Patents Represented by Attorney Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 5882239
    Abstract: An illuminatable plastic disc that spins and flies when thrown including chemiluminescent composition passages that extend radially across substantially the entire disc so when the disc spins in darkness, the entire disc appears illuminated. The chemiluminescent passages are formed integrally with the disc both in a two molding embodiment and in a single molding embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Angelique M. Trichak
  • Patent number: 5873174
    Abstract: A system for holding fast the zero end of a measuring tape to permit measurements to be read from the tape without compensation, including a generally triangular weighted body with three downwardly projecting pointed end legs, one of which holds the zero end loop or hook of a measuring tape, the legs being pointed to engage and hold on certain surfaces, and also being retractable to permit elastometric pads on the body to hold the body fast on damageable surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Wendell P. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5873791
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club having an enlarged club head in the range of 250 to 300 cm..sup.3 constructed of a material lighter than steel to maintain the total club head weight within normal limits including the weight of a novel power shaft according to the present invention. The club head, without the power shaft, is approximately 175 gms. and the power shaft weighs approximately 25 gms., so the total club head weight is approximately 200 gms. and within normal limits. The power shaft, integral with the rear of the ball striking face wall at its forward end and integral or cast into the rear of the club head at its rear end, while reinforcing the ball striking face wall, increases the resonant frequency of the face wall to synchronize face wall rebound to the player's swing speed. Face wall resonant frequency is varied by changing the size and weight of the power shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Varndon Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 5851415
    Abstract: A decorative holiday figurine convertible by the consumer to a snow mold for molding snow into shapes conforming to the interior of the figurine. The figurine is manufactured so the consumer can remove portions of the figurine for loading snow and separating the figurine into hinged halves so the mold can be removed after snow molding is complete. The figurine has an associated colorant system that allows the snow molder to inject colorant in selected areas through the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Larry G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5829179
    Abstract: A tamper resistant trigger blocking device for weapons having a trigger guard featuring a pair of blocking members that cover the opposite sides of the trigger guard preventing entry into the trigger area. The two blocking members are clamped together by a pair of oppositely disposed combination locks each of which has a plunger in the other blocking member that is grasped by the combination locks. Movement of the blocking members in the plane of the trigger guard is minimized by a plurality of indexible rods in one of the blocking members that are engageable with both sides of the trigger guard to prevent that movement. The user adjusts the positions of these rods to fit the user's trigger guard size and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Robert L. Carter, George W. Carter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5219204
    Abstract: A recliner chair assembly with a vertical lift that raises the seat back that in turn tilts the seat. The lower end of the back is tracked to cause the back to recline and also to shift the seat horizontally and vertically. Horizontal movement of the seat causes movement relative to the chair arms and ottoman extension and retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventors: Leeland M. Bathrick, Glenn Brittain
  • Patent number: 5199745
    Abstract: A greeting card with a rupturable tissue paper confetti package that spews confetti when opened by the surprised recipient. The confetti package is mounted on the inside of one of the card leaves and a water soluble transparent adhesive aligned on the other leaf is activated by moistening and then pressing it into bonded contact with the confetti package. Giver instructions are optimally positioned underneath the transparent adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Balsamo
  • Patent number: 5132492
    Abstract: A universally movable electrical fixture having a ball carrying base and cooperating electrical fitting carried socket with a unique tab projection that rides in a circumferential slot in the ball shaped to permit free swinging movement of the electrical fixture while limiting the rotational movement of the fixture to about 130 degrees to minimize electrical conductor twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Heath Company
    Inventor: Klaus Wieder
  • Patent number: 5045960
    Abstract: A slide guide for a removable computer drive module that permits the module to float as a self aligning connector engages. A computer housing has tracks that guide the module as it is inserted and release the forward end of the module just before the connector engages alignment pins that align the connector as it engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Zenith Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Lon Eding
  • Patent number: 5010426
    Abstract: An installation mechanism for a removable computer drive module with a handle operated automatically engaging dual rack and pinion device. The pinions are carried by the handle which is pivotally mounted adjacent a module receiving opening in a console. The module carries a pair of rails that have the rack gears formed integrally at one end. After the handle is pivoted to an upward position, the module is inserted into the console and pushed forward engaging the handle pinions. Further pushing on the module causes driving engagement between the racks and the pinions forcing the handle to pivot downwardly. The connectors between the module and the console are engaged by grasping and rotating the handle further downwardly driving the module further into the console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Zenith Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Horst M. Krenz
  • Patent number: 4867478
