Patents Represented by Attorney James B. Middleton

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  • Leg system for beds
    Patent number: 5544374
    Abstract: A leg set for a bed is provided by lengths of tubular material having ends at right angles to the centerline of the tube. The upper end of the tube length is notched so the vertically oriented supports for the bed can be slipped into the notches. The notches are deep enough, and the diameter of the tube is sufficient, to provide lateral stability. The vertically oriented supports may be the structural members of the box for a soft sided waterbed, may be supports for the deck of a full flotation waterbed, or may be a support for any other form of mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Mark J. Strobel
  • Document protecting apparatus
    Patent number: 5543010
    Abstract: A document laminate includes laminating sheets with adhesive on facing sides to laminate a document between the sheets, and shielding sheets covering the document and received within the laminating sheets. When the adhesive is heat activated, the shielding sheets are selected to be not degraded by the activating heat. A document can therefore be removed from the laminate by cutting along a line at one edge of the shielding sheets, and removing the document, which is not adhered to the shielding sheets or the laminating sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Leigh L. Keng
  • Air releaser
    Patent number: 5538627
    Abstract: An aerator for an aquarium has a connector for connecting the aerator to an existing filter system. An air receiving and dispensing chamber is annular and defined between a lower annulus and an upper perforate annulus. Walls on the lower annulus mate with skirts on the upper, perforate annulus to define inner and outer walls of the chamber. Water flows through the central openings in the annuluses, from the filter, upwardly, and air passes through the upper, perforate annulus. A mixing chamber is received over the upper, perforate annulus, and a tube can be connected to the mixing chamber to carry the aerated water up. An air supply tube extends down through the center of the aerator and connects to the chamber to supply air to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph C. Gargiulo
  • Method and apparatus for installing and removing biologically structured wall systems
    Patent number: 5531895
    Abstract: The environment in a porous area, such as in an aquifer in controlled to promote the growth of indigenous microorganisms as well as introduced microorganisms. Nutrients and other growth-promoting chemicals are added to cause the organisms to grow and produce a biofilm that retards fluid movement. Tubes are inserted into the target area, and fluids containing nutrients and other chemical are circulated through the porous area, the paths of circulation defining the areas of growth of microorganisms to produce a barrier, referred to as a biowall. After the biowall has served its purpose, it can be dispersed by injecting chemicals to stop growth and/or to kill the microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventors: George Alford, D. Roy Cullimore, Al T. Mikell
  • Air tank filling system
    Patent number: 5529096
    Abstract: A self contained braathing apparatus (SCBA) has a fill valve for filling the air tank while a user is wearing the SCBA. An SCBA conventionally has a pressure gauge or other apparatus on a hose that extends around generally to the front of the user, and this apparatus is provided with a quick disconnect valve as a tank fill valve. Such appratus must include a flow limiting orifice, and the present invention includes a check valve in parallel with the orifice so a substantial air flow can be obtained in one direction while the flow in the opposite direction is limited to the safety-mandated small flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: International Safety Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Rowe, Jr., R. David Lewis
  • Electronic flash head and accessories
    Patent number: 5530627
    Abstract: An electronic flash head for photographic lighting, or a "strobe head", contains a miniaturized circuit that is potted to protect and electrically insulate the components. The flash head is small, and has a socket so the flash tube can be replaced to take different amounts of power input. A clamp quickly fastens to the body of the flash head for connection of any desired reflector, soft box or other accessory. A tail extends from the flash head, the tail being of a size to fit into a light socket for support; and, a threaded socket in the tail allows connection of many different supporting devices to the head. The one flash head can therefore be used in almost any photographic lighting situation through selection of the support, the reflector and the flash tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: John J. Morgan
  • Apparatus for teaching shoe orientation
    Patent number: 5529499
    Abstract: A teaching device assists a child in learning to put on shoes correctly by rewarding the child when the shoes are put on correctly. A telescoping enclosure has a movable upper section with footprints on the upper section. The footprints are shaped to conform to right and left shoes, and additional symbols may be applied to the footprints. The child's shoe will have a shorting bar to cooperate with an electric grid on one of the footprints. As a result, when the shoes are on correctly, the shorting bar will engage the electric grid so a circuit will be completed, and entertainment will be provided in the form of light and/or sound play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas Martinez
  • Waterbed with integral frame and safety liner
    Patent number: 5515560
