Patents Represented by Attorney Henry M. Bissell
  • Patent number: 7350792
    Abstract: A system of linkages for a beam-type straight axle drive arrangement which accurately control the vehicle steering as well as axle location throughout its full range of suspension compression. This system can be retrofitted onto existing vehicles as a “bolt-on” retrofit kit, thereby dramatically improving the handling characteristics of such vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Gary T. Garman
  • Patent number: 7198417
    Abstract: A camera lens attachment (5) having an attaching member (90), additional lens (49), a lens cover (10) doubling as a sunshade, and additional shading components (12) all in an integral combination which is easily attachable or removable from a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: James J. Zhang
  • Patent number: 7017385
    Abstract: Pneumatic door skins tool that uses air power to bend an automobile door skin edge with little effort. The tool is fully adjustable and has manual controls to allow a person to complete the task in a minimum amount of time with a minimal amount of effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald D. Trueit, David Kilburn
  • Patent number: 6955536
    Abstract: A system for establishing a cumulative history of stress factors encountered during use of an endodontic file and keeping track of such for a plurality of files so that the files can be re-used with confidence that a given file is as safe to use as a new file. Cost of file maintenance is significantly reduced and the likelihood of file breakage in use is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: L. Stephen Buchanan
  • Patent number: 6920672
    Abstract: A belt buckle having a photograph mounted in a recessed central area which is filled with a cured epoxy resin or ultraviolet radiation curable coating that extends over and adheres to the peripheral edges of the central area and the side surfaces thereof. Methods of fabrication of such a belt buckle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: Rayford C. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6860519
    Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Avica Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Berengut, Arthur Lyman Moore, Louis Rivera, Wilford R. Tate
  • Patent number: 6859982
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector for releasable joining of two ends of material. The invention involves two generally symmetrical connector halves which engage with one another to maintain a connection capable of resisting opposing tension forces. A spring-force ball and socket arrangement is incorporated in each body half to maintain a secure connection. Rotatable interlocking tongue-and-groove structures provide ease of use and effective resistance to tension forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Mario R. Carrillo
  • Patent number: 6637622
    Abstract: A combination card dealing shoe and protective guard plate is disclosed. An improved card follower device is also included for more effective control of the cards when the shoe is in use. The guard plate may be formed integrally with the shoe or it may be fabricated as a separate item for retrofitting attachment to an existing shoe. The plate is bifurcated and the two parts are joined by a hinge with a coil spring which urges the lower portion of the cover plate downward and inward to substantially cover the finger opening in the front panel of the shoe to conceal the card which is in position ready for dealing. The hinged portion of the cover plate has a projecting member defining an opening which is sufficient to give the dealer's thumb and/or finger access to the shoe without exposing the card that is being dealt, thus preventing one type of cheating by a dealer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6598492
    Abstract: A passive caging system for use in gyro-stabilized sensor platforms and the like, employing a pneumatic dashpot in place of automatic caging gyro brakes, pin-locking devices, springs, fluid damped pistons, or air bladders. A pneumatic dashpot in combination with a normally closed solenoid valve provides effective damping of shock forces while the system is in the unpowered state. When power is applied to the system, the solenoid valve is open and unrestricted movement of the sensor platform is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Wescam Sonoma Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Corzilius
  • Patent number: 6594926
    Abstract: A decorative and durable vehicle license plate cover is a flat, rigid, relatively thick, mar-resistant plate of optically transparent stable plastic, such as acrylic plastic. The plate has a solid body, with a front surface, a rear surface and sides interconnecting the front and rear surfaces. At least one and preferably all of the sides slope at about 30-60 degrees forwardly from the larger area rear surface to the smaller area front surface. The sloped sides are smooth and light reflective to enhance the appearance of the cover. Spaced holes are drilled or otherwise formed in the perimeter of the front surface and extend to the rear surface for attaching the cover to a vehicle license plate. The plate includes at least one of laser etching or engraving and printed indicia. The laser etching is disposed on the front and/or rear surface and/or interior of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Edward J. Wujciga
  • Patent number: 6590148
    Abstract: Apparatus for holding a book or the like with its pages in an open position to permit viewing the displayed pages. The page holding assemblies on right and left sides of the book have rotatable members which facilitate the turning of a page from one side to the other without disrupting the function of holding the other pages of the open book in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Medina
  • Patent number: 6578732
    Abstract: A chewing gum stick dispenser includes a generally box-shaped container having a slot therein for dispensing a single stick of gum. A scissoring pair of swing arms utilizes tensioning means for urging the contained sticks of gum toward an operator wall. The operator wall retains a slidable operator having a seat adapted to engage a single stick of gum and push it partially through the dispensing slot. The container further includes a pivoted cap which can be opened to provide easy refilling of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hellen Mabry
  • Patent number: 6511098
    Abstract: A seal mechanism for conveniently coupling bayonet-type connectors while providing stable compression of the seal therebetween. The mechanism enables a more rigid configuration providing increased resistance to deformation from lateral forces. The mechanism incorporates an internally threaded coupling nut support element which cooperates with a threaded flange projecting from the plug sleeve to maintain a hermetic seal under conditions applying lateral forces to the connection. Interaction between the support element and the threaded flange permit the support element to be installed onto or removed from the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Whittaker Corporation
    Inventor: Alex Luterstein
  • Patent number: 6452105
    Abstract: A coaxial cable structure incorporating a physical interruption in the outer jacket or sheath of the cable. This interrupts the continuity of the outer conductor and serves to block DC (direct current) and low frequency electrical signals. Also, it greatly reduces heat transmission along the cable. The interruption is achieved by placing a specially fabricated stub in series with the coaxial cable. The resulting coaxial cable assembly acts like a band-pass filter which, although blocking DC and lower frequency electrical signals, is able to transmit RF (radio frequency) signals at selected frequencies. The entire assembly, including the stub, can be made hermetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Meggitt Safety Systems, INc.
