Patents Represented by Attorney Christine R. Ethridge
  • Patent number: 4583655
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for use with apparatus for opening and closing a door of a chamber includes a way system for aligning the door with the chamber while the door is being opened and closed and a carriage member operatively linked to the way system for linking the door to the way system when the door is open. The carriage member includes a plurality of pins adapted to receive a portion of the apparatus when the apparatus moves the door into an open position to engage the door to the carriage member. Means are provided to coordinate the operation of the pins and the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Fisher, John N. Roche
  • Patent number: 4583705
    Abstract: Floor stand with a tubular leg (1) of folding material, to which is attached a device (2) for the housing and presentation of merchandise, which is constructed as a deep-drawn plastics component in the manner of a tray, with a base surface and with encircling end faces (15) integrally moulded to its edges and pointing downwards and also directly mutually connected, whilst a correspondingly profiled connecting plate (16) of corrugated board material, which is inserted into the housing space formed by the base surface and the encircling end faces of the housing device, is glued by its underside to a roof panel part of the leg and by its upper side to the base surface of the housing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Gustav Stabernack GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4582283
    Abstract: Display stand made of folding material having a tubular base with a counter fixed to the base for the reception and display of merchandise, the rear wall (3) of the base being extended upwards beyond the joint connecting the rear wall (3) to the top section (7), the side walls (2) likewise being extended at the rear to approximately the same height, at least one step (16,17) being formed in the side walls (2) and adjoining to the front, punched clearances (19) being formed in the bottom (12) of the counter (13) for the parts of the side walls (2) raised in steps to pass through, cuts matching one another being formed in the rear wall of the counter (13) and/or in the rearward extensions (8) of the side walls (2) of the base, a divider (21) being provided in the counter (13) ahead of each step (16,17) of the side walls (2) of the base, the ends of which divider are firmly connected to these side walls (14) of the counter, and blank strips being provided for those compartments of the counter (13) created by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Gustav Stabernack GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4578742
    Abstract: A lampholder for insertion into and removal from an electrically powered lighting unit which includes a socket for receiving the lamp, means for communicating electrical power from the unit to the lamp, means for releasably engaging the unit, and a cap structured to prevent cracking superposing the socket and having an upper surface and a lower surface proximate the socket. A plurality of windows through the cap of a sufficient size to vent heat emitted from the lamp, together with the heat resistant material from which the cap is formed, prevent the upper surface from exceeding a predetermined temperature. An insulation layer is preferably disposed between the lower surface and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Roy S. Klein, Joel C. Gehly, Joseph T. Sestak
  • Patent number: 4577764
    Abstract: An improved rack for holding first or second containers in washing and/or sterilizing apparatus, where the containers include a deep bottom portion and a shallow lid which, together with the bottom portion defines an enclosed chamber, and an intermediate portion for insertion into the chamber. The improved rack includes a rigid rectangular frame defining an opening and having a substantially rectangular diagonal member and two skewed square diagonal members on each side of the rectangle, a first set of wire components disposed on the lengths of the frame for supporting the bottom portions in an inverted position spanning at least a portion of the opening, a second set of wire components disposed on the diagonals for supporting the intermediate portions in a substantially vertical position, and a third set of wire components disposed on the frame for supporting the lids in a substantially obtusely angular position relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: John L. Silka, Gerald L. Yeaney
  • Patent number: 4573294
    Abstract: A framework for use in constructing a building that is capable of rapid assembly and disassembly is disclosed. The framework includes a plurality of spaced column members joined at their upper ends by beam members, the joinder being effected by means of aligned pin receiving means on the column and beam secured with a pin. Means are provided within the framework to receive, without the need for fasteners, wall panel members and roof panel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Fabricating, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Lienhard
  • Patent number: 4567962
    Abstract: A personal lowering device having two lines, a housing through which the lines so move that the housing descends along the lines when the lines are suspended from an elevated position, a sheave assembly and two brakes disposed within the housing, and two pairs of cinching sheaves biased toward a position for reducing the flow of the lines into the housing. The brakes are so associated with the sheave assembly and the housing that a slight biasing force on the two pairs of cinching sheaves reduces the flow of line into the housing, forcing the sheave assembly into pivoting motion, thereby forcing the brakes against the housing and thus halting the descent of the housing along the lines. A control member is provided for moving the cinching sheave pairs away from the reducing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Kladitis
