shiftable portion is engaged with the flexible belt end portion section deflecting the latter from a generally straight condition and operative to increasingly deflect the flexible portion in response to shifting from the second position thereof toward the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventors: Radovan P. Lazich, Adolph P. Cascardo
  • Patent number: 4100862
    Abstract: A frame is provided from which front and rear pairs of opposite side wheels are journalled. A prime mover is mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to at least one pair of the wheels thereof. The frame defines a longitudinal center line and the wheels are disposed in four vertical planes paralleling the center line and spaced equally apart transversely of the frame. The wheels include narrow outer peripheral portions adapted, due to the gross weight of the planter, to form narrow depressed tracks in cultivated ground over which the planter travels and each of the wheels has seed planting structure operatively associated therewith and to discharge seeds into the depressed ground tracks at a metered rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventors: Robert P. Mowen, Jacob D. Gettings