Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Crutsinger & Booth
  • Patent number: 5749690
    Abstract: A non-removable screw nut fastener assembly for affixation to a threaded bolt member comprising a nut member with a round substantially smooth exterior surface having a peripheral snap ring groove, a cap member having one closed end and an interior surface having a peripheral snap ring groove, the cap member being of such size as to fit closely but loosely over the nut member when the nut is fastened to the bolt member substantially enclosing and prevent turning of the nut and a snap ring resting untensioned partly within each of the peripheral grooves to prevent removal of the cap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Kurt Kutz
  • Patent number: 5741087
    Abstract: A padding apparatus for padding underground cable or pipeline is provided. The padding apparatus is adapted to continuously separate excavated material piled alongside an excavated ditch into relatively fine padding material and relatively rough residual material as the apparatus moves forward. The padding apparatus continuously places the relatively fine padding material in the ditch. According to the invention, the apparatus includes a frame for supporting and moving an endless openwork in an endless path for lifting excavated material in an elevating direction. The endless openwork has rods and transverse chain sections attached to the rods, whereby the rods and chain sections define openings that allow relatively fine padding material to pass therethrough. A discharge conveyor is positioned beneath at least a portion of the endless openwork of the separator to receive the relatively fine padding material and convey the padding material to the ditch for padding cable or pipeline therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Osadchuk
  • Patent number: 5730299
    Abstract: An automation and verification device for an insert machine which assembles stacks of inserts. The inserts are located in electronically selectable hoppers and are encoded with an electronically readable sort code. The automation and verification device has a controller unit, a first code scanner and a second code scanner, and a program executed on the controller unit. The controller unit has a microprocessor and an electronic memory circuit. The controller unit is electrically connected to the insert machine such that the electronically selectable hoppers can be controlled by the controller unit. The first and the second code scanners are mounted on the insert machine such that the scanners are oriented to read the sort code on the inserts. The code read by the first scanner is interpreted by the program which responds by designating a job set of hoppers for inserts to be taken from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Automated Mailing Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Helsley
  • Patent number: 5713840
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying pressure to the lumbar region of a user wherein a lumbar support is secured to the back of a user and positioned and retained such that when the user is seated in a chair the lumbar support applies pressure to prevent realignment of the user's lower spine for maintaining proper posture. The lumbar support remains suspended so that it moves as the user moves, thereby retaining the lumbar support in a predetermined position relative to user's lumbar vertebrae. Weight in the lumbar support applies a moment to the spinal column to counter-balance the moment applied by extended arms or resulting from poor posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Jerry D. Brentham
  • Patent number: 5708339
    Abstract: A bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon dispensed from a spool about a gathered neck. A pulley and proximity switch are mounted to prevent the completion of a tying cycle if a bag neck is not properly gathered and ready to be tied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Burford Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy R. Frazier, John D. Richardson, Greg P. Coxsey
  • Patent number: 5704954
    Abstract: The air purification apparatus includes a waterproof chamber having a water supply inlet, a drain, an air inlet, and an air outlet. At least two cylinders are mounted to spin about their respective axes within the chamber in parallel alignment adjacent to each other, and a motor drives each of the cylinders to rotate at high speed. The surfaces of the cylinders have numerous small holes formed therein. A pump circulates water through the water supply inlet to the inside of each of the cylinders. By rotating the cylinders at high speed, the water pumped to the inside of each of the cylinders is injected by centrifugal force through the numerous small holes therein at high speed such that streams of water droplets are forced to collide against each in the typhoon chamber and particularly between the cylinders. These forceful collisions produce infinitesimally small water particles with negative ions that have high air purification ability. An air blower circulates air through the chamber for purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Hideaki Takagi
  • Patent number: 5701653
    Abstract: A method of assembling a furniture box spring frame comprises the steps of:providing at least two truss-assembled side panels comprising the steps of providing a top beam, a bottom beam, a first end piece, a second end piece and a plurality of connector plates;positioning the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates on a template; and assembling the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates into a panel by compressing the pieces together;providing a plurality of connecting members and a plurality of slats;interconnecting the at least two sides panels with the plurality of connecting members such that the at least two sides panels are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other, andattaching the plurality of slats in notches across a top surface of the at least two sides panels which define a plurality of notches with diverging sides, to form a generally planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny L. Rupe
