Patents Represented by Law Firm Johnson & Gibbs
  • Patent number: 4927437
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator for particles suspended in the flow of an air stream. The separator comprises first and second spiral baffles adapted for mating engagement one within the other for imparting cyclonic flow to the air stream for collecting the particles from cyclonic motion thereof. The baffles are oriented with the first baffle rotated relative to the second baffle to therein form a flow path therebetween. The flow path between the baffles has in it a reversing, oppositely directed concentric spiral passage which carries the particles in a first spiral direction and then in a second opposite spiral direction. Each inner terminal end of the first baffle, or each outer terminal end of the second baffle, or both, may include an arcuate region of sharply increasing curvature adapted for collecting strayed paint particles and solvent droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Ben M. Richerson
  • Patent number: 4925423
    Abstract: A fabric doll constructed in the shape of a "cut-out" paper doll and having certain resemblances to aesthetic features thereof. The doll is assembled in a laminate configuration having outer layers of bonded fabric and an interior pad of a polyester fiber cushion. A stiffening stay is secured in the neck region of the doll for providing rigidity and preventing the head of the doll from flopping over as is conventional with paper dolls and the like. Securement hook and loop strips are also utilized on the frontal surface of the doll for facilitating attachment of play clothes. In this manner, a simple and inexpensive structure closely resembling a paper doll but in a reuseable and washable configuration is provided for the benefit and enjoyment of a small child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Lagow Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa V. Miller, Virginia Lagow
  • Patent number: 4926399
    Abstract: A transducer mounting system for permitting the remote pivotal actuation of an underwater signal transducer. The mounting bracket permits a wide variety of transducers to be mounted upon a conventional trolling motor and remotely actuated by an operator in the boat. Actuation of the bracket directs the transducer of a conventional fish locator or depth finder of the acoustic variety for locating fish or other objects therearound. By securing the bracket to the trolling motor, one axis of orientation of the transducer is automatically indicated by the orientation of the trolling motor. Concomitant angulation of the bracket and transducer affixed thereto will thereby permit the operator to precisely locate desired objects such as fish in the direction indicated by the trolling motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Ravis S. Hickman
  • Patent number: 4921048
    Abstract: A programmable system for controlling the operation of a plunger completion oil or gas production well to optimize production from the well. The controller operates one or more motor valves controlling the well in accordance with programmable values of off-time, on-time and exhaust-time. The controller monitors whether or not a plunger arrival signal is received on each cycle of intermitting the well and changes either the off-time or the exhaust-time for the next cycle in response thereto. In oil well mode, the off-time is decreased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred and increased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not. In gas well mode, the exhaust-time is increased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred before on-time expired and decreased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Crow, Ricky M. Holloman, James B. Pruden
  • Patent number: 4915175
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve well flow control device having a tubular nipple connectable in a well tubing string and side ports for flow into the nipple and a retrievable pack-off sleeve insertable into the nipple for closing the side ports, the sleeve including an equalizing port and J-slots for coacting with a guide lug in the nipple to position the sleeve at an equalizing position prior to retrieving the sleeve from the nipple to minimize the damage to seals around the retrievable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Howard R. Mashaw, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4914961
    Abstract: Device for fastening a vibrating wire to a component of a meter. The device comprises a body having two prongs and two cylindrical, conical, prismatic or wedge-shaped retainers made of electrically insulating material. The retainers are in contact with the prongs on one side and, due to the clamping action of the prongs, hold the full width of the wire by friction on the other side, insulating it electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Wirth Gallo Messtechnik AG
    Inventor: Johannes Wirth
  • Patent number: 4910875
    Abstract: A longitude finder for locating the longitude on the earth of a defined location at which the user of the device is positioned. The device includes a reflective surface for viewing an image of one body in the solar system, such as the moon or a planet, while directly observing another body such as the north star. One specific form of the device is a mirror having side panels secured perpendicular to the mirror in parallel spaced relation to permit the user to directly view the north star above an image in the mirror of the moon or a defined planet. The other form of the device includes a sphere such as made of glass with side panels and handles for supporting this sphere whereby the first body in the solar system such as the north star is observed directly and a first reflection of the moon or a planet is seen in the outer surface of the sphere and a second reflection from the inner surface of the sphere while directly observing the north star in vertical alignment with the reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Robert Compton
