Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, LLC
  • Patent number: 6412688
    Abstract: A parcel receptacle having a housing and a door member coupled to the housing, the door member structured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a cam lock, a lock set assembly and a lock catch assembly. The cam lock having a latch member structured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock set assembly having a first position and a second position. The lock catch assembly having a catch member. The cam lock is coupled to the parcel receptacle door. The lock set is coupled to the parcel receptacle door adjacent to the cam lock. The catch member coupled to the housing so that the catch member is positioned to engage either the cam lock latch member or the lock set assembly when the door member is moved into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Solar Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton A. Tucker, Eric Holder, Derrick Dry, Larry D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6296208
    Abstract: A point detection system for a railway switch machine having a housing includes a point detector bar positionable in a normal point position and a reverse point position, and point detecting sensors positioned within the housing for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. The point detecting sensors may include a first proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the normal point position and a second proximity sensor for detecting when the point detector bar is in the reverse point position. Preferably, the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor are inductive proximity sensors. A method of point detection for a railway switch machine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond C. Franke
  • Patent number: 6288050
    Abstract: Sulfatase inhibitor compounds useful in the treatment of estrogen dependent illnesses are disclosed. These compounds generally comprise a steroid nucleus substituted at the C17 position. Methods for synthesizing these compounds and using them in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of a patient are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignees: Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pui-Kai Li, Chikara Murakata, Shiro Akinaga
  • Patent number: 6277322
    Abstract: An oxygen cutting machine (1) is designed for a billets, blooms, slabs or heavy plates in a pair of up and down arranged rails (3) having a novel heat protection plate (6) and no uncooled machine parts below the rails (3), which moves sideways with a drifting work-piece (2) being a clamping system, having a clamp down skid (10) to cover various thickness of work-piece (2) and can be used with so-called cutting push bars (24) for cutting against each other of two oxygen cutting burners (9). A new oxygen cutting burner (9) or nozzle quick exchange system improves use and maintenance. Cutting safety and cut quality are improved by the gas control for pressures and mass flow near the burners. A novel roll deburrer (32) to deburr just oxygen cut strand pieces (2) after the oxygen cutting machine (1) facilitates the to and fro deburring and the transport of extremely short pieces over the deburrer gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Gega Corporation
    Inventor: Horst K. Lotz
  • Patent number: 6273683
    Abstract: A rotating blade group 90 for a turbo-machine having an improved device for sealing the gap 110 between the edges 112,114 of adjacent blade platforms 96,104. The gap 110 between adjacent blades 92,100 is sealed by a seal pin 20 its central portion 110 and by a seal plate 58,60 at each of the front 54 and rear 56 portions. The seal plates 58,60 are inserted into corresponding grooves 62,64 formed in the adjacent edges 112,114 of adjoining blades 92,100 and held in place by end plates 40,42. The end of the seal plates 58,60 may be chamfered 78,80 to improve the seal against the end plate 40,42. The seal pin 20 provides the required damping between the blades 92,100 and the seal plates 58,60 provide improved sealing effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Zagar, Anthony L. Schiavo
  • Patent number: 6248780
    Abstract: Novel sulfatase inhibitor/estrogen receptor blocker compounds useful in the treatment of estrogen dependent illnesses are disclosed. The compounds generally comprise a sulfamate moiety and an aromatic, estrogen receptor blocker moiety. Methods for synthesizing these compounds and using them in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of an estrogen-dependent disease are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost
    Inventors: Pui-Kai Li, Kyle W. Selcer
  • Patent number: 6221147
    Abstract: Bismuth manganese oxide pigments are used as additives to various materials such as plastics, plastic or organic coating compositions, glass and ceramic coating compositions, and the like. The bismuth manganese oxide pigments preferably comprise Bi2Mn4O10 crystallized in the orthorhombic crystal structure. The pigments possess improved reflectance characteristics, particularly in the IR region, and may reduce IR-induced heat buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Cerdec Aktiengesellschaft Keramischre Farben
    Inventors: George Emil Sakoske, Joseph E. Sarver, Miroslav Novotny
  • Patent number: 6168113
    Abstract: An assembly for retaining a catch member in a first condition and for releasing the catch member for movement to a second condition, the assembly including a latch member pivotable about a first pivotal axis and having a formation adapted to co-operate with the catch member to retain the catch member when the latch member is in a latched position, and a rocker member pivotable about a second pivotal axis, the latch member and the rocker member interacting to retain the latch member in its latched position, the assembly further including actuating means to move the rocker member about the second pivotal axis to cause the latch member to be pivoted about the first pivotal axis to an unlatched position to release the catch member, and wherein the latch member and the rocker member are interconnected by a resilient biasing means wherein the resilient biasing means includes first and second relatively movable parts with a spring acting between them and there being a stop means which locks the first and second rela
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Raymond John Hann, Andrew Bramwell, Peter John Rowland
  • Patent number: 6164521
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an electric generator main lead bushing is provided for attaching a flange to a hollow conductor. In one application typically used for an air side flange, a gap is formed in the flange that is sized to receive an end of the conductor, a groove is formed in the conductor end, a braze alloy insert is placed into the groove, the conductor end is inserted into the gap, and the flange and the conductor are heated and cooled to provide a seal between the flange and the conductor. In another application typically used for a gas side flange, a counterbore is formed in an inner portion of the hollow conductor that is sized to receive the flange, a groove is formed in the counterbore, a braze alloy insert is placed into the groove, the flange is fitted into the counterbore, and the flange and the conductor are heated and cooled to provide a seal between the flange and the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Greyson L. Andy Mellon
