Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm James C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6168493
    Abstract: A box type game call wherein a striking member is attached at one end by a screw to one end wall of a box. The striking member has one or more slots for receiving the screw shank for movement of the screw shank along the slot or slots to different positions for varying the orientation of the striking member relative to the box for adjusting the sound quality. In one embodiment, a pair of slots cross each other. The striking member has a plurality of recesses along a slot for receiving the screw head whereby the striking member may be adjusted reliably to different positions by selecting the recess in which the screw head is received. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a disc is fastened to the box so that it is rotatable, and the screw is eccentrically mounted to the disc so that striking member orientation is adjustable by rotating the disc to a different positiion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Richard C. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6138793
    Abstract: A work platform for use on bridges wherein a plurality of cables extend along a section of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by either the steel support structure of the bridge or by the spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the cables, extend laterally of the cables, are arranged side-by-side along the section of the bridge such as between the piers and are removably secured to the cables. In one aspect the cables are connected at each end exclusively to the bridge piers, and in another aspect the cables are connected at each end exclusively to the bridge steel structure. In the latter instance, there is provided the capability of installation on skewed or angled bridge sections. In both aspects there is capability of adjustment in vertical and horizontal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventor: Lambros Apostolopoulos
  • Patent number: 6135240
    Abstract: A bridge platform and method of erecting the same wherein a plurality of cables extend longitudinally of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by the spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the cables, extend laterally of the bridge, are arranged side-by-side along the length of the bridge between the piers and are removably secured to the cables. The cables are attached to the bridge piers by compression clamp structures. The platform flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking panels and are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the bridge, side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally along the bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventor: Lambros Apostolopoulos
  • Patent number: 6120442
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for noninvasively determining cardiac performance parameters including 1) lengths of systolic time intervals, (2) contractility index, (3) pulse amplitude ratios while performing the Valsalva maneuver, (4) cardiac output index, and (5) a pulse wave velocity index. A catheter having at least one balloon is inserted into the esophagus and pressurized and positioned adjacent the aortic arch to sense aortic pressure. The effects of aortic pressure on the balloon are utilized to determine at least one of the cardiac performance parameters. The catheter may include a second balloon which is spaced from the aortic balloon a distance such that when the second balloon is in a position adjacent the left atrium to sense left atrial pressure the aortic balloon is in a position adjacent the aortic arch to sense aortic pressure, this distance being related to the distance between the left atrium and aortic arch in most adult persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Donald D. Hickey
  • Patent number: 6086082
    Abstract: A snowmobile trailer comprising a rotatable first frame having a platform comprising two or more side-by-side decks each of which is independently tiltable to the trailer rear so that snowmobiles may be driven forwardly (of the snowmobiles) onto the tilted decks, then the platform rotated 180 degrees for unloading the snowmobiles whereby they may be driven forwardly (of the snowmobiles) off of the decks. The first frame is laterally supported relative to a second non-rotatable frame. A brake dampens tilting movement of a deck. A forward portion of a deck is covered by a shroud. One or more additional shrouds are pivotally attached to be disposed outside the shroud to further cover the deck or to pivotally be telescopingly received within the shroud to allow access to a snowmobile on the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Mark Steven Andol
  • Patent number: 6038774
    Abstract: Apparatus for trimming grass around a sprinkler head. The apparatus comprises a body rotatable about a vertical axis and having a bore for fitting over a sprinkler head during rotation thereof and a peripheral portion surrounding the bore. At least one cutter attached to the peripheral portion and comprising a wire having an end portion defining a cutting blade and preferably an intermediate portion formed into a coil defining a spring which allows protective movement of the cutting blade when an obstacle is encountered. The cutting blade extends downwardly at an angle relative to the rotational axis, preferably radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Boekeloo, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry F. Boekeloo, James A. Swick
  • Patent number: 6006479