  • Patent number: 4909967
    Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor assembly for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of troughs constructed with a series of removable distributor tube assemblies on opposite sides thereof. Each tube is constructed with a first generally U-shaped securing, or mounting channel affixed to the side of a distributor trough with a hole formed therethrough in flow communication with the lower region of the trough. An angulated distributor channel is constructed for slidable engagement with the U-shaped securing channel element. The sidewalls of the U-shaped channel are constructed for securing the sliding channel therein and forming a triangular flow conduit for receiving the discharge of fluid from the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Binkley, Paolo Martinenghi, Tullio Petrich
  • Patent number: 4907650
    Abstract: A wellhead for a polished rod pumping unit to provide emergency closure of the bore through the wellhead in the event of breakage of the polished rod. The valve assembly includes a flapper valve mounted on a swivel pin for movement between a vertical open position and a horizontal closed position across the wellhead bore. The flapper valve is spring biased toward the open position. A well pressure responsive cylinder and piston assembly is mounted on the side of the wellhead with an operating rod into the wellhead against the flapper valve to move the valve from the open position to a horizontal closed position. The piston is exposed to well pressure on the one side urging the piston outwardly to the valve open position and a spring engages the piston on the opposite side biasing the piston inwardly toward the valve closed position when well pressure is not sufficient to keep the spring compressed. One form of the wellhead includes a packing assembly for sealing around the polished rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Double E, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Heinonen
  • Patent number: 4907163
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool sysem from a PC type computer system of the kind using an 8088 microprocessor chip and 8-bit words. The system includes an inverter timing board which is inserted into the PC equipment for conditioning signals from the parallel port of the computer into signals having wave forms of selected time length comforting to the numerical control tape code which is acceptable by the numerical control equipment at the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Cook Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Greg Cook
  • Patent number: 4903414
    Abstract: A high pressure conditioning system apparatus and control network. A direct fired steam generator supplies a mixture of super-heated steam and oxygen-deficient non-condensable gases to a pressurized conditioner constructed for heating, mositurizing, and conditioning matter including cereals, grains, beans, full fat soybean, barley, and seeds for a selected period of time. The high pressure conditioner is adapted for homogeneous interaction of the direct fired steam, non-condensable gases and the matter to be conditioned. A pressurized resting chamber is used statically steam the conditioned matter. A myriad of chemical changes are advantageously induced by the utilization of high pressures, controlled time, temperature, direct fired steam, moisture content, and the homogeneous interaction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: VE Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Richard L. White, Richard H. Diven, James H. Bleke
  • Patent number: 4899508
    Abstract: A building system integrating the combination of aluminum and steel structural elements for the efficient assembly of stone and glass panels in a curtain wall system which is conspicuous for its lack of a grid appearance. A plurality of discrete steel clips are utilized for securing stone panels to supporting mullions. A plurality of aluminum members are secured to structural mullions whereby glass may be mounted thereto. The stone and glass panels are sealably secured adjacent one another while a glazing adapter is constructed for assembly over the structural mullions there behind. A splice facilitates mating engagement of the aluminum mullions to permit relative movement therebetween. In this manner, both steel and aluminum may be utilized most efficiently for the assembly of stone and glass panels in a curtain wall system with improved structural and aesthetic qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence Biebuyck
  • Patent number: 4896903
