Patents Represented by Attorney James R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8162663
    Abstract: A method of fixing a dental implant assembly is described. The assembly includes an implant, a driver/abutment device, and a spacer. The bottom portion of the device has a protrusion with an inferior aspect and a superior aspect. The spacer prevents the oversized, superior aspect of the device from engaging an interior cavity of the implant so that the driver is easily removable after insertion of the implant in the jaw of a patient. Removing the spacer permits the superior aspect to engage the interior cavity, thereby permanently fixing the driver to the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Lombardi
  • Patent number: 8161714
    Abstract: A capping chuck for a bottle capping machine is capable of applying a pre-defined torque to a cap and reducing top load during application. The capping chuck includes a drive gear mechanically connected to a clutch. The clutch controls the torque transmitted to a gripper head through a driveshaft. The gripper head secures the cap to the bottle, and includes a substantially continuous perimeter wall surrounding a plunger that moves under load in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft. The extent of movement can be controlled by a resistance element such as, for example, a spring. An engagement device affects the contact the drive gear has with the bull gear of the capping mechanism. The engagement device can rotate the capping chuck relative to the bull gear to ensure positive engagement of the drive gear with the bull gear. The engagement device can include a slotted opening and an adjustment screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Scott Data
  • Patent number: 8075653
    Abstract: The present invention describes an air quality containment unit for isolating a construction, renovation or maintenance project. The air quality containment unit contains dust, molds and other air-borne pollutants using a filter, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, to maintain a negative air pressure in the unit. The air quality containment unit includes at least one sealable orifice that allows workers to introduce, for example, an electrical cord into the unit without breaching containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7992690
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for locking a lever of a motor vehicle. The device permits an operator to quickly lock the lever in an engaged position and unlock the lever from the engaged position. The device may be used even when the manual dexterity of the operator is limited by protective equipment. The device includes a pin and spring. The pin passes through aligned holes in the flange and lever. Releasing the lever exerts a lateral force on the pin, thereby preventing the pin from lifting from the lever hole and locking the lever in the engaged position. The spring lifts the pin from the locked position when the lateral force is reduced. The device may be used on a brake or clutch lever of a motorcycle, thereby permitting the operator to have at least one free hand at a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: James William Cross
  • Patent number: 7854509
    Abstract: An article and method for screening vision are described that does not require verbal input from a test person or the test person to maintain a fixed position during the screening. The article includes an image capture device, at least one test light, a processing unit that includes an interpretive program, and a display. The method comprises capturing an image of a person's eyes, verifying the image, studying the image, evaluating the image, and displaying the results. Conveniently, the article and method require no special training by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: David Johns
  • Patent number: 7784474
    Abstract: The present invention describes an undercarriage washer including a stabilizing skid plate and an outlet that permits non-vertical fluid discharge. The washer is adapted for use with a high-pressure washing fluid. The undercarriage washer includes a rigid tube and an angled inlet and an outlet. A skid plate is fixedly secured to the tube proximate to the outlet. The skid plate provides sufficient lateral support so that a high-pressure discharge does not rotate the washer stream. A non-vertical discharge angle permits cleaning of large undercarriage parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Kondos
  • Patent number: 7762474
    Abstract: Coating adhesion on wooden members, such as wooden railroad crossties, is improved through use of three surface-treating techniques prior to application of the coating. The first technique involves forming grooves on the surface of the wooden article, the second technique involves exposing the wooden article to heat to reduce the moisture content of the surface of the wooden article, and the third technique involves creating incisions on the surface of the wooden article to further promote adhesion. The techniques may be advantageously used together to further enhance coating adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Gibbs Group Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Barrie Gibbs
  • Patent number: 7645060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support for a motor vehicle light unit that enables the light unit to be mounted displaceably on an equipment module. The support includes a guide for guiding the light unit along a predetermined path relative to the equipment module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Gérald Andre, Laurent Decker, Hugues Cheron, Naoufil Ben Mariem
  • Patent number: 7552898
    Abstract: A sensor support for a motor vehicle, the support comprising an assembly base carrier for receiving a sensor, wherein the assembly base is shaped so as to be secured to two portions of a bar in a grille, said portions being situated in alignment with each other but being spaced apart so as to leave room for a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Demange, Pierre Montanvert, Fabrice Ollier
  • Patent number: 7488307
