Patents Represented by Attorney Donald W. Meeker
  • Patent number: 5351171
    Abstract: High intensity beam lights are mounted on each side of a towing vehicle in units of two or three beams positioned at diverging angles creating a 180-degree lighted area. The lights are activated by a control switch in the driving compartment both simultaneously or each side separately. Replaceable sealed beam units are housed in casings attached to the sides of the body of the vehicle adjacent to the driving compartment. The wide angle safety lighting system provides a wide field of vision necessary for turning or backing vehicles towing trailers or other units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald P. Bushey
  • Patent number: 5328427
    Abstract: Foot pads with foot straps are mounted to roller carriages which roll along a horizontal monorail with stationary middle supports and telescoping end supports. A rotatable shaft attached to one of the end supports is attached to an ergometric input-responsive variable resistance. Each of two cables wound around a spring-loaded retractable one-way clutch driver on the rotatable shaft connects to each of the foot pads. Stepper pedals hinged to the end support opposite the rotating shaft are each attached by a cable wound around the rotatable shaft. A long front rail with sliding hand grips and a short side rail are detachably mounted. A nordic double poling attachment may be mounted midway on the front rail with cables wound over pulleys and around the rotatable shaft. The platform is hinged in the center to fold in half for storage and transportation. A stationary foot pad is positioned adjacent to the hinges, and also serves as a stop for the moving foot pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Robert H. Sleamaker
  • Patent number: 5320444
    Abstract: A threaded rod has a ball at one end and a stationary jaw at an opposite end with an end cap covering the end of the rod. A threaded collar pushes a movable jaw along the threaded rod toward the stationary gripping jaw by turning the collar clockwise. The movable collar has a cylindrical dome which covers the threaded rod and the end cap. An interior sleeve secured to the threaded collar at one end by an interior ring has a ridge at the other end of the interior sleeve which pulls the movable jaw away from the stationary jaw by turning the collar counter-clockwise to release the jaws. The ball on one end of the clamp is inserted in an existing float and lock ball system attached to a stabilizing post on an operating table bed. The clamp secures surgical apparatus in place over the patient on the operating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventors: John R. Bookwalter, William H. Bookwalter
  • Patent number: 5320314
    Abstract: The moving parts of the clamping mechanism are enclosed within a hollowed out enlarged casing at the base of the stabilizer post. The hooked base of the post forms the bottom of the clamp. Inside the post casing the hooked top of the clamp is attached to two side panels with angled slots. A screw through a back panel engages a large rectangular nut fitted with angled protruding blocks on each side of the nut. The nut protruding blocks fit into the angled slots of the side panels. The bolt is rotataly fixed at one end so turning it moves the nut forward and backward along the screw. When the bolt is turned and the nut moves horizontally on the bolt, the side panels move up and down. The hooked top of the clamp moves up or down engaging and releasing a side rail of an operating table between the clamp elements. A relatively flat knob to turn the screw is the only protrusion from the post casing at the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventors: John R. Bookwalter, William H. Bookwalter
  • Patent number: 5301857
    Abstract: A truncated cone shaped holder with a serrated top opening receives and grips any size bottle around the neck with opposing support tabs. The broad cone surface imprinted with a logo covers a substantial portion of the bottle. A bracket with a protruding hook connects to the base of the cone with a living hinge. A pin may connect the cone to the bracket to maintain the bracket in a vertical orientation. The holder hooks onto a belt, waistband, bicycle cable, vehicle window, desk handle or other element. The bottle is released by squeezing in two opposing sides of the base of the cone to widen the top opening and release the support tabs from the bottle neck. Alternately pull tabs on the support tabs release the bottle. The holder may be formed in one piece by molding flexible plastic. The hook bracket lays flat for stacking the units for shipping and storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Brian J. Green
  • Patent number: 5279234
    Abstract: A biomass fuel gasification chamber, blast tube, and heat exchange chamber are interconnected horizontally and subjected to negative drawing pressure by a large variable speed chimney fan. An auger with an air lock feeds biomass fuel automatically into the gasification chamber. Fuel is moved across the gasification chamber on a partially serrated sloping grate. Three stages of fuel activity are created: anaerobic heating for pyrolysis, combustion, and incandescent charcoal oxydation for gasification. A variable speed fan, variable flue, and directional air duct and baffles control the stages with underfire air. A programmed auger in an airtight chamber removes ash automatically. In large systems a hydraulic moving wedge floor assists the fuel feeding auger and a moving sloping grate moves the fuel. A fan and long preheating duct with baffles and fins inside the gasification chamber preheat and direct air into a blast tube leading from the gasification chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Chiptec Wood Energy Systems
    Inventors: Robert J. Bender, Louis T. Bravakis, John P. Tomasi
  • Patent number: 5253400
