Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Cahill, Sutton & Thomas P.L.C.
  • Patent number: 6041977
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing decorating materials such as frosting incorporates a dispensing tube having the material to be dispensed and a water-operated piston therein. Application of water under pressure to the dispensing tube results in the dispensing of the material through a decorating tip. The water pressure applied to the dispensing tube is controlled and regulated through the utilization of a control valve assembly having a flow stop valve and an on/off valve. Water applied to the control valve assembly is pressure regulated and filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Edmund T. Lisi
  • Patent number: 6039731
    Abstract: A catheter for use in an electrophysiological procedure to ablate a site includes a first electrode having a first work function and energized by a source of RF energy. A second electrode having a second work function is disposed adjacent tissue. The difference in work functions of the first and second electrodes, operating in the presence of an electrolyte represented by intermediate tissue, produces an exchange of electrical charges through chemical reaction to create a galvanic cell. The galvanic cell serves as a current source to provide a unique electrode signal used to regulate the RF energy applied to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Engineering & Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Junius E. Taylor, Loren C. Acker
  • Patent number: 6039042
    Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. An exhalation valve in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece, presenting very little resistance to the exhalation effort of the patient. An adapter receives and stabilizes a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation valve includes an inhalation membrane hanging adjacent to a valve seat. Exhalation into the mouthpiece presses the inhalation membrane against the valve seat, forcing exhaled gas through the exhalation valve. Inhalation causes the inhalation membrane to swing away from the valve seat and mostly out of a path of the medication plume. Impaction of medication particles against the inhalation membrane is avoided, and very little resistance is presented to the inhalation effort of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Thayer Medical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Sladek
  • Patent number: 6037887
    Abstract: A programmable gain delta sigma analog-to-digital converter includes an analog input terminal receiving an analog input voltage, a charge summing conductor, an input capacitive switching circuit, and a feedback reference capacitive switching circuit coupled to the charge summing conductor. An integrator is coupled between the charge summing conductor and a comparator which supplies a stream of digital pulses to a digital filter that produces a digital number representing the analog input voltage. The feedback reference capacitive switching circuit includes a plurality of reference sampling capacitors, selectively coupling charge between a feedback reference voltage source and an integrating capacitor of the integration in response to a programmable gain control circuit so as to provide a selected gain for the analog-to-digital converter. The sampling rate of the capacitive switching circuits is adjusted proportionally to the selected gain to improve the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Burr-Brown Corporation
    Inventors: Miaochen Wu, Timothy V. Kalthoff, Binan Wang
  • Patent number: 6032326
    Abstract: The vacuum nozzles in a rotary surface cleaning appliance are skewed with respect to the path of travel of the nozzles to enable the nozzles to glide smoothly over the surface being cleaned. A flexible mount for each nozzle on a rigid, radial vacuum duct permits the nozzle to accommodate irregular and different textured surfaces being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Professional Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Roden, Steven S. Wickert
  • Patent number: 6034532
    Abstract: A resilient connector uses a spring made from a cylindrical tube. The wall of the tube is cut in a helix along the central portion of the tube to form the spring. One or more plungers within the spring have a tip extending past a first end of the spring and a second end attached to the spring. Each plunger is a pin or a pair of coaxial conductors separated by a dielectric sheath. One of the coaxial conductors is a conductive layer on the sheath. A double ended connector uses a spring made as described above with a pair of plungers attached one each to each end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: AlphaTest Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick James Tarzwell
  • Patent number: 6033045
    Abstract: A computer desk module has a trapezoidal desk top with an opening. A transparent window plate is supported in the desk top so as to cover the opening. A pull-out keyboard shelf is supported under a front edge portion of the desk top. A computer monitor is suspended under the desk top so its screen is inclined upward to allow viewing of the screen through the window plate. A plurality of the computer desk modules are assembled end-to-end into various semi-trapezoidal clusters, S-shaped clusters, and straight line clusters. Overhead power and data bus cables are routed from a classroom ceiling into tubular legs supporting a decorative cover against the ceiling. The legs extend upward from a cabinet having a semi-octagonal shape that mates with a semi-octagonal cluster of the computer desk modules. The cables pass through the legs, through the cabinet, into the various computer desk modules forming the cluster, and to the monitor and a computer in each of the computer desk modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fay D. Roberts
    Inventors: Fay D. Roberts, Debra D. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6024453
