Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Carothers & Carothers
  • Patent number: 6374985
    Abstract: In a circulating vibratory linear parts-feeder including: a main trough for transporting parts in one direction; and a return trough for transporting the parts in the opposite direction to the one direction, arranged closely to the main trough, and spaced with a small gap from the main trough, in which the parts are transferred from the downstream end of the return trough into the upstream end of the main trough. The parts are orientated in the main trough by orientating means and discharged from a discharge end to the outside and the other parts are returned from the downstream end of the main trough into the upstream end of the return trough. Thus the parts are being continuously circulated in the main trough and return trough. The main trough has a transport surface for orientating the parts, and an inward circulating surface which is lower than the transport surface. The return trough includes a circulating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakashima, Shuuichi Narukawa
  • Patent number: 6374988
    Abstract: An accumulating conveyor for elongated stock, such as tubes, rods, bars and similar articles. At least three independently operable conveyor banks are arranged for sequentially transferring elongated stock from one bank to the next. Each conveyor bank includes a number of elongated substantially parallel racks which extend in the direction of desired conveyance and each rack has at least two adjacent rows of teeth extending longitudinally along the rack. The teeth of one row of each rack are staggered with respect to the teeth of the other row and a drive is connected to alternately raise one row of teeth above the other whereby elongated stock placed transversely on one end of the racks will be moved to the other end of the racks for offloading or transfer to an adjacent conveyor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Fairfield Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. McLaughlin, Duane C. Reed
  • Patent number: 6343398
    Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus which feeds a drain cleaning snake from a rotating drum through a flexible guide tube and a manually operable cable feed device is provided at the outer end of the guide tube for selectively axially advancing or retracting the snake relative to the cable drum during rotation of the drum. The inner end of the guide tube is supported directly on the cable drum with a bearing for relative rotation between the cable drum and the guide tube. The cable feed device includes a stop protruding from its housing which is positioned for engaging an actuating lever to thereby limit the pivotal extent of the levers displacement away from the housing in order to prevent accidental dislodgement of the drive actuator which is engaged by the lever to operate the cable feed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Wire Spring Company
    Inventors: Arthur A. Silverman, Edward Thomas Gaworski, Jr., Paul Arthur Korvick, Norman J. Borgo
  • Patent number: 6328284
    Abstract: A guardrail covering which mounts onto elongated roadway metal rail segments of a guardrail which usually have a generally W-shaped side face and the metal segments are secured between upright posts. The guardrail covering of the present invention is an inverted generally U-shaped resilient and elongated channel member that is dimensioned to fit downwardly over a guardrail segment to provide beautification and available space for signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: James J. Wilding
  • Patent number: 6318542
    Abstract: In a vibratory conveyor which includes a trough for transporting objects, an exciting mechanism for vibrating the trough in a horizontal direction and a supporting mechanism for supporting the trough so as to be vibratile in the horizontal direction, the exciting mechanism is a linear motor, one of the primary and secondary sides of the linear motor is fixed to the trough and the other is facing to the one side with a predetermined gap and so arranged as to be vibratile relative to the one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ikeda, Toshiro Sekine, Kazumichi Kato, Yasushi Muragishi, Tetsuyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6318215
    Abstract: An open-end hand held ratchet wrench which has a rigid semi-circular jaw cradle defining an interior semi-circular channel which is substantially U-shaped in cross section. A handle extends off the opposite end of the cradle. Four radial recesses are arranged in spaced relationship in the bottom of the cradle channel and a gear is mounted in each one of these recesses for rotation on their respective gear axis. One or more ratchet pawls are also mounted in the cradle and positioned to prevent rotation of at least one of the gears in one direction. A cogwheel having a toothed outer perimeter is provided and dimensioned for meshing with the gears in the cradle channel and the cogwheel has a polygonal throughbore and a slot extending between the outer perimeter and the throughbore. The polygonal throughbore may be provided in different sizes to engage bolt heads or nuts of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Samuel L. Armfield, IV
  • Patent number: 6318877
    Abstract: A portable vanity having an inverted U-shaped light bar frame with two spaced upright side light bars and a top horizontal light bar bridging and respectively hingedly connected at opposite ends to upper ends of the side light bars whereby the side bars hinge inwardly toward each other. The two side light bars and the top light bar are each comprised of two end to end light bar segment hinged together between segments whereby each segmented light bar folds inwardly at their segment hinge toward the inside of the U-shaped frame such that the frame collapses with the bar segments sequentially adjacent each other in parallel alignment. A securing mechanism is provided for securing the light bar segment hinge connections from hinge movement when the frame is fully assembled in its open position in its inverted U-shaped configuration. The light bar segments include electric light bulb sockets wired for energization of electric bulbs to be inserted in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Corrina Sue Dehn
