Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ira S. Dorman
  • Tool and connector system for clamping
    Patent number: 6955344
    Abstract: A system of tools and connector assemblies can be erected in numerous arrangements and configurations, in positive, selected interrelationships, for the mounting and support of a workpiece or the like. Engagement portions on the tools are clamped by the clamping blocks comprising a connector assembly; the tools may be C-clamps, bar-clamps, pipe-clamps, coupling devices, brackets, standoffs, and like implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventors: Robert L. Brass, Steven W. Lewis
  • Termination arrangement for a horizontal lifeline cable
    Patent number: 6945356
    Abstract: A termination arrangement for a horizontal lifeline cable (4) for use with a structure (6) includes an elongate stocking (14) of woven wire form surrounding an end section of the cable (4). The stocking (14) has a first end (22) adapted and arranged for secure connection to the structure (6), and a second end (28) secured to the cable (4). Tension applied to the cable results in elongation of the stocking (14) and contraction onto the cable so that the cable is securely gripped by the stocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Uniline Safety System Limited
    Inventors: Michael Luke, Simon Luke
  • Chemical separation and plural-point, surface-enhanced raman spectral detection using metal-doped sol-gels
    Patent number: 6943032
    Abstract: Sol-gel beds and deposits are utilized for SERS analysis of liquid analytes. Measurements are made at multiple points along the length of a column or channel to increase, very significantly, the speed of analysis, and use of the same medium to both separate the chemicals and also for SERS greatly reduces the complexity of such apparatus and enhances the efficiency of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Real-Time Analyzers, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Farquharson, Paul Maksymiuk
  • Simultaneous chemical separation and surface-enhanced Raman spectral detection using metal-doped sol-gels
    Patent number: 6943031
    Abstract: Sol-gel beds and deposits are utilized for SERS analysis of liquid analytes. The use of the same medium to both separate the chemicals and also for SERS greatly reduces the complexity of such apparatus and enhances the efficiency of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Real-Time Analyzers, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Farquharson, Paul Maksymiuk
  • Radiant electric heater incorporating a temperature sensor assembly
    Patent number: 6940048
    Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) is arranged for location underneath and against a cooking plate (12) and incorporates a heating element (14) spaced from the cooking plate and a temperature sensor assembly (26). The temperature sensor assembly (26) comprises a beam (28) of ceramic material provided within the heater and extending at least partially across the heater over the at least one heating element (14). The beam (28) has a substantially planar upper surface (32) arranged to face the cooking plate (12), in contact with the cooking plate or in close proximity to it, and an under surface (34) arranged for exposure to direct radiation from the heating element (14). Provided on the planar upper surface (32) is an electrical component (36), such as of film or foil form, having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature of the cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ravenscroft Wilkins
  • Acoustic flow meter in the form of a valve key
    Patent number: 6938497
    Abstract: An acoustic flow meter in the form of a valve key has an acoustic sensor 12 for measuring the peak sound level which occurs when the key is used to close a valve in a fluid pipeline. The peak sound level can be used to accurately calculate the flow through the valve and provide the flow information on a display unit 11. Parameters for the upstream supply pressure, pipe diameter and valve characteristics can be entered to ensure the accuracy of the flow calculations. The key therefore provides a way of determining fluid flow in a pipeline to a reasonable level of accuracy without having to install in-line flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: RPS Water Services Limited
    Inventor: Arthur Arscott
  • Hands-free megaphone
    Patent number: 6940984
    Abstract: The megaphone includes a headset 1 incorporating a microphone 5 which is connected via a flexible cable 8 to a body pack 2. The body pack includes a housing 9 which incorporates a battery compartment, an amplifier, a siren and an on/off switch. The housing 9 is mounted on a belt 3 together with an audio output horn 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Leonard Carpenter
  • Gassed liquid dispensers
    Patent number: 6923006
    Abstract: Water supplied from a bottle 1 is pre-chilled in a reservoir 3. A two-part water pump 11 transfers water under pressure through a jet nozzle 14 into an oxygen space 17 in a PET pressure vessel 12, which entrains oxygen into the water. The pressure vessel is received in a conductive holder 18 and is cooled by a peltier element 19 provided with cooling fins 20. The holder 18 forms a capacitive level sensor with a probe 32 inside the vessel, which starts the pump 11 when oxygenated water is drawn off via a draw tube 28 and discharge valve 31. When the water level in the oxygenating vessel is restored a solenoid valve 25 opens to restore the oxygen pressure in the vessel. For hygiene purposes the pumping body can be removed from the pump motor and replaced together with the reservoir 3 and oxygenating vessel 12 along with the associated tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Walton, Gary Squire, Robert Tansley, Andrew Gibbs
  • Inked ribbon core
    Patent number: 6923582
    Abstract: An inked ribbon core has an internal collar and a longitudinal rib which frictionally engage corresponding spindle structures to thereby secure the core in its fully mounted position, as determined by a stop ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Cartec International, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Pomfret
  • Method of manufacturing a thermal insulation body
    Patent number: 6921506
    Abstract: A pressed thermal insulation body is made by a method comprising the steps of: (1) providing a dry composition consisting of: (a) 10 to 100 percent by weight of volatilised silica containing a dispersion of 0.5 to 6 percent by weight of carbon; (b) 0 to 40 percent by weight of infra-red opacifier; (c) 0 to 50 percent by weight of particulate inorganic filler material; and (d) 0 to 25 percent by weight of reinforcing filaments; (2) pressing the dry composition from step (1) to form a body of a desired shape and density; and (3) heat treating the pressed body at a temperature in the range from 400 degrees Celsius to 1000 degrees Celsius to effect hardening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Microtherm International Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Benedict David Mitchell, James David Joseph Jackson