    Abstract: A color wheel includes a rotatable disc-shaped carrier to which three or more planar color filter segments are secured in radial fashion about the periphery thereof. The portions of the color filter segments extending beyond the peripheral portion of the carrier form a substantially continuous translucent color ring for being inserted into, and rotated through, a light path. Each of the color filter segments is formed of a continuous sheet of material without any apertures formed therein. The disc-shaped carrier has one or more recesses, or bonding zones, formed therein to receive innermost bonding portions of the color filter segments; these recesses provide stops for aiding in the proper radial and axial positioning of the color filter segments. The bonding portions of the color filter segments are secured to the bonding zone of the disc-shaped carrier by an adhesive. A further recess can be formed in the disc-shaped carrier adjacent each bonding zone to receive the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Johannes Edlinger, Manfred Kuster, Cosmas Malin, Ilse Widmann, Peter Wierer
  • Patent number: 6022481
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning system includes a pump, a first tube coupling a suction port of the pump in fluid communication with a main drain or mobile cleaning device which draws water and settled debris from the bottom of the pool, and a skimming device including an entrainment nozzle. The entrainment nozzle is coupled by a second tube to a coupling device which diverts a small portion of pool return water pumped from an outlet port of the pump. Most of the pool return water is pumped into a rotary distribution valve, various outlets of which are connected to various pool cleaning heads embedded in an inner surface of the pool. A vacuum canister having a removable cover to allow access to a removable debris trap disposed in the vacuum canister between an inlet and an outlet thereof is coupled between a suction inlet of the pump and the main drain or mobile cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Shasta Industries
    Inventor: Andy F. Blake
  • Patent number: 6017554
    Abstract: A stable solution cream, salve, or spray composition containing activated stabilized chlorine dioxide and phosphates, such as disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, trisodium phosphate, and sodium monofluorophosphate, is disclosed for the prevention and treatment of abnormal conditions of the epithelium of bodily orifices. Examples of such abnormal conditions of the epithelium of the rectal, vaginal, urethral, oral, nasal, ocular, and auditory canal orifices include bacterial infections, such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonoas gingivalis, and fungal infections, such as Candida, and leukoplakia. The preferred concentration ranges are between about 0.005%-2.0% chlorine dioxide, and between about 0.02%-3.0% phosphate. The phosphate compound retards escape of chlorine dioxide in the pH range of 6.0 to 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Micropure, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry A. Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 6014948
    Abstract: A shelter for covering and protecting dairy cows in hot climates includes a feeding area as well as a loafing area for cows to chew their cud after feeding. The feeding area and loafing area are covered by a roof structure for shading the cows from the sun. Evaporative coolers extend through the roof structure to circulate cool air within such structure. The structure has one or more retractable walls to help retain cool air within the structure while permitting cows to enter or exit. The roof structure channels any rainwater into the interior of the structure to assist in flushing waste from the feeding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: R. Robert Gordon
  • Patent number: 6014972
    Abstract: A system for introducing a dose from a metered dose inhaler canister into the inspiratory stream (1B) of a ventilator system including an inspiratory tube (32), a Y connector (3), and an endotracheal tube (7) intubated in a patient, including a valved T connector (30) having a valved port (30A) and first (30B) and second (30C) ports coupled to conduct the inspiratory stream (1B) through the valved T connector, an MDI canister (14), and a nozzle adapter structure (31) having a first port (31A) for insertion into the valved port (31A) to open a valve thereof and a nozzle (31B) receiving a stem (14A) of the MDI canister (14) and ejecting a plume (17) of MDI medication particles upon activation of the MDI canister. A dry gas inlet (31D) receives dry gas which flows through the nozzle adapter structure (31) into the valved port (30A) and into the inspiratory stream (1B), and carries the plume from the nozzle adapter structure (31) through the valved port (30A) into the inspiratory stream (1B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thayer Medical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Sladek
  • Patent number: 6013074
    Abstract: A catheter for use in an electrophysiological procedure to ablate a site includes a metallic tip having a first work function and energized by a source of RF energy. The RF energy return path is through a relatively large plate of a metallic material having a second work function and disposed at a location removed from the ablation site. The difference in work functions of the tip and the plate, operating in the presence of an electrolyte represented by the intermediate tissue, produces an exchange of electrical charges through chemical reaction to create a galvanic cell. By loading the galvanic cell with a shunt resistor, it becomes a current source providing a current linear with and highly dependent on the tissue temperature at the ablation site. This accurate representation of the tissue temperature at the ablation site is used to regulate the RF energy applied to maintain the tissue at the ablation site at a predetermined temperature during the ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Engineering & Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Junius E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6003474
