Patents Represented by Law Firm Gifford, Groh, Sprinkle, Patmore, & Anderson
  • Patent number: 5317944
    Abstract: An adjustable protecting guard apparatus for a table saw having a guard positionable over the saw blade. The adjustable protection guard apparatus has a telescoping arm extending from one end of the saw table which supports a guard superstructure. A hinged connection on an edge of the guard superstructure permits the guard superstructure and the attached guard to pivot up and away from the saw blade. A control module simultaneously deactivates the motor rotating the saw blade with the pivoting of the guard superstructure. The control module has a multi-position key switch having a by-pass position permitting pivoting of the guard without de-energizing the motor. This permits difficult cuts to be made which would not be feasible with the guard in place. An anti-kickback pawl is also provided within the guard and prevents the saw from rejecting a workpiece in a direction opposite to its feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Timothy Hewitt
  • Patent number: 5319618
    Abstract: A system for switching from a programmed track of a music source to a succeeding programmed track of a music source. The system includes a detector chip for detecting a cue tone in excess of 15 kHz placeable on each programmed music track. The detector chip generates a signal causing a switch to activate a successive player to play. Additional switches pause and re-advance the previous music source to play a further succeeding programmed track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas M. Krikorian
  • Patent number: 5316043
    Abstract: A preload mechanism for use in a rotary control valve is disclosed. The preload mechanism mechanically interlocks input and output members of the control valve to inhibit relative rotation therebetween when steering torque applied to the input member is below a predetermined preload level. The preload mechanism includes a tension spring ring having at least one pair of elongated slots. Pins secured to each of the input and output members project through and are retained in the slots in an over-constrained manner whereby the preload force is bi-directionally exerted on both of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Techco Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5314196
    Abstract: An arrow construction for use with a bow in hunting wild game provides an arrow shaft having a hollow interior. An arrowhead attaches to a leading end of the arrow shaft. A nock attaches to a trailing end of the arrow shaft. A stop member is provided within the shaft of the arrow and activates to an open position external to the shaft to restrain further travel of the arrowhead when it becomes embedded within the game. The stop member activates to the open position upon the arrow impacting the desired target. A slidably detachable arrowhead is also provided and is forceably detached from the leading end of the arrow upon the arrow's impacting the desired target. The arrowhead translates along the arrow shaft in a direction toward the trailing end. Further translation of the arrowhead is prevented by an abutting engagement with the stop member in its activated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Robert J. Ruelle
  • Patent number: 5314771
    Abstract: When electrodes in two-layer composition, provided with a color filter in the inside thereof, are provided on the inner surface of a liquid crystal cell board, it is aimed to prevent creation of faulty connections in contact holes and to transmit a driving voltage normally even if faulty connections may occur. A first-layer transparent electrode 1a is formed on the board, then resist is coated so that the contact holes 6 are open on the side surface in one side of the electrode pattern, on which a color filter 3 is formed. After that, said resist is removed and a second-layer transparent electrode 1b is formed in film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamauchi, Shinji Kanagawa, Hisao Sekine
  • Patent number: 5314396
    Abstract: A performance alignment reaction tool consisting of a control bar, an alignment bar and a length of elastic material elastically connecting the control bar to the alignment bar. The length of elastic material is connected to holes provided adjacent to the ends of the control bar and a hole centrally disposed through the alignment bar in a generally triangular pattern. In alternate embodiments, the performance alignment reaction tool may include a guide arm provided at one end of the alignment bar and a range of motion guide for locating the position of the alignment bar and the hand holding the alignment bar relative to the body. In the use of the performance alignment reaction tool, the control bar is grasped in one hand and the alignment bar is grasped in the other hand. The control bar and the alignment bar are extended towards predetermined points in space in a repetitious alternating sequence with the body turning towards each point in space to which the control and alignment bars are extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Robert G. Parr
  • Patent number: 5312089
    Abstract: The handrail assembly includes at least one tubular metal stanchion having a base and at least one aperture through both sides of the stanchion and at least a horizontal top rail extending through the stanchion aperture. The horizontal top rail has an inner metal pipe, an outer plastic pipe, and at least one aperture through both sides of the rail for receiving a metal retaining rod. Following insertion of the horizontal top rail into the stanchion aperture, the apertures of the top horizontal rail are vertically oriented so that they are aligned with the tubular metal stanchion. Following alignment of the top horizontal rail apertures, the retaining rod is fitted into the apertures. In one embodiment, the retaining rod rests in a receiving cup located on the base of the stanchion. In an alternative embodiment, the retaining rod has an end plate affixed to it where the end plate is sized to be about the interior diameter of the tubular metal stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Frank Venegas, Jr.
