Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ira S. Dorman
  • Radiant electric heater arrangement
    Patent number: 5908571
    Abstract: A radiant electric heater arrangement is provided for connection to a dual voltage supply which provides a first alternating current supply voltage and a second alternating current supply voltage higher than the first. The arrangement includes a heater having at least one heating element and a manually operable multiple discrete position switch means for manually selecting in sequence a predetermined number of discrete different power settings for the at least one heating element from the voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Richard Charles Scott
  • Cooking utensil detection method
    Patent number: 5900174
    Abstract: A method is described of processing an electrical signal output from a sensor coil located in an electric heater for use under a cook top in a cooking appliance. The sensor coil is employed to operate a switch to switch on and off a heating element in the heater in accordance with placement and removal of a cooking utensil on and from the cook top. The sensor coil is arranged in the heater within magnetic influence of the electrical heating element, the heating element comprising a material which is ferromagnetic below and substantially non-ferromagnetic above a predetermined temperature within an operating temperature range of the heater. The occurrence of an increase in output signal level from the sensor coil is detected and closure of the switch is effected. Subsequently, the occurrence of a decrease in output signal level from the sensor coil is detected and opening of the switch is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Richard Charles Scott
  • Spectrometric method for analysis of film thickness and composition on a patterned sample
    Patent number: 5900633
    Abstract: A fast and practical method for the analysis of patterned samples of semiconductor integrated circuits, and other materials, determines the thickness and composition of layers fabricated during manufacture. The method employs a measurement spot that is sufficiently large to irradiate areas of two or more different regions of the sample that result from its patterned features, generally at replicable locations. In carrying out the method, one or more of reflectance, transmittance, and radiance spectrance is measured, and the various parameters characterizing the thickness and composition in the patterned areas are obtained using, for example, a model-based analysis of the polarization and amplitude of the emanating radiation, the model parameters being iteratively adjusted to achieve a match with measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: On-Line Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Peter R. Solomon, Peter A. Rosenthal
  • Personal watercraft having a hood assembly with a base piece for mounting a stereo system
    Patent number: 5894810
    Abstract: The base piece of a hood assembly for a personal water-craft mounts the components of an audio system in a watertight environment while, at the same time, affording ready access to its operating and functional features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: John D. Orr
  • Radiant electric heater arrangement and method of operating the same
    Patent number: 5892206
    Abstract: A radiant electric heater arrangement for a glass-ceramic top cooking appliance includes a heater in the form of a dish-like support supporting a first heating element and a second heating element. The first heating element has a predetermined minimum operating life expectancy at a predetermined optimum operating temperature. During user-selectable periods of boost heating the first heating element is connected independently to a voltage supply and operates at a first temperature higher than the predetermined optimum operating temperature. In contrast, during user-selectable periods of normal heating, the second heating element is connected to the voltage supply in series with the first heating element, the first heating element operating at a second temperature lower than the predetermined optimum operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ceramasdeed Limited
    Inventor: George Anthony Higgins
  • Method of testing a plate heat exchanger for leakage
    Patent number: 5872308
    Abstract: A vessel such as a dairy pasteuriser having a path B for product and a separate path A for coolant in intimate relationship is tested for leaks by circulating a donor fluid under pressure in path A whilst a recipient fluid such as clean tap water is circulated in path B. If the donor fluid is an electrolyte, a probe (12) is placed in path B to measure the conductivity of the recipient fluid. A rise in conductivity over a period indicates leakage between the two paths, the rate of change indicating the size of the leak. Alternatively, the donor fluid can be a gas, and leakage detected using an untrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Somerset Technical Laboratories Limited
    Inventor: Michael Bowling
  • Support assembly for angular orientation of an elongate member
    Patent number: 5868183
    Abstract: A machine for routing end portions of frame pieces produces a channel that extends with increasing spacing from the bevelled face of the frame piece. Structure on the machine supports the frame piece in a plane that converges toward the plane in which the router bit lies, and cutting is carried out by effecting either curvilinear or rectilinear relative movement of the router and the frame piece or pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey, Wayne Hawk
  • Infra-red heater arrangement
    Patent number: 5866879
    Abstract: An infra-red heater arrangement for a glass-ceramic top cooking appliance includes a heater connected to a manually adjustable cyclic energy regulator having a full power setting and a plurality of other, lower power, settings. The heater incorporates at least one infra-red heating element having a substantial positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistance and first and second electrical resistance heating elements having low temperature coefficients of electrical resistance relative to that of the at least one infra-red heating element. The first electrical resistance heating element can be connected in series with the at least one infra-red heating element and to a power supply in the full power setting of the cyclic energy regulator, which setting is attainable directly from an `OFF` setting of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: George Anthony Higgins
  • System and method for frame fastening
    Patent number: 5860758
    Abstract: A frame for pictures and the like is assembled from pieces that are routed to have divergent channels in mutual communication. The divergent paths produce increasing levels of force upon the parallel engagement portions of the fastening peg as it is inserted more deeply into the common recess, and thereby generate increasing levels of compressive force across the joint between the frame pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey
  • Sheet material cutting machine
    Patent number: 5845554
