Patents Represented by Attorney Frank J. Catalano
  • Patent number: 6210253
    Abstract: A method for refinishing the bore of a shotgun barrel achieves high finish surface grades by pumping a relatively soft abrasive media longitudinally through the bore. The resulting bore striations are oriented in a longitudinal direction along the barrel, significantly reducing the felt recoil and increasing the muzzle velocity of the weapon. The gunsmith swabs the bore to remove dust. The bore is inspected to detect obstructions and blemishes and then secured to a support structure in a horizontal orientation. The grade of the surface finish of the bore is determined. A polishing media pumping system is connected to the receiver end of the barrel and all holes through the barrel wall are blocked. A silicone matrix media impregnated with silicon carbide is pumped from the receiver end of the barrel through the bore and out the muzzle end of the barrel to polish the bore until the bore striations are generally longitudinal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Hal C. Sammons
  • Patent number: 6198827
    Abstract: A matrix system encodes five discrete audio signals down to a two-channel stereo recording and decodes the recorded stereo signal into at least five stand alone, independent channels to allow placement of specific sounds at any one of 5 or more predetermined locations as individual, independent sound sources, thus producing a 5-2-5 matrix system. One embodiment of the system provides signals to left front, right front, center, left rear, and right rear speaker locations. The matrix system is compatible with all existing stereo materials and material encoded for use with other existing surround systems. Material specifically encoded for this system can be played back through any other existing decoding systems without producing undesirable results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Rocktron Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Waller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6183541
    Abstract: A natural gas dehydrator and process for dehydrating natural gas employ a longitudinal horizontal pressure vessel containing a threshold level of liquid desiccant. A plurality of spaced-apart baffles divides the vessel into a series of pneumatically discrete compartments. The baffles have a plurality of apertures which define a sinusoidal gas flow path through the vessel into and out of the liquid desiccant from the inlet to the outlet. Each of the baffles also has an opening in its lowermost portion which define a linear primary liquid desiccant flow path through the vessel from the inlet to the outlet. The baffled vessel is fixed within another longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel so as to define a chamber therebetween. Dried gas and wet desiccant are discharged from the inner or baffled vessel into the chamber where they are gravity separated, the dried gas flowing to an outlet on top of the outer vessel and the wet desiccant flowing to a sump at the bottom of the outer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Bill E. Compton
  • Patent number: 6176761
    Abstract: A sports bra has a pair of cups joined by a cleavage portion between the proximate edges of the cups and a back strap portion between the distal edges of the cups. The cups and cleavage portion are made of cloth having substantially universal elasticity so as to provide adequate support. A rectangular panel made of cloth having substantially universal elasticity is fastened along its bottom and side edges to an inside wall of the cleavage portion of the bra to form a storage pouch of approximately credit card dimensions. A plurality of short hook and loop segments extending substantially fully across the upper inside edge of the panel with mating segments of hook and loop material oppositely fixed along the inside wall of the cleavage portion of the bra allows the pouch to be completely sealed while still affording the desired universal elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Annette K. Underhill
  • Patent number: 6171465
    Abstract: A longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel desalts a fluid mixture of oil, an emulsion of oil globules encapsulated in salt water casings, gas and/or free water. A vertical wall splits the vessel into a double length flow path extending from an inlet to separate outlets for discharging the gas, the free water and the oil. A plurality of vertical baffles at intervals between the inlet and the outlets are divided along horizontal lines into a lowermost perforated zone for passing free water, a lower central zone for blocking passage of the emulsion, an upper central perforated zone for stripping the salt water casing from the oil globules and for passing oil and an uppermost open zone for passing gas. The line dividing the lower and upper central zones of each baffle are higher than the corresponding line of each preceding baffle along the flow path extending from the inlet to the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Bill E. Compton
  • Patent number: 6161691