    Abstract: A segmented retainer gland assembly for holding pipe joints and the like together, including at least two gland segments in the shape of a circular arc forming together a circular gland for securing around a circular pipe, each of the segments having end flanges projecting substantially perpendicular to one side face of the gland segment, a clamping bracket having an inside face provided with a recess sized and shaped to receive the two end segment end flanges when adjacent ends of the gland segments are positioned together, each of the clamping brackets and gland segments having bolt holes and each of the clamping brackets having corresponding bolt holes which align with the bolt holes in the gland segments when the segments are positioned together, and bolts and nuts for securing the clamping brackets on the gland segments to hold the segments together at the end flanges to form a circular gland when the flanges are assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: EBAA Iron Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis D. Shumard
  • Patent number: 4890681
    Abstract: The power drive system of the present invention provides a rotary drive swivel unit which can be tilted along its horizontal pivotal axis until its output shaft is substantially horizontal. A drill pipe provided in a substantially horizontal bed adjacent to the drilling rig is aligned with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit and this joint is made up. The rotary drive swivel unit is raised and the suspended drill pipe reoriented to a vertical position and is aligned over the drill string and added thereto substantially at platform level. The power drive system turns the drill string and advances the drilling downhole. The rotary drive swivel unit disengages from the drill string and the foregoing steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Skelly
  • Patent number: 4886114
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve system for petroleum production wells including a solenoid operated valve securable in a well bore connected in electrically insulated relation with the lower end of a tubing string extending to the surface and a tubing string below the valve to a well packer and an electric circuit from a control system at the surface through the tubing string to the valve and back to the surface in the casing the tubing and casing serving as the electrical conductors for opening the valve and monitoring the valve position. The solenoid operated valve has an operator tube formed of tubular sections of different magnetic characteristics so that the valve is opened against a biasing spring by a high current flow and held open by a current flow of a lower value. The valve solenoid is operable by either AC or DC current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Donald H. Perkins, Thomas M. Deaton, Phillip S. Sizer
  • Patent number: 4878891
    Abstract: A method for externally eradicating infectious pathogenic contaminants, such as enveloped viruses, bacteria, trypanosomal and malarial parasites, present in body tissues, such as blood, blood components, semen, skin, and cornea, before the treated body tisues are introduced into, or transplanted onto, the body of a human or an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Baylor Research Foundation
    Inventors: Millard M. Judy, James L. Matthews, Joseph T. Newman, Franklin Sogandares-Bernal
  • Patent number: 4875420
    Abstract: A mobile hazardous waste treatment facility (10) is provided for transfer to a remote treatment site where it can be rapidly assembled and disassembled. A primary combustion chamber (20) is placed on a trailer and support section (74). A secondary combustion chamber (24) and a scrubber section (37) are also placed on trailers (119, 127 and 196). Each trailer (74, 119, 127 and 196) is provided with three sets of hydraulic jacks for leveling and lowering the appropriate piece of equipment to jack stands on a concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Infrared Waste Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Hay, Jeffrey P. Bleke
  • Patent number: 4872664
    Abstract: A treadmill having an endless belt mounted upon an underlying support surface for rotation thereover, the underlying support surface having a curable coating composition applied thereto to improve the performance and efficiency of the treadmill. The coating composition consists essentially of from about 30 to about 50 volume percent of a polymeric resin, from about 30 to about 60 volume percent of a wax compatible with the polymeric resin, and from about 2 to about 12 volume percent of a particulate constituent selected from the group consisting of metal and melamine. The coating composition can also include a fibrous mat disposed over the underlying support surface of the treadmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 4864480
    Abstract: The operating process is based on the existance and cooperation of at least six functional units (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70), whereby the functional units (65, 66, 67) have a monitoring and control function. Functional units (64, 68, 70) together form the pause and frequency control circuit. Functional unit (65) monitors demagnetization of the transformer (2), functional unit (66) controls the time-averaged output current and functional unit (67) controls the output voltage of the switching controller. Functional unit (64) forms the voltage time-integral of the input voltage and functional unit (68) determines the target value of this voltage time-integral according to the pause duration determined. The process can be extended to monitoring the input voltage for the overshooting of a maximum value by a functional unit (71) and for under-shooting of a minimum value by a functional unit (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Melcher, AG
    Inventor: Domenic Melcher
  • Patent number: D307084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Balt, Inc.
    Inventor: Wallace R. Currie