Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Frank J. Dykas
  • Converging tube assembly for hydraulic food cutter
    Patent number: 5806397
    Abstract: A converging tube assembly for use with a hydraulic food cutter is provided having a converging tube for the passage of suspended food product and liquid therethrough from a larger upstream inlet end to a smaller convergent downstream outlet end, said tube being formed of resilient material. A circumvolving converging tube flange is attached to and extends radially out from the inlet end of the converging tube. A first flange retaining plate having a U-shaped notch for receiving and holding the inlet end of the converging tube, and for compressive engagement with at least a portion of the downstream surface of the flange is provided, along with a lower cradle support frame for supporting the lower portion of the converging tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Floor joist retainer and method for using the same
    Patent number: 5806274
    Abstract: A floor joist retainer for use in a concrete foundation formed by pouring concrete into forms which has a floor joist retainer body having an open front side, closed sides and bottom, and open top side, and is sized to receive and support the end of a floor joist. The floor joist retainer is first attached to the interior surface of the interior form for the foundation wall at the desired elevation and the concrete then poured into the form and allowed to cure. When the forms are then removed, the floor joist retainer presents a body sized to receive and support a floor joist at a predetermined elevational level, irrespective of the final elevation of the top surface of the concrete foundation wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: JPL Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Wurtz, Ronald D. Wurtz
  • Configurable wheel truck for skateboards or roller skates incorporating novel wheel designs
    Patent number: 5803473
    Abstract: A novel skate platform wheel truck and wheel design which permits reconfiguration of the wheels and truck to incorporate two, three, four, or more wheels per truck with the wheels incorporating novel designs which provide stability and control configurable to the skill of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Jerome F. Eberharter
    Inventor: James D. Bouden
  • Ankle foot orthosis night splint with orthowedge
    Patent number: 5799659
    Abstract: A low cost orthosis for the treatment of foot and ankle conditions including plantar fasciitis and tendonitis, the orthosis is a rigid, molded shell manufactured in a variety of incremental sizes, having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a flat foot bed, covered by a soft fabric covering, and using a removable and interchangeable foot bed wedge insert permitting the angle of dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion to be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: William S. Stano
  • Bath lift
    Patent number: 5797149
    Abstract: A bath lift having a lower portion frame extending upwardly and rearwardly from a bathtub floor pivotally connected to an upper frame. The upper frame is provided with a pivotally mounted seat. A fluid actuated piston is interconnected between the upper and lower frames to raise and lower the upper frame and seat. Fluid for actuating the piston is provided by a control valve system utilizing a domestic pressurized cold water supply or a hand or foot pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: John Clarke Mustarde
  • Uni-directional cord take-up device
    Patent number: 5797558
    Abstract: The invention is a dual reel cord take-up device for flat wire cable which has a generally semi-cylindrical upper and lower case half which snap together over a dual-purpose shaft to make two compartments. The first compartment is a cord extension and take-up compartment which is divided in two by a slotted disk on the dual-purpose shaft in that compartment. Flat wire cable is wound on the dual-purpose shaft in both compartments, and extends through two apertures in the walls of the compartment. The cable in one aperture is fixed so it does not move in and out of the aperture. The wire cable in the second aperture is free to extend or retract through the aperture. A spring provides the power to retract cable into the take-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Preco New Products Corp.