  • Patent number: 4554936
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively coupling a source of pressurized fluid to washing machine containers which hold items during wash cycles where there are first containers adapted for preventing the flow of fluid and second containers adapted for receiving the fluid when the containers are placed in their normal positions in the washing machine. The apparatus includes a member having a contoured passage therethrough and which defines an inlet and an outlet and means slidably disposed within the member for controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet to the containers. The flow control means has a first portion, which may include a body and a flange and a second portion which may be an elongate pin. The first portion is adapted for such engagement with the contours of the passage that the flow control means can assume a first position for preventing the flow and a second position for permitting the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: James E. Tingley
  • Patent number: 4538214
    Abstract: An illumination system having a continuous fixed ceiling panel, at least one light source suspended by a telescoping arm from the panel and a split-core transformer formed by two electroinductive coils enclosed in permanent magnets through which a magnetic field is created for the sealed transfer of electrical energy through the panel to the light source. One magnet is disposed on opposite surfaces of the panel. Rollers or a pneumatic system may be disposed between each magnet and the surface of the panel on which the magnet is disposed for sliding the magnets over the surfaces of the panel while maintaining the transfer of electrical energy. Secondary lighting means may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Fisher, William R. Miller
  • Patent number: 4537276
    Abstract: A device for transmitting sound from a speaker in a first area, such as a sterile or clean field, to a second area such as a nonsterile or nonclean field. The device includes a sound conduit having an inlet and an outlet and being of sufficient length to permit placement of the inlet in the first area and placement of the outlet in the second area, means, such as a filter mask, for securing the inlet in an operative position relative to the speaker's mouth, and a coupler connected to the outlet. A microphone and means for adjusting the sound pressure transmitted through the conduit are preferably also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Confer
  • Patent number: 4528699
    Abstract: Improved clothing to be worn by a woman for breast feeding a baby which includes an upper member having a lower edge and a lower member having an upper edge. The upper edge of the lower member is made of such a resilient material that the upper edge tends to assume a nonaccess position, covering the breasts, but which can be pulled down to an access position under the breast to make it accessible to the baby. The upper and lower members are so positioned relative to each other when worn by a woman that at least a portion of the upper member overlaps the lower member. The lower edge of the upper member is suspended to an area below the breast to permit the upper member to shield the breast when the upper edge of the lower member is in either the access or nonaccess positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Stephanie D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4510826
    Abstract: An attachment for a screwgun includes a hollow barrel and a hollow sleeve which is adapted for sliding movement with respect to the barrel. The sleeve and barrel are biased apart by a spring. A drive rod which extends through the hollow portions of the sleeve and barrel coacts with a screwgun to transfer the driving force of the screwgun to a fastener. A feed tube is attached to the barrel by a hinge which extends through a slot in the sleeve. An outlet end of the feed tube is in communication with a portal in the barrel through which a fastener may be inserted into the barrel when the feed tube is in a first position. In a second feed tube position, the outlet end of the feed tube and the portal of the barrel are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Guardian Fasteners and Closure Systems
    Inventor: Milton Marks
  • Patent number: 4483446
    Abstract: A shelf supports a load in such a steam environment as a steam sterilizer. The shelf includes at least one load supporting member which has a thermally efficient configuration. Accordingly, the shelf members may be tubular, may have channels with U-shaped cross sections, may be beams having an inverted T-shaped cross section or may be a tray having a plurality of U-shaped channels. Thus, the surfaces of each load supporting member are so adapted that formation of condensation on the surfaces is inhibited. In addition, the members are designed to retain at least a portion of the condensation formed on the surfaces of the members and direct to a desired location any condensation that cannot be held by the load supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: William R. Miller, Peter F. Staats
  • Patent number: D280574
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Kladitis