Patents Represented by Attorney H. Gordon Shields
  • Patent number: 8332983
    Abstract: A rotating brush assembly for a street sweeper utilizes a hub to connect a hydraulic pump to a rotatable brush plate. A collar on the hub extends upwardly from a base flange and a tapered bore extends through the collar and the base flange and receives a mating tapered portion of a rotatable shaft of the pump. A downwardly extending rim on the bottom of the base flange locates the hub relative to a central aperture in the brush plate. The bottom of the base flange includes a recess which extends upwardly from the rim. The tapered bore communicates with the recess. The recess receives a threaded bottom portion of the rotatable shaft of the pump and a nut which is disposed on the threaded portion of the pump shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Phillip W. Prohoroff
  • Patent number: 8167350
    Abstract: A liner for a cargo area of a vehicle, such as a car, truck, trailer, or the like, includes at least three layers, a base layer, an intermediate patterned layer, and a clear or transparent top layer so that the patterned layer may be viewed. The patterned layer may be monochromatic, where only a single color is used, or it may be polychromatic, where several colors are used. The patterned layer may be a color scape, a design or logo, a message, or any decorative item. Three embodiments of methods for making a liner are shown. The methods include the use of a female mold, a male mold, or a combination of male and female molds where the male mold is a ram applying pressure and heat to the several layers on the female mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond Zappe
  • Patent number: 8141312
    Abstract: A wooden strip and a plurality of metal clips comprise or define a batten for securing tiles to a roof. Each clip includes a generally flat bottom and a pair of upwardly extending arms. Each arm includes an outwardly extending flange. Each flange includes at least a single barb extending upwardly for securing the clip to the wooden strip. The barbs are punched out of the flanges and extend into the bottom of the wooden strip to secure the clips to the wooden strip. The bottoms of the clips are flat to be disposed on the roof, with the arms supporting the wooden strip off the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Danny L. Koble, Robert L. Koble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7977922
    Abstract: A battery charger includes one or more channels for independently charging one or more batteries at different current levels. The battery charger also includes multiple modes for each channel for charging a battery with a continuous current or a pulse current. The battery charger supplies charging current by holding the charging voltage at a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Ralph C. Collins, Greg N. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7690071
    Abstract: A plate for a brush apparatus for a street sweeper has an alignment hole which is used to align a brush segment for securing the brush segment to the plate. A clamp assembly moves downwardly to allow a used brush segment to be removed and moves upwardly to secure a brush segment to the plate. Rotation of a bolt, the head of which is on the top of the plate, moves the clamp assembly upwardly and downwardly. An alignment hole in the brush segment is aligned with the alignment hole in the plate. A pin on the clamp assembly extends into the alignment hole in the brush segment. Shelf elements on the bottom of the plate help hold brush segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Phillip W. Prohoroff
  • Patent number: 7679335
    Abstract: A battery charger includes one or more channels for independently charging one or more batteries at different current levels. The battery charger also includes multiple modes for each channel for charging a battery with a continuous current or a pulse current. The battery charger supplies charging current by holding the voltage at a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph C. Collins, Greg N. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7285959
    Abstract: An electrical source analyzer is claimed and disclosed with a circuit for a quick test of voltages using LEDs to indicate the voltage range, a circuit for measuring voltage using a meter with a display, a circuit for measuring current, as applied across a load with a display, and a circuit to indicate reverse polarity of the electrical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Ralph C. Collins, Greg N. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7223052
    Abstract: Conduit retainer apparatus includes a central bridge element and a pair of end plates secured to the central bridge element. The conduit retainer apparatus is disposed in a trench on top of conduits. The end plates dig into the sides of the trench to prevent the conduits from rising or floating as the conduit is being encased in concrete. The end plates include barb elements to help lock the conduit apparatus to the sides of the trench. Different configurations of barb elements are illustrated, and also different embodiments of end plates and bridge elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel D. Evans
  • Patent number: 7137755
    Abstract: Apparatus for receiving run off water in shopping centers and the like includes an underground storage area from which the stored water percolates into the local aquifer or is pumped out, as desired or as required. Several embodiments of perimeter support structures are illustrated. In one embodiment, a retaining wall is used to support structural tee elements, and in another embodiment caissons are spaced apart and receive L-beams which in turn support structural tee elements. Other embodiments show full vertical walls and stepped walls. The tee elements may be used to support a parking area for vehicles or to provide support for other appropriate uses. An appropriate liner is secured to the perimeter support structure for holding the run off water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Norman, James A. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6902039