    Abstract: The security assembly is designed to be fitted to a syringe comprising a body provided with one end for connection to an injection needle and one end for inserting a piston. The security assembly comprises a member for fitting to the body of the syringe so as to be constrained axially relative to the body, and a security cap for covering the injection end of the body, the cap being provided with a proximal portion for connection to the fitted member and a distal portion for releasing the injection end and connected to the connection portion by frangible means. The fitted member forms a member that is designed to retain the piston inside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Pharma la Verpilliere
    Inventors: Thierry Rimlinger, Guillaume Belle, Pascal Dugand
  • Patent number: 7445384
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a molten bath comprising a) a refractory mounting sleeve (1,1?) having an outer surface (2) for contacting the molten bath and an inner cavity (3), said inner cavity having an inner surface (4), an outer opening (6) and an inner closed end (5); and b) an optical pyrometer (7) attached to the mounting sleeve and adapted to measure the thermal radiation emitted by a measurement zone (10) located inside the inner cavity of the mounting sleeve and under the molten bath level. The inner cavity outer opening (6) is adapted to receive fixedly the optical pyrometer (7). The apparatus is characterized in that the mounting plate (8) is adapted to engage in a complementary recess located at the inner cavity outer opening (6) of the mounting sleeve (1,1?). Thereby, the accuracy and reproducibility of the measure is greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible Company
    Inventors: Paul Van Der Maat, Eric Hanse
  • Patent number: 7425241
    Abstract: This assembly of a trim part of thermoplastic material for a motor vehicle with another part having a thin portion of thermoplastic material is such that the thin portion presents through orifices and the melting of the trim part together with the thin portion is localized solely at the outlines of the through orifices. In the assembly method, the melting of material is obtained by welding, by means of tangential vibrations of a bit in an ultrasound frequency range. The tangential vibrations are applied to the thin portion of the other part so as to form at least one through orifice in said part and so as to cause melting of said part together with the trim part at the outline of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Jacques Vadot, Francois Virelizier, Marc Verwaerde
  • Patent number: 7390037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece for placing against a face of a bodywork element, which element includes on said face a fastening projection made of plastics material. The piece has a fastening portion made of plastics material that is configured to form a tab which, when the piece for placing against the bodywork element is in position, extends parallel to the projection and can be secured to said projection by material melting. The invention also provides a bodywork element suitable for receiving such a piece, and an assembly constituted by the piece and the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Vincent Migieu, Marc Verwaerde
  • Patent number: 7386929
    Abstract: Coating adhesion on wooden articles, such as railroad crossties, is improved through use of three surface-treating techniques prior to application of the coating. The first technique involves forming grooves on the surface of the wooden article, the second technique involves exposing the wooden article to heat to reduce the moisture content of the surface of the wooden article, and the third technique involves creating incisions on the surface of the wooden article to further promote adhesion. The techniques may be advantageously used together to further enhance coating adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Gibbs Group Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Barrie D. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 7341298
    Abstract: The present invention describes a reinforcing member that permits fiberglass pieces to be attached securely yet removably. The pieces can be simply and easily assembled and disassembled with common tools and with no specialized knowledge or ability. Unlike prior art, repairs do not necessarily involve sandblasting, gluing or laminating. The invention permits easy customization or replacement of pieces. The invention includes a reinforcing member having a box truss coupled with at least one gusset. One embodiment includes a truck hood having a center section and fenders. The hood has proven as durable and rigid as traditional unitary construction techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7329032
    Abstract: The invention provides a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising: fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position. The invention also provides an outside module for a motor vehicle, a fender, and a method of mounting a light unit on a fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Marc Verwaerde, Gerald Andre, Alexis Michaut
  • Patent number: 7325642
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a motor vehicle fender made of plastics material having a skin separating the inside and the outside of the fender, wherein the skin possesses a breakable zone suitable for opening when subjected to thrust from the inside towards the outside of the fender. The inside of the airbag housing is situated in register with the breakable zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Roux, Hugues Cheron, Arnold Fayt
  • Patent number: 7322890
    Abstract: A steering coupling reduces the rotational force felt by a driver should the wheels impact an obstacle. The coupling is particularly suited for vehicles comprising simple, single-unit steering assemblies. The coupling permits a certain amount of slippage between the wheels and the steering wheel without a total loss of steering. The driver may set a threshold torque at which slippage occurs, thereby controlling the “feel” of the steering. The coupling includes a friction disc that permits rotational movement between two housings in the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Charles L. Waller
  • Patent number: D580328
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones
  • Patent number: D647443
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Jones Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Jones