    Abstract: A mount for securing a putter in a golf bag has a bracket seatable on and securable to the mouth of the golf bag and an elongated open-top receptacle pivotally mounted proximate its longitudinal center to and above the bracket. The receptacle has a bottom wall opening through which the putter shaft extends into the golf bag and side walls contoured to receive the head of the putter with at least a portion of the top of the putter head resting on the bottom wall of the receptacle. The pivotal angular relationship between the receptacle and the bracket is adjustable to a position in which the putter shaft is aligned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the golf bag when the putter head is resting on the bottom of the receptacle. The receptacle can be interchanged to accommodate either blade or mallet style putters. The same receptacle accommodates both left and right handed putters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: William R. Ratcliff, Terrell W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6138599
    Abstract: A buoyant walkway module for a boatlift is formed from a plurality of pneumatically discrete elongated compartments. Each of the compartments has a substantially flat upper horizontal exterior surface and complementary exterior end surfaces. With the end of one such module in abutment with the complementary end of another such module, the upper horizontal surfaces lie in the same plane so as to provide a suitable walkway for the boatman. Preferably, the end surfaces are perpendicular to the horizontal surface so as to provide maximum stability in the walkway.With the modules positioned in end-to-end relationship, they are coupled together by a flat plate disposed across the upper exterior surface of their junction and by a pair of straps extending longitudinally across the lower exterior surface at their junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Hydrohoist International, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Elson
  • Patent number: 6129042
    Abstract: In a process and machine for coating a surface of an ophthalmic lens, the lens is manually loaded by the operator to a wash/dry station within an enclosure of the coating machine. Thereafter, the machine computer controls the entire process. The machine is closed to minimize the introduction of external contaminates into the machine. Positive pressure and filtration of air is initiated in the enclosure before washing the lens. The loaded lens is washed and dried at the wash/dry station. The dried lens is transferred to a coating station within the enclosure and coated. The coated lens is transferred to a curing oven within the enclosure and cured. The cured lens is then discharged from the curing oven and the machine for collection by the operator. The machine can simultaneously process three lenses, one in the wash/dry/coat section, one in the cure section and one at a pick-off station between the wash/dry/coat and cure sections of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Coburn Optical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Daniel P. Branch
  • Patent number: 6109276
    Abstract: A process and machine for cleaning ophthalmic lenses and blocks heats a washing solution in a wash tank and a rinsing solution in a rinse tank to approximately 140.degree. F. Ultrasonic wave agitation is then initiated in the solutions. A set of lenses or blocks is immersed in the ultrasonically agitated washing solution for approximately one-half the predetermined time of the wash cycle. Mechanical agitation of the immersed set of lenses or blocks is initiated in the ultrasonically agitated washing solution for the remainder of the predetermined time of the wash cycle. The set of lenses or blocks is then raised above the washing solution for a predetermined drip period. The set of lenses or blocks is then immersed in the ultrasonically agitated rinsing solution for approximately one-half the predetermined time of the rinse cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Coburn Optical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Todd R. Strope
  • Patent number: 6106366
    Abstract: A machine for cutting/grinding ophthalmic lenses has a lens spindle aligned on a vertical longitudinal axis and a tool spindle aligned on an angled axis in relation to the vertical axis. The lens blank is chucked on the upper end of the lens spindle and a tool is mounted on a lower end of the tool spindle. One motor rotates the lens spindle and the lens blank about the longitudinal axis and a second motor vertically reciprocates the lens spindle and the lens blank. A third motor rotates the tool spindle and the tool about the angled axis and a fourth motor linearly horizontally reciprocates the tool spindle and the tool. A microprocessor coordinates the rotation and reciprocation of the spindles to cause the tool to cut/grind the lens blank to a predetermined contour. The tool has a spherical grinding surface of diameter approximating but not greater than twice the radius of the steepest lens curvature to be cut/ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Dixon, Kimber W. Rarick
  • Patent number: 6102616
