Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm George Pappas
  • Patent number: 5145337
    Abstract: A sewage pump includes an injection molded thermoplastic upper housing that surrounds an electric motor and its cast iron motor support, except for the bottom wall of the motor support which forms one wall of a vortex volute, the remainder of the volute being constructed of injection molded thermoplastic. The volute includes an inlet aperture through the bottom, and integrally molded legs extending downwardly whose length is related to the diameter of the inlet aperture such that the clearance underneath the volute is less than the diameter of the solids that will pass through the inlet aperture. This prevents oversized solids from reaching the inlet aperture. The outlet of the volute terminates in an annular thermoplastic threaded connection that is threaded on both the interior and exterior for fitting to different size effluent pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Dan R. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 5119765
    Abstract: An animal feeder for feeding squirrels or other similar small wild animals includes a pivotally mounted hollow tube having a reservoir therein for containing granular food, and open ends. As the squirrels climb about on the feeder, they cause it to tip back and forth in "teeter-totter" fashion, with each tipping of the tube causing a small portion of food to be dispensed from the reservoir through the open end of the tube. Exchangeable metering diaphragms having metering apertures therethrough partially occlude the open ends of the hollow tube to restrict the amount of food dispensed with each "teetering" of the tube. The metering apertures are sized and arranged in accordance with the dry flow characteristics of the granular food used. Transparent windows are provided in the tube so that the squirrels can see the food therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Ben W. Roush, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5100000
    Abstract: A suspendable bag adapted for suspending on a structure and opening, filling, and severing away therefrom. A suspension wall extends from the bags and includes suspension holes adapted to receive suspension pegs located on the structure. A score line is provided below the suspension holes and a support hole is provided below the score line and above the bag. The support hole is adapted to receive a support bag located on the structure. During operation, the support hole, in conjunction with the support peg, allows the opening of a reclosable zipper at the mouth of the bag by only pulling on a lip connected to the front wall of the bag. The support hole, in conjunction with the support peg, further supports the back portion of the bag while the bag is being filled with various products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Packaging Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Huseman
  • Patent number: 5089680
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a travelling wire electrode electrical discharge machining apparatus includes a cartridge barrel having a first open end and a second open end, and a wire guide mounted in the first open end of the cartridge barrel for guiding the wire electrode. A current pick-up holder is mounted in the second open end of the cartridge barrel and includes an index pin for engagement with a current pick-up. A current pick-up is provided for delivering current to the wire electrode, the current pick-up being mounted in the pick-up holder and including a longitudinal bore for engagement with the wire electrode. The current pick-up includes a first end and a second end, with a tool engagement portion located at the first end of the current pick-up for engagement of a tool to rotate the current pick-up relative to the current pick-up holder. An index pin receiving portion is located at the second end of the current pick-up for receiving the index pin of the current pick-up holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: T-Star Industrial Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Truty
  • Patent number: 5082156
    Abstract: A tool wrist strap having a band, a looped cord and a clench bead on the cord. The band is made of a flexible elastic fabric material and formed by an elongated strip having opposite ends attached together. The band is preferably adapted to fit loosely about a person's wrist. The looped cord is composed of flexible inelastic material and has a looped end portion and a pair of opposite ends attached to the band adjacent to one another. The clench bead is slidable on the looped cord and produces sufficient friction therewith to hold the bead in any given position along the cord. The bead can be slidably moved by a person's hand in opposing directions away from and toward the looped end portion of the cord for respectively untightening and tightening the looped end portion in a noose-like configuration about a portion of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas D. Braun
  • Patent number: 5073690
    Abstract: A multidirectional electrical discharge machine wire guide that is long-lasting and easily manufactured and, wherein the guide member thereof is not subject to dislodging. The guide member is made of a wear-resistant material, such as diamond or the like, and includes a wire hole for receiving a wire electrode therethrough and guiding the wire. A non-conductive member is provided and prevents electrical current flow between the wire electrode and the guide assembly at an area substantially near the guide member. The non-conductive member can surround and support the guide member on a wire guide body or, in the alternative, may be separate from the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Corbin, Charles Carson, Jule L. French, Dwight P. Bieberich, Donald E. Bieberich
  • Patent number: 5055000
    Abstract: An enclosed pump motor includes an aluminum housing made by an impact extrusion process. The housing is cylindrical having an integrally-formed closed end with integral fastener bosses for attaching a pump thereto and an integrally-formed thickened cylindrical portion defining a shaft bore for receiving the motor shaft therethrough. At the other end, the cylindrical housing is open for receiving the motor therein. A motor cover is attached to the motor receiving end of the housing by crimping or bending a part of the housing into indents formed in the housing. The motor cover includes a threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded grommet wherein three connector pins are imbedded. The connector pins are connected to electrical power carrying conductors and/or switch conductors leading to a fluid level sensor switch. The conductor-to-pin connections are imbedded within the grommet and are hermetically sealed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Pervez Akhter
