Patents Represented by Attorney Jerry W. Mills
  • Patent number: 4392187
    Abstract: A lighting system (10) is disclosed which includes a control panel (12) for operating a plurality of lights (14) by means of a single two conductor signal cable (18) and a power cable (20). Two embodiments (30, 110) of lights (14) are provided for use in the present lighting system. In the first embodiment, the light (30) includes four dichroic filters (58-64) mounted for pivotal motion on axes passing through the light path formed by light emanating from a lamp (50). The dichroic filters may be aligned with the light path, thereby eliminating the effect of the filters. The dichroic filters may be singly or in combination pivoted so that the light in the light path is incident on the dichroic filter at a predetermined angle to transmit a preselected color therethrough. Four primary color dichroic filters are employed. An integrating lens (100) is provided for homogenizing the color of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Vari-Lite, Ltd.
    Inventor: James M. Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 4387437
    Abstract: A runners watch which includes a lightweight case dimensioned to be worn on the wrist of the wearer. A display face is formed on the case. Clock circuitry is disposed within the case for operating the display face in order to display the time of the day, the date and elapsed time to the wearer. A sensor in the case detects the stride of the wearer when the wearer is running or jogging. Circuitry within the case is responsive to the sensor for computing the distance traveled by the wearer. Circuitry within the case is also responsive to the sensor for computing the rate of travel by the wearer. Switches are provided on the case for being operated to display the computed distance and the computed rate of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: John W. Lowrey
    Inventors: John W. Lowrey, Tom M. Hyltin, J. Scott Jamieson
  • Patent number: 4386680
    Abstract: A system for enabling rescue of the occupants of a multistoried building. The system includes a lookout member adapted to be fixedly attached to the roof of the building by way of D-rings or the like. The lookout member is comprised of a crane adapted to overhang the edge of the building. A pulley is attached to one end of the crane and a first cable, of a length sufficient to extend from the ground to the pulley and from the pulley to the ground, is reeved through the pulley and has first and second ends. A drum is provided on the ground for reeling the first end of the cable in and out. A housing large enough to contain and support a plurality of people and adapted to be raised and lowered along the side of the building is provided in order to allow escape of occupants from the building in emergency situations. A yoke is adapted to be connected to the second end of the cable for being raised from the ground to the crane, to which it may be firmly but releasably attached. A second cable is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Multi-Story Transporters, Inc.
    Inventor: Waymon B. Reed
  • Patent number: 4385950
    Abstract: The specification discloses a refillable sanitary ice pack (10) for single patient use. The ice pack takes the form of a generally rectangular envelope (12) having two sides (14, 16), an open end (18) and a closed end (20). Two pairs of tie strings (22, 24) and (26, 28) extend from the open and closed ends, respectively. A bag (30) closed on three sides and having a throat (34) opening at the open end of the envelope is formed internally of the envelope for receiving and retaining ice. A funnel (38) dimensioned to conform with the divergence of the throat in the bag may be inserted into the throat for filling the bag. A closure member (50) is also provided for sealing the throat of the bag when the bag has been filled with ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson
  • Patent number: 4384901
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a pipe. A pipe is positioned on a plurality of support rollers for rotating the pipe. A cutting torch, mounted on a telescoping arm, is movable along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The angle that the cutting torch makes with the surface of the pipe is varied by rotating the cutting torch along an arcuate path that is in a plane parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The cutting torch is directed towards the radial center of the arcuate path that is on the surface of the pipe. Servo motors selectively vary the rotational angle of the pipe, the position of the cutting torch and the angle of the cutting torch. A computer automatically controls the operation of the servo motors with the aid of a pre-programmed mathematical function. The mathematical function uses characteristic data for the pipe and feedback data from the servo motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Lame, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Swoboda, III, Harvey Babb
  • Patent number: 4379455
    Abstract: Medical suction apparatus is disclosed including in combination a rigid outer canister having a cover and a disposable semi-rigid inner liner or container. Mounting assembly means coacts with the canister and cover to seal the container within the canister. The container is a cup-like member which maintains its cup-like shape before, during and after use within the canister. A simple and efficient snap-fit mounting assembly includes an annular sealing support lid on the upper peripheral lip of the container. The lid is snap-fit mounted to the rim of the canister to support the container therefrom. This mounting also establishes a gap between the container and canister, as well as sealing such gap. The cover is snap-fit mounted to the annular lid to compress the container lip and an upper section of the container sidewall between the cover and the lid. This mounting seals the interior of the container. The lid may be released from the canister without breaking the seal between the cover and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Inventor: David W. Deaton
  • Patent number: 4379494
    Abstract: Drill string stabilizing sleeves (20, 24) are provided for use on a drill string (10) to guide the drill string during drilling. The stabilizer sleeves are replacable and may be manufactured at relatively low cost. Each sleeve includes a cylindrical body (28) having a number of well bore contacting surfaces (34) formed on the outer surface thereof. The surfaces are separated by grooves (38) to permit flow past the stabilizer sleeve. Slots (40, 42) are formed through the cylindrical body on diametrically opposed sides. The slots pass through the well bore contacting surfaces to the inner surface of the body. Flats (44, 46) are provided in opposed sides of the drill string section where the stabilizing is to be performed. Cylindrical segments (54, 56) are positioned within the flats and continue the arc of curvature of the drill string section. Each of the cylindrical segments, in turn, includes a flat (66, 68) for accepting locking blocks (78, 80) inserted through the slots in the cylindrical body (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: International Petroleum Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Adel Sheshtawy
