Patents Represented by Attorney John F. Letchford
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Patent number: 6854185Abstract: A vegetation trimmer comprising an elongate main handle to which is connected a motor that rotatably drives a trimmer head located at a distal end of the handle. The trimmer head defines a rotational axis and includes a housing, a spool rotatably received in the housing for carrying at least one coil of flexible trimmer line, a latch member carried by one of the housing and the spool for releasably locking the spool against rotation with respect to the housing, and at least one seat carried by the other of the housing and the spool for receiving the latch member, whereby either the latch member or the at least one seat orbits about the rotational axis of the trimmer head when trimmer line is dispensed from the spool. The spool preferably carries a yieldable trimmer line guide for guiding trimmer line between opposed trimmer line exit ports in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Specialty Coated Products, Inc.Inventor: George E. Alliss
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Patent number: 6717943Abstract: The present invention is a system for processing data packets between an internal environment to the system and external environment to the system comprising a plurality of processors within the internal system, each processor processing data packets based upon a criteria of the packet, first cable means for connecting the plurality of processors and for transmitting data packets between said plurality of processors, second cable means for transmitting the data packets between the plurality of processors and to the external environment, and third cable means for transmitting data between the plurality of processors and the internal environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Inventor: David Schwering
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Patent number: 6634608Abstract: A walking aid stabilizing device that is useful for stabilizing walking aids when a user in travels over compressible and uneven areas and substances. The stabilizing device includes at least one entirely exteriorly mountable fastener for enabling the apparatus to be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the exterior of solid or hollow walking aids, such as canes, crutches, walkers, or the like, having standard and non-standard diameters or circumferential shapes. The device further includes a ground engagement member that may be quickly and easily disposed into an operative first operative ground engaging position and a second inoperative position. The ground engagement member has perforated areas to permit the passage of snow or wet sand, mud or earth which could otherwise clog the ground engagement member in use.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Inventor: John Jacobowitz
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Patent number: 6622991Abstract: A clip-on assembly that can resist detachment of a plastic picket cap member from a plastic picket member when significant pulling force is applied to the cap member. The assembly includes a single clip constructed as a bushing-like member whose side walls are preferably provided with at least one outwardly projecting retention barb adapted for secure embedment into the inner side wall surfaces of a picket member when the assembly is inserted therein. The legs of the cap member upon which the clip is installed are very stiff by virtue of being reinforced by plates that resist deflection of the legs when inserted in the clip. The reinforcement plates are preferably dimensioned to inhibit inward flexure of the side walls of the clip and ensure embedment of the retention barb into the picket member.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: CertainTeed CorporationInventor: Stephen W. Steffes
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Patent number: 6619628Abstract: A clip-on assembly that can resist detachment of a plastic picket cap member from a plastic picket member when significant pulling force is applied to the cap member. The assembly includes a single clip including an upwardly bowed central portion joined to first and second upwardly extending end portions. The end portions have at least one outwardly projecting retention barb adapted for secure embedment into the inner side wall surfaces of a picket member when the assembly is inserted therein. The legs of the cap member upon which the clip is installed are very stiff by virtue of being reinforced by plates that resist deflection of the legs when inserted in the clip.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: CertainTeed CorporationInventor: Stephen W. Steffes
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Patent number: 6609702Abstract: A clip-on picket fence cap assembly that can resist detachment of a plastic picket cap member from a plastic picket member when significant pulling force is applied to the cap member. The legs of the cap member upon which the clips are installed are very stiff by virtue of being reinforced by gussets that resist deflection of the legs when inserted in a picket. The assembly includes clips having outer surfaces that are substantially arched or bowed in shape in order to enhance their strength and resistance to deformation. The outer surface of each clip is preferably provided with at least one outwardly projecting retention means adapted for secure embedment into the inner wall surfaces of a picket member when the cap assembly is inserted therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Inventor: Stephen W. Steffes
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Patent number: 6599464Abstract: This invention concerns a blowing lance and a procedure for the metallurgical treatment of molten steel in a converter with oxygen top blown over the molten steel. In order to monitor the treatment process the intention is for a temperature probe (21) to be integrated into the water-cooled lance head (2) behind the front end (11a) of the lance head and between the cooling chambers (5-10) formed in the lance head (2). The signal lines (26) of the temperature probe run through the lance body (1), more specifically, in a central protective pipe which has no fluid communication with the cooling medium or to the oxygen conducted by the lance.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Inventor: Bernd Feldhaus
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Patent number: 6581292Abstract: A motorized vegetation trimmer apparatus comprising an elongate main handle to which is connected a motor that rotatably drives a trimmer head located at a distal end of the handle. The trimmer head carries one or more radially outwardly projecting cutting members which cut vegetation as the trimmer head rotates. Each cutting member comprises a finite length of flexible strand. The cutting member is releasably gripped by a one-way gripping mechanism including a reciprocating gripping member and a compression spring that biases the gripping member into gripping contact with the strand.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventor: George E. Allis
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Patent number: 6557829Abstract: A clip-on picket fence cap assembly that can resist detachment of a plastic picket cap member from a plastic picket member when significant pulling force is applied to the cap member. The legs of the cap member upon which the clips are installed are very stiff by virtue of being reinforced by gussets that resist deflection of the legs when inserted in a picket. The assembly includes metal clips having outer surfaces that are convex curvilinear in shape that enhances their strength and resistance to deformation. The outer surface of each clip is preferably provided with at least one outwardly projecting retention means adapted for secure embedment into the inner wall surfaces of a picket member when the cap assembly is inserted therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: CertainTeed CorporationInventor: Stephen W. Steffes
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Patent number: 6497575Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs, Jr.
