Patents Represented by Law Firm Jennings, Carter, Thompson & Veal
  • Dental appliance
    Patent number: 4884311
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of oral hygiene. One embodiment comprises a spring clamp adapted for removable affixation to the bristles of a toothbrush, after it has been used, in a crucial region proximal the free ends of the brush bristles. A discovery and identification of the crucial area is claimed. A preferred embodiment is so designed that the impact area of the clamp on the brush is approximately 1/4 distance down from the free ends of the bristles. The clamp causes the bristles to be closely juxtaposed throughout the clamped area, while the bristles above the clamped area are permitted to flare outward, while the lower portion of the bristles below the clamp line form into a wedge-like configurtation, both of which shapes tend to move in opposite direction during the brushing action providing a resilient base of support for the flared upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Harbert S. Gergory
  • Apparatus for removing ballast from beneath railroad tracks
    Patent number: 4882860
    Abstract: A railroad undercutter economizes both weight and space requirements through the use of a single continuous chain which carries ballast from beneath a railroad track to a track supported conveyor with the chain entering beneath and exiting from beneath the track on the same side and turning through a vertical arc of approximately 130.degree. to move above the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kershaw Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Whitaker, Jr.
  • Concrete delivery trolley
    Patent number: 4877206
    Abstract: A trolley for positioning a concrete delivery conduit in a work area utilizes a carriage member movable along a support beam to carry a pipe engaging cradle. The carriage and cradle permit the conduit to be moved laterally and axially without substantial exertion. The support beam is mounted on adjustable stands to position the conduit at a selected height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Lamar Barrett
  • Pipe joint gland reinforcing structure
    Patent number: 4874192
    Abstract: An improvement to a pipe joint gland utilizes a pair of radially extending ribs formed at each boss separated at about 90.degree. from each other and a second pair of ribs extending from the bosses along the circumference of the pipe joint gland. Each rib slopes downwardly from the top of the boss to the surface of the gland. The ribs are arranged in a non-parallel, non-intersecting fashion which provides improved radial and annular rigidity to the gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Key
  • Solid waste retriever
    Patent number: 4872977
    Abstract: A solid waste retrieval device utilizes a rotating drum carrying a plurality of teeth to lift dried sludge from an underlying sand bed such that substantially no sand is removed with the sludge. The device moves over the sludge and compresses it beneath a forward rolled radius section to prevent buckling and disruption of the sludge ahead of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Davis G. Jackson
  • Arm exercising apparatus
    Patent number: 4858912
    Abstract: A device for toning the biceps, triceps and pectoral muscles utilizes a pair of parallel relatively rotatable disc-like members to maintain the palms of the user in parallel relationship as the arms are rotated about an axis through the disc-like members. The device includes a rotatable handle eccentrically mounted to one of the discs and an adjustable resistance operatively connected to the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Billy E. Boyd
  • Method and apparatus for prevention of blinding of centrifuge filter screens
    Patent number: 4857210
    Abstract: A non-blinding filter system for batch centrifuges utilizes a high speed injection nozzle to input wet particulate matter in the form of a slurry into a batch centrifuge in a manner that maintains turbulence within the slurry during the filling operation. Submicron particulate fines are suspended in the filtrate and settle out less rapidly than larger diameter particulate matter, thus a layer of coarser material can be laid over the filter media before the majority of the filtrate passes therethrough. A plurality of metering orifices retard the extraction of the filtrate such that the submicron particles are not forced through the layer of coarser material to the filter media with blinding consequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: The United Company
    Inventor: Lloyd B. Smith
  • Vacuum insect eradication device
    Patent number: 4856226
    Abstract: An insect eradication device utilizes an incandescent light source to lure insects into a predetermined zone proximal the apparatus enclosure. A suction fan establishes a sub-atmospheric region within the enclosure. Insects with the predetermined zone are entrained within the resulting high velocity airflow and disintegrated upon entering the closely spaced fan blades. The resulting debris is deposited in a removable collection chamber for periodic disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: A. Q. Oldacre
    Inventor: Adoyal Taylor
  • Apparatus for minimizing reactive forces on a gimbal-mounted centrifuge
    Patent number: 4855042
    Abstract: A neutralizer ring for dynamically balancing a gimbal-mounted overhung centrifuge, wherein the neutralizer ring must have a particular mass and location in accordance with the parameters of a given system and a method for determining the mass and location of said system by iterative manipulation of the mass and location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: The United Company
    Inventor: Lloyd B. Smith
  • Tire inflation indicator
    Patent number: 4851809
    Abstract: A tire inflation indicator is integrated into the sidewall of a tire to give a visual indication of proper pressurization. A small lamp is imbedded in the sidewall and is electrically connected through the sidewall to a pneumo-mechanical switch and battery. The switch connects the battery to the lamp when the tire pressure falls below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignees: Suzanne Goggans, Carolyn J. Brown, Gene Patrick Adkison, Jane S. Stearns, Matthew M. Bishop, Lucy Dean Roffman
    Inventor: Steve R. McAlister
  • Ballast removal apparatus
    Patent number: 4850123
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing ballast utilizes eccentrically mounted disk-like undercutters to remove ballast from a position adjacent the track shoulder inwardly to a position underneath the ends of the crossties. The undercutters project inwardly from their mounting position on the lower ends of vertically disposed columns which overhang each side of a supporting carriage. The vertically disposed columns attach to horizontal sliders mounted transversely relative to the carriage. Linear actuators act to position the undercutters for ballast removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Kershaw Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Whitaker, Jr.
  • Guard for aerial cable connectors
    Patent number: D302547
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Larry Joe Steeley
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Steeley
  • Doll figure
    Patent number: D303822
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Inventor: Joanne H. Woodson
  • Corner support bracket for plaques or the like
    Patent number: D303942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Charles E. Bottcher
  • Fence runner
    Patent number: D304086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Stephen R. Eads
  • Cleaning tool for ceiling fan blades
    Patent number: D304106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventors: Michael J. Dobson, James P. Kelley, Michael E. Wilcutt
  • Adjustable pillow
    Patent number: D304657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Peggy Mason Hayes
  • Single occupant whirlpool lounger for use in swimming pools
    Patent number: D304761
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: E. Eugene Middleton
  • Double occupant whirlpool lounger for use in swimming pools
    Patent number: D304762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: E. Eugene Middleton
  • Novelty fan
    Patent number: D304780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: George A. Morris, Jr.