    Inventors: Edwin R. Peterson, Edwin L. Wheeler
  • Extruded vinyl door jamb assembly
    Patent number: 5787660
    Abstract: A vinyl door frame assembly for a frame door opening is provided with a plurality of metal jamb backing members for attachment to the unfinished door frame. A set of paired first and second vinyl jamb members are provided, wherein the vinyl jamb member first sections are attached to the metal jamb backing members by means of threaded screws, and the vinyl jamb members second section are slid against the vinyl jamb members first section and held in position by means of flat head screws interfitting within slots of the metal jamb backing members, and into snap fit engagement with the first section of vinyl jamb member to complete the assembly. In a second embodiment of the invention, the vinyl jamb member first section is screwed into the door frame member. The vinyl jamb member second section is then snapped into the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Carl W. Adams
  • Electrical plug attachment system
    Patent number: 5782648
    Abstract: A device to secure an electric plug to a wall outlet by the use of a fastener which attaches to the electric cord and which also attaches to the wall socket. The device is of two pieces, to allow adjustment for the size of the electrical plug. The device attaches to the wall socket by the use of a shouldered screw which replaces the standard screw holding the wall place in place. One version of the device is designed to securely connect an electric plug to an extension cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Edwin R. Peterson
  • Personal mouse pad
    Patent number: 5779211
    Abstract: A portable mouse pad which attaches to the user's leg by means of an elastic strap. This mouse pad allows a computer user to operate a mouse from a variety of positions, including sitting, standing, reclining, with feet propped up, lying on the floor, standing, walking or changing from one of those positions to another of those positions. A mouse holding pocket is built into the portable mouse pad holder. Use of the portable mouse pad at lap level provides a more ergonomically favorable position for mouse use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Peter D. Bird
  • Bass tags
    Patent number: 5761843
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for tagging fish for identification, and collecting from those caught a chosen number of fish which are the heaviest in weight. To collect the heaviest fish, they are weighed as they are caught, and tagged with a clip-on colored identification tag which is attached to the fish's dorsal fin. The weight and color of the tag are recorded. Subsequently caught fish are weighed and tagged or released as necessary, so that the pre-selected number of fish kept are also the heaviest fish which were caught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: William A. Lynch
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lynch, William A. Lynch
  • Hot tub cover and enclosure
    Patent number: 5745932
    Abstract: A hot tub cover and enclosure which, when in a closed position, forms a waterproof cover for a hot tub and a sloping surface to shed snow and water, and when in an open position, provides privacy screening and wind protection. The side walls of the hot tub cover and enclosure are individually self-supporting, so that any side wall or combination of side walls may remain on the hot tub in a closed position, or any number of side walls may be placed in an open position or removed from the hot tub, without need for support from neighboring side walls. The side walls attach to the hot tub using a detachable hinging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: David L. Barovetto
  • Light bar heater
    Patent number: 5743631
    Abstract: A heating system for installation and use within an emergency or service vehicle's warning light system. The heating system comprises generally a self-limiting heater which is operatively connected to a fan for displacing air within the light system, creating an exchange of forced air by the heating element. The heating system may further comprise a switch and control relay which is thermostatically actuated or actuated in response to ambient humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: James R. Bigham
  • Bung hole plug
    Patent number: 5740935
    Abstract: A bung hole plug formed of resilient synthetic material interfitted between a front and back plate. A threaded post is attached to the back plate, and used, in conjunction with a lock washer and nut, to draw the front and back plates together, thereby squashing the resilient plug against the side walls of the bung hole to maintain a fluid tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Idaho Bung Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent A. Desfarges
  • Front loading truck rack for wheeled loads
    Patent number: 5741110
    Abstract: A front loading truck rack for wheeled loads such as boat trailers, golf carts, all terrain vehicles, and three or four wheeled loads. The truck rack allows a load to be loaded onto a pickup while a fifth wheel trailer is attached to the pickup, and the rack takes up a minimum of space in the truck bed, to accommodate the clearance needed for a fifth wheel trailer when turning or backing. The truck rack allows the user to load and transport loads with little or no lifting required by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Lloyd Grinage, Jr.
  • Beater bar assembly for threshing machine
    Patent number: 5733192
    Abstract: A beater bar assembly for use in a threshing machine. The beater bar assembly is formed of a chute assembly and interfitting, horizontally oriented, rotating cylindrical drum having a plurality of extending teeth forming racks of combs. The chute assembly contains a collection sump which serves as a rock trap. The rotating drum teeth comb through the incoming plant material, batting entrained rocks and other debris into the collection sump, and accelerating the remaining plant material through the chute and into the threshing assembly of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Douglas R. Jones
  • Cover rotating drum grinding machine
    Patent number: 5720440
    Abstract: A covered rotating drum grinding machine having a frame, engine assembly and hammermill assembly mounted to the frame is provided. Sitting atop of the hammermill assembly is a rotating drum assembly, which is used to agitate and feed material to be ground into the hammermill assembly. A stationary drum assembly, including an infeed opening through which material to be ground is passed, is provided atop the rotating drum assembly to prevent material impacting the hammermill or other grinding device from being propelled out of the enclosed drum space on a ballistic trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Diamond Z Manufacturing
    Inventors: Carl L. Bonner, Melvin A. Zehr
  • Towel holder
    Patent number: D389683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Jorge G. Herrera
  • Curved knife blade for hydraulic food cutter
    Patent number: D392841
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: GME, Inc.
    Inventor: Locke A. Chastaine
  • Inflation station
    Patent number: D395051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Robert L. Bonzer
  • Combined ankle and foot orthosis splint with orthowedge for wearing at night
    Patent number: D395514
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: William S. Stano