    Abstract: A leash training device includes a leash cord (3) and a stimulus collar (4,6) coupled to an end of the leash cord. The stimulus collar includes a strap (4) adapted to fit around the neck of an animal to be trained or controlled, and an electrical stimulus unit (6) supported by the strap. The electrical stimulus unit (6) includes a stimulus circuit (16). A transformer (17) coupled between the stimulus circuit (16) and a pair of electrodes (5) for contacting skin of the animal. A measurement device (101) is coupled to the leash cord to measure tension in the leash cord and produce a control signal (106) when the tension exceeds a predetermined threshold. The stimulus circuit (16) produces a drive signal in response to the control signal and applies the drive signal to a primary winding of the transformer (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Tri-Tronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Slater, Ralph L. Pelton, Timothy T. Duncan, Robert D. Rozanski
  • Patent number: 6002276
    Abstract: A CMOS output circuit including a differential error amplifier (3) is operated to provide a stable quiescent bias current in an output MOSFET by causing a first current equal to a threshold voltage of a P-channel reference MOSFET (M1) divided by the resistance of a reference resistor (R1) to flow through an N-channel current mirror control MOSFET (M4). A first N-channel current mirror output MOSFET (M6) having a gate coupled to the gate of the N-channel current mirror control MOSFET (M4) and a drain coupled to a drain of the P-channel reference MOSFET (M1) causes a second current proportional to the first current to flow through the P-channel reference MOSFET (M1). The first current is controlled in response to feedback from the P-channel reference MOSFET (M1). A bias current in an error amplifier (3) is controlled in response to the N-channel current mirror control MOSFET (M4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Burr-Brown Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Wu
  • Patent number: 6000429
    Abstract: A device for automatically controlling the operation of a washroom appliance such as a water faucet, soap dispenser, shower, urinal, etc., comprising means for actuating said appliance, means for deactuating said appliance, a remote control arranged for emitting a signal, a receiver arranged for receiving said signal and for generating a maintenance signal in response to receipt of the signal from the remote control, and means responsive to the maintenance signal for generating an overruling signal for disabling said actuation means. The device comprises in a first aspect of the invention means for intermittently actuating and deactuating said receiver to reduce the power consumption thereof. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for automatically controlling flow of water in a wash fountain, including a maintenance function which enable to deactivate the wash fountain except for at least one valve to permit supply of water for cleaning the wash fountain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy.
    Inventor: Karel Carl Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 6000095
    Abstract: A dual port blowing device for drying a vehicle includes a centrifugal fan powered by a blower motor. The centrifugal fan is rotated upon the motor shaft and surrounded by a housing having a first outlet nozzle for discharging air toward the rear end of the vehicle, and including a second outlet nozzle for discharging air toward the front end of the vehicle. A pivoting damper moves between a first position for sending discharged air through the first outlet nozzle, and a second position for sending discharged air through the second outlet nozzle. An actuator selectively pivots the damper between its first and second positions. The actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston for pivoting the damper. Control circuitry determines when the rear of the vehicle is proximate to the dual port blowing device, and operates the hydraulic cylinder to move the damper from its first position to its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Superior Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Archie L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6002426
    Abstract: A probe needle alignment device supports a probe card assembly with probe needles extending upward. A microscope includes a first eyepiece aligned with the probe needles in its field of view. A first video camera is positioned in optical alignment with the first eyepiece to view probe needles through the first eyepiece. An overdriver includes a transparent planar plate movably disposed between the microscope and the probe needles to displace contact tips of the probe needles through an overdrive distance. A mask plate has a plurality of spots located at positions corresponding precisely to positions of contact pads of an integrated circuit to be probe tested. A second video camera includes the spots within its field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Cerprobe Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald W. Back, Joseph A. Mirowski
  • Patent number: 5997350
    Abstract: A compression type coaxial cable F-connector includes a conventional coupling nut and tubular post. A cylindrical body member is secured to the tubular post and includes a sleeve for receiving the jacket of the coaxial cable. A circular relief in the sleeve allows the end of such sleeve to be deformed inwardly toward the cable jacket. A compression ring is mounted over the outer wall of the sleeve of the cylindrical body member and includes a tapered inner bore which forces the end of the sleeve inwardly against the cable jacket as the compression ring is advanced axially over the cylindrical body member. As the end of the sleeve is deformed inwardly, it extends just behind a circular barb formed about the tubular post to pinch the cable jacket therebetween. The compression ring can be manufactured as a separate component, or the compression ring can initially be integral with the sleeve of the cylindrical body member and attached thereto by a frangible connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Gilbert Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Burris, Herman P. Durst
  • Patent number: D418634
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ecosphere Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Harmony