    Inventors: Vahid Badii, Farzad Kialashaki
  • Patent number: 6446906
    Abstract: Pyrotechnic actuator cover/fin release system designed for high G forces of gun-launched-systems. As safety feature, system allows the pyrotechnic actuator to be installed as one of the last steps of the final testing sequence and removed safely on disassembly. A first cam action develops initial ejection. Subsequently firing the pyrotechnic pushes both the fins and the covers outward via a second cam surface. The release system both holds covers securely latched until commanded to release and then unlatches covers prior to pushing them open. The cover eject sequence results in the flight forward edge of cover being kicked into air stream. Thereafter the cover is lifted and rotates about its aft release hinge until, at about 30 degrees of rotation, the hinge disengages. The fins then are driven into the fully deployed state by a spring and piston/wedge mechanism on the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Versatron, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan A. Voigt, Che-Ram S. Voigt, John S. Speicher, Charles R. Ericson
  • Patent number: 6434250
    Abstract: Stereo apparatus having angled speakers so as to direct sound at a desired angle relative to the ears of the listener. The disclosed arrangements enhance the stereo sound effect and provide accurate stereo imaging, as well as sound stage expansion, through the proper placement and orientation of speaker units relative to the ears of a listener. The speaker units may be positioned at optimum angles of incidence and distances relative to the ears of a listener. Adjustable positioning means are provided to enable control over the horizontal spatial dimension of the stereo sound. The speaker units may be fixed at a preset orientation, or pivotally mounted for positional adjustment by the listener. Speaker units and releasable mounts may be provided for attachment to eyeglass-style temple pieces for added convenience and comfort. A number of mounting arrangements for simplifying selection of the desired earphone angle are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Parker I. Tsuhako
  • Patent number: 6315239
    Abstract: An integrated system for missile steering, which uses both jet reaction control (JRC) and aerofin control systems, is provided with a variable coupling mechanism for adjusting the relative responsiveness of the two systems in accordance with the pressurization state of the JRC system pressure chamber. In one embodiment, the pivoting action of a joystick which actuates the gas flow control pintles of the JRC system is permitted only under sufficient pressurization of the pressure chamber. In a second embodiment, the extent to which the pintles protrude from their controllable housings is adjusted according to the pressure in the pressure chamber. In this manner, when JRC is undesirable or is unavailable, the missile aerofins are permitted their full range of motion without being constrained by the pintles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Versatron, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan A. Voigt
  • Patent number: 6283193
    Abstract: An adjustable tensioning arrangement for modular security door systems has modular components interchangeable for use on either side of the door system, thereby reducing significantly the number of parts which must be manufactured for the door. The adjustable tensioning arrangement is capable of accommodating a variety of tensions desired by individual users. The adjustable tensioning arrangement may be produced with a minimal number of required parts, and at very low cost. Construction of the adjustable tensioning arrangement may incorporate readily fabricated steel components, or utilize injection molded or other plastic type materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Harry E. Finch, Geza J. Szayer
  • Patent number: RE39174
    Abstract: An endodontic system of shaping instruments, irrigation cannulas, filling instruments and materials designed to safely create specific tapers of root canal preparations and to clean, dry, seal, and restore them. The shaping instruments are a series of reamers, files, and handpiece burs, made of stainless steel, nickel-titanium, or other alloys, which impart several different specifically-tapered apertures in root canals. The instruments have one or more safety features to eliminate perforating curved roots, including shorter flute length as the angle of taper increases and variable sharpness along the length of the flute portion, as well as variable flute pitch along the length of the flute portion to maximize cutting efficiency and resistance to breakage, and a rounded tip to eliminate ledging. The hand instruments have a handle designed to optimize use of the instruments in apically directed, notary cutting motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Leonard Stephen Buchanan
  • Patent number: D498656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Design Things Limited
    Inventor: Neville Parker