Patents Represented by Attorney John J. Posta, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5525880
    Abstract: An improved pressure-actuated control bar is disclosed which may be located on a door to control access or egress through the door, whereby the control bar is used to trigger unlocking or opening, or both unlocking and opening, of the door following pressure being exerted on the control bar by an individual desiring access or egress through the door. A comparator is used to determine whether pressure exerted on the control bar and sensed by a pressure-sensitive component with no moving parts is sufficient to trigger unlocking or opening, or both unlocking and opening, of the door. A second embodiment describes a push/pull door access handle which may be used on a handicapped-accessible door to initiate powered opening of the door when the handle is pulled, and to cause immediate cessation of the opening of the door when the handle is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, Richard Geringer, David Geringer
  • Patent number: 5522507
    Abstract: A kit is provided which includes all the items necessary to enact the tooth fairy fable. Moreover, the kit includes a container for those items. Preferably, the container and the items are all marked with a tooth fairy emblem. The items include an electric lamp in the shape of a tooth fairy and preferably made of translucent material with the lamp light source within the body of the lamp. In addition, a string pouch or the like, preferably with a bell attached, is provided for placing a tooth therein and for receiving a coin in exchange for the tooth. A pillow case is also included, preferably with a tooth-receiving front pocket. The items further include a tooth receptacle for permanently retaining one or more teeth, preferably with date markers for the same. The receptacle preferably is in the form of a pair of hinged jaws, with tooth-receiving openings corresponding to the positions of baby teeth in the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Leonard Cruz
  • Patent number: 5503486
    Abstract: The improved notebook and notebook cover assembly of the present invention includes a notebook, preferably of a loose-leaf type, and a sub-assembly which includes front and rear notebook covers, an edge binder interconnecting the two covers and foldable back upon itself, and a notebook connector releasably interconnecting the notebook only to the covers. Due to the edge binder the covers are movable between a first position wherein the front cover overlies and protects the notebook and a second position wherein the front cover is behind and flat against the rear cover, thus fully exposing the notebook and supporting it in a flat position for easy viewing and writing therein. The edge binder can have a longitudinal fold line along the length of the center line of the central portion thereof, or can be divided along that center line into two halves joined together by a hinge, such as a piano hinge or a flexible strip of plastic, cloth, paper or rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Barry Zane
  • Patent number: 5470074
    Abstract: An improved golf practice tee apparatus for practicing golf swings is disclosed which provides a golf tee platform that may be selectively adjusted both in angle and in orientation to thereby allow the user of the device to simulate a wide variety of uneven lies. The golf practice tee apparatus has a platform mounted on a platform support frame, which platform support frame is centrally supported above and away from a base frame by a universal member which allows the platform support frame to move with two degrees of freedom of movement with respect to the base frame. Movement of the platform frame with respect to the base frame is controlled by four hydraulic cylinders, movement of which may be selectively, alternatively permitted to allow the angle and the orientation of the platform support frame to be adjusted, or inhibited to freeze the position of the platform support frame with respect to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventors: Dennis B. Hotchkiss, Thomas G. Council
  • Patent number: 5469141
    Abstract: A motion sensor for use with a security system provides an output signal to initiate an alarm whenever a significant level of movement is detected by the motion sensor. A light emitter directs light through an optical path onto a light detector, which generates an electrical output signal in response to the light directed onto it. A resiliently supported mass is coupled to the optical path to modify the optical path in response to motion imposed upon the mass, thereby reducing the transmission of light in the optical path and affecting the electrical signal as the mass moves. The motion sensor of the present invention is responsive to movement in all directions, and, since it is optical in nature, is immune to the presence of magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: George Sellman
    Inventor: John Ghazarian
  • Patent number: 5467076
    Abstract: The realty sign lighting and display assembly is in the form of a real estate standard having a vertical post and a horizontal cross-arm from which depends a display panel. The cross-arm is specially constructed to incorporate within it anti-theft and display components and components for powering the anti-theft display components. Thus, the cross-arm includes a solar panel, preferably at the top of the cross-arm, and a rechargeable battery connected to the solar panel. The battery powers one or more spot lights located in the bottom of the cross-arm and directed at the display panel below the cross-arm. The solar panel includes electrical heating elements which keep the solar panel free of snow. A thermal sensor may be disposed in the top of the cross-arm and be connected to a switch operating the solar panel. An alarm connected to the battery prevents theft of the cross-arm. Preferably, the alarm includes a pendulum switch activatable by moving the cross-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Rita Ruocco, Roger Hance
