Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dennis L. Thomte
  • Patent number: 6449772
    Abstract: The wrist cover disclosed herein includes a generally cylindrical tubular member formed of fabric, fleece, etc., having forward and rearward ends. The forward and rearward ends of the tubular member are elasticized to seal the ends to the arm and hand of the wearer. An aperture is formed in the side wall of the tubular member, adjacent the forward end, to permit the wearer's thumb to project outwardly from the tubular member. Elastic bands encircling the aperture form a seal around the thumb, when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Jolene M. Donner
  • Patent number: 6448932
    Abstract: A dual feed internal antenna is disclosed which provides an internal antenna with multiple frequency response through the use of two or more internal antennas within one package. Each internal antenna has its own feed and ground connection. For example, a planar inverted F antenna provides response at cellular telephone frequencies and an inverted F antenna provides response at Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Stoiljkovic, Shanmuganthan Suganthan, Peter Webster
  • Patent number: 6443194
    Abstract: A screw anchor adjustable density control device is provided for use with a bagging machine for bagging material into bags having a closed end and an open mouth. The bagging machine comprises a wheeled frame having a tunnel thereon which includes an intake end for receiving the material to be bagged and an output end adapted to receive the open mouth of the bag. A selectively rotatable screw anchor is secured to the wheeled frame within the tunnel and extends rearwardly therefrom into the material being packed within the bag. The rotational rate of the screw anchor is selectively varied for varying the density of the material within the bag. Preferably, the screw anchor is selectively movable between retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6438818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical terminal implementation device that fabricates individual terminals, positions the terminals at their point of use, and connects the terminals to the subject components. The present device may also include apparatus for attaching the terminals to a component, testing the connection between the terminal and the component, coating the terminals with flux, shaping the terminals, and burnishing the component. More specifically, the present invention includes a terminal feeder by which integrated terminals are fed into the device. The integrated terminals are directed from the feeder toward a punch by a selector assembly. Before an individual terminal is cut from the integrated terminals by the punch, a loader assembly grips the individual terminal. Once separated from the integrated terminals, the individual terminal is moved by the loader assembly to the positioner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Larry J. Costa
  • Patent number: 6437747
    Abstract: A tunable PIFA antenna is disclosed for use with wireless communication devices. In three embodiments of the invention, a movable tuning member constructed of a high-dielectric constant material is selectively moved with respect to the feed and shorting pins of the antenna to vary the frequency response of the antenna. In the fourth embodiment, a slot is molded into the frame of the antenna. The size and position of the slot is varied by the molding tool to vary the frequency response of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Stoiljkovic, Peter Webster, Shanmuganthan Suganthan
  • Patent number: 6433747
    Abstract: A Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) is disclosed comprising a radiator assembly positioned in the interior of a lower Radome member. An upper Radome member is placed over the radiator assembly with the upper Radome member and the lower Radome member fully enclosing the radiator assembly. The radiator assembly is held to the upper and lower Radome members by means of three dielectric blocks on each member. The radiator assembly comprises: (1) two radiating elements placed on the opposite sides of common ground plane; (2) two separate shorting strips extending between one end of each radiating element and one end of common ground plane; (3) a common feed conductor in the form of a single strip connecting one edge of each radiating element and the common feed conductor which has a disc-shaped portion with an opening formed therein. A ground tab is formed as an extension of the common ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Cumro, Sripathi Yarasi, Govind R. Kadambi, Kenneth D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6431633
    Abstract: A cover is disclosed for a pickup truck bed with the cover being comprised of upper and lower metal sheet members secured at their edges to define a compartment therebetween which is preferably filled with a foam strengthening material. Preferably, the sheet members are constructed of an aluminum material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: David C. Young, Lon N. Brorson
  • Patent number: 6428367
    Abstract: The snap electrical terminal includes a base having a top wall, a vertical wall, and an annular flange. The annual flange has an underside on which is disposed a ring of solder. In use, the snap electrical terminal provides a ring-shaped electrical and mechanical connection with the component to which it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Larry J. Costa
  • Patent number: 6427629
    Abstract: A collapsible feeder for birds, squirrels and the like is disclosed and comprises a feeder body including a base and a rim. A series of hollow body segments of graduated diameters extend upwardly from the base within the rim to form a feeder body. The segment of smallest diameter is joined to the base and has a plurality of feed outlet openings formed therein to enable feed from within the feeder body to pass outwardly therefrom onto the base inwardly of the rim. A feeder lid is removably positioned on the upper end of the segment of greatest diameter when the feeder body is in the extended position. The feeder lid is removably positioned on the upper end of the rim when the feeder body is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Raymon W. Lush
  • Patent number: 6428264
    Abstract: A side dump body including a plurality of side dump body units pivotally mounted on a truck or trailer frame. Each of the side dump body units may be individually pivotally moved from a transport position to a dumping position wherein the contents of the dump body units may be dumped from the side of a truck or trailer. A material compactor is provided at the upper end of each of the body units for compacting material within the body unit. The material compactor may be moved from its operative compaction position wherein it overlies the upper end of the body unit to an inoperative position at one side of the body unit so that the body unit may be moved to its dumping position without interference from the material compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Thurston Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Layton W. Jensen, Ralph R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6428197