    Abstract: A break intercepts waves moving in an anticipated direction along a water surface. Modular elongated floats are aligned end-to-end and extend generally perpendicular to the anticipated direction of the waves. Modular elongated ballast containers aligned end-to-end depend from the floats. The float is wider than the waves. Ballast in the containers is coordinated with the buoyancy of the floats so that the floats extend higher above the water surface than the waves and the container depends below the water surface by a distance greater than the width of the waves. The lower portion of the ballast container face which intercepts the waves is disposed at an angle so as to downwardly deflect the waves. Thus, the float is wide enough to cut off the upper portion of the waves and the lower portion of the container is positioned to intercept and downwardly deflect the lower portion of the waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Howard G. Foote
  • Patent number: 6089426
    Abstract: A holster supports a shotgun in an opened condition at a shooter's side. A pair of rods extend between front and rear walls. The rear wall has a tongue for mounting the holster proximate the shooter's waist. The walls are spaced to receive the pivotally connected barrel and stock portions of the shotgun therebetween so as to prevent the shotgun from sliding off the rods. The rods are spaced by a distance less than the distance between the breach sides of the forearm and the trigger guard of the shotgun in the closed condition and greater than the combined heights of the forearm and the trigger guard so that, when the barrel and stock portions are at rest on the rods, the weight of the barrel portion causes the breach side of the trigger guard to engage against the rod on which the stock portion rests so as to prevent forward rotation of the shotgun off the rods while the weight of the barrel portion prevents rearward rotation of the shogun off the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hody Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Brandow, Kevin S. Shick, Michael J. Hronas
  • Patent number: 6081951
    Abstract: A rake for moving an air bubble entrapped between the surface of the water in and the underside of the top of a waterbed mattress to a vent through the top of the mattress is provided consisting of an elongated member and a handle. The elongated member has a lower surface lying in substantially a single plane and spaced apart beginning and end points. A straight line connecting the beginning and end points defines a geometric area for surrounding the bubble. The handle has one end connected to the member and another end extending above the plane defined by the lower surface of the member. The handle is used for manually urging the member downwardly against an upper side of the top of the mattress to trap the bubble within the geometric area. The handle is also used for guiding the geometric area with the bubble trapped therein into communication with the vent so that the air can be released to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Melvin E. Acott, II
  • Patent number: 6080044
    Abstract: A machine for fining/polishing ophthalmic lenses has a horizontal and vertical plates rigidly fixed in an inverted T. Eccentric shafts journalled 180 degrees out of phase on the horizontal plate orbit tools on one side of the vertical plate. A swing frame pivotally mounted on the other side of the vertical plate has a horizontal shaft parallel to the vertical plate. Shafts orthogonal to the horizontal shaft are journalled for see-saw motion about the horizontal shaft, for rotational motion about their own longitudinal axes and for sliding motion along the horizontal shaft. Block adapters on the orthogonal shafts hold lenses in vertical alignment above the tools. Separate linkages reciprocate the horizontal shaft in parallel relationship to the vertical plate and the orthogonal shafts in orthogonal relationship to the vertical plate. The shaft linkages have a timing ratio such that the block adapters travel in laterally reciprocating horizontal figure eight patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Lanham, Harry K. Seim, Fred A. Haddock, Steven C. Schneidewent
  • Patent number: 6071176
    Abstract: A calibration gauge for use in calibrating a lens cutting/grinding machine has a disk with a concentric post on one of its faces for chucking the disk to a lens spindle. A target delineated on the other face of the disk consists of bands aligned on the X and Y axes and intersecting at the center of the disk. The width of the bands is not greater than the acceptable error in positioning of the X and Y axes. The calibrating operator sets a limit of Z-axis motion of the lens spindle corresponding to a selected depth of cutting/grinding a lens. The gauge is chucked to the lens spindle. The X-axis position of the tool is aligned by computer with the Z-axis. Rotation of the tool spindle is initiated and the lens spindle is raised to plunge cut/grind the gauge. The lens spindle is lowered and rotation of the tool spindle is terminated. The gauge is dechucked and the depth of the cut/grind is measured. The difference between the measured and selected depths is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.