    Abstract: Horizontal motorized drive rods in an upright rectangular frame control the movement of vertical guide rods in the X direction of the frame. Motorized guide rods move a router on a movable mount along the Y direction. A plungeable router, spring-mounted on the guide rods, is moved adjustably into the plane in the Z direction. The router removes glazing from a window sash and cuts deeper into the rabbit joint of the sash to allow double pane glass to be inserted into the sash. A rotary saw, with blade depth adjustment is swivel mounted to another vertical guide for cutting a slot in both vertical and horizontal rabbit joints to receive glazing beads. Pins rigidly mounted in front of and behind the cutting edges of the rotary saw blade act as guides and stops for the saw. Horizontal threaded rods with opposing right and left threads on either side of the center of the horizontal rod forms a centering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: James A. Conachen
  • Patent number: 4968046
    Abstract: Foam is sandwiched between baffles and two sheets of low friction enameled aluminum. The aluminum is bent to form waterproof seams between the sheets along the top edge and small runners along the bottom sheet. The body of the sled is shoulder width and narrow in depth to permit easy and rapid manual propulsion over ice and in water. All seams are riveted together, a top edge seam is a waterproof standing seam and the others are silicone treated for waterproofing. Side handles are secured to the body for carrying the sled. A hand-held combination ice grab and water paddle is secured to each side rail for propelling the sled. A front grasping rail is secured by protrusions from the front of the sled for the rescue. A harness cord with a snap hook at both ends is secured to the protrusions for harnessing the victim to the sled if necessary. A long tow line is attached to a rear hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Connell, Donald S. Caramanica
  • Patent number: 4944253
    Abstract: A water proof sheet slopes into a built-in shallow basin under a water device to collect any water leaking from the water tank in the device. Water sensitive elevated low voltage contacts in the basin are electrically connected to a relay. Conductors from the relay connect to shut-offs in the cold water supply, the hot water outflow and the power supply. Additional conductors connect from the relay to a valve on the outflow pipe to drain the tank and to a signal device. Alternatively, a water pump may be used instead of the valve on the outflow pipe to pump water to a distant drain, when there is no drain below the tank level into which to empty the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Richard C. Bellofatto
  • Patent number: 4932574
    Abstract: A double belt or extra long single belt is secured around an article of clothing such as a coat. The garment is folded into a bundle and a first belt segment secured into a loop around the bundle. Two free belt ends are secured from the first belt segment and wrapped around the bundle and secured to attaching means on the upper portion of the garment to form carrying loops. Attaching means include buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, buckles and tieing. The bundle may receive other articles for carrying. The bundle may be carried as a backpack, over the arm or grasped by hand as a briefcase. Mating hook and loop fasteners applied to the sides of the garment secured the sides of the carrying bag. Alternately pairs of loops may be applied to the article of clothing on separate portions of the garment so that when the garment is folded larger loops may be inserted through smaller loops to secure the carrying bag and serve as carrying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Jyoti J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 4865571
    Abstract: A flat rigid rectangular plate has four corners bent down to form rigid V-shaped points to grip on an ice surface. The plate is larger than an adult hand and serves as a hand-held paddle in water. A longer spike or triangular point extends away from the plate at a right angle to the V-shaped points for gripping an ice surface through a snow cover. A handle extending from the top of the plate maybe equipped with a safety cord to loop over the wrist of the user. The handle may be permanently upright or foldable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventors: Donald S. Caramanica, Michael J. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 4859007
    Abstract: A slidable disk holder extends from a box structure a sufficient distance to permit dispersement of the disks. Means for simultaneous dispersement of all of the disk holders fit between each envelope-like disk holder. In an interconnecting tabular embodiment, tabs cut from the sides of each envelope-like holder connect each holder to an adjacent holder at a front end. Envelope extension surfaces interconnect inner ends of the envelopes slightly distant from the inner end of each envelope. The disks may be fanned out manually or, with pretensioned or spring actuated living hinges, the disks may fan out automatically upon release of a panel and notch locked into a base plate of the slidable disk holder. In another embodiment simultaneous dispersement is accomplished by a mechanically pivoting arm with a protrusion between each adjacent pair of envelope-like disk holders. Vertical or horizontal fanning may take place using living hinge connections to a slidable base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Richard L. Schapker
  • Patent number: 4830555