    Inventor: Frank Venegas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5312282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a baby bottle structure forming a doll. The baby bottle comprises a central fluid receptacle having a nipple portion at one end and a bottom portion at the opposing end. A removable cover is snapped about the nipple portion and forms the head of a doll. A removable bottom portion is attachable to the central fluid receptacle of the bottle and creates the feet portion of the doll. The feet of the doll are formed in such a way as to support the bottle in an upright position. The removable bottom support structure houses a music module that may be activated by tilting the baby bottle. The bottom portion also provides a housing for enclosing an independent pacifier. Thus, the baby bottle forms a musical doll and provides means for carrying a pacifier within its body structure. A bib is provided with the baby bottle doll and supports the baby bottle about the neck of an infant. A rattle or rattles may be removably attachable to the bib and form arms of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Lynn Cooper
  • Patent number: 5311703
    Abstract: A tool sharpening device (11) has a rotary grindstone (14), a tool support (34) and linear guides (32, 33) along which the tool support (34) is displaceable in use of the device. The linear guides (32, 33) extend transversely of the axis of rotation of the rotary grindstone (14) and their location is such as to guide a tool carried by the tool support (34) so as to transit across the end face (15) of the rotary grindstone (14). The tool support (34) is releasably connected to the linear guides in such a way that the tool support (34) can be positioned on the linear guides (32, 33) with a tool support face (35) lying at one of two different inclinations to the plane defined by the end face (15) of the grindstone (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Martek Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Ketteringham
  • Patent number: 5311906
    Abstract: A preload mechanism for use in a rotary control valve is disclosed. The preload mechanism mechanically interlocks input and output members of the control valve to inhibit relative rotation therebetween when steering torque applied to the input member is below a predetermined preload level. The preload mechanism includes a tension spring ring having at least one pair of elongated slots. Pins secured to each of the input and output members project through and are retained in the slots in an over-constrained manner whereby the preload force is bi-directionally exerted on both of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Techco Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5310226
    Abstract: A quick connect fluid coupling is provided for use with a fuel tank having an outwardly extending tubular and cylindrical nipple and which the nipple has a radially inwardly extending recess at a position spaced from its outer end. The coupling includes a tubular and cylindrical body which is open at each end and which is dimensioned to slidably extend over the nipple to a connected position. The body includes a plurality of elongated and circumferentially spaced slots formed radially through the body and these slots register with the nipple recess when the body is in its connected position. An elongated arcuate retainer is positioned within each slot and is radially movable between an inner locked position in which a portion of the retainer is positioned in the nipple recess, and an outer unlocked position in which the retainers are positioned outside the nipple recess thereby allowing the body to move axially with respect to the fuel tank nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip J. Norkey
  • Patent number: 5309593
    Abstract: A surface finishing device having a vibration generater fixedly supported to a device body, a vibration transmitting member disposed at a lower position of the device body and a heat source incorporated in the vibration transmitting member. The invention also discloses a surface finishing device of the above type further having a fluid-agent outlet opening defined in or in the vicinity of the vibration transmitting means and for discharging a fluid agent or a solution containing the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Tokyo Copal Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Yonehara
  • Patent number: 5309770
    Abstract: A fluid vibrating type flowmeter has a nozzle disposed in a flow passage and defining a nozzle outlet plane extending perpendicular to the flow passage, an enlarged passage disposed downstream of the nozzle and including divergent inner wall surfaces symmetric about an axis of the nozzle, a target disposed centrally of the enlarged passage for obstructing straight movement of streams jetting out of the nozzle, and a constructed passage disposed downstream of the enlarged passage and having a smaller passage width than a rear end of the enlarged passage. Each of the divergent inner wall surfaces includes a main arcuate section continuous from the nozzle outlet plane, a straight diverging wall section continuous from the main arcuate section, and an auxiliary arcuate section continuous at an upstream end thereof from the straight diverging wall section and at a downstream end thereof with the constricted passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 5310344
    Abstract: A dental laser system is disclosed having an erbium doped YAG laser which is excited so that the YAG laser produces a plurality of laser pulses. A novel delivery system for the YAG laser is disclosed which includes an elongated sapphire strand which consists of a single crystal. The sapphire strand has a diameter between 10 and 1000 microns so that it maintains its flexibility and the sapphire strand is encased within a flexible protective coating. The sapphire strand is also essentially devoid of water content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventors: Arthur Vassiliadis, Joseph W. Shaffer, David J. Fullmer, Michael H. Brewer, David R. Hennings, Terry D. Myers, William D. Myers
  • Patent number: 5309846
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for creating a temporary grass playing field. The system includes a plurality of substantially identical pallets, each pallet having a base with a top surface and a bottom surface. The pallets are polygonal in shape and are adapted to abut against each other to form the playing field. Reinforcing brackets are secured to the bottom surface of the base to elevate the base above a ground support surface by a distance sufficient to enable the fork of a forklift truck to be inserted under the base and the lift the pallet. Grass sod corresponding in shape to the base is then supported on the top surface of the base. This grass forms the temporary grass playing field when the pallets are nested together so that the sides of the pallets abut against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: 3-Dimensional Services
    Inventor: Douglas L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5307892
    Abstract: An electronically controlled power steering system for motor vehicles is disclosed for steering dirigible wheels in response to an input torque applied to a steering wheel. The power steering system includes a mechanical steering gear mechanism coupled to the steering wheel for generating a mechanically derived steering force in response to the input torque. A power cylinder is coupled to the mechanical steering gear mechanism for producing a hydraulically derived steering force which augments the mechanically derived steering force. A control valve is provided which is in fluid communication with the power cylinder for generating differential pressure applied to the power cylinder. A first signal is generated which is indicative of the input torque applied to the steering wheel. A signal processing unit generates an output signal in response to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Techco Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5308186
    Abstract: A low profile snowplowable road marker and method of installation is disclosed. The snowplowable road marker has a circular top section with opposed dished surfaces extending from a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge is mounted in an outer bore below the level of the road surface. A bridge portion extends between a pair of channels. The bridge portion has at least one inclined wall having a recess for accepting a signalling device. A brow extends outwardly from the inclined wall over the recess to reduce contact between the tire of a vehicle passing over the road marker and the signalling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Pac-Tec, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hedgewick
  • Patent number: D346516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: Stacey D'Anna, Jeffrey D'Anna
  • Patent number: D346834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: James Consiglio
  • Patent number: D346984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Pac-Tec, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hedgewick