Patents Represented by Law Firm Cumpston & Shaw
  • Patent number: 6185303
    Abstract: An enclosure mounting bracket kit for attaching an enclosure with an exterior flange to a post is described. The mounting bracket includes an elongated horizontal rigid bar having first and second elongated studs protruding from the front side surface for penetrating the mounting holes of the flange; at least one through-hole in each of the first and second studs transverse to a long axis of the stud so that when each of the first and second studs penetrates a mounting hole the through-hole penetrates the flange; first and second releasable pins for positioning in each through-hole and gripping each of the first and second studs respectively; a block attached to the rear side surface of the bar between the first and second studs, the block having a surface generally conforming to the outside surface of the post; an adjustable strap attached to the rear surface for encompassing the post; and a ratchet tensioning device pivotally attached to the rear surface for tightening the strap around the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Francis R. Losey
  • Patent number: 6086350
    Abstract: A portable concrete molding apparatus for forming concrete structures of a predetermined configuration, either on-site or at a central manufacturing facility. The apparatus includes a trailer having furnace plenum bounded by a pair of fixed walls. Each fixed wall cooperates with a movable wall for forming a mold therebetween. Each movable wall includes a concrete inlet for introducing concrete into the bottom portion of the mold. The fixed and movable walls include push-off valves for ensuring separation of a concrete structure from the mold walls, as the mold walls are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ernest J. Del Monte
  • Patent number: 6054951
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional tracking sensor for tracking a moving transmitter with particular applications in virtual reality and other real time computer applications. The system employs an electro-magnetic (EM) tracking sensor having a small lightweight transmitter with a transmitting antenna located on the target to be tracked and an array receiver with several local stationary antenna elements. Multiple antenna elements of the array receiver lie on the perimeter of the measured space in positions determined by a self-calibration procedure. The proposed device calculates a cross correlation function between two signals at each receiving unit to determine a spatial position of the tracked element via a system of linear equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jozef Sypniewski
  • Patent number: 6036349
    Abstract: Predictive models have always been sought in the physical, biological and social sciences, but the application of such models may not produce reliable results. Before accepting a prediction from any model, it is essential to ascertain that the model is applicable to make the prediction. The present invention generally relates to a method for validating a model based prediction and more specifically, to a method for validating whether selected models are applicable to selected queries and comparing the performance of the predictive model on a query object or point, etc., with the performance of the predictive model on an existing object having a shortest property sensitive similarity index from the query object or point, etc. in a data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Health Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Vijay K. Gombar
  • Patent number: 6031180
    Abstract: A below ground enclosure for retaining cable and cable components, wherein the below ground enclosure is pressurizable and the components may be mounted on a vertically actuated rack to be movable between a retracted position inside the enclosure and an extended position above ground. A cooperating lock and valving system is employed to permit pressurization of the enclosure from an internal pressurized gas source upon sealing and locking of the enclosure, and for venting the enclosure upon initiation of the unlocking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Arco Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J Schilling, Robert W Mulford, Julio Vazquez
  • Patent number: 6012239
    Abstract: The present invention provides a traction device that is selectively removable from a threaded aperture and allows for the operative engagement of the traction device into a threaded aperture without requiring the rotation of the traction member relative to the threaded receptacle. The traction device includes a head and a shaft projecting from the head. The head may include any of a variety of ground engaging members such as wedges, spikes or teeth. A plurality of fins extend from the shaft and exhibit substantially equal flex resistance towards the head and away from the head. Upon operable engagement, the fins are biased between successive threads. The traction device may be configured to provide a substantially equal insertion force and extraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Andrew W. Conway
    Inventors: Cyril J. Conway, John H. Schwartz, Andrew W. Conway
  • Patent number: 5980001
    Abstract: A ground penetrating traction stud for attaching to a flexible track, the stud having a longitudinal axis, a penetrating member formed with a contact face, a reinforcing rib and a pair of transition facets extending between the edges of the contact face and the reinforcing rib. The contact face may be inclined at an angle between about 3.degree. and 10.degree. to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Edward R Rubel
  • Patent number: 5967874
    Abstract: An educational reading device having a core leaf of a first thickness and a plurality of secondary leaves having a thickness less than the first thickness, the secondary leaves connected to the core leaf to dispose a portion of the core leaf intermediate two secondary leaves. The device includes a three dimensional sculptured head connected to the core leaf and a foot for orienting the device in an upright orientation. The secondary leaves are connected to the core leaf to permit the secondary leaves to be opened as a book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Hua Yang Printing Co.