  • Patent number: 6106959
    Abstract: The present invention generally describes multilayer thermal barrier coating systems and methods of making the multilayer thermal barrier coating systems. The thermal barrier coating systems comprise a first ceramic layer, a second ceramic layer, a thermally grown oxide layer, a metallic bond coating layer and a substrate. The thermal barrier coating systems have improved high temperature thermal and chemical stability for use in gas turbine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Vance, John G. Goedjen, Stephen M. Sabol, Kelly M. Sloan
  • Patent number: 6103119
    Abstract: A filter cartridge that includes a track etched membrane sealed therein in a leak-free manner, and a method for making the cartridge. The filter cartridge has a bubble point that is at least 50% of the bubble point of the track etched membrane. In one embodiment, the method includes disposing the track etched membrane below a heat source and orienting the membrane so that it melts back on itself, and then allowing the membrane to cool to form a leak-free seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Whatman Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Clements, William Stephen Macomber, Suzanne Surprenant
  • Patent number: 6102546
    Abstract: Electrochromic rearview mirrors having reduced apparent size bezels are disclosed. Visual characteristics of the bezel, such as lightness value, are controlled in order to reduce the apparent size of the bezel. The lightness value of the bezel is preferably matched to the lightness value of the electrochromic mirror. In addition, the color value of the bezel may also be controlled. The electrochromic rearview mirrors may be mounted in the interior or on the exterior of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Carter
  • Patent number: 6052050
    Abstract: Two-wire signal transmitter and method in which a very low-level Alternating Circuit (AC) input signal sensed at a remote circuit at a first end of a signal path is added to a low-level Direct Current (DC) bias signal provided by a local circuit that is located at a second end of the signal path. In a preferred embodiment, the remote circuit is electrically coupled to and powered by the local circuit through a two-wire path interconnection, typically a shielded twisted-pair cable. The DC bias signal has sufficient level to overcome minimum ratings of electrical contacts, thereby to pass the sensed very low-level AC input signal reliably through the poor electrical contacts that are used, for instance, for connecting electronic circuits that run the length of a railway train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Colbaugh, Benjamin A. Giovannelli, Dick J. Kolkman
  • Patent number: 6025083
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for eliminating the chemical energy of fuel remaining in a fuel cell generator when the electrical power output of the fuel cell generator is terminated. During a generator shut down condition, electrically resistive elements are automatically connected across the fuel cell generator terminals in order to draw current, thereby depleting the fuel inventory in the generator. The invention provides a safety function in eliminating the fuel energy, and also provides protection to the fuel cell stack by eliminating overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Emery Veyo, Jeffrey Todd Dederer, John Thomas Gordon, Larry Anthony Shockling
  • Patent number: 5970977
    Abstract: A demand regulator for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus has a housing and a cover forming a breathing chamber with a mouthpiece. A diaphragm on the chamber is movable with changes in pressure due to user inhalation demand. An inlet valve coupleable to a supply of pressurized air is responsive to the position of the diaphragm. At least one manually adjustable fin can be retracted or positioned across the air flow path through the chamber, for setting the extent of venturi effects tending to displace the diaphragm and open the valve to free flow in the absence of inhalation demand. The venturi adjustment mechanism has a sealed rotatable arm with a radially extending end in sliding engagement with the fin, and preferably the fin has two resilient strips that are spaced apart by a dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Harsco Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis H. Sattelberg
  • Patent number: 5784431
    Abstract: X-ray images such as radiotherapy portal images and simulation images are matched by apparatus which digitizes the images and automatically processes the digitized signals to generate matched digitized signals which can be displayed for comparison. The digitized images are first coarse aligned using a transform generated from seed points selected interactively from the two images or through detection and identification of x-ray opaque fiducials placed on the patient. A fine alignment is then performed by first selecting intersecting regions of the two images and enhancing those regions. Secondly, an updated transform is generated using robust motion flow in these regions at successive ascending levels of resolution. The updated transform is then used to align the images which are displayed for comparison. The updated transform can also be used to control the radiotherapy equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Andre M. Kalend, Joel Greenberger, Karun B. Shimoga, Charalambos N. Athanassiou, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 5766299
    Abstract: A unitary mold member for shaping glass includes an inner surface which shapes molten glass blown thereagainst and an outer surface. A cavity within the unitary mold member is positioned between the inner and outer surfaces. The unitary mold member has passages at about the upper end thereof between the cavity and the surrounding atmosphere. The unitary mold member also has passages at about the lower end thereof between the cavity and the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Ronald P. Miller
  • Patent number: 5721112
    Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in a specimen taken from a patient includes providing a receptacle containing an aqueous solution and inoculating the aqueous solution with the specimen. A slide coated with a carbon source is placed into the receptacle. By analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen, the presence or absence of a nonparaffinophilic microorganism in the specimen can be determined. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Infectech, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert -A. Ollar, Mitchell S. Felder