    Abstract: A protective device which is quick and easy and non-messy to install for affording a moisture barrier to the upper surface of a pole. The device comprises a sheet of adhesive, moisture resistant, preferably elastomeric material for covering at least the upper surface of the pole and is adhesively attached to itself and/or the upper end portion of the pole for sealing the upper end portion against moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Osmose Wood Preserving, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Fayle
  • Patent number: 5967358
    Abstract: A tank filling and pressure relief assembly. A cover member has a seat for sealingly closing the tank opening. A stem is attached at one end to a piston in a cylinder (which is attached to the cover member and extends downwardly therefrom into the tank) and at the other end to a strongback. The strongback is pivotly mounted to swing the assembly away from the opening for filling thereof and to swing the assembly back into position to seat the cover member and is lockable in a position to lockingly urge the cover member to the closed position. The stem is flexibly coupled to the strongback to evenly distribute the seating force so that binding does not occur and is threadedly attached thereto so that the set pressure for pressure relief may be adjusted by access to the stem for turning thereof through an opening or cut-out in the strongback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Betts Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Adams, Charles A. Betts
  • Patent number: 5921935
    Abstract: Non-invasive apparatus and method for obtaining a quantitative determination of mean left atrial transmural pressure or otherwise obtaining a quantitative determination of a left atrial pressure value. A balloon is inserted by means of a catheter into the esophagus and positioned adjacent the left atrium. The balloon is gradually inflated. A tracing of mean balloon pressure is obtained as the balloon is inflated. In addition, a tracing of balloon pressure on a steady baseline and with low frequency oscillations due to respiration filtered out is obtained whereby the tracing represents balloon pressure oscillations effected by left atrial pressure. In accordance with the oscillometric principle the mean balloon pressure is measured when the intensity of a sound wave, after its transmission through the balloon, is at a peak. This mean balloon pressure, after adjustment for the effect, if any, of heart weight, is indicative of approximate mean left atrial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Donald D. Hickey
  • Patent number: 5921370
    Abstract: A cooling bed plate transfer grid insert which is height adjustable independently of its mounting to the grid. The insert has an outer frame which is clampable to the grid and an inner frame supporting a roller and which is clampable to the outer frame and height adjustable relative to the outer frame so that the mounting of the outer frame to the grid need not be disturbed when adjusting the height of the roller or when replacing the inner frame and roller assembly for repair of the insert. The inner frame is thus easily and inexpensively replaceable without the necessity of replacing the outer frame. The replaceable inner frame includes stationary bearings for the rotating roller shaft to provide improvement in wear life of perhaps about 200 per cent. Springs are provided to allow the roller to flexibly move downwardly under load of plates being moved thereover so that each of the rollers underlying a plate bears its share of the load, but the rollers are biased to the desired unloaded height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5913523
    Abstract: A method and device for repairing a leak between a channel member through which an axle passes and a cover member of a vehicular transmission or otherwise between inner and outer members. The diameter of the opening in the cover member for the axle is greater than the diameter of the channel through the channel member thereby providing a surface portion of the channel member which is uncovered by the cover member. A plate is installed to sealingly bear against both the cover member and the uncovered surface of the channel member, with sealing material disposed between the bearing surfaces. The plate, which has an aperture for also receiving the axle, has a first surface for sealingly bearing against the uncovered surface of the channel member. This first surface is raised (axially inwardly from) from a second surface which sealingly bears against the cover member. In order to eliminate the necessity otherwise of removing the axle, the plate is alternatively a split plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Leon C. Selapack
  • Patent number: 5908102
    Abstract: A high capacity and easy to maintain insert for a cooling bed plate transfer grid. The insert supports a wide high capacity roller in a grid pocket modified by removal of a portion of a grid member wherein the modified pocket has more than double the width. High capacity bearings which receive the roller axle are mounted in the frame, which is of modular construction to allow replacement of worn bearings as well as other repair and rebuilding easily. The insert is constructed so that it may be inverted to allow unworn portions of the bearings to experience axle contact whereby the bearing life is increased. In order that inserts may be installed or replaced at a remote location thereby requiring removal of the grid to the remote location, the height of the grid is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald L. Plesh, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5908182