  • Patent number: 5458625
    Abstract: A device for use in providing transcutaneous nerve stimulation and a related method of use are disclosed which may be utilized to stimulate superficial sprigs of the Vagal nerve located in the auricle of the ear for the alleviation of substance withdrawal symptoms or the provision of pain relief, stress relief, and/or general muscle relaxation. The device uses two pairs of transcutaneous pad electrodes, with one pair of the transcutaneous pad electrodes being located on each of the two clips which are applied to the lobes of each ear, with the device then supplying an adjustable amplitude, adjustable repetition rate bipolar pulse train for a predetermined length of time to the transcutaneous pad electrodes on the clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Donald E. Kendall
  • Patent number: 5455084
    Abstract: A laminate repair sheet is useful for altering the appearance of the visible face of a nozzle. The sheet comprises a plastic upper layer, a middle layer of tacky, water-resistant adhesive, and a bottom layer of a release material. Annular rings comprising the upper layer and the middle layer can be peeled from the bottom release layer for application to nozzles of varying diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Richard C. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5453209
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a liquid metal and oil teating composition and to the process of preparing the composition. In the process there are first mixed together a vegetable oil such as cashew oil, an oleate ester such as magnesium oleate, and Ingredient A which is material selected from the group consisting of powdered ferric chloride, lead oxide, ferric oxide, iron carbide, chromium carbide and tungsten carbide and mixtures thereof dispersed in an aqueous solution of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid and sulfuric acid. The acid solution is concentrated, preferably containing about 40 volume % acid. The mixture is heated and stirred and then distilled. The residue is then heated to about 100.degree.-150.degree. F. while adding to it, with stirring, an antioxidant, a polar hydrocarbon, a carbonyl, a carboxyl amide, a viscosity improver, at least one of a tackifier and a sulfonate, and a petroleum oil until a homogeneous liquid is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Juanito A. Simon
  • Patent number: 5454042
    Abstract: An audio-video boom for use in suspending and positioning a camera and/or a microphone is disclosed which has dual wide degrees of articulation capability to facilitate accurate and precise camera and/or microphone orientation while requiring only a single audio-video boom operator. The improved audio/video boom has a first driving member which may be operated to pan (rotate or pivot) a camera and/or a microphone at the end of the audio/video boom via a first pair of cables driving a first driven member which pans the camera and/or a microphone. The audio/video boom also has a second driving member which may be operated to tilt the camera and/or the microphone via a second pair of cables driving a second driven member which tilts the camera and/or the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Leslie Drever
  • Patent number: 5451079
    Abstract: A universal diet card for providing dietary information in hospitals or similar facilities and a related method for the use of the universal diet card are disclosed in which a single diet card is useable for any of a plurality of special diets and is capable of containing extensive information relative to the desired diet for an individual. The universal diet card has a plurality of colored indicia located thereon, one or more of which colored indicia may be chosen to indicate the specific type of diet(s) selected for the individual. The universal diet card has a folding score line located thereon, and it may be folded on the folding score line to form a base segment from its lower portion to support its upper portion in a standing orientation which is highly visible when placed on a meal tray or in a similar location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventors: Elaine M. Gong, Edward V. Candioty
  • Patent number: 5429399
    Abstract: A security system for use on doors which have an electrically operated door locking mechanism is disclosed, which security system is operative to provide a preset egress time delay following an effort to exit through the controlled door before actuating the door locking mechanism to unlock the door and allow egress. During the egress time delay, the system provides a visual input of the time remaining until the door locking mechanism will unlock the door to allow egress or access therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, a speech synthesizer and digital display is also utilized to inform the individual demanding egress or access of the delay, and to provide other information as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, Richard Geringer, David Geringer
  • Patent number: 5427153
    Abstract: The improved drain plug device is formed in accordance with the present method. The device includes an elongated, hollow, flexible, resilient, unitary, self-supporting tubular member having a central passageway extending all the way therethrough to the exits in the opposite ends of the member. The member has a rear bulbous inlet portion, a middle very flexible portion to allow the member to bend around curves in drain lines, and a front bulbous outlet portion. The inlet and outlet portions have the same sidewall thickness while that of the middle portion is preferably somewhat thicker. Preferably, the middle portion is narrower in diameter than the other portions of the member. The outlet portion has a higher Shore hardness than the inlet portion and therefore expands radially under internal fluid pressure more slowly than the inlet portion but collapses, after removal of such pressure, at a faster rate, thus assuring that water in the tubular member during use thereof will not back up and out the inlet exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: George Tash