  • Patent number: 5053091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in extruding a plastic film with integral interlocking closure members. A flat plastic film and integral closure members are extruded through a single die opening. An air knife is used to push the extruded plastic film towards a chill roll and aids in the cooling of the film. The chill roll is rotatably driven and substantially cools the flat portion of the plastic film. Nozzles direct chilled air at the closure members. Cooling shoes are placed in close proximity to the extruded closure member and cool down and solidify the closure members. The cooling shoes are also used for shaping the closure members. The cooling shoes may be located adjacent the chill roll or adjacent a backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Packaging Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Giljam, David C. Huseman
  • Patent number: 5003148
    Abstract: A wire guiding device for electrical discharge machines (EDM) for easing the threading of wire through the wire guiding assembly. The wire guiding device includes a body wherethrough a longitudinal wire hole is defined having first and second openings. A cavity is located in the body and communicates with the wire hole along a longitudinal communication portion. The cavity is channel-shaped including a planar valley portion and two walls. The planar valley portion intersects the wire hole and forms the longitudinal communication portion and also forms an arcuate groove along the valley portion and in the body. A wear-resistant member is fixed in a bore near one opening of the wire hole and a non-conductive cap is fixed thereover and shields the wear-resistant member and the wire guiding device from electroerosion. A liquid retention chamber is attached to the wire guiding assembly and at least partially surrounds the wire guiding device and has a hole substantially coaxially arranged with the wire hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Truty, William H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4998297
    Abstract: A sanitary toilet seat cover includes a flexible ring-shaped seat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and a diametrical axis. A flap portion extends generally radially outwardly from the seat portion along the diametrical axis. Releasable fasteners are provided for releasably fastening the flap portion to the seat portion when the seat portion is rolled up, the fasteners including first and second mutually engagable fastening elements, the first fastening element being fixed to the flap portion and the second fastening element being fixed to the seat portion. The sanitary toilet seat cover is compactly arranged for storage by folding the seat portion in half along the diametrical axis, rolling up the folded seat portion upon itself semi-circumferentially starting at that end which is opposite the flap portion, and folding the flap portion endwise across the rolled-up seat portion and engaging the first fastening element of the flap portion to the second fastening element of the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Jeanie Summerville
  • Patent number: 4995377
    Abstract: A solar collector involves an elongate main boom having a longitudinal axis and a solar collector frame. Brackets are provided for pivotally mounting the solar collector frame to the main boom for pivotal motion about a first pivotal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main boom. A first motor is mounted to the main boom and has a rotary output shaft coaxially aligned with the first pivotal axis and drivingly connected to the frame for pivoting the frame about the first pivotal axis. A plurality of solar collector elements are pivotally mounted to the solar collector frame for synchronized pivotal motion with respect to the frame about respective second pivotal axes disposed substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Glenn E. Eiden
  • Patent number: 4994643
    Abstract: A current pickup assembly for placing electrical current on a moving wire electrode in an electrical discharge machine apparatus and having a normal straight line of travel. The current pickup assembly includes a current pickup having a bore therethrough for receiving the wire electrode. The bore longitudinal axis is at an angle with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel and the moving wire electrode contacts the bore contact wall therein. A pivot means is provided for selectively pivoting the carbide pickup longitudinal axis at an angle with respect to the straight line of wire travel. A rotation means rotates the current pickup about the bore longitudinal axis. In the alternative, the current pickup is supported on a gimball means for selectively pivoting the pickup about two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation intersecting at a point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignees: Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc., T-Star Industrial Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Truty, William R. Fricke, James M. Ceriale, Jule L. French, Kevin M. Newell
  • Patent number: 4973016
    Abstract: A utility support assembly for mounting a dock fan and light includes an articulated multi-arm arrangement and a wall mounting bracket. The multi-arm arrangement includes a pair of inner arms and a single outer arm. The inner arms are vertically spaced apart and pivotally mounted at their inner ends to the wall mounting bracket. The outer arm at its inner end is disposed between and pivotally mounted to the outer ends of the inner arms. Also, fan and light support members are pivotally mounted at the outer end of the outer arm. The fan support member is mounted below the outer end of the outer arm, whereas the light support member is mounted above it. A fan is pivotally mounted to the fan support member and a light is pivotally mounted to the light support member. The pivotal axes of the fan and light on their respective support members are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Patton Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold J. Hertenstein
