Patents Represented by Attorney Don J. Flickinger
  • Patent number: 5369366
    Abstract: A PN modulated signal is applied to an end of a network electrical distribution circuit. The signal produces a snapshot trace of energy reflected from various discontinuities along the circuit, including a fault. Because the fault absorbs a large part of the energy in the applied signal, reflections from discontinuities in the same branch as the fault but farther from the input are reduced in amplitude. By knowing the position of the branches and various discontinuities, such as transformers, the position of the fault can be logically determined. If the fault is a high resistance fault a high voltage pulse is applied to the end of the circuit. The PN signal is initially sensed at a time when the fault has a low resistance because of arcing due to the high voltage pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Cable Repair Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory H. Piesinger
  • Patent number: 5365993
    Abstract: A base member and a fascia are assembled to form a hollow door section which is filled with insulative material. Adjacent sections are coupled along respective longitudinal edges for angular and spatial displacement. The base member is extended from a selected plastic with male and female coupling components extending continuously along respective longitudinal edges. A plurality of mounting members projecting from the lateral edges of the sections matingly and slidably engage the semi-cylindrical guide surface of a tract for reciprocal vertical movement of the door. The door may be partially raised for spatial displacement of the sections whereby flow-through ventilation openings are exposed. In a specific embodiment, a flexible drive screw is rotatably carried within the track for powered operation of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: John F. Jella
  • Patent number: 5360387
    Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps may clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignees: Jamal Saklou, Pierre Metivier
    Inventor: William F. Baker
  • Patent number: 5355867
    Abstract: A portable grill including a vertical grill base, an inner sleeve received by the grill base for rotatable and slidable movement about the grill base, a J hook affixed adjacent the upper end of the grill base, a chain attached to the inner sleeve for engagement of the J hook allowing the sleeve to be raised and lowered relative to a fire, two grill portions extending outwardly from the inner sleeve for support over a fire, and a stop affixed to the lower end of the inner sleeve for support of the gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Richard L. Hall, Jeffrey D. Hebets
  • Patent number: 5352984
    Abstract: A PN modulated signal is applied to a near end of a buried electrical cable. The signal produces an initial pulse, a second pulse of energy reflected from a fault and a third pulse representative of the far end of the cable. The time/distance between the second and third pulses is stored. As the PN signal is continuously applied an operator, using an antenna coupled monitor, walks along the cable noting the time/distance between the initial and third pulses. When this time/distance equals the stored time/distance the operator is standing over the fault. If the fault is a high resistance fault a high voltage pulse is applied to the near end of the cable. The PN signal is initially sensed at a time when the fault has a low resistance because of arcing due to the high voltage pulse. To reduce stress on the cable, the arc is initialized by a high voltage low current signal and is maintained by a low voltage high current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Cable Repair Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory H. Piesinger
  • Patent number: 5347768
    Abstract: A roof having an underlayment of sheathing attached to rafters and a group of discrete roofing elements attached to and substantially covering the underlayment. The roof also includes a net having an open weave and a multiplicity of openings. The openings are smaller than at least one dimension of the discrete roofing elements. The net is secured to the roof in contact with the group of discrete roofing elements and covers at least a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Yolanda Pineda
  • Patent number: 5347684
    Abstract: A flexible sheet is detachably securable about the handle of a tool, cooking utensil or other implement. Preferably fabricated of cellular elastomer, such as foamed rubber, the sheet thermally and electrically insulates the hand of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Linda J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5345218
    Abstract: A vehicle having left and right lower rear brake lights and a center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) flashes the CHMSL when brakes are initially applied. The lower brake lights do not automatically flash. After a predetermined duration, the CHMSL remains continuously activated until brakes are removed. A semiconductor oscillator circuit is configured to be energized when brakes are applied. It produces an oscillating signal which is responsible for causing the CHMSL to flash. A semiconductor timer circuit is also configured to be energized when brakes are applied. It produces a time out signal which activates a predetermined duration after brakes are applied and which is responsible for causing the CHMSL to remain continuously activated. The outputs of the oscillator and timer circuits are combined at a semiconductor switch which drives the CHMSL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventors: Daniel S. Woods, Robert Stargiotti
  • Patent number: 5339854
