Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Hughes & Schacht, PLLC
  • Patent number: 6225940
    Abstract: A detection system for small water craft, such as a kayak. Radar reflective material is incorporated in the surface of the kayak or other water craft, and also is incorporated in surface areas of water craft accessories, such as cushion, life vest or paddle. When the smaller water craft is in the vicinity of a larger aircraft which may be radar equipped so that there is danger of a collision or where the water craft is in a position where it would want detection as part of a rescue effort or the like, the water craft is oriented so that the radar reflective surface would reflect radar back to the sending source, thus better enabling detection. Also, the paddle or other water craft accessory could be positioned so as to reflect the radar waves. Further, the paddle or other accessory could be oriented to reflect the radar waves back to the source, or do so intermittently, in the event that the radar system is programmed to ignore a constant reflective signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Ohlsen
  • Patent number: 6223829
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to repair dents formed by a golf ball impacting the surface of a golf green. A restoring tool is mounted to the top of the handle of a putter, and this tool comprises a base member and a ground penetrating portion which is formed as a pair of tines and which is rotatably mounted to move from a stowed position flush against the base, to an operating position where it extends at right angles to the base. The putter is inverted so that the end of the handle can be positioned against the raised edge of the dent. The tines (outwardly extending) are moved to penetrate into the soil at a location outwardly of the raised edge of the dent, and the compression surface of the base member presses the sod layer downwardly and displaces the underlying ground layer laterally to fill into the recess portion of the dent. This also causes the displaced portion of the sod laterally over the dent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Terry G. Wiens
  • Patent number: 6216633
    Abstract: A milking parlor assembly including a brisket rail therefor. The brisket rail is formed of sheets of steel that are bent into six-sided segments that are relatively easy to manufacture and, when assembled into the brisket rail, very easy to clean and maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Blue Diamond Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Gallagher, Scott Pawlowicz
  • Patent number: 6213045
    Abstract: A flotation assembly made up of a load bearing structure which can be an off-shore platform, and also a flotation section comprising a plurality of flotation tubes. Each of the flotation tubes comprises a surrounding side wall defining a vertically aligned elongate pressure chamber and having an upper end closure portion that has a downwardly facing surface exposed to pressure in the chamber. The tubes are positioned at laterally spaced locations and arranged relative to the load bearing structure so as to create upwardly directed flotation forces that bear against the load bearing structure. A source of pressurized gas is transmitted to the flotation tubes to a level where the gas pressure within each tube creates a force against the side walls to alleviate compressive force of the surrounding water pressing inwardly against the side walls of the flotation tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Steve J. Gaber