Patents Represented by Law Firm Hopkins & Thomas
  • Patent number: 5554269
    Abstract: A sensor system accurately measures nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) in a gas mixture via the use of at least one electrochemical sensing cell and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The sensor system has a sensor with an electrochemical sensing cell for producing an electrical signal (current, voltage, etc.) indicative of an amount of the nitrogen oxide within the gas mixture. The sensing cell has an electrolyte interposed between an anode electrocatalyst and a cathode electrocatalyst. Significantly, a DPV mechanism is connected to the sensing cell for enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of the electrolyte associated with the sensing cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Jose P. Joseph, Seajin Oh
  • Patent number: 5554420
    Abstract: A kit for assembly into a display device has first and second plates adapted to be mounted and fixed in spaced relationship to each other. Each of the plates has a transverse slot therein which slots are aligned when the plates are in their fixed position. A floor member is adapted to be passed through the transverse slots and pins are provided for holding the floor member in place. A bracing member is adapted to bear against the under side of the floor plate and the front surface of the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: John T. Noble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5551734
    Abstract: A connection piece (2) for the connection of a pipe (19) to a plastic housing (1) of a valve, comprises a threaded plug (4) made of metal, which is arranged in a plastic sleeve (3) of the housing (1). At least one circumferential projection (9) and one corresponding circumferential groove (10) are provided between the threaded plug (4) and the plastic sleeve (3). The threaded plug (4) is secured only in an axial manner and freely rotatable beared in the plastic sleeve (3) by the connection of the circumferential projection (9) and the corresponding circumferential groove (10). The threaded plug (4) is provided protruding the plastic sleeve (3) to the outside and comprises a gripping surface (17) for the supply of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Grau GmbH
    Inventors: George Sulzyc, Horst Venghaus
  • Patent number: 5551176
    Abstract: An improved roll cover for use on a flat work ironer is provided, having an improved resin coating. The roll cover is a sheet of thermally resistant fabric which is coated or impregnated with a mixture of an acrylic resin and a stiffening agent. The improved roll cover can be dyed to a particular desired color and will retain its color over extended use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hejhal, Scott W. Moore
  • Patent number: 5546734
    Abstract: A continuous motion, end loading packaging machine forms article groups of a predetermined number and configuration using a flight type article selector. The packaging machine is flexible in its ability to package articles of different heights and diameters in various product configurations. The packaging machine includes adjustable guide rails to selectively change product infeed lane widths. The machine also phase adjusts the selector flights, and allows for easy selector flight replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Riverhood International Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Moncrief, Kelly W. Ziegler, Michael Hiney, Dennis Grimm
  • Patent number: 5548684
    Abstract: An artificial neural network (ANN) decoding system decodes a convolutionally-encoded data stream at high speed and with high efficiency. The ANN decoding system implements the Viterbi algorithm and is significantly faster than comparable digital-only designs due to its fully parallel architecture. Several modifications to the fully analog system are described, including an analog/digital hybrid design that results in an extremely fast and efficient Viterbi decoding system. A complexity and analysis shows that the modified ANN decoding system is much simpler and easier to implement than its fully digital counterpart. The structure of the ANN decoding system of the invention provides a natural fit for VLSI implementation. Simulation results show that the performance of the ANN decoding system exactly matches that of an ideal Viterbi decoding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao-an Wang, Stephen B. Wicker
  • Patent number: 5547288
    Abstract: An external metal housing (10) is formed of two abutting metal plates (11, 12), each having a perimeter support wall (13) and an outwardly extending annular protruding wall (14) defining a bushing receiving area. An internal annular bushing (22) is accommodated within the receiving area and has two annular grooves (28) receiving two O-rings (30). A zerk fitting (38) extends through a closed-edge opening (16) of the external metal housing (10) and threads through the internal bushing (22) to deliver lubricant directly to the internal cylindrical surface of the internal annular bushing and to the facing surface of a camshaft extending through said internal bushing. The bushing is made of molybdenum impregnated nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Euclid Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Quinn, Richard R. Kempski, Douglas J. King