  • Patent number: 6312190
    Abstract: A vertical prefabricated composite drain for improving conventional consolidated acceleration of saturated soils. The composite drain is installed in a generally vertical manner in water saturated soil to be treated for expelling pore water from the soil and is provided with an elongated core with at least one channel therealong for conveying fluids and is also provided with filter fabric which surrounds the core. At least one elongated tube is installed in juxtaposition and coextension with the drain core and fluid under pressure is forced through the tube for thereby assisting an expulsion of pore water from the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: R. Robert Goughnour
  • Patent number: 6278545
    Abstract: The apparatus (10) for providing magnification for a package (1,2) is designed to provide the user with an apparatus that will allow the user to have a magnification unit to enable him or her to read the instructions of directions on the side of a package (1,2). This is especially valuable for use on prescription bottles used by elderly individuals in situations where improper use of medicines could lead to disastrous consequences. The magnification apparatus (10) for packaging (1,2) comprises a cap (12) that contains a magnifying lens (11) that is molded or manufactured into the cap (12). The focal length of the lens is designed to be longer than the package (1,2) that is positioned upon in order to minimize any problems caused by light at the focal point. The lens (11) can be clear, opaque or colored as determined by the contents of the package (1,2). The user adjusts the apparatus (10) as necessary to read the instructions on the side of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: A. David Napier
  • Patent number: 6259102
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to steady-state Ion-Beam Sources with an Anode Layer provided by a quadrupole magnetic system formed by a pair of long conductive magnets having U-shape cross-sections and positioned symmetrically above and along a plane and the long anode of nonmagnetic material. The conductive magnets of the quadrupole magnetic system serve as cathodes having an invariable discharge gap with the anode surface faced to the poles of the magnetic system having an invariable magnetic gap defining the width of the generated Ion Beam. The operating configuration of the Ion-Beam Source also comprises a gas-distributing system providing a uniform gas distribution into the gas-discharge gap, an anode water-cooling system (the anode bar has special holes), and a cathode water-cooling system. The Ion-Beam Source may be designed in a long linear style with a quasi-closed and closed electron drift, and in a round style with a closed electron drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Evgeny V. Shun'ko
  • Patent number: 6224139
    Abstract: A tarpaulin cover having a fabric cover sheet which has an elastic band extending around portions of its perimeter and contained in a hem. A number of spaced cutouts are provided along the hem for exposing the elastic band for tie down hooking and unhooking access. Opposite ends of the elastic cord are secured within the hem around respective rivets that in turn are secured to and passed through the hem with respective terminating ends of the elastic cord secured to itself whereby opposite terminating loop ends of the elastic cord are secured respectively within the hem around these rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: David K. Weyand
  • Patent number: 6206424
    Abstract: A furniture slide for moving furniture over a floor surface and also serving to provide foam drying blocks under the furniture for placement on wet carpet surfaces. The furniture slide of the present invention includes a sheet of material having a convex bottom base for sliding on a floor surface and further includes compressible material that is adhered to the top face of the sheet for support contact with the furniture to be moved. This compressible material is precut whereby a plug of the compressible material may be readily removed therefrom to provide a cavity in the compressible material. Then a slightly thicker Styrofoam drying block, which is dimensioned for insertion into this cavity, is inserted into the cavity. The drying block has an upper surface with a sticky adhesive so that the drying block sticks and remains adhered to the supported furniture when the remainder of the furniture slide is removed. The slide sheet is further provided with an upturned perimeter edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Donald J. Edwards, Donald V. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6206180
    Abstract: In a vibratory parts-feeder including; a feeder bowl in which a spiral track is formed, a vertical exciter with first electro-magnetic coil for exciting the feeder bowl in the vertical direction, a horizontal exciter with second electro-magnetic coil for exciting the feeder bowl in the horizontal direction, horizontal leaf springs for supporting the feeder bowl so as to be vibratile in the vertical direction, and vertical leaf springs for supporting the feeder bowl so as to be vibratile in the horizontal direction, wherein there is a phase difference between the currents flowing through the first and second electro-magnetic coils and the feeder bowl is elliptically vibrated, the improvements in which a phase adjusting circuit is connected to the first or second electro-magnetic coil, voltage adjusting circuits are connected to the first and second electro-magnetic coils and the ratio of the longer axis to the shorter axis of the elliptical vibration and the inclination of the longer axis thereof are varied wi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiro Sekine, Eiji Ohki, Masanobu Tomita, Hirohiko Murata, Kazumichi Kato, Yasushi Muragishi, Tetsuyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6182905