  • Patent number: 5692275
    Abstract: A remotely actuatable clasp responsive to photonic energy beams is provided. The clasp has a housing that defines a longitudinally extending latch cavity with a latch window. A photonic receiver circuit converts received photonic energy into an electrical signal. A latch member with a first end and a second end. The first end of the latch member has a latch head insertable into the latch cavity to the latch window. The second end of the latch member has a first attach point attachable to the garment. An electromechanical latch is electrically connected to said photonic receiver circuit and pivotally mounted to the housing. The electromechanical latch is engageable in a first position with the latch head through the latch window. The electromechanical latch is disengagable in a second position from the latch head in response to the electrical signal from the receiver circuit. A second attach point is positioned on the housing and is attachable to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Cyberstrip, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Freeman, Morgan H. Dunn
  • Patent number: 5688495
    Abstract: Topical deodorant and compositions are provided. The deodorant compositions include in the range of about 20 to about 80 percent by weight of an acetylsalicylic acid solution and in the range of about 20 to about 80 percent by weight of a waxy carrier. The acetylsalicylic acid solution has acetylsalicylic acid in the range of between about 5 percent by weight per unit volume of a solvent mixture up to saturation of the solvent mixture. This solvent mixture consists essentially of propylene glycol in the range of about 5 to 15 percent by volume, glycerin in the range of about 1 to 10 percent by volume, and the balance of the solvent mixture made up with one or more solvents selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, water, and ethanol, the balance of the solvent mixture comprising at least 50 percent by volume isopropyl alcohol. The waxy carrier preferably includes cetyl alcohol and sodium stearate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventors: Steven E. Rosen, Robert Lee Brown
  • Patent number: 5683437
    Abstract: Tanning bed apparatus is provided for providing a person with an artificial sun tan. The apparatus includes a lower tanning unit and an upper tanning unit that is moveable between an open and a closed position where the units together form a tanning chamber. A first longitudinally extending edge of the lower tanning unit is positioned lower than the vertical center of the tanning chamber to ease the task of entering and exiting the chamber. A second longitudinally extending edge of the lower tanning unit includes at least one tanning bulb that is positioned at or above the vertical center of the chamber to eliminate uneven tanning along one longitudinally extending edge of the user. At least one tanning bulb in the first longitudinally extending edge of the upper tanning unit is positioned at or below the vertical center of the chamber to eliminate uneven tanning along the opposite longitudinally extending edges of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: John Stephen Doty
  • Patent number: 5679927
    Abstract: An environmentally sealed enclosure for encapsulating a splice between cable segments. Cable gripping apparatus in the housing limits movement of the cable relative to the housing and includes a bonding portion to prevent separation of sealant from a cable when a cable is positioned to extend through the entrance into the housing. Walls of top and bottom shell segments are configured to be locked together for forming an enclosure containing encapsulant for protecting the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Communications Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Antoon M. Hurkmans, Suresh Venkat, Selim Messelhi
  • Patent number: 5676358
    Abstract: An improved table for use in a truss assembly apparatus is provided. The improved table includes a frame supporting a plurality of panels that define a work surface. According to a first aspect, the plurality of panels are separated by at least one opening extending across the table. Mountings are provided for rotationally mounting a lead screw across the table along the opening between the panels. At least one jig stop carrier is threadedly coupled to the lead screw and movable along the lead screw in the opening between the panels across the table in response to rotation of the lead screw. A jig stop is connected to the jig stop carrier and to project above the work surface of the table. To vertically adjust the height of the jig stop mounted to the jig stop carrier, which is coupled to the lead screw, at least one threaded shank is fixed on each of the mountings. The threaded shank extends through an aperture in the frame of the table to selectively position the mountings on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Shamblin, Michael C. Rosser
  • Patent number: 5661549