    Abstract: A spotlight is disclosed for use with an all-terrain vehicle or a snowmobile with the spotlight being selectively removably positioned in a U-shaped bracket which is pivotally secured to the vehicle about a vertical axis. The spotlight includes a housing having indentations at its opposite sides which removably receive inner ends of connectors which are positioned at the inner sides of the upper ends of the leg portions of the U-shaped bracket. The connectors are pivotally secured, about horizontal axes, to the leg portions. The leg portions of the U-shaped bracket are able to flex with respect to one another to permit the spotlight to be secured to the U-shaped bracket and to be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Cycle Country Accessories Corporation
    Inventor: Richard G. Downing
  • Patent number: 6428047
    Abstract: A combine header transport trailer including a wheeled frame for endwise transport of a combine header. An elongated header support bar is positioned at one side of the trailer and is normally supported upon a pair of posts or supports which extend upwardly from one of the frame members of the trailer. The header support bar is adapted to engage the underside of the header adjacent the forward end thereof. The lower rearward end of the header is supported upon a pair of brackets. The header support bar and the brackets are positioned at opposite ends of pivot arms which are adapted to pivotally move the combine header from a substantially horizontally disposed position to a substantially vertically disposed position. As the header is pivoted to its substantially vertically disposed position, the lower end of the header moves inwardly with respect to the trailer to stabilize the trailer by centering the weight of the header on the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph J. Kaderabek
  • Patent number: 6425726
    Abstract: A side dump body including a side dump body unit pivotally mounted on a truck or trailer frame. The side dump body unit is pivotally moved from a transport position to a dumping position wherein the contents of the dump body unit may be dumped from the side of a truck or trailer. A material compactor is provided at the upper end of the body unit for compacting material within the body unit. The material compactor may be moved from its operative compaction position wherein it overlies the upper end of the body unit to an inoperative position at one side of the body unit so that the body unit may be moved to its dumping position without interference from the material compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Thurston Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Layton W. Jensen, Ralph R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6423915
    Abstract: A switch contact for a wireless communication device is disclosed which is comprised of a generally U-shaped spring contact positioned between a printed circuit board and a planar inverted F antenna in a compressed state for electrically connecting the printed circuit board to a feed point on the planar inverted F antenna. The leg portions of the spring contact are provided with spring extensions which are overlapped and which are biased towards one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Blake Winter
  • Patent number: 6424117
    Abstract: A press-in contact is disclosed for use in a battery pack including a plastic housing which is closed by a plastic cover. The plastic housing has a plurality of circular openings formed therein while the plastic cover is also provided with a plurality of circular openings formed therein. A press-in contact is inserted into each of the openings which have pre-described geometry. A circumferential barb is provided on the inner end of each of the press-in contacts and serves as a mechanical connection of the contact to the plastic housing or cover and also provides a watertight seal. The inner ends of the contacts are operatively connected to a flexible circuit board within the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony P. Vejraska
  • Patent number: 6417465
    Abstract: A ground-conforming portable truck scale which may be positioned on uneven ground for weighing a truck comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side truss members having a center cross-beam pivotally secured thereto and extending therebetween, a plurality of cross-beams loosely connected to the side truss member and extending therebetween, a front ramp pivotally secured to the forward ends of the side frame members, and a rear ramp pivotally secured to the rearward ends of the side truss members. Weigh cells are provided between the ends of the side truss members and the front and rear ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Versa Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6417809
    Abstract: A compact dual diversity antenna for RF data and wireless communication devices having a printed circuit board is disclosed. First and second PIFAs are mounted on the PCB in a spaced relationship. Each of the first and second PIFAs include radiating elements having ground planes and shorting posts. The ground plane of the second PIFA is disposed in the same plane as the PCB. The ground plane of the first PIFA is orthogonally disposed with respect to the ground plane of the second PIFA. First and second feed posts connect the first and second PIFAs to the PCB through RF feed lines. The first and second feed posts are disposed perpendicularly to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Govind R. Kadambi, Blaine Rexel Bateman, Ted Hebron, Gary A. Cumro, Scott Witt
  • Patent number: 6409130
    Abstract: A pivoting suspension seat post comprising a tubular post which is adapted to be inserted into a bicycle frame tube for supporting a bicycle seat thereon. A lower body member is secured to the upper end of the post and has the lower ends of front and rear parallel arms pivotally secured thereto. An angular upper body member is pivotally secured to the upper ends of the front and rear parallel arms. A pin is pivotally secured at its upper end to the front parallel arm and has its lower end in engagement with a suspension guide which is slidably received in the upper end of the post. A spring or elastomer members are positioned in the post with the upper end of the spring or the elastomers being received by the suspension guide. A seat mount is provided at the upper end of the upper body member for mounting a bicycle seat thereon. The downward and rearward pivotal movement of the upper body member and the bicycle seat operatively secured thereto is resisted by the spring or elastomer members in the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin L. Maret
  • Patent number: 6409805
    Abstract: The filter system for filtering particulate material from a generally unidirectional fluid stream comprises a first filter removably positioned in the fluid stream and a second filter removably positioned in the fluid stream downstream of the first filter. The first filter comprises a pre-filter and includes a layer of fluid-permeable material having a plurality of spaced-apart openings extending completely therethrough. The method of utilizing the fluid filter system of this invention is also disclosed and comprises the steps of: (1) removably positioning a first filter in the fluid stream; and (2) removably positioning a fluid-permeable second filter in the fluid stream downstream of the first filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Products Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Beier, Rex A. Adams
  • Patent number: 6405991
    Abstract: A support pole including a baseplate attached to a footing and having a central opening formed therein. A hollow shaft has its lower end received by the central opening in the baseplate. The lower end of the shaft is shaped to provide one or more deformations which facilitate the shaft to baseplate connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand A. Damiano