    Abstract: A machine for manually cutting web material employs a cutting head that is supported on a rail for sliding and pivoting movement along and across a straight edge, which is disposed forwardly of the axis of pivoting. The cutting wheel is biased axially toward the straight edge, its axis being so disposed as to cause the biasing means to impart an upward force moment that tends to elevate the wheel blade. A guide plate is pivoted, by upward movement of the cutting head, so as to increase spacing from the surface of the base and thereby facilitate feeding of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventor: Vincent T. Kozyrski
  • Stepper drive control using variable step angle
    Patent number: 5844393
    Abstract: The stepper motor controller, implemented as computer software, converts each input pulse into many internal pulses, which internal pulses are used for calculating a command angle during each sampling time interval of operation. The values of the angle commands may vary, from interval to interval, as a function of the input pulse train rate (i.e., the number of new pulses input per interval). The system accesses an internal look-up table to convert vector data into torque values, for driving the motor; if the input pulse rate is sufficiently high to warrant doing so, the look-up table data can be accessed out of sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Hung D. Vu
  • Motor initialization method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5838122
    Abstract: Phase alignment and initialization of a polyphase brushless DC motor are achieved, at standstill, by noting amplitude changes in signals from integral feedback coils while phase coils of the motor, magnetically coupled to the sensor coils, are energized at non-torque producing commutation angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Seiberco Incorporated
    Inventor: Hung D. Vu
  • Electrical fitting with transparent mounting plate
    Patent number: 5834695
    Abstract: An electrical fitting adapted to blend with surrounding decorations includes a housing having a substantially planar surface, a transparent plate member, and fasteners for securing the transparent plate member to the housing such that the plate member is adjacent to the substantially planar surface. A matching element may be positioned between the transparent mounting plate and the housing, the matching element being substantially co-extensive with the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Forbes & Lomax Limited
    Inventor: Caroline Serena Herbert
  • Treat-dispensing ball
    Patent number: 5819690
    Abstract: A treat-discharging roll toy is formed as a hollow body having at least two openings into its interior cavity, and having at least two deflector members, of functionally solid geometric form, that project from the inner surface of the body at locations proximate the openings. The toy is loaded with animal treats, such as artificial bones or other hard formed objects (normally edible), which are randomly discharged as the toy is rolled; the deflector structures orient the treats and promote movement toward the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Stelaur Products, LLC
    Inventor: David G. Brown
  • Heart rate sensing apparatus adapted for chest or earlobe mounted sensor
    Patent number: 5820567
    Abstract: A heart rate sensing apparatus includes user mounted means for sensing the electrical activity of a user's heart and for transmitting a signal derived from the electrical activity of the user's heart. At least the sensing means can be mounted on the chest of the user. Signal receiving and processing means is provided, independent of the user mounted means, for receiving a signal transmitted from the user mounted means and for processing the shape of each signal so as to simulate an earlobe mounted sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Healthcare Technology Limited
    Inventor: Ronald David Lessels Mackie
  • Magnotherapy device
    Patent number: 5813971
    Abstract: A housing comprising mutually engageable top and bottom parts 4 and 5 which contain a lightweight ceramic plate magnet 6 capable of producing a high field strength. A keeper plate 7 is placed on top of the magnet overhanging its longitudinal edges so that blood flowing beneath the device successively encounters alternating north-south-north magnetic poles. The housing is secured to the body by a strap 2 which is held between opposed lands 20, 31 and 19, 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Ecoflow Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Broderick
  • Sanitary unit
    Patent number: 5802625
    Abstract: A sanitary unit such as a child's potty or a commode for the elderly or infirm, includes a container (13) for receiving human waste. A seat (24) is arranged relative to the container such that waste from a person sitting on the seat is received in the container. A water reservoir (10) communicates with the container by way of a valve (12). A valve actuator is responsive to the weight of a person sitting on the seat so as to open the valve and to release water from the reservoir into the container in response to a person sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Waterloo Products Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Ronald Whittaker
  • Method of manufacturing an electrical resistance heating means
    Patent number: 5800634
    Abstract: An electrical resistance heating element is made from an electrical resistance material having the following composition in weight percent:______________________________________ Group A: aluminium 3-8 yttrium, zirconium, hafnium and/or 0-0.45 one or more rare earth elements Group B: chromium 12-30 iron and/or nickel and/or cobalt balance ______________________________________The electrical resistance material is arranged in an atmosphere having a potential for oxidation such as to permit oxidation of the constituent(s) from Group A and to inhibit oxidation of the constituents from Group B. The resistance material is then heated in the atmosphere to a temperature in the range from 800.degree. C. to a temperature below its melting point so as to oxidize the constituent(s) of Group A at the surface and to form a surface layer consisting essentially of continuous unified oxide of the constituent(s) of Group A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony McWilliams, Ali Paybarah
  • Die head
    Patent number: 5797802
    Abstract: A fast-acting die head that is particularly well-suited for use with small-size workpieces employs a set of chasers, each formed as a single piece and having a nose portion that provides two force-receiving surface elements. One of the surface elements is disposed to coact with a camming ring, which is moved axially thereover to close the chasers radially upon the workpiece; the other, underlying surface element receives the force of a spring-loaded plunger, which acts to thrust the associated chaser to an open position when the closing force of the camming ring is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Nowak Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian I. Nowak, Gary F. Nowak, Glen L. Nowak
  • Video communication unit
    Patent number: D406142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: S. Siedle & Sohne
    Inventor: Eberhard Meurer