    Inventors: Sandra C. Shaw, Karl Chan
  • Patent number: 5969790
    Abstract: A prismatic lens (10) having a plurality of integral prisms (60), wherein the prisms (60) surround a central non prism area (90) in an apex portion (68) in-base (62) out orientation. Each prism (60) is adjacent or contacting two other prisms (60) to encompass the non prism area (90). The present invention may include a conical, spherical or aspheric lens member (30). Further, the plurality of prisms (60) may be disposed on an object side (12) or an image side (14) of the lens (10), so that a corrective prescription curvature may be formed on the lens member (30) on either the object (12) or image (14) side of the lens (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Onufryk
  • Patent number: 5956173
    Abstract: Our invention achieves spectral broadening of an input pulse by propagating it through a hollow fiber filled with a noble gas. The output pulse is then compressed to a shorter duration by passing it through an optical system consisting of phase dispersive elements. In a preferred embodiment, the input pulse is generated by a mode-locked laser, amplified and then subsequently compressed to produce an input pulse of high peak power. This input pulse is then focused into a hollow cylindrical fiber made of fused silica and mounted inside a pressure vessel filled with noble gas. The optics are designed to match the spatial mode volume of the input pulse to that of the entrance aperture of the hollow fiber. Light is constrained to propagate down the hollow fiber and generates additional bandwidth through self-phase modulation as it interacts with the gas contained therein. The spectrum of the pulse after propagation through the gas is frequency chirped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
    Inventors: Orazio Svelto, Sandro De Silvestri, Mauro Nisoli
  • Patent number: 5952593
    Abstract: A fretted stringed musical instrument is provided with channels which can removably accommodate frets. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the channels are provided at locations where it is sometimes, but not always, desirable to have a fret. The frets which are standard to the instrument may remain imbedded in the fingerboard. Alternatively, channels may be provided at all possible fret locations such that the instrument can be played fretted or unfretted. This embodiment would eliminate the need for expensive, time consuming, and instrument damaging refretting operations. In another embodiment of the invention, a set of tempered frets can be used to change the temperament of the instrument, such as from equal temperament to mean temperament in an Appalachian dulcimer. In another embodiment, using frets having a variety of lengths, it also becomes possible to fret only certain strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Dwain Wilder
  • Patent number: 5947490
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a pedestrian operated machine may be pivotally attached to the rear of the machine at (22) and comprise a frame (20) having a spine (30) with a spine extension (31) supporting a seat (32) on a stalk (34) supported by a wheel (26). The spine extension is movable between a retracted pedestrian operated mode and an extended ride-on mode when the seat can be pivoted from a fold-away position to a position of use. When in its extended position the spine extension allows the frame to be pivoted about a vertical axis (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Sweepers Limited
    Inventors: Peter Alexander Clarence Munnoch, Kenneth Michael Loasby, Thomas Dobbie Lockhart
  • Patent number: 5937893
    Abstract: A shield for a pressure relief device for containing and deflecting released fluids is described. The shield includes an enclosure for surrounding the pressure relief device, the enclosure having a first port for engaging the enclosure to a relief duct while permitting the shield to be positioned in a necessary orientation on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Qualitrol Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua J. Herz
  • Patent number: 5921011
    Abstract: A point of purchase display for securing a display sign to a side of a box is disclosed. The point of purchase display comprises a holder base having a plurality of foldable sections. Preferably, a middle section and two connecting sections are folded and inserted into a back bone of a display sign. Two end sections and the two connecting sections preferably each comprise a slot which slots are pushed over the side of a box. Thus, each of the end sections and the connecting sections have a portion which pushes against a front of the side of the box and a portion which pushes against a rear of the side of the box for securely retaining the display sign above the box. Preferably, the display sign and the back bone are also made from foldable sections such that the apparatus may be easily shipped for assembly at the designated display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Hawyer, Inc.
    Inventor: James Hawver
  • Patent number: 5923418
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an electromagnetic beam, namely a laser beam, aimed at a particular point in space and aligned with a unique propagation path. The apparatus includes one or more adjustable beam steerers located in the propagation path, and first and second spaced apart beam position detectors arranged in the beam path. The beam steerer(s) are preferably adjustable along at least two orthogonal axes of rotation for controlling the propagation direction of the beam. Error signals from the position sensors are fed into a beam steerer controller connected to the beam steerer(s) for electro-mechanically adjusting the beam steerer. The method of the invention involves fixing the propagation path on an angularly adjustable beam steering surface so that the propagation path at a different unique point in space, such as a target, can be controlled by adjusting the angular orientation of that beam steerer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Clark-MXR, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Clark, Edward F. Gabl
  • Patent number: 5907984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting sheet material upon an apertured support surface, the apparatus including a pair of spaced apart parallel cutters. The cutters are spaced apart by a distance greater than a dimension of the apertures, but less than an inter aperture distance so that at least one of the cutters remains in cutting contact with the support surface when the remaining cutter passes over an aperture. The method includes selectively overcutting and undercutting the line segments at an intersection to ensure continuity of cut paths of both cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Herman, Jr., Marvin H. Duncan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5901657
    Abstract: A support structure for a flexible boat cover includes an extensible bar supported entirely by at least one cord extending therefrom to cleats located at the bow and stern of the boat. This invention provides multiple supports spaced laterally from the centerline of the boat without any additional hardware. The cord preferably elastic, may extend over the top of the windshield to provide an inclined support structure to prevent collection of water in the boat cover. The bar is extensible to accommodate boats of various widths and to reduce its length for storage when not in use. Additionally, the bar can be supported by posts underneath to support ice and snow in colder climates during the winter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5898977
    Abstract: A supporting bracket for windows which can be used on any side of a window and which can be mounted using existing central mount installation tooling is disclosed. The supporting bracket uses dual sided containment of the vent bar end for preventing sash play and uses camming surfaces to allow for immediate sash pull in which prevents weather-strip problems and prevents the supporting bracket from binding during an opening operation. In some embodiments, an end cap engages opposite sides of a symmetric vent bar end. In another embodiment, a pin attached to the vent bar is engaged on opposite sides by a track formed within the main track of the supporting bracket. In all embodiments, the vent bar and the link pivotally connecting the vent bar to the track are prevented from moving in a direction opposite the direction of opening during an opening operation. The arms of the supporting bracket may have fully rounded edges for preventing binding between adjacent arms during load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corp., Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: D414558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Laser Surge, Inc.
    Inventor: Jude S Sauer
  • Patent number: D416067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Marvin Eugene Epling