  • Patent number: 5405905
    Abstract: The artificial plant soil composition is a major proportion, by weight, of a hydrated, non-toxic polymeric gel, such as one formed of a polyacrylamide co-polymer and water, and a minor proportion, by weight, of a non-toxic phosphorescent pigment uniformly distributed in the gel. The pigment preferably is about 98.5 percent, by weight of the pigment, of zinc sulfide, with substantially the remainder being zinc oxide, but with sufficient copper sulfide present, for example, about 500 ppm, to activate the zinc sulfide. The polyacrylamide co-polymer is usually about 1 percent, by weight, of the composition, with the water forming the remainder, except for the pigment. The pigment is usually present in a concentration of about 0.12 percent, by weight of the composition. The composition is used as a potting soil for plants and has the added effect of attractively exhibiting phosphorescence. The presence of the pigment in the gel does not cloud the clear gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Hy-Tec Enterprises
    Inventor: Lanny Darr
  • Patent number: 5376910
    Abstract: An improved electromagnetic coil assembly for use with an electromagnetic door locking mechanism is disclosed which electromagnetic coil assembly incorporates an improved housing construction allowing the electromagnetic coil assembly to be easily and conveniently installed in its operating position on the frame of the door utilizing the electromagnetic locking mechanism. The electromagnet core itself is made of a plurality of thin, flat electromagnet core laminations which are placed in a stacked array in a U-shaped channel member, with thin welds between the tops of the legs of the "U" and the side edges of the stacked electromagnet core laminations being used to maintain the configuration of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, Richard Geringer, David A. Geringer
  • Patent number: 5360824
    Abstract: The improved cleansing cream has a wrinkle-reducing effect when periodically applied to and rubbed into the human skin in wrinkled skin areas. The cream is non-irritating to the skin and includes a plurality of water-soluble granules which are of sufficient size, quantity and hardness to abrade the keratinized outer epidermal layer of the skin. The granules may be one or more inorganic salt, but preferably include one or more water-soluble vitamins and/or water-soluble vitamin-yielding salts, The cream also includes a base in which the granules are substantially uniformly disposed. The base preferably is in a major proportion with respect to the granules and is an oil and a petrolatum jelly. The water-soluble granules do not clog the pores of the skin but are absorbed into and nourish the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Donald E. Barker
  • Patent number: 5344002
    Abstract: The improved combination eyeglass lens polisher and eyeglass holder device includes an elongated, flexible, resilient bottom strip having opposite ends and a bottom surface and opposite upper surface. The bottom surface and, preferably, the entire bottom strip, is non-abrasive to eyeglass lenses and is adapted for polishing such lenses. A pair of flexible, resilient eyeglass holder pockets are secured, as by stitching, to the upper surface of the bottom strip adjacent its opposite ends and are spaced apart to define a central foldable portion therebetween. The pockets hold a pair of eyeglasses, with one lens thereof in each pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Mark Baczkowski
  • Patent number: 5335808
    Abstract: A pop-top can lid is easier to open than conventional lids, and includes a generally horizontally extending can cover plate having a peripheral rim. It also has a scored area medial of the rim. An elongated generally horizontally extending lift tab is pivotally secured to the upper surface of the plate at a pivot point medial of the rim by a rivet or the like. The tab is divided into an elongated lift arm with finger-receiving opening on one side of the rivet and a shorter drive arm on the opposite side of the rivet. The drive arm is directly over the medial portion of the scored area. A bubble integral with the plate extends upwardly therefrom in the scored area and is capable of being inverted by downward finger pressure. Then the drive arm is able to be easily rotated down thereinto, thus automatically raising the lift arm well above the plate surface so that it can easily be grasped by the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Robert W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5333355
    Abstract: An apparatus and related method for use to automatically close display doors for display cases and the like is disclosed which allows the amount of door closing preloading bias to be easily and quickly adjusted with a high degree of precision to vary the amount of force used to close a display door. A display pivot member having an adjustment wheel is placed into engagement with a base member having a mechanism allowing rotation of the display pivot member only in a direction increasing the preloading bias on a biasing member located in the display door and used to close the display door. The base member includes an access slot to release the display pivot member, allowing it to rotate in the opposite direction to release the bias on the biasing member to allow the adjustment operation to be redone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventors: Duane Beswick, Robert Enriquez
  • Patent number: D366823
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Charles J. Heald