Patents Represented by Attorney Edwin E. Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus Voigt II
  • Patent number: 6152707
    Abstract: A portable water storage tank having an internal submersible pump connected to a water discharge pipe and an internal air-hydropneumatic tank also connected to the water discharge pipe; a pressure switch connected to the discharge pipe and an electrical circuit for turning the pump on and off in response to pressure variations in the water discharge pipe. A water heater in the water storage tank and a temperature sensor in the tank to activate the heater upon detection of predetermined water temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Steven C. Alberg
  • Patent number: 6142570
    Abstract: An ergonomic arm support for supporting the forearm during typing, keying, or assembly operations. The arm support includes an armrest pivotally mounted on a shroud for sliding the armrest to and away from a stem dowel which is secured to an object such as a table or chair. The shroud is disposed about a pillow block which includes a plurality of roller bearing members which slidably engage one or more of the inside surfaces of the shroud. The slidable pillow block allows the shroud to be slidably and pivotally repositioned relative to the stem dowel. The arm pad is pivotal relative to the shroud and may be positioned to provide a wide range of locations for positioning of an individual's forearms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Ergonomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bergsten, Donald A. Bergsten
  • Patent number: 6068308
    Abstract: A latching assembly that requires three distinct operations must be performed with two hands to allow the handle of the latch assembly to be rotated to unlock a door from a door frame. The assembly provides substantial flexibilities in installation. A base portion having a sleeve which defines an aperture is secured to a door and receives a handle portion with a shaft attached, the shaft extending through the aperture in the sleeve. Cooperative rotation restriction portions on the handle and on the base portion restrict the rotation of the handle to a limited range. The limited rotation range may be altered by selectively positioning a key guide in one of the cooperative rotation restriction portions. A first release mechanism comprising a trigger portion which extends from the handle and a detent which engages a detent opening in the base portion requires depression of the trigger portion before rotation of the handle to an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Austin Hardware, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus Molzer
  • Patent number: 6045020
    Abstract: The bicycle sports gel packet carrier is adapted to be releasably engaged to the throat or stem of a bicycle proximate to the handlebars and is further adapted to transport sports gel packets for consumption by a bicyclist during a bicycle race. The bicycle sports gel packet carrier is formed of a body having a first affixation member to releasably secure the body to the throat or stem. At least one tab grasper is engaged to the body proximate to the top. The tab graspers include receiving slots adapted to receive a tab of a sports gel packet and further include a tearing edge used to assist in the separation of the sports gel packet from the tab. An elongate strap may be integral or attached to the body to further secure the body about the throat or stem. At least one flap is pivotally engaged to the body to releasably cover a sports gel packet during transportation on a bicycle. The flaps may include expanders and engagement edges for releasable affixation of the flap to the exterior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: James E. Rassier, Carolyn M. Skjefte
  • Patent number: 6036837
    Abstract: A method and two-part plating apparatus for plating groups of elongated objects. The plating apparatus includes a fixture and a fixture support. The fixture is configured to loosely retain a group of elongated articles in a generally vertical orientation where the upper ends are contained within a cavity and the lower ends are in contact with a support surface. The cavity includes an electrode which is electrically connected to the upper ends of the elongated articles. The fixture is configured to be placed onto and partially through a fixture support which is in contact with a container of plating solution. The fixture support has a base and an agitation element which moves the fixture with respect to the base, thus shifting and exposing surfaces of the elongated articles to facilitate plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Celex, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis B. Nau, Jeffrey J. Bellm
  • Patent number: 6030349
    Abstract: A medical guide wire torquer is disclosed which is adapted for one-handed convenient attachment, release, and re-attachment to a medical guide wire utilized during medical procedures. The guide wire torquer has a body having ends and positioners integral or affixed to each end, a first channel, and an internal cavity. At least one elastomer is positioned within the internal cavity. A button is positioned within the cavity for engagement to the elastomer where the button extends beyond the body. The button includes a pair of retainers adapted for engagement to the positioners and a second channel adapted for alignment with the first channel during the release of a guide wire. A guide wire is releasably grasped by the vertical movement of the button within the cavity which causes the expansion of the elastomers which, in turn, results in a binding of the guide wire between the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: CarTika Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wilson, Thomas Carlson
  • Patent number: 6022079
    Abstract: An ergonomic arm support for supporting the forearm during typing, keying, or assembly operations. The arm support includes an armrest pivotally mounted on a shroud for sliding the armrest to and away from a cantilever disk which is secured to a table or chair. The shroud is pivotally slidable or repositionable relative to the cantilever disk such that the armrest, which is pivotal relative to the shroud may be positioned to provide a wide range of locations for positioning of an individual's forearms. The cantilever disk permits easy or convenient inward, outward, forward, or backward positioning of an armrest relative to an object where the cantilever disk frictionally engages the shroud to lock the armrest into a desired position during use. The shroud may also function as an enclosure of the cantilever disk to prevent inadvertent engagement between an individual and/or the individual's clothes and the cantilever disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Ergonomics
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bergsten, Donald A. Bergsten
  • Patent number: 5993655
    Abstract: A washing apparatus includes a bubbling wash section for impinging bubbles in washing liquid to a material such as a machined work to be washed so as to remove solids such as sludges and oils adhered to the material to be washed, and a sludge removal and oily water separation section for removing sludges or the like mixed with the washing liquid at the bubbling wash section and for separating oily water in the washing liquid, the washing liquid passed through said sludge removal and oily water separation section being returned to the initial bubbling wash section for circulation. An activated carbon filtration section for connection with the bubbling wash section is optionally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Eiichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: D423870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Paul M. Pinney
  • Patent number: D425441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventors: Larry G. Hillard, Roxanne S. Hillard, Jeffrey D. Kauffmann