  • Patent number: 4377207
    Abstract: A tubing string anchor (20) is provided for anchoring a tubing string (14) within a well bore (10). This prevents motion of the tubing string during a pumping operation. The anchor (20) includes a support (26) for mounting a number of roller assemblies (32-38). Each roller assembly includes a roller slip (40) for frictional engagement with the wall ( 28) of the well bore (10). Notches (52) on the roller slips may cooperate with pawl assemblies (68) to prevent the slips from rotating in at least one direction to anchor the tubing string within the well bore. The pawl assembly may be activated by the hydrostatic pressure within the internal passage (24) within the annular section (30) during the pumping action. This permits the tubing string to be positioned and removed from the well bore freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Inventor: William M. Kofahl
  • Patent number: 4375763
    Abstract: A device and method for locating leaks in a pipe are provided. A leak locator probe (10) is provided and is suitable for being transported along a length of pipe. The leak locator probe (10) defines an annular volume (24) within that portion of pipe adjacent the leak locator probe (10). The leak locator probe (10) includes a tube (20) that is closed at both ends and the tube (20) is an aperture (26) that provides an airflow passageway between the interior of the tube (20) and the annular volume (24) that is defined by the leak locator probe (10) and the pipe. During operation, the interior of the tube (20) and the annular volume (24) are pressurized to a pressure in excess of the pressure at the exterior of the pipe, an airflow through the aperture (26) occurs, causing an airflow measuring device (28) to detect an airflow thereby indicating the presence of a leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: AGL Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Hogan
  • Patent number: 4373873
    Abstract: A pump (10) is provided for pumping a fluid (14) from a borehole (12). The pump includes first and second pumping strings (20, 22) extending into the borehole and a return string (50) extending out of the borehole and to a storage tank (18). An upstroke cylinder (34) is slidably mounted for reciprocation on the first pumping string (20) and a downstroke cylinder (38) is slidably mounted for reciprocation on the second pumping string (22). A pump barrel (80) is slidably mounted to the return string (50) and forms a pumping chamber (86). Fluid from the borehole enters the pump chamber (86) through a one-way check valve (84) to equalize the fluid pressures between the pumping chamber and borehole. A pumping fluid is then entered into the first pumping string (20) to urge the upstroke cylinder (34) to the extended position, tensioning a cable (108) to move the pump barrel (80) and downstroke cylinder (38) to the retracted positions pumping the fluid in the pumping chamber up the return string (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventor: William M. Kofahl
  • Patent number: 4372301
    Abstract: A universal arm sling and shoulder immobilizer (10) is provided. The shoulder immobilizer (10) includes a sling trough (14) having first and second ends (26, 28) with the first end (26) closed for allowing the elbow of the arm to abut the closed end (26). The sling trough (14) is constructed of flexible material allowing the second end (28) to be folded towards the first end (26) for shortening the length of the sling trough (14) for providing a sling of a desired length thus allowing the shoulder immobilizer (10) to accommodate a wide range of limb sizes. A support strap (16) of variable length is provided and is secured to the first end of the sling trough (14) and is of sufficient length to extend across the back of the wearer, over the opposite shoulder and to the top portion of the sling trough (14) adjacent the second end (28) thereof. A restraining strap (18) is provided for securing the limb supported by the sling trough (14) adjacent the chest of the wearer thus providing shoulder immobilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson
  • Patent number: 4359843
    Abstract: The specification discloses an office construction (10) for doctors, opthalmologists, dentists and the like wherein medical equipment (38) is supported on a cart (34) mounted for linear movement along a path behind multiple patient examining rooms (24) to increase equipment utilization. Each examining room (24) includes doors (30) which open when the cart (34) is positioned adjacent thereto. A conveyor system (70) and drop boxes (90) are preferably included to deliver patient charts to the examining rooms (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Ronald A. Schachar
  • Patent number: 4359953
    Abstract: A semiautomatic sewing system (10) comprises a sewing machine (12), a drive unit (42) including a variable speed motor and encoder for counting stitches sewn, material edge sensors (40) mounted in spaced relationship in front of the needle (22) of the sewing machine, and a microprocessor controller (51) coupled to the sewing machine controls. Accurate control of seam lengths and end points is achieved by initiating countdown of a variable preprogrammed number of final stitches responsive to material edges detected by the sensors (40) only when the stitch count falls within a predetermined window of values so that inaccuracies from stitch counting are limited to a small portion of the overall seam length. If the sensors (40) do not detect a material edge within the window of stitch values, the sewing system (10) reverts to pure stitch counting to determine seam length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Microdynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Martell, Elmer N. Leslie, Don D. Isett, Stephen S. Treadwell
  • Patent number: D267434
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson
  • Patent number: D267435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson
  • Patent number: D267690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Joseph T. Verdesca
  • Patent number: D268132
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson
  • Patent number: D268624
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Inventor: Gary B. Taylor