  • Patent number: 5542785
    Abstract: A spacer (20) is mounted on a lateral rebar tie (13) of a reinforcement cage (11) of a poured concrete foundation support. The spacer (20) includes a pair of interlocking wheel members (21 and 22) which lock the wheel members (21 and 22) together in a mated interlocked relationship rotatably mounted about a lateral tie (13) of the reinforcement cage (11) to form the spacer (20). As the reinforcement cage (11) is inserted into an excavated shaft, the outer side wall (32) of the spacer (20) engages and rolls along the side wall thereof. The engagement of the side wall of the excavated shaft by the spacers (20) centers the reinforcement cage within the excavated shaft and maintains the reinforcement cage in its centered position as the excavated shaft is filled with concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Lowtech Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: George T. Cloud
  • Patent number: 5537809
    Abstract: An infeed conveyor feeds seed cotton modules successively to a feeder head having disperser drums which reduce the modules to clumps of cotton. Incorporated into the conveyor are fluted rollers and beater rollers which cooperate to agitate the bottom portion of the modules and work the fibers on the bottom of each module so as to stretch and relax these fibers, thereby causing the sand, dirt, mud, trash and other debris accumulated along the bottom of the modules to be released. A conveyor feeds this debris to a hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Harrell Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy J. Blalock
  • Patent number: 5538133
    Abstract: There is provided a package (10) for a plurality of cans (11). The package incorporates an inner blank (13) which incorporates pairs of arcuate cuts which are pressed over and engage below the can rims. An outer blank (14) is adhered to the inner blank (13) and hinged side panels (25, 27) are wrapped around the cans and the other side panels (26, 28) are adhered to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey Campbell, Keith Brimble, Mark A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 5533272
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the straightness and balance of an archery arrow having a longitudinal axis and a magnetically attractive tip. The method comprises providing a magnet located in an elevated position, suspending the arrow by its tip from the magnet with the arrow's shaft passing through a stationary ring, spinning the suspended arrow about its longitudinal axis, and observing perturbations in movement of the spinning arrow relative to the ring that are indicative of warp or imbalance in the arrow. A device for performing the method of this invention is also provided. The device comprises a support frame having one end configured to be mounted to a wall or the like and another end bearing a magnet from which an arrow can be suspended. Preferably, the magnet is formed with a dimple for receiving and positioning the tip of an arrow for which straightness and balance are to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Johnny Bagwell
  • Patent number: 5529788
    Abstract: A water-soluble effervescent cleanser tablet comprising at least one proteolytic enzyme, a surfactant and an effervescing agent for use in ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Southland, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard A. De Senna
  • Patent number: 5529609
    Abstract: An air cleaner comprises a cleaning element having a three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material for adsorbing airborne particulate matter and for absorbing volatile liquids and a variety of noxious gases. The three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material adsorbs particulate matter of many types and sizes and advantageously draws the particulate matter below the surface of the material. To enhance the cleaning properties of the material, the three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix of material may additionally comprise a zeolite to improve the absorption of gases and a metallic additive, such as copper sulfate, to inhibit biological activity. The material forming the three-dimensional visco-elastic matrix may be acrylamide, siloxane, acrylate, or a cellulosic material and may be in the form of fibers or particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jan W. Gooch, Charlene W. Bayer
  • Patent number: D371234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Alice L. Hyche
  • Patent number: D371957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Foundation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Hinton, Frankie A. R. Queen
  • Patent number: D372637
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventor: Devin Moore
  • Patent number: D372950
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Lee Nicholson
  • Patent number: D373047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: David N. McCrary, Fred L. McCrary
  • Patent number: D373266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Miller/Zell, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Pellenberg, Thomas A. Lamar, III, David L. Wikle, W. Glenn Nix, Stephen Jaworski, Jr.
  • Patent number: D373584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Health Images, Inc.
    Inventor: Prem K. Anand