Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jenner & Block
  • Patent number: 5506783
    Abstract: A method of determining supply sequence of products to be processed to an N-step flow shop type production line, where N is an integer N greater than or equal to 2, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Tanaka, Junichi Ikebe, Hidetoshi Haga
  • Patent number: 5494287
    Abstract: A dynamic payout system and method for a gaming machine permit the random selection of a payout for a particular game outcome from a predetermined range of payout amounts. The player is provided with a range of possible payouts that may be paid upon the occurrence of a particular game outcome. When the player initiates game play, an input-output interface generates an initiate signal. A game control microprocessor, in response to the initiate signal, randomly selects a game outcome that includes a metered winning game outcome. If a winning game outcome occurs, the microprocessor then randomly selects a payout amount from a predetermined range of payout amounts stored in memory, which includes metered payout amounts. A meter display displays the metered payout amount. A payout device such as a coin hopper dispenses the metered payout amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Manz
  • Patent number: 5484374
    Abstract: An applicator and accompanying feed mechanism attaches spouts and other fitments to paperboard cartons and the like in automated packaging equipment. The applicator features a rotatable and translatable anvil having a plurality of radially extending lobes. A mandrel or other engagement mechanism on each lobe engages and holds spouts for attachment to a container. The anvil inserts a spout into a container hole, and an ultrasonic sealer ultrasonically vibrates the carton wall against the anvil to weld the spout to the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Nimco Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry G. Bachner, A. S. Worrell
  • Patent number: 5479766
    Abstract: A baling apparatus is provided for forming large rectangular bales of fibrous material. The apparatus includes a rectangular bale chamber having an inlet for receiving baling material beneath the bale chamber and an outlet for discharging completed bales at the top of the bale chamber. Balable material is gathered from the surface of the field of by the pickup mechanism, formed into a mat by clamping rollers and transported toward the bale chamber by a conveying mechanism. A conveyor sweep apparatus detaches a segment of the mat on the conveyor and feeds it to a compressing mechanism located beneath the bale chamber inlet. The clamping rollers ensure that the mat separates cleanly when engaged by the sweep apparatus. The compressing structure then compresses the segment of baling material in a slow upward compression stroke into the bale chamber inlet. As a result, a rectangular bale comprising successive horizontal layers is formed within the bale chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Woodbury S. Ransom
  • Patent number: 5481197
    Abstract: A low intrinsic capacitance probe system for measuring capacitance to detect the liquid fill level of a pressure vessel that incorporates a high pressure center rod retention system and an explosionproof flame path seal into its mounting gland. The system reduces or eliminates the cold flow of PTFE within the probe and eliminates the need for periodic retorquing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Penberthy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Sanders, Brian C. Gorge, Burt L. Beach
  • Patent number: 5471691
    Abstract: A multitiered pillow is provided that is especially adapted for supporting the head of a person while sleeping. At least two tiers of different height are provided by the pillow to accommodate and properly support a person's head and neck regardless of whether the person is sleeping on his side (shoulders vertical) or prostrate (shoulders horizontal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: James D. Ryndak
  • Patent number: 5470079
    Abstract: A gaming machine accounting and monitoring system includes a plurality of accumulative, non-resettable accounting meters and an event processor for sensing game activity at the gaming machine and updating the accounting meters in response thereto. The system also includes separate game credit meters for storing the total amount of game credit available and the amount of game credit purchased but not yet risked by the player. The accounting meters include meters for tracking wagering activity and machine payouts, and a plurality of drop meters for tracing monetary value accepted by the gaming machine in all of its different forms. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the accounting meters also include a set of meters for tracing data card transactions for cashless game play. These data card meters include separate meters for tracking game credit purchased with a data card and gaming machine payouts deposited to a data card account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. LeStrange, William H. Watson, Richard C. Raven, deceased
  • Patent number: 5465608
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the identification and quantification of a vapor, or a number of vapors, in air mixtures is discussed. The method includes calibration of a vapor responsive sensor, or a plurality of vapor responsive sensors, to known concentrations of the vapors of interest or to known concentrations of potential interfering vapors. The calibrations result in sensor response vectors which are derived from the transient signals observed as the vapors are sorbed and desorbed on the sensors. Detection of vapors in complex mixtures is effected by subjecting the apparatus to the mixture and measuring the sensor response, or plurality of sensor responses, and then applying multidimensional statistical analysis or filtering methods to this data, using the precalibrated response vectors as the basis set for deconvolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Anatole Lokshin, David E. Burchfield, David H. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5465041
    Abstract: A system for controlling a bipolar constant current when the current is being supplied to an active or reactive element. Tracking is extended to either sink or source modes. A switchable driven ground state is also provided. An operational amplifier buffer senses the voltage amplitude at the junction of the system output and active or reactive load element. This relatively low impedance output is summed or offset with a regulated voltage. This level is again buffered to present a low output impedance and series connected with a current limiting resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Penberthy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Sanders, John R. Kessinger
  • Patent number: 5464334