    Inventor: Fritz R. Kruis
  • Patent number: 6067738
    Abstract: A clear plastic, PLEXIGLAS.RTM. or other suitable, clear, "unbreakable" lens may be either hingedly opened from and closed to or otherwise removed from and replaced in laminar relationship with respect to a refrigerator/freezer door. Adhesive, magnetic or other suitable fastening material are used to fix display items to the lens or door. When the lens closes over the items a visually pleasing frame protects the displayed items and allows for easy removal and substitution. In one embodiment, the lens is hinged to one side of a freezer door on an upright, top-freezer refrigerator. In a second embodiment, lenses are hinged to the outside edges and latched on the inside edges of both doors of an upright, side-by-side double-door refrigerator/freezer combination. In either embodiment, the lens can be inset into the door so as to provide surfaces on the same planes as those of the remainder of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen J. Zeligson
  • Patent number: 6068052
    Abstract: A tool which eliminates the need for "tapping" in downhole reciprocating pump applications is connectable between the last sucker rod of a sucker rod string and the downhole pump. The tool has a cylinder with a closed end and an internal annular seat proximate an open end houses a piston whch reciprocates slidably within the cylinder and is free to rotate within the cylinder. The travel of the piston is limited in one direction by the closed end of the cylinder and in the opposite direction by the seat. The closed end of the cylinder is externally adapted for connection of the tool between the last sucker rod of the sucker rod string and the pump and the piston has a portion extending through the open end of the cylinder which is also adapted for connection of the tool between the last sucker rod of the sucker rod string and the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Jerry W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6065727
    Abstract: A holster for a bed monitor electric control module consists of two substantially rigid continuous wire loops bent into identical inverted-Ls of height less than a height of the module and held in back-to-back spaced apart relationship by upper and lower substantially rigid parallel wire cross members fixed to rearward vertical portions of the inverted-Ls. The cross members are of length and the upper horizontal portions of the inverted-Ls are of contour so as to constrain horizontal movement of a module which is inserted downwardly therein and seated on the lower horizontal portions of the inverted-Ls. A hanger is formed from a resiliently flexible wire bent into a configuration compatible with the holster and which can be flexed to permit insertion cf the hanger into the holster, manipulation of the hanger within the holster and release of the hanger into interlocking relationship with the holster so as to constrain movement of the holster relative to the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Bed-Check Corporation
    Inventors: Sanford G. Fitzgerald, Patrick W. Lovely
  • Patent number: 6042248
    Abstract: An assembly for illuminating a sign having an enclosure covered by a translucent panel includes a plurality of track molding sections, each having at least one circuit board electrically connecting a plurality of LEDs mounted thereon, integrated into a unitary structure by brackets or a stencil with the molding sections secured in a configuration suitable to be inserted into the enclosure and to illuminate the translucent panel. The unitary structure is secured in the enclosure into which has been inserted by sheet metal screws, epoxy glue, double backed adhesive strips or the like. Preferably, if brackets are used, at least two of the brackets extend to a side wall of the enclosure and a plurality of screws fasten the brackets to the side walls of the enclosure to which they extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Lektron Industrial Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Freddie L. Hannah, Kevin W. Hannah, G. Robert Preddy
  • Patent number: 6029823
    Abstract: A structural mount for a vibrator of a screen separator is provided in which the vibrator mounting plate is secured at an angle directly to the basket side wall structure or to a load bearing structure which is parallel and fixed to the basket side wall structure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an opening or pocket is provided in the basket side wall to accommodate protrusion of the inward end of the vibrator into or even through the basket side wall. Access to and removal of the cap from the inward end of the vibrator is accomplished in the former case from the inside of the basket and in the latter case from the outside of the basket. The basket side wall reinforcing structure preferably includes a Y-shaped yoke with the mounting plate being fixed proximate the Y-connection point. Transverse reinforcing members of the basket have their ends fixed to the extremities of the Y-shaped yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: Grant A. Young, Thomas R. Young