Patents Represented by Law Firm Duckworth, Allen, Dyer
  • Electrical power transmission system with broken conductor guard
    Patent number: 4616287
    Abstract: A broken conductor guard for use in an electrical power transmission system including at least one high potential power conductor positioned vertically above two neutral conductors. The broken conductor guard comprises a conductive rod electrically connected transverse to the neutral conductors. The rod extends a predetermined distance on each side of the two neutral conductors in a substantially horizontal plane such that a broken high-potential conductor will fall on the rod and be short-circuited to the neutral conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Irving Reedy
  • Position sensor for fuel injection apparatus
    Patent number: 4614111
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting the position of a fuel injection element such as a needle injector, poppet valve or the like in fuel injection apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a lead frame assembly having a plurality of leads of a predetermined length and a Hall-effect sensing device mechanically and electrically connected to contact surfaces associated with the leads. A first encapsulation layer is formed about the contact surfaces and Hall-effect device utilizing a mold process which results in the formation of projections above the surface of the Hall-effect device in the area adjacent the electrical contacts. The leads of the lead frame assembly are bent perpendicularly to the plane of the Hall-effect device and attached to a multi-lead wire. The assembly is encapsulated in a second mold using the projections as positive stops to position the assembly in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: George D. Wolff
  • Vehicle mounted shipping rack
    Patent number: 4613263
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle-mounted shipping rack for bendable objects (such as construction materials) which have a lengthwise dimension greater than a dimension of the vehicle. The shipping rack is mounted on a transport body of the vehicle, and includes a frame defining plural compartments across the body, each compartment having a dimension longer than a corresponding dimension of the transport body, but being curved so as to fit within the corresponding dimension of the body so that the bendable objects may be transported in the shipping rack by bending along the curved compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: FLM Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. James
  • Liquid cooled cathode ray tube assembly for video image projection systems
    Patent number: 4612582
    Abstract: A video image projection system uses an improved cathode ray tube assembly incorporating a projection cathode ray tube within a housing with a light transmissive heat transfer fluid contained within the housing and surrounding the exterior surface of a portion of the cathode ray tube to transfer heat between the cathode ray tube faceplate and a portion of the cathode ray tube bowl. The heat transfer fluid may also cooperate with a novel faceplate structure on the cathode ray tube to store capacitatively an electrical charge to increase the dynamic range of brightness of the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Electronic Systems Products Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur R. Tucker
  • Star dome structure
    Patent number: 4608789
    Abstract: A star dome structure having a rib vault formed from prefabricated panels. The structure includes a base, a four-sided star dome, four pentatives, and four column panels. One of four heptagonal panels formed from prefabricated triangular panels is disposed in each space formed by the dome, pentatives, and columns, the lower edge of each heptagonal panel resting on the base. The space between the column panels and the base permit entry and window walls to be installed with the lower edges of the column panels providing eaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Lyle E. Willis
  • Aircraft takeoff and abort instrument
    Patent number: 4608863
    Abstract: This Takeoff and Abort Instrument system, mounted on the pilot's instrument panel, will indicate to the pilot, as soon as the throttles are advance to the takeoff position and brakes are released if all engines are producing the designed takeoff thrust. During the takeoff run an ABORT indication will be visible to the pilot anytime the net aircraft linear acceleration degrades below that amount required to make a safe takeoff. This instrument assembly is comprised of two major components: A. A flexible transparent tube formed into a right triangle with the shortest leg being mounted vertically on the instrument face; this leg becomes a sight gauge up which a colored non-freezing liquid rises directly in proportion to the aircraft's linear acceleration. The longest leg connects the base of the sight gauge to a reservoir located forward of and level with the base of the sight gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Marcus F. Cooper
  • Rocker bushings for pivotal movement
    Patent number: 4603459
    Abstract: A rocker bushing for a roller structure for supporting a boat on a trailer bed and having a male and female member formed of two cylindrical portions surrounding the shaft and supporting the roller. Each cylindrical member having a tapered longitudinal portion but terminating in a radially outwardly extending stop flange of increased radial thickness. The bearing surface of the rocker bushing positionally adjacent to the shaft is curved to allow the roller to gimbal or wobble to engage the angle of a boat hull. The integral construciton of the rocker bushing provides support across the entire width of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: James C. Buchanan
  • Rubber dam frame for dental work
    Patent number: 4600387
    Abstract: A dam frame and a dam assembly for use during dental procedures. A two-member elliptical radiolucent plastic frame is provided having arcuate openings matching the upper and lower teeth of a patient and an opening adjacent the throat area. A rubber dam sheet is disposed between the two frame members so as to cover the openings. To produce a dam assembly, the frame is bent along its minor axis to place in a patient's mouth. The dam sheet may be cut or punched to isolate one or more teeth with the uncut portions protecting the patient's throat and mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Inventor: Robert A. Ross
  • Automatic ice-making system
    Patent number: 4597270
    Abstract: An automatic ice-making system for use with a bottled water supply includes a refrigeration unit having a freezer section for receiving and freezing water. An enclosed reservoir for bottled water is provided with the refrigeration unit, a feed line being established between the reservoir and the freezer section. A valve is interposed in the feed line for controlling the flow of water through the feed line between the reservoir and the freezer. A pump is provided with the reservoir for pumping water through the feed line. A specific electrical contact configuration provides means for simultaneously energizing the pump and commencing the opening of the valve, responsive to a sensed condition in the freezer. The preferred configuration of the reservoir is a flat, generally U-shaped container, with the pump being positioned within an enclosure located within the confines of the U-shaped container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Maximma Consumer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Kerr
  • Rivet holes for easy opening containers
    Patent number: 4596342