    Abstract: Shield apparatus for a fork lift truck includes a flat stiff plate securable to the mast or vertical portion of a carriage of a fork lift truck. The shield apparatus includes fasting elements which are adjustable to fit different sized mast elements of fork lift trucks made by different manufacturers. The shield apparatus comprises a relatively large and flat plate to fit the entire width of the carriage, including the vertical mast elements for the purpose of protecting material with relatively delicate edges, such as wall board, from being damaged while the material is being transported by the fork lift truck. Included are handle elements which allow the shield apparatus to be easily placed on and removed from a fork lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Timothy R. Kunch
  • Patent number: 6887012
    Abstract: Cover apparatus for temporarily covering access openings for water, drain, manhole and overflow pipes when the access openings are exposed, such as during construction, to prevent dirt, dust or unauthorized access to the access openings includes a top portion which extends outwardly beyond the access opening, an outer depending side wall which fits within the access opening, an outwardly flared lower side wall which extends below the outer depending side wall, a central cylindrical wall depending from the top portion in spaced relation from the depending side wall, and a plurality of ribs extending between the central wall and the depending side wall. A pump is secured within the central ring, and an expandable bladder in fluid communication with the pump is positioned on the depending side wall, between the top portion and the outwardly flared side wall. When inflated, the expandable bladder seals the cover apparatus to the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Raymond Zappe
  • Patent number: 6863630
    Abstract: Hunting arrow utilizes an arrowhead having a ferrule and a plurality of blades, and a cutting ring is secured to the blades. The blades are secured to the ferrule by a tip and by a retainer nut adjacent to the shaft. Different configurations of rings may be utilized, and the rings may be secured to the outer or inner portions of the blades. Different configurations of both arrowheads and rings which may be secured to an arrow shaft are illustrated and discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Larry R. Watkins, Mark W. Watkins, Kevin B. Call
  • Patent number: 6820308
    Abstract: Hinge apparatus includes convexly rounded top and bottom rear surfaces on the hinge leaves and concavely rounded hinge receiving recesses on doors and door frames which receive the hinge leaves. The recesses are routed from generally parallel to the plane of the door edge from which the recesses extend downwardly into the door edge and door frame or jamb. A method of making the recesses includes providing router elements which make the recesses by relative motion between the router elements and the door or door frame which receive the hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Jerry G. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 6817482
    Abstract: Safety shield apparatus for a bottled gas tank valve includes a cover which fits over the valve and an internal flange or plate within the cover that fits underneath the valve handle. A tail portion secured to the cover extends outwardly beyond the vertically extending flange which is disposed arcuately about the valve handle and which comprises also a handle for the bottle. The tail portion includes holes which receive a lock to prevent the shield apparatus from being removed from the bottled gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas W. Borter
  • Patent number: 6802618
    Abstract: An optical screen panel and a method of making an optical screen panel is disclosed. The panel includes layers or rows of alternating, or interleaved, light transmitting and light blocking or opaque elements, and is extruded. The layers or rows are in the form of relatively small ribbon elements which are generally parallel to the direction of viewing, and thus generally perpendicular to the front plane of the panel itself, which is the viewing surface of the panel. Several embodiments are shown, including panels with light directing elements and light scattering elements. The light directing and scattering elements may be embossed in the extruding process or they may be extruded as separate layers and secured to the layered panel post extruding. Angled and curved layers are among the several embodiments. Ultra violet protection may also be provided to the optical screen layered panel. When no light source is “on,” and thus no light is being transmitted, the optical screen panel appears opaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Kerry E. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6796928
    Abstract: Foot and leg exercise apparatus includes a pair of pedals pivoting on a base element. At the front of the base is a vertical post and a tee element telescopes relative to the vertical post. The post and the element include aligned apertures for adjusting the height of the tee element relative to the post. A pin is inserted into the desired aligned apertures in the post and tee element at the desired height. Tension springs are secured to the tee element and to the pedals for moving the pedals upwardly. The user's feet are disposed on the pedals and the user's feet and legs are exercised by pivoting the pedals against the tension springs. By adjusting the height of the tee element, the force of the tension springs may be varied. Sets of tension springs of varying strength may be used progressively. For forced exercise, a motor and cams may be used to move the pedals downwardly against the upward biasing force of the tension springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Gilman O. Christopher, John G. Bulla
  • Patent number: D541656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin P. Martin
  • Patent number: D493409
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Kyle P. Krejci
  • Patent number: D493410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Kyle P. Krejci
  • Patent number: D499495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kelly F. Walterscheid