    Abstract: A cutting tool guide device fits within a window frame in a vertically mounted position. The device guides a cutting tool, such as a router, along the X,Y, and Z coordinates. Simultaneous movement along the X and Y coordinates parallel to the window is possible by means of vertical and horizontal controls which allows any angle or curves to be followed. Measured adjustment along the Z coordinate, perpendicular to the window, is provided by a screw threaded router tool casing mounted in a collar with external measured detentes contacted by a spring loaded ball. Rotary movement of the router is restrained by a slot in the router receiving a-pin. Great precision is obtained in removing glazing from a window sash and in cutting into the rabbit joint of the sash. The cutting allows double pane glass to be inserted into the sash. The cutting tool guide device is adjustable to fit into various sized window frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: James A. Conachen
  • Patent number: 4790758
    Abstract: A hand-held movable airplane model is equipped on an outer face with an outer rotatable donut shaped disc and an inner stationary black circular disc. The outer disc, having compass markings, is rotated by turning a simulated OBS knob to simulate a course card. Indicator needles and flags on the stationary inner disc simulate V.O.R. and Gliode Slope indicators as they would actually appear on an airplane in similar positions and orientations to those of the model as the model is moved over a vertical surface simulating a flight pattern. All needles and flags on the model rotate on pivot pins through the inner disc. Tabs on the underside of each needle and flag are positioned beneath an elasticised band with a high friction surface. The band stretched around the periphery of the inner disc hold all of the needles and flags in place as they are oriented by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Richard C. Bellofatto
  • Patent number: 4776796
    Abstract: A selection of photographic images of hairstyles are each secured on three edges to a viewing sheet. A see-through viewing space in any one of a number of common facial shapes is provided on the image where the face should appear. An instant photographic image of a user is inserted under the fourth side of one of the hairstyle image to view what the user would look like with the hairstyle. A tinted transparent sheet is inserted in three corner holders positioning the tinted sheet over the hairstyle image to change the apparent color or tint of the hairstyle image. A scaled facial outline viewing guide having a common facial shape is provided in the camera viewfinder to outline the user's face in the field of view when taking a picture of the user. Additional information such as appropriate hairstyling products may be printed on each viewing sheet. A series of viewing sheets are removably bound into a book form for ease of use and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: Lisa M. Nossal
  • Patent number: 4708686
    Abstract: A sealed container with a movable weight therein is eccentrically mounted within a light rollable object on a guideway. Liquid mercury, powered metal, or metal pellets or spheres would move within the container to shift the center of gravity. Maintaining the center of gravity of the weight to the uphill side of a vertical extension of the tangent between the rolling object and the guideway will enable the rolling object to return uphill after rolling down within a limit, thereby seeming to defy the law of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Inventor: Samuel C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4699406
    Abstract: A bolt fits slidably within a cylinder and is inserted in a drilled hole through a first slidable member to be interlocked. The bolt, under force of a coil spring within the cylinder, is forced into any of a series of aligned holes in a second member to be interlocked. A striker plate with aligned holes is attached to the second member and receives the end of the bolt as it slides until forced into a hole. A body is attached to the cylinder and the body is secured to the slidable first member to be interlocked. A D-spring on the body engages a D-spring notch on the bolt, locking the bolt in the projected position, thereby interlocking the two members. The body and handle, attached to the bolt, have flat surfaces which when aligned indicate that the D-spring is engaged to the D-spring notch. The handle must be rotated to disengage the D-spring and D-spring notch before the handle and bolt can be retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Chester Swanson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4699564
    Abstract: Spaced parallel circular tracks rotate 180 degrees on roller bearings. Matching openings through one edge of each track serve to admit a stone or heavy object into a receiving slot. Parallel roller conveyors line the top and bottom faces of the slot. A pivoting swing with a platform across the inside of the slot transfers the stone from one face to the other automatically when the apparatus is rotated. The center of gravity of the loaded turning apparatus coincides with the center of rotation thereby requiring very little turning power. A manual handle or motor drive shaft rotates the gear train to turn the apparatus. Transverse rollers permit entry and exit of the stone at opposite points on the circular track. Longitudinal rollers permit entry and exit of the stone from the same or opposite sides of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: D. L. Cetrangolo
  • Patent number: 4677992
    Abstract: A filtering/heat-reduction smoking apparatus for various tobacco products. A convoluted passageway in the apparatus removes tar and other harmful chemicals and reduces the heat of the smoke thereby increasing the user's pleasure. Air intake holes also aid in reducing heat. The design requires the smoke to travel through a convoluted passageway many times greater than the length of the apparatus. The apparatus disassembles quickly and easily for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Inventor: Bedrich V. Bliznak
  • Patent number: D291861
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Inventor: Samuel C. Smith