  • Patent number: 4961018
    Abstract: An enclosed pump motor includes an aluminum housing made by an impact extrusion process. The housing is cylindrical having an integrally-formed closed end with integral fastener bosses for attaching a pump thereto and an integrally-formed thickened cylindrical portion defining a shaft bore for receiving the motor shaft. At the other end, the cylindrical housing is open for receiving the motor. A motor cover is attached to the motor receiving end of the housing by crimping or bending a part of the housing into indents formed in the housing. The motor cover includes a threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded grommet wherein three connector pins are imbedded. The connector pins are connected to electrical power carrying conductors and/or switch conductors leading to a fluid level sensor switch. The conductor-to-pin connections are imbedded within the grommet and are hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Pervez Akhter
  • Patent number: 4955870
    Abstract: A hypodermic syringe including a barrel having a closed end, an open end, and an interior surface. A plunger is reciprocally received in the barrel through the open end and in sealing engagement with the interior surface of the barrel and forming a chamber. A hollow needle is detachably attached to the barrel at the closed end of the barrel. The plunger has a hole leading to a cavity. A spring is located within the cavity and is connected to the plunger at one end and a first mating member at the other end. The first mating member is detachably attached to the plunger end. A second mating member is attached to the needle. In operation, liquid is injected in a normal fashion by pushing the plunger toward the closed end of the barrel. When the plunger approaches the barrel closed end, the first and second mating members attach to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Kristen A. Ridderheim, V. Widadi Sudharto, Alice F. Ridderheim
  • Patent number: 4945200
    Abstract: A guide assembly for guiding an electrical discharge machine apparatus moving wire electrode through a workpiece. The guide assembly includes first, second, and third guide members, each having a bore for receiving the moving wire electrode and a current pickup is located between the second and third guide members. The first guide member is closest to the workpiece. The first and second guide members are mounted on a guide body at respective first and second openings communicating with one another through a wire passageway through the guide body. The guide body includes a threaded portion and a nut member is used for engaging the threaded portion and attaching the guide body to the support assembly. The nut member includes a housing defining a fluid passageway and an outlet bore for creating a threading fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignees: Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc., T-Star Industrial Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Truty, William R. Fricke, James M. Ceriale, Jule L. French, Kevin M. Newell
  • Patent number: 4942923
    Abstract: An apparatus for isolating a testing zone in a bore hole screen casing includes a lower plug member sealingly positionable at a desired longitudinal point within the casing and an upper plug that is independent of the lower plug is also sealingly positionable at another desired point along the longitudinal bore of the screen casing. The isolated test zone is defined between the lower and upper plug members and both the longitudinal length of the isolated test zone and the location of the test zone are selectively variable. A fluid carrying conduit is connected to the upper plug member and is in communication through a bore in the upper plug member with the isolated test zone for accessing and sampling fluid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Marvin D. Geeting
  • Patent number: 4896013
    Abstract: An electrical discharge wire cutting machine includes a current pick-up for delivering current pulses from a power supply to an electrode wire. The current pick-up includes a central bore with a continuous curvilinear cross section. The current pick-up is mounted in a holder secured in a first open end of a cartridge barrel. A wire guide for guiding the passage of a wire electrode is mounted in a second open end of the cartridge barrel. A nozzle for directing de-ionized fluid around the wire electrode is secured on the second open end of the cartridge barrel adjacent the wire guide. The current pick-up holder includes a central bore offset from its longitudinal axis in a first direction. A wire pre-guide is mounted adjacent the current pick-up in an enlarged threaded bore of the current pick-up holder. The enlarged threaded bore is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pick-up holder in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: T-Star Industrial Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Fricke, Thomas J. Truty
  • Patent number: 4894504
    Abstract: An electrical discharge wire cutting machine (EDWC) includes an apparatus for controlling the flow of electrical energy between an electrically conductive piece part and a wire electrode of the EDWC machine. A pulse type power supply has first and second leads of opposite polarity with the first lead being electrically connected to the piece part and the second lead having first and second portions connected to the wire electrode at two separate, spaced-apart locations. Diodes electrically isolate the first and second portions of the second lead line whereby the first and second portions of the second lead line are electrically independent from one another. Further, first and second independently controllable arrays of capacitors are connected between the first lead line and the first and second portions of the second lead line respectively. The capacitance of these arrays is controllably adjustable to a range of values suitable for the instantaneous cutting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: T-Star Industrial Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Truty
  • Patent number: D325251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Patton Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Schindler, Noel T. Patton, Edward W. Strubel, Jr., Joseph C. Carley