    Abstract: A snow making tower is illustrated wherein an elongated tower conduit combination is provided which includes an elongated air conduit extending within the water conduit and air and first water discharge nozzles are respectively provided adjacent the upper ends of the air and water conduits and positioned for producing a plume of atomized water from external interacting air and water discharged under pressure from the air and first water discharge nozzles to produce snow in subfreezing ambient conditions. These first water discharge nozzles have a nozzle discharge passage in their sides which are positioned to direct a jet of water into air immediately discharged under pressure from the air discharge nozzles prior to the external main interacting of air and water which produces the plume. This provides preliminary atomization of water in the air discharged prior to its interaction for producing a more finely atomized plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 6182906
    Abstract: A lightweight snow making tower having a substantially vertical support pole anchored in the ground and an aluminum support pipe coaxially received on the pole for axial rotation thereon. An elongated aluminum support arm C-channel having spaced upturned side flanges is pivotally secured intermediate its ends relative to the upper end of the support pipe. In turn, an elongated aluminum snow making tower pipe is clamped adjacent its lower end on the support arm C-channel with side portions of the tower pipe protruding into the channel between the side flanges. A removable lock locks the C-channel and support pipe from further relative rotation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 6179527
    Abstract: Apparatus for inserting flexible members such as tie-back anchors for slope stabilization or prefabricated vertical drains into underlying earth which includes an articulatable mast to be arranged with a generally upright extent above the underlying earth. An elongated earth penetrating tube or mandrel is carried by the mast for guided movement therealong and for receiving a flexible member for movement with the mandrel to insert the flexible members into the underlying earth. A drive is mounted on the mast and engaged with this mandrel for driving the mandrel into and out of the underlying earth. A vibrator assembly is mounted for imparting vibrations to the mandrel to assist movement of the mandrel in underlying earth when a vibrator is energized. The vibrator assembly includes a circular gear mounted for concentric rotation on an axis and supported for rotation about its axis on a frame carried by the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: R. Robert Goughnour
  • Patent number: 6173508
    Abstract: This Document is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/093,029 filed on Jun. 8, 1998, said invention comprising an apparatus for evaporating water in a mixture of water and solids derived from the organic output of a waste water treatment plant. A low cost source of gaseous heat (as the exhaust from a gas turbine driver in combination with/or alternatively from a stand alone combustor) is used for evaporating said water and safe conditioning said evaporated water vapor after being combined with a portion of the exhaust from said gaseous heat source. The solids portion of said organic output from said waste water treatment plant is segregated and safe conditioned separately. This continuation in part filing supplements said basic reference patent filing by defining a specific heat exchange surface configuration for heat exchanger 17 which minimizes radiation heat losses to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Strohmeyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6168089
    Abstract: A snow making tower with a water and air precooling system. An elongated aluminum pipe snow making tower is supported above ground in an upright manner and is provided with snow making nozzles at its upper end for ejecting air and water under pressure into ambient atmosphere for manufacturing snow in subfreezing conditions. Water and air supply connections are provided at the lower end for connection to sources of water and air under pressure. A closed loop antifreeze cooling system is mounted adjacent this tower and includes a radiator, a circulating pump and tubing for continually recirculating antifreeze fluid through the radiator with the pump. This tubing includes metal tubing that passes within the interiors of the aluminum pipe snow making tower for thereby precooking water and air passing through the tower prior to ejection from the snow making nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 6164556
    Abstract: A portable snow making system for home use which is mounted on a hand towable vehicle for easy portability. An elongated telescoping support pole is detachably supported from the base of the vehicle and a snow making gun is mounted on the upper end of this support pole to provide a snow making tower. Snow making nozzles are provided in the gun for ejecting air and water under pressure into the ambient subfreezing atmosphere for manufacturing snow. A high pressure water pump, connected to a common house water spigot, and an air compressor are also mounted on the vehicle to provide sources of water and air under pressure to the snow gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Herman K. Dupre, Charles N. Santry
  • Patent number: 6164868
    Abstract: A prefabricated vertical earth drain which is provided with an elongated corrugated flexible plastic core sheet with vertical and horizontal dimensions of extension and horizontal corrugations which provide continuous longitudinally extending drain channels that extend in the vertical direction. These drain channels are defined with curved corrugation bends and a series of longitudinally spaced relief protrusions are provided in the channels. In use, the entire structure is surrounded with a filter fabric. The relief protrusions assist in preventing the protrusion of filter fabric into the drain channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: R. Robert Goughnour