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Patent number: 6474140Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for measuring properties of a material, such as surface tension, surface energy, absorption, adsorption, permeability, porosity and printability and the like. A chemical marker containing test liquid is applied to the material and excess test liquid not retained by the material is removed. Thereafter, either the removed test liquid or the test liquid retained by the material is analyzed to determine the amount of chemical marker substance in the test liquid and, thus, the desired property of the material.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventors: Chi-Neng Arthur Han, Robert K. Yang, Alex J. Phinn
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Patent number: 6425396Abstract: Respiratory equipment coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and a source of pressurized respiratory gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales. The equipment includes a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation. A regulator mechanism is disposed between and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source and the supply valve. The equipment may include a control device for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to the supply valve and from the pressurized gas source to the regulator mechanism. The control device also controls the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by the regulator mechanism. At least one adjustable device limits movement of a sensing valve diaphragm member responsive to the recipient's inhalation.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Salter LabsInventors: Kyle L. Adriance, James M. Davenport
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Patent number: 6398606Abstract: A water or land rescue system is provided which includes a spring loaded firearm and rescue device. The firearm includes a barrel, a shoulder stock and a trigger. The rescue device is adapted to be releasably secured to one end of the spring situated within the firearm. The system further includes a supply of safety line having one end secured to the firearm and a second end secured to the rescue device. The spring is adapted to be releasably locked in a loaded position so that when the trigger is depressed, the restoring forces of the spring cause the rescue device to be propelled into the air carrying the supply line therewith toward a rescue victim.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Inventor: Thomas J. Borrelli
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Patent number: 6378520Abstract: Pneumatically operated gas demand equipment coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and a source of pressurized respiratory gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales. The equipment includes a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation. A regulator mechanism is disposed between and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source and the supply valve. The equipment additionally includes a control device for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to the supply valve and from the pressurized gas source to the regulator mechanism. The control device also controls the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by the regulator mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Salter LabsInventor: James M. Davenport
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Patent number: 6351738Abstract: A collective business system including participants engaged in a common field of business endeavor, a plurality of suppliers of business support mechanisms of interest to the participants and a for-profit hub business entity for managing transactions between the suppliers, the participants and their customers. Under the system, the independently owned and operated participants are assigned geographically protected business locations, as well as one or more of volume discounts of goods and services, national marketing capacity, discount capital financing for purchase of costly technology and machinery, access to information technology, logistics support or other business support mechanisms. The assets of the hub business entity are substantially liquid asset based and the hub business entity enables, controls and derives income from transactions between the suppliers and participants.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Inventor: Douglas W. Clark
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Patent number: 6318366Abstract: A supply valve for a pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus or an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between a source of pressurized respiratory gas and a patient. The valve includes first and second housing parts defining a chamber and having first and second cooperating fluid passageways. A flexible diaphragm member is disposed in the chamber. The diaphragm member includes a central sealing portion and a radial projection integral with the central sealing portion for enabling fluid communication between the first and second fluid passageways and for sealing the first and second passageways against leakage.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Salter LabsInventor: James M. Davenport
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Patent number: 6237594Abstract: A pneumatically-operated gas delivery device coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one course of pressurized respiratory gas controls delivery of the respiratory gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales. The device includes a regulator mechanism, a supply valve and a sensing valve, wherein the supply valve delivers the respiratory gas to the recipient responsive to movement of the sensing valve. Gas flow to the supply valve is communicated from the gas source, the regulator mechanism and through a plurality of bolus chambers each of which chambers communicates a portion of the recipient's demand gas flow rate from the regulator mechanism to the supply valve. The bolus chambers allow a high-flow pulse of respiratory gas to be delivered to the patient upon initiation of inhalation coupled with steady state flow for the remainder of inhalation.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Salter LabsInventor: James M. Davenport
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Patent number: D442685Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Salter LabsInventor: David T. Sladek
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Patent number: RE37760Abstract: A dust dispensing system comprised of a dip tube enclosing a much smaller outlet tube, both tubes fitted to countersunk holes in the plug base. A path for powder and air is created within the wall of a flexible container beginning at the area within the container through the longitudinal vent holes at opposite ends of the dip tube toward the inside center of the dip tube where two air/dust streams collide venting through the inward longitudinal opening of the outlet tube which is disposed at the point of convergence of the colliding streams and then the mixture continues to flow under pressure through the outlet tube and out the exit nozzle each time the container is squeezed. This action is repetitive and fully operational regardless of the device's orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Pestop Commercial Pest PreventionInventors: Tom B. Mathison, Joseph B. Budz
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Patent number: D493578Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: WIPSS Products, Inc.Inventors: Joseph S. Manzo, Edward M. Bachurski