    Abstract: A device is provided for mounting and/or cropping photographs and negatives thereof to variable dimensions. The device is comprised of a sheath with a rectangular opening therein which defines the maximum size of a cropping window. A pair of panels, each having an aperture therein are slideably disposed in the sleeve. As the panels are moved between open and closed positions, the apertures cooperate with the rectangular opening to define variable sizes of the cropping window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Steven Crane
  • Patent number: 5656136
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating transporting and heating a liquid for treating oil and gas wells and pipeline systems is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle having an engine and a tank for transporting a liquid that can be used for treating oil wells or pipeline systems is connected to move with the vehicle. A heat exchanger system is operatively connected to the engine. A selectively operable circulating pump and a circulating line are operatively connected between said tank and said heat exchanger system for circulating the liquid from the tank through the heat exchanger system to heat the liquid. The apparatus includes at least one selectively operable valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the circulating pump, the circulating line, and the heat exchanger system. Liquid is pumped through the heat exchanger system to use heat energy from the engine to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to use for treating an oil well or pipeline system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Pool Company
    Inventors: Gilbert A. Gayaut, James R. Burton
  • Patent number: 5647567
    Abstract: An adjustable satellite antenna mounting bracket that reinforces the eaves of a building roof. The antenna mounting bracket has a telescoping support having a rigid tubular form. The telescoping support has a back plate on one end that is secured to the sidewall of the building adjacent to the eave of the building. On the other end of the telescoping support is a base mount plate having a generally rectangular form adapted for accepting the base of a satellite antenna. The base mount plate that protrudes past the outer edge of the eave to permit unobstructed reception of satellite signals. The telescoping support is braced by a brace. The brace cradles the telescoping support in normal conditions, but in the event of severe weather, the brace maintains the position of the support. An extension lock fixes the length of the telescoping support and acts to reinforce the eave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: William A. Pugh, Jr., Rocky Longino
  • Patent number: 5622019
    Abstract: A translucent panel is provided to simulate the surface of a glass-block matrix. The panel is impressed with a rectangular grid to simulate the perimeter of a plurality of glass blocks in a matrix and with a texture pattern simulating the pattern or texture of glass blocks. Two panels are mounted in a window frame in a spaced parallel configuration to simulate a glass-block window. An interior partition or wall is constructed with panels on either side of an interior framework. The partition is finished by suitable end caps, corner pieces and top caps. The translucent panel is preferably made by feeding a hot sheet of glass or plastic between two opposed rollers each having a suitable pattern thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Joe Dorough, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5595546
    Abstract: A golf putting aid comprising first and second golf balls connected together in an abutting relationship by a threaded connector that extends into holes formed in the first and second golf balls. The first golf ball includes a center formed by a thin wall, an elastic cover wound around the thin wall, a hard cover enclosing the center and elastic cover, wherein the hole formed in the ball extends through the hard cover and terminates adjacent the center. The second golf ball also comprises a center formed by a thin wall, an elastic cover wound around the thin wall, a hard cover enclosing the center and elastic cover, wherein the hole formed in the ball extends through the hard cover and terminates adjacent the center. The threaded connector has first and second threaded ends extending into the holes and urges the first ball to abut the second ball, such that centers of the first and second golf balls are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the face of the putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Albert D. Masters
  • Patent number: 5584153
    Abstract: The roof system is formed of a corrugated sheet of material anchored to a roof beam, a mineral board anchored to the peaks of the corrugated sheet having a moisture barrier, at least one layer of insulating material interposed between the mineral board and the corrugated sheet, and standing seam metal roof panels anchored to the mineral board. A staggered anchoring system is provided which eliminates thermal shorts from the outside of the roof to the inside roof beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Loadmaster Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Lynn Nunley, Joe W. Tomaselli
  • Patent number: 5582099
    Abstract: A truss bend correction system having a pair of in-feed correction rollers, a pair of finish rollers, and an out-feed correction roller define a path for counterbending the joints of a truss to reform the nail plates and thereby flatten the overall truss. The in-feed correction rollers and the out-feed correction roller are oriented downwardly with respect to the finish rollers so that an undesired upward bow of a truss joint is counterbent downwardly, thereby straightening the joints of the truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Rosser
  • Patent number: D378679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Edward Soriano