  • Valve arrangement and assembly for dispensing a liquid from a container to an animal
    Patent number: 6912971
    Abstract: An assembly (2) for dispensing a liquid (4) from a container (6, 54, 58) to the mouth (8) of an animal, on demand of the animal. The assembly comprises a sealed container at least partially filled with the liquid and a valve arrangement (22). The valve arrangement comprises a first tube portion (24) adapted to pierce a portion (14) of the container to receive the liquid from the container, a second tube portion (28) adapted with an end to be used by the animal, and a valve adapted to be actuated by the animal to permit the flow of the liquid from the container to the end of the second tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Aquaflow Laboratory Products Limited
    Inventor: Edwin Albert James Chalk
  • Transporter
    Patent number: 6910696
    Abstract: A transporter which can be used as an infant car seat or carrier has a body shell with a curved lower surface for use as a rocker and wheels which can be extended for use as a stroller. The wheels are carried on legs which can be retracted into opposed side cheeks by means of respective drive belts. A handle 25 is secured to inner members 55 to slide within tubular arms 23 which are pivotally secured to the side cheeks. The inner members are connected by pivotal links to the respective drive belts so that extending or retracting the handle rotates the belts to extend or retract the wheels. Release mechanisms at opposite ends of the handle 25 lock the arms in the retracted position so that the handle can be used to carry the transporter with the wheels retracted. A release handle 31 operates spring-loaded pins to lock the arms 23 in the carrying or pushing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Bargery, Geoff Brown, David Winton
  • Method and apparatus for controlling an electric cooking appliance
    Patent number: 6903311
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling an electric cooking appliance, a boost condition is initiated by increasing the power level of one or more electric heating means (2) to a maximum power level from a previous lower power level. Elapsed time (38) during cooling of the appliance since an end of an immediately previous period at the maximum power level is monitored, as is difference in power levels between the maximum power level and the previous lower power level. Duration (34) of the boost condition is set according to one of the elapsed time (38) and the difference in power levels and a level (36) of temperature boost in the boost condition is correspondingly set according to one of the difference in power levels and the elapsed time respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas George Tembe
  • Controlled flow of displaced material in self-pierce fastening
    Patent number: 6883223
    Abstract: A self-piercing tubular fastener (13) is applied to a workpiece (9, 11) by means of a setting die (1) which is formed with a radially inner cavity (17) and a radially outer cavity (5) surrounding the radially inner cavity such that a first part of the material displaced as the fastener (13) penetrates the workpiece flows into the radially inner cavity in the setting die whilst a second part of the displaced material flows into the radially outer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Edwards
  • Imprint identification system
    Patent number: 6876767
    Abstract: Images of imprints, e.g. made by items of footwear, are displayed on a computer screen. Any identification features A-D which are present in the image are tagged and the length of all the lines 1-6 joining the tagged features are calculated and the distance information is added to a database together with the images themselves. The polygons defined by the lines 1-4 are independent of the positioning or orientation of the image and are used to retrieve images likely to originate from the same article by applying search criteria which retrieves records containing distances falling within selected bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Dudley Bryan Crossling
  • Refractive optical deflector
    Patent number: 6873446
    Abstract: An optical deflector comprises an aspheric deflecting lens (1, 13) of positive optical power. The deflecting lens (1, 13) has a first relatively short focal length giving rise to a first focal point (3) and a second relatively long focal length giving rise to a second focal point (5). Thus, a divergent beam (7) of light substantially at one of the first and second focal points is focussed by the lens at the other of the first and second focal points. Means (19), such as an electric motor, is provided for rotating the lens about an axis substantially coincident with one of the first and second focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Geoffrey Donald Owen
  • Pyrolysis-based fuel processing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6869580
    Abstract: The method for generating a hydrogen-rich stream from hydrocarbon fuels, ultimately to produce hydrogen gas, involves the following two steps performed in a cyclic fashion: (1) pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon fuel to obtain a carbon-rich fraction and a hydrogen-rich fraction; and (2) oxidation of the carbon-rich fraction, or a portion of it, for heat generation. The method involves the following optional steps: (3) steam gasification of part of the carbon-rich fraction to produce additional amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (4) water-gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide with the simultaneous formation of additional amounts of hydrogen; and (5) steam reforming of light hydrocarbons that may be produced in step (1) to produce more hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek A. Wojtowicz, Michael A. Serio, Erik Kroo, Eric M. Suuberg
  • Electric heater
    Patent number: 6864464
    Abstract: An electric heater (2) is arranged for location in an oven (4) intermediate a cavity (6) of the oven and a flue arrangement (8) for venting the cavity (6). The heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (14) containing at least one electric heating element (22) and having a first face (24) open to the cavity (6) and a second face (16; 18) having an aperture (26) adapted to interface with the flue arrangement (8). Catalyst means (28) is provided incorporated in the heater (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Ronald McWilliams
  • Electric heating element
    Patent number: 6858819
    Abstract: An electric heating element (10) for an oven (2) is provided at least in part with a coating (14) of a catalyst means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ceramaspeed Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Ronald McWilliams
  • Carpenter square
    Patent number: D510710
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventors: Robert L. Brass, Steven W. Lewis, James M. Ferro