    Abstract: Disclosed are easy open containers using pull tabs having rivet holes with not less than eight, nor more than ten sides. A point between any two flats of the rivet hole is aligned with the pull tab nose. The disclosed rivet holes provide good locking characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Automated Container Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar H. Zysset
  • X-ray generator with phase-advance voltage feedback
    Patent number: 4596029
    Abstract: An X-ray generator system is provided with a high-voltage feedback loop for controlling the output of an inverter to thereby maintain a desired output voltage level. The voltage-feedback loop is provided with a phase-advance network to selectively vary the gain of the system in such a way as to provide for high gain during the initial stage so as to obtain a short rise time, while subsequently reducing the gain so as to clamp the kV overshoot at the end of the rise time. A phase-lag network is also included to effectively eliminate noise that is introduced by the phase-advance network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos Manueco Santurtun, Angel Diaz Carmena
  • Lubricating and additive mixtures for alcohol fuels and their method of preparation
    Patent number: 4595395
    Abstract: A unique lubricating, corrosion inhibiting and rust inhibiting additive for alcohol fuels having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms is disclosed. The lubricating additive comprises a mixture consisting essentially of a lubricant, an emulsifying agent, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and organic solvents formulated to obtain a mixture having a specific gravity substantially equivalent to that of the alcohol in which the lubricating additive will be mixed. The invention further comprises an alcohol fuel-lubricating additive mixture for use as a fuel in internal combustion engines as well as methods for preparing such mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Inventor: Earl J. Smith
  • Soft plastic fishing lure
    Patent number: 4592161
    Abstract: A soft plastic fishing lure is comprised of a generally tubular body of pliable plastic defining forward and rearward ends. A soft plastic tail extends from the rearward end as a substantially flat ribbon, the tail formed of a curved, generally "S" configuration defined by first and second pairs of concentric arcs, with the first arc pair spaced from the body and the second arc pair spaced from the first pair. The shorter arc in each pair extends straight during movement through water, and the longer arc in each pair curls against the flow of water to create turbulence, with the second arc pair causing drag to reduce spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventors: H. Wayne Smith, Mark W. Smith, James O. Ising
  • Second breakdown protection circuit for X-ray generator inverter
    Patent number: 4589051
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator operating with a pulse-width-modulated transistor inverter, circuitry is provided to sense the collector-emitter voltage of each of the transistors and to responsively turn off the transistor when that voltage level reaches a predetermined threshold level which is indicative of a problem. Provision is included to inhibit the operation of the protective circuit during the time period in which the transistor is turning on so as to thereby allow for higher voltages during that critical period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos M. Santurtun, Felix L. Ceca, Jose M. Q. Benegoechea
  • Extensible handle assembly for ratchet wrench or the like
    Patent number: 4581958
    Abstract: An extensible handle assembly for a ratchet wrench or similar tool includes a tubular handle member with a central hole down its length and a tool-engaging shank extending through the central hole of the handle member. The shank is slidable in the handle member between extended and retracted positions, and includes a detent to engage the shank at each of those positions. A plug that extends through the central hole from the rearward end of the handle member permits disassembly of the shank from the handle member, restricts movement of the shank outwardly from the forward end of the handle member and restricts axial rotation of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Foye M. Shull
  • Carton erection and sealing apparatus
    Patent number: 4578054
    Abstract: Apparatus for opening flattened cartons having a pair of minor flaps and a pair of major flaps. A constant speed conveyor carries a horizontally disposed flattened carton across an actuator having a cam surface. The cam surface moves upward to fold one pair of major and minor flaps upward and then downward to fold the other pair of major and minor flaps downward. A clamp grasps the upward folded major flap and draws it upward as the conveyor moves the carton forward causing the carton to open. The clamp releases the major flap and the carton moves past a glue gun which applies glue to the minor flaps. A pair of curl bars folds the major flaps against the glue coated minor flaps. An extending platen presses the flaps against a roller bank permitting the glue to set. The platen retracts and the opened and bottom-sealed carton is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: Robert M. Herrin
  • Antenna dish
    Patent number: 4578682
    Abstract: An antenna dish structure is disclosed having a central support to which are attached a plurality of elongated ribs extending radially outwardly with a plurality of metallic mesh members extending between adjacent pairs of rib, and a rim structure connected to the outer ends of the ribs, with both the ribs and the rim having portions for receiving therewithin such mesh members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Raydx Satellite Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hooper, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
  • Extruded metal corner construction
    Patent number: 4576502
    Abstract: A corner construction having high strength and resistance to torsional forces for use with hollow elongate tubing members. A first longitudinal member extruded from aluminum includes a pair of parallel planar walls connected by a planar web along one edge and a stepped web along the other edge. A second similar member is provided having a spacing of its walls for slidably receiving the first member therebetween. The stepped web of the second member at a terminal end thereof is cut away to form steps complementary to the stepped web of the first member. A terminal end of the first member is inserted between the walls of the second member to abut its planar web and to cause the stepped web to abut the cut-away steps of the second member. Fastening means is provided for maintaining the first member in its abutting relation with the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph C. Bancroft
  • Wheelchair seat
    Patent number: 4574901
    Abstract: An improved seat for a wheelchair having a forward section for supporting the occupant's thigh areas and a rearward section hingedly attached to the forward section for supporting the occupant's buttocks area. The rearward section is attached to a linear actuator which moves the rearward section downward such that the occupant is aupported by the forward section of the seat and the back rest of the wheelchair, thus permitting air circulation around the buttocks area and blood circulation in the buttocks region to prevent breakdown of skin and flesh in the buttocks area. An automatic control is provided to periodically lower and raise the rearward seat section without attention of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Albert W. Joyner
  • Stationary refreshment stand
    Patent number: D283167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: George Perry