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump has a cam actuated plunger which is moved inwardly in a bore to displace fuel through an outlet. A port is formed in the wall of the bore and at some position during the inward movement of the plunger is uncovered by a control edge to allow fuel to escape from the bore. In order to damp the final inward movement of the plunger a further edge of the groove progressively covers the port so as to restrict the rate at which fuel can escape through the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventors: Graeme A. C. Cook, Goulielmos Vranas, Simon P. McIver
  • Patent number: 5462252
    Abstract: A spill valve for a fuel injection pump includes a valve member movable towards a seating to prevent spillage of fuel from the pumping chamber of a fuel injection pump. The valve member is actuated by a piston against which fluid pressure can be applied to close the valve member onto the seating. The movement of the valve member away from the seating is limited by a stop member but this can move to allow increased movement of the valve member when fuel at high pressure is spilled from the injection pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5461321
    Abstract: A highly accurate system to measure the value of a capacitor using proportionality against a time base reference. The capacitor under test is linearly sequentially charged in three discrete steps yielding integrated net neutral charge as well as a delay for discharging dielectric absorption during each measurement cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Penberthy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Sanders, Brian J. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5459915
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the multiple spindle rotary indexing machine tool systems of the prior art. Traditionally, such machine tool systems include a base and an upstanding vertical column which houses a plurality of machining stations each equipped with two-axis tool slides. In addition, the base supports a rotatable worktable, which carries a number of work-holding spindles. As the worktable rotates, these spindles are indexed through successive machining stations where a variety of operations are performed. In accordance with the invention, a spindle position measurement unit is provided to dynamically measure the exact location of each spindle indexed to position at a modified machining station. A computerized numerical control system calculates spindle position errors based on the position information provided by the measurement unit and offsets tool slide position commands to compensate for those errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: DeVlieg-Bullard, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse W. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5458657
    Abstract: An endoskeletal system having an adjustable adapter assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment the adapter assembly utilizes a ball-and-post coupler to adjustably couple an endoskeletal pylon to a stump socket or artificial foot or hand. The adapter assembly includes a cylindrical collar which is fastened to one end of the pylon. The interior bore of the collar is spherically contoured to form a seat for receiving a bulbous end of the ball-and-post coupler, which itself is fastened to the stump socket via a socket adapter plate. The spherical interface of the ball-and-post coupler and the seat forms a articulable bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Becker Orthopedic Appliance Company
    Inventor: James K. Rasmusson
  • Patent number: 5456069
    Abstract: An exhaust gas filter employed to remove harmful components from exhaust gases, more particularly from exhaust gases expelled by combustion engines, includes flow channels or chambers having gas-permeable walls. The walls are formed by a band having compression-moulded material and spacers with the band wound into a spiral. The spacers serve to form flow channels by maintaining a space between the individual windings of the band. The band and, if required, further parts of the proposed filter are then sintered together to form a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Schwaebische Huettenwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Hans A. Haerle
  • Patent number: 5455423
    Abstract: A gas bubble detector having a modulated IR source focused through a bandpass filter onto a venturi, formed in a sample tube, to illuminate the venturi with modulated filtered IR to detect the presence of gas bubbles as small as 0.01 cm or about 0.004" in diameter in liquid flowing through the venturi. Means are provided to determine the size of any detected bubble and to provide an alarm in the absence of liquid in the sample tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Mount, David E. Burchfield, John M. Hagey
  • Patent number: 5429361
    Abstract: An information and communication system permits communication between gaming machines and a central control system and between a player or operator and a central control system. The system includes a central data processor, a control unit for each gaming machine within the system which is in communication with the central data processor and a user interface which includes a keypad, a card reader and a display. A user interface is secured to each gaming machine and operatively connected to the control unit. The keypad can be used by a player or operator to transmit information to the central data processor. The control unit can be used to identify special players and transmits messages, including promotional messages, for display. The control unit includes memory which contains personality data for the gaming machine and can be used to transmit the personality data from the user interface to its memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Raven, Thomas Miner, Jay Stone
  • Patent number: 5425677
    Abstract: A play enclosure is disclosed including an elongated conduit having a plurality of light admitting pinpoint apertures. The conduit is curved and has a diameter large enough to allow children to crawl through. A strobe light is suspended above the conduit. The pinhole apertures admit beams of light from the strobe light, which cast visually stimulating patterns on the internal wall of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Gleeson, Richard J. Petersheim
  • Patent number: 5423540
    Abstract: In a reel mounting assembly for a slot machine, an adjustable reel support is provided, enabling an operator to adjust the stopping position of the reel, and hence the play symbols, with respect to a pay line. The adjustment may be conveniently performed from the front of the machine without tools. A threaded pin is mounted on a frame support and a reel support is pivotally mounted on the frame support. The pin is inserted through an arcuate slot on the reel support. The reel mounting assembly also includes a tab on the reel support which can be used to adjust the rotational position of the reel. After the reel adjustment has been completed, the reel support is held in place by a wing nut threaded on to the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Bally Gaming International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas N. Taxon
  • Patent number: D360715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Weimer, Duane R. Acker