    Abstract: A portable sawhorse or other apparatus such as a sign stand or a table providing support. The sawhorse comprises first and second frames each having a pair of legs, a third frame having first and second elongate vertical portions to which the first and second frames respectively are connected A support structure is connected to the upper ends of the vertical portions The height of each end of the sawhorse is independently adjustable so that the support structure may be level on hilly terrain. The first and second frames are rotatable relative to the vertical portions respectively so that the sawhorse may be folded to a narrow or "thin" configuration with all of the legs coplanar for ease of stowage and transport A platform is mountable on the sawhorse, and lumber is supportable off of each end of the platform for mitering thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: Michael N. Stang, David L. Molitor
  • Patent number: 5901457
    Abstract: A ruler attachment device for a chain saw. The device includes a ruler telescopingly received in a tubular member so that it may be compactly stowed when not in use. The tubular member is attached to a bracket, which is attached to the chain saw housing, so as to pivot between a first position in which the tubular member is normal to the chain saw housing for measuring length of wood being cut and a second position in which the tubular member may be compactly, quickly, and easily stowed out of the way alongside the chain saw housing without removing the attachment from the chain saw, yet be easily and quickly pivoted back to the first position to be put back into use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: James M. Harding
  • Patent number: 5810057
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing over-pressurization of vessel during filling with a fluid where temperature of the vessel would cause the fluid to flash or rapidly expand on contact. A shut off device is placed in a conduit between the fluid source and the vessel being filled, the shut off device including a flow control piston that is held in position to permit fluid flow. Fluid pressure from the displacement space in the vessel is provided on both end of the piston. When a condition of over-pressurization occurs in the vessel a rupture disc associated with one end of the piston fails and causes a depressurization on that end of the piston causing it to move to a position where further filling of the vessel is prevented. The piston is positioned by a buckling pin and can be reset after over-pressurization of the vessel is connected and filling can resume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Alfred Westman
  • Patent number: 5811886
    Abstract: Apparatus for disabling operation of a vehicle in the event of an attempted theft thereof. A switch is provided in the ignition circuit. The switch is controlled by a processor which is remotely-controllable to open the ignition circuit to prevent the passage of current therethrough. This switch is thus controllable independently of whether the vehicle is in operation whereby the vehicle may be rendered inoperative even after it is discovered that the vehicle has been driven away by a thief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignees: Alertcall, Inc., MKM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kashyap Majmudar
  • Patent number: 5787505
    Abstract: In combination with a shirt, one or more pouches which receives a cooling and/or warming pack. The cooling pack comprises sealed compartments containing water or other material which changes state thereby absorbing heat to cool the wearer when the cooling pack is exposed to a predetermined temperature for wearing of the shirt. The warming pack sealingly contains a material which is heatable to store heat and to release the stored heat when the warming pack is exposed to a predetermined temperature for wearing of the shirt. The cooling pack may also be provided as part of a wrist band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventors: Margaret M. Piwko, James C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5779948
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly and inexpensively providing a constant extrusion pressure for pipeline lining with a mortar. A mandrel is inserted in a pipeline section with a slug of mortar ahead thereof. A pushing force is applied thereto to overcome resistance to movement thereof. A constant tension pull is applied to the mandrel to effect relatively constant but effective extrusion pressure between the mandrel and the pipeline wall for extrusion of mortar on the inner wall of the pipeline section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Alfred G. Perkins, deceased, by Patricia R. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5697375
    Abstract: Non-invasive apparatus and method for obtaining a quantitative determination of mean left atrial transmural pressure or otherwise obtaining a quantitative determination of a left atrial pressure value. A balloon is inserted by means of a catheter into the esophagus and positioned adjacent the left atrium. The balloon is gradually inflated. A tracing of mean balloon pressure is obtained as the balloon is inflated. In addition, a tracing of balloon pressure on a steady baseline and with low frequency oscillations due to respiration filtered out is obtained whereby the tracing represents balloon pressure oscillations effected by left atrial pressure. In accordance with the oscillometric principle the mean balloon pressure is measured when the intensity of a sound wave, after its transmission through the balloon, is at a peak. This mean balloon pressure, after adjustment for the effect, if any, of heart weight, is indicative of approximate mean left atrial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Donald D. Hickey
  • Bed
    Patent number: D404215
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Scott R. Hohl