    Abstract: An apparatus for conserving utilities including coolant, in a system having an evaporative cooler equipped with a water reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of cooling water and also equipped with a recirculating system for recirculating the cooling water. The apparatus has a level sensing assembly coupled to the water reservoir. The level sensing assembly provides a first signal when the cooling water level is less than a first predetermined limit. The system has a controller coupled to the level sensing assembly for receiving the first signal. The system also has a supply valve coupled to the water reservoir, to a water supply and to the controller. The supply valve is responsive to signals from the controller. The supply valve delivers water from the water supply to the water reservoir. The system further has a bleed valve coupled to the water reservoir and to the controller. The bleed valve is responsive to signals from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Charles D. Leith
  • Patent number: 5340326
    Abstract: A system for integrating and modularizing wiring within a building is disclosed. A unitized destination terminal integrates a diverse assortment of communication connectivity needs with power distribution. The terminal mounts near a work surface in each one of a multiplicity of work areas within a building. An integrated communication cable transports a variety of different communication circuits away from the work areas toward a common communication distribution area. The integrated cable is routed through an integrated raceway, which manages the placement and housing of communication systems as a unit that additionally includes power distribution systems. Cabinets at the common communication distribution area and at a central connectivity area for the building terminate communication cabling at a variety of socket connectors. The central connectivity area couples to PBX, mainframe computer controllers, or other connectivity devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Dolan M. LeMaster
  • Patent number: 5330575
    Abstract: A trough having an upstream end and a downstream end removably carrying an applicator roller rotated by driving means and a scraper bar, the scraper bar upstream of and adjacent the applicator roller, and a pressure area downstream of the applicator roller. A lid hingedly coupled to the trough, carrying an outfeed roller downstream of the scraper bar for guiding wallpaper over the applicator roller and the scraper bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Blackhawk Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Poole, Daniel L. Poole
  • Patent number: 5329876
    Abstract: An animal watering apparatus (10) includes a dish (12) covered with a lid (20). The lid (20) includes an opening (22). A wheel (24) is rotatably mounted to the lid (20) in an upright orientation and extends above the lid (20) through the opening (22) and into the dish (12) to a position near the bottom surface (18) of the dish (12). The outer circumferential surface (40) of the wheel (24) is covered with projections or ridges (42) which efficiently bring water out of the dish (12) as the wheel (24) rotates as a result of being licked by the animal. A ridge opening (48) down a central region (50) of the outer circumferential surface (40) of the wheel (24) guides water back into the opening (22) where the water (21) falls into the dish (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Jere R. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5330044
    Abstract: A conveyor such as a baggage carousel (10) includes indicia (40) fastened onto the baggage carrying panels (12) of the carousel (10). Each panel (12) includes a separate portion of the indicia (40) and a series of the panels (12) can produce one total picture such as for an advertisement. The indicia (40) can be a plastic material adhered to the panels (12) and protected by another transparent sheet (42). Spacers and protective tape (36,44) are placed along the panels to protect the indicia (40) from the movement of the plates (12) and the baggage placed onto the carousel (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Dennis R. Conklin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5326934
    Abstract: A system which manages the wiring and cabling needed by individual workstations (12) within an environment (10) having numerous workstations (12) is disclosed. Collective connectivity is utilized to couple a multi-commodity expansion cabinet, MCEC, (14) to building services (26, 28). The MCEC (14) transforms the collective connectivity into individual connectivity. Workstations (12) are grouped together into workstation clusters (30). A single MCEC (14) is assigned to each cluster (30). Individual connectivity is utilized to couple the MCEC (14) to the workstations (12) in the MCECs (14) cluster (30). The MCEC (14) is configured for use in and around high traffic areas in a building. The MCEC (14) is dimensioned for minimal size and compatibility with modern building practices. Individual raceways (68, 70) are provided for routing communication and power wiring. Various equipment bays (88, 94) are provided between the raceways (68, 70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Communication Integrators Inc.
    Inventors: Dolan M. LeMaster, Gary H. Beals
  • Patent number: 5324006
    Abstract: A primary device placed at the upstream end of a duct and a relay device placed at an access point pull a cable through respective duct segments. The pulling speed of the primary device is controlled by an operator. The pulling speed of the relay device is variable in response to movement of the cable by the primary device to maintain equilibrium between the pulling speeds of the devices. The pulling tension exerted upon the cable by each device is monitored and discontinued upon reaching a predetermined maximum value. At the inlet to the second segment, lubricant is supplied to the cable at a quantitative rate which is proportional to the pulling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: John W. Pickrell
  • Patent number: D350431
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Robert W. Morgan
  • Patent number: D352011
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Bruce W. Birtciel
  • Patent number: D352024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: John W. Hesser
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Hebets
  • Patent number: D352153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Irma J. Luque
  • Patent number: D352690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Dan B. Poole
    Inventor: Ronald A. Schorr