    Abstract: A multiple purpose cable assembly for locking and alternatively carrying skis and poles, with a first cable section having eyelets at both ends and a second shorter cable section connected to one end of the first cable section with an eyelet at its distal end, the short cable section defining a fairly tight loop around the skis in both locking and carrying modes, and longer cable section defining a short loop around the skis and a handle in the carrying mode, and a long loop around the skis and an immovable object in the locking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Robert L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4607809
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing toilet paper holder and roll dispenser for residential use that includes an enclosed vertical tubular body that receives the rolls, with a bracket adapted to fit over the top rim of a conventional residential toilet tank under the tank cover without the need for any special fasteners or wall damage. An actuator rod is slidable in axial slots in the body to shift the rolls upwardly so that the top roll may be easily removed, and the rod may be locked in any desired position by simply rotating the rod 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Inventors: Charles F. Sineni, Debra A. Sineni
  • Patent number: 4589224
    Abstract: A wire mat turf and soil protector that covers newly repaired soil areas to prevent animals, and particularly dogs, from digging holes, and also supports the soil and turf during grass regrowth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Inventor: Dorothy A. Collette
  • Patent number: 4575035
    Abstract: A support assembly of general utility that permits linear and rotational adjustability of the article supported including several angularly related hexagonal threaded rods interconnected by support blocks having transversely disposed rod receiving bores therein. The hexagonal configuration of the rods permits the blocks to be angularly located in any of six positions with respect to each rod, and clamping lock nuts threaded on the rods compress the blocks around each rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: David C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4561301
    Abstract: A miniature wind sock assembly adapted to be coiled and inserted into a small plastic display container. The wind sock is supported on a spring mast in turn fixed to a spring base bracket that is designed to be attached either to standard bicycle handlebars or to standard adjustable headband hats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Inventor: Stanley O. Steele
  • Patent number: 4550626
    Abstract: A servo-motor assembly for a machine slide having a rack and pinion drive that includes a servo-motor support with a pinion carrying output shaft all totally supported by and cantilevered on a pair of normally flat parallel springs that bias the motor support and pinion toward the rack to eliminate backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 4538846
    Abstract: A plurality or kit of brace assemblies for a carpet stretcher of the type having a carpet gripping head supported by a plurality of elongated telescoping tubular sections that are adjustable to vary the effective length of the head from a fixed support. Three interchangeable brace assemblies are provided, each of which may be substituted by the installer for the standard wall engaging foot on the end telescopic section. Each of the braces is adapted to fit around a fixed discrete vertical support commonly found in areas where carpets are installed such as support posts. All the brace assemblies include a "U" shaped retainer and a tubular base. The largest of these brace assemblies includes a U-shaped arcuate retainer that is adapted to fit around and grasp one of the cylindrical support posts in the carpet installation area. This retainer has a non-pivotal connection to a base that snaps in the telescopic tubular sections of the stretcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Inventor: Jerry M. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4532673
    Abstract: An opening pivot mechanism for a window or any type of closure that permits the closure to be opened in three directions from a single operator that includes three actuator rods with integral cylindrical bosses that define two pivot pins on each of three axes for slotted hinges carried by the closure. The actuator rods are simultaneously reciprocated by the operator through a series of links to position one of the rods with its pivot pins in their associated hinges thus defining the selected pivot axis, and to position at the same time reduced portions on the other two actuator rods in the remaining hinges so these rods can pass through the slots in their hinges during opening movement of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: Sam K. Kim
  • Patent number: 4453084
    Abstract: An optical pattern tracing system of the type having a tracing head with a scanner that projects a photocell onto a pattern in a closed path and provides two signals for each complete path across a line with an approach control for driving the tracing head toward the pattern-line that permits the operator to preselect either clockwise or counterclockwise tracing. The tracing head approach control includes circuitry that selectively blocks the first or the second pulse from the photocell and then terminates the blocking function shortly after the line is reached. An improved line detector is also disclosed that detects the true center of the line to be traced, and a dual pulse detector is also provided that assures that the scanner is fully locked onto the line prior to switching from manual to automatic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: ESAB, North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 4429481
    Abstract: A spin-casting rod and reel assembly that has a rod with a top guide pivotally mounted between the rod butt guide and the handgrip on the main rod to impart intermittent motion or "jerking" to the line and lure during line pay-in. The jerk-rod is spring biased to an inactive position parallel to and closely adjacent to the main rod with its top guide adjacent the main rod's butt guide, and is moveable to an active position by the fisherman's manual hand manipulation with the jerk-rod top guide spaced considerably from the butt guide to accelerate line and lure pay-in intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Inventor: David H. Handa