    Abstract: A frame for a soft sided waterbed has four rails of foam covered with vinyl or other water impervious sheet. The cover sheet extends completely around each foam rail, and a central portion extends across the frame to the opposite foam rail. A reinforcing sheet can be coextensive with the central portion if needed. The cover sheet is then sealed to itself at each foam rail, so the frame defines a waterproof safety liner integrally therewith. The cover sheet may have holes in each corner, on the bottom of the frame, so the foam rails can be removed and reinserted. This allows the frame to be shipped in "knocked-down" condition and assembled by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Mark J. Strobel
  • Shoulder pad accessory
    Patent number: 5513392
    Abstract: A clothing accessory covers the shoulders of a wearer, and provides shaping and decoration. Each accessory is elongated, having a center width sufficient to cover the wearer's shoulder. The accessory tapers down towards the ends to provide a pleasing shape. The shoulder pad is between two layers of fabric, and the two layers may be different so the accessory is reversible to yield different appearances. Preferably, one of the accessories will be placed on each shoulder over the wearer's usual garment, and they may be held in place with decorative pins fixed to the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Treba F. Douglas, LaRisa F. Hutton
  • Connector with spring retainer
    Patent number: 5509696
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting one size of nozzle with a blower tip of varying sizes has a plurality of springs spaced there around. Each spring has straight portions resiliently urged towards the blower tip. At the entrance end of the adapter, the springs are sloped or tapered so the blower tip will gradually flex the springs towards the wall of the adapter. The springs may be solid, like leaf springs, or may be formed of wire; and, the springs may be made of polymeric material, metal or other elastic materials. In other embodiments, the springs may be fixed to the male member for receiving a female member thereon; and, the male or female member may have a slope rather than the springs. The spring members may have two straight portions parallel to each other, or only one straight portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventors: Leary W. Smith, Clifford H. Boylston
  • Bearing pusher
    Patent number: 5509186
    Abstract: A bearing pusher to remove a bearing from a shaft has a split anchor block that can be placed over the shaft at any point desired. The split block is then fixed together; and, a plurality of set screws engage the shaft or, preferably, enter a groove in the shaft to hold the anchor block in place. A split pusher block can be placed over the shaft between the anchor block and the bearing, and the parts fixed together. Screws pass through threaded holes in the anchor block and engage sockets in the pusher block, so that rotation of the screws causes motion of the pusher block longitudinally along the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Nelson F. Straut
  • Wheeled support for vehicles
    Patent number: 5505425
    Abstract: A vehicle support has two separate support members that can be connected by a center member of variable length. Each of the support members has casters for easy rolling, and a vertically adjustable beam for varying the height of the support. When two support members are connected by the center member, a stable vehicle support is formed. Cradles on the supports receive the axle or other part of a vehicle, and a chain can be passed over the axle and fixed to the support for fixing the vehicle to the vehicle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas K. Hamilton
    Inventor: Louis C. Shelton
  • Sealing tape for concrete forms
    Patent number: 5489468
    Abstract: A sealing tape for concrete forms has a foam layer to fill spaces between parts of the form, and pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering to the form. The side of the sealing tape to be fixed to the base plate of the form is a fabric reinforced tape with sufficient integrity that the sealing tape can be entirely removed from the base plate by merely pulling up the reinforced tape. For some forms, the sealing tape may have an adhesive on both sides, and for other forms, only the side having the reinforced tape may have adhesive thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Glenn R. Davidson
  • Cut rib protector
    Patent number: 5474094
    Abstract: A rib protector slips over the cut ends of ribs to protect a person working in the thoracic cavity. In an autopsy or the like wherein the front of the rib cage has been cut away to provide access to the thoracic cavity, the cut ends of the ribs are rough and splintery. The rib protector is tough and thick enough that splinters will not pass through the protector. The protector encases the ends of all the cut ribs, one protector being on each side of the rib cage. Adhesive, natural clamping of the protector, or the like can hold the protector in place. The protector may be made in any size, and will be easily cut for final adjustment of the size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: William B. Ellenberg, III
  • Portable two-way radio stand
    Patent number: D364158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Gary A. Branch
  • Letter receptacle for a vehicle
    Patent number: D368066
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Clarence E. Boles
  • Toy pop gun projectile
    Patent number: D368118
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph E. Bateham
  • Paperclip
    Patent number: D371390
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Melvin T. Johnson
  • Playing piece for board game
    Patent number: D371395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Iraj Moradinia
  • Envelope for a recording medium
    Patent number: D372046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Robert E. Gibson