Patents Represented by Attorney Joseph S. Heino
  • Patent number: 8132742
    Abstract: A windshield wiper spray nozzle offset device includes an offset arm and an attachment device. The offset arm includes an offset leg extending from a clamping base. The attachment device is preferably a clamp plate and at least two fasteners. The at least two fasteners are preferably used to secure the clamping base and clamp plate to opposing sides of the wiper arm. However, other attachment devices may also be used, such as spring clips. The wiper arm may also be modified by making the offset arm as an integral portion of the wiper arm. A nozzle snap-on retainer and a hose snap-on retainer are removed from the wiper arm and snapped on to the offset leg. The offset position of the spray nozzle increases the spray area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel A. Lipinski
  • Patent number: 8096488
    Abstract: An improved showerhead provides a fluid diverter valve that allows quick connection and disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve includes a valve housing having a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A valve runner moves between a first position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the second outlet. The valve runner is moved from the first position to the second position substantially by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Mueller
  • Patent number: 8057121
    Abstract: A releasable connector assembly comprising a socket body 2 and a plug body 3. The socket body 2 has a set of channels 15 formed therein and the plug body 3 having a corresponding set of radial tabs 7 formed thereon, the channels 15 forming a keyway for the tabs 7 such that load bearing projections 5, 14 on the bodies are releasably engageable in the manner of a bayonet coupling. The assembly is characterised in that a set of locking pins are provided on the socket member that are extendable into the channels 15 so as, in use, to trap the tabs 7 in undercuts 15k of the channels 15, thereby preventing unintentional release of the plug 3 from the socket 2, and retractable from the channels 15 so as to enable release of the plug 3 from the socket 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Oil States Industries Limited
    Inventor: John Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8029340
    Abstract: A quick mount adapter and backing plate is provided for use with a surface care tool of conventional manufacture, the tool including a male or female drive spindle with or without an adapter interface. A surface care media is attached directly to the backing plate. The quick mount adapter is configured with an inner sleeve member and an outer sleeve member, the sleeve members being axially movable and spring-biased in relation to one another. A plurality of keeper balls is disposed between the sleeve members to selectively engage and disengage a circumferential groove that is disposed within a hub of the backing plate. The backing plate is configured to be attachable to the quick mount adapter, the quick mount adapter being attachable to the threaded portion of a drive spindle, and to the threaded portion of the drive spindle itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: D.C. Henning, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Henning, Gregg R. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 7998044
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an elliptical cross training machine comprises two like-configured attachments, each of with generally comprises a handle attachment bracket, a substantially horizontal stabilizer bar, a combined palm push pad/handle attachment bracket, a fixed handle, and a push palm pad. The fixed handle and the palm pad are fully and rotatably movable around and about the stabilizer bar. Each is also longitudinally movable along the stabilizer bar to provide inward and outward movement of the fixed handle and the push palm pad relative to the original handle positions of the elliptical cross trainer to which they are attached. The accessory device allows the user to have a combined platform to push from, in a form that is similar to doing a push up from the floor, as well as a fixed point handle that presents to the user at a more natural shoulder angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Kim Long
  • Patent number: 7979318
    Abstract: A method, system and software product allows the seller of products or services to offer variable pricing while still basing that pricing on the quantity selected by a buyer. It also provides the seller with the ability to adjust the per unit price of any given product or service along a calculated adjustment curve that would exist between price breaks. Two values need to be stored for each plot point on the adjustment curve, the “quantity percentile” and the “price percentile.” To calculate the quantity percentile, the seller determines the difference in quantities between the start price break and the end price break for the specific adjustment curve that is being plotted. The “price percentile” represents the amount of the difference between the start and end price break that will be used to discount the start price breaks price at the quantity level that was calculated in the quantity percentile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: 4Imprint, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Morton, Kevin Lyons-Tarr
  • Patent number: 7891739
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back that provides a high degree of support and adjustability such that it can be used with wheelchairs that originate from a wide variety of different manufacturers. In order to provide this custom fit, the present invention provide for depth adjustability, height adjustability and angle adjustability of a wheelchair back. The present invention also provides the convenience of a quick-release wheelchair back so that the wheelchair occupant can easily remove the back of the wheelchair from the canes so that the wheelchair can be collapsed and stored. The present mounting system also provides a two point mounting system that is reliable yet simple to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Comfort Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cramer
  • Patent number: 7866613
    Abstract: The claimed invention provides an apparatus and system for mounting a wheelchair arm pad to a wheelchair that provides a high degree of support and adjustability such that it can be used with wheelchairs from a wide variety of different manufacturers. In order to provide this custom fit, the claimed invention provides for a single point mounting system having elevation, articulation, depth, and width adjustability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Comfort Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cramer
  • Patent number: 7861497
    Abstract: A box wrapping assembly and method incorporates a framework having a special top hold-down platen that functions with a cooperating fixture that is affixed to a rotatable turntable. Using this assembly and method, the operator can place four sidewall panels in a self-positioning fixture and panel-capturing platen prior to wrapping. Stretch film is connected to the fixture by a hook device and the stretch film is automatically pre-stretched to a rope of stretched film for particular application where the box contents are intended to be contained within the box under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Packaging Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Lardinois
  • Patent number: 7836807
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a vertical band saw frame assembly having a support column having a top and a bottom, the support column having a lower band wheel attached thereto. The band saw frame further provides for a tilt plate having a plurality of apertures attached to the top of the support column and a mounting plate. The tilt plate provides a mounting platform for the upper band wheel, blade tensioning assembly, blade guide, and blade break sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the tilt plate is attachable to the mounting plate in two positions, a first position in vertical alignment with the lower band wheel and a second position in which the upper band wheel further from the support column and at an angle to the first position to create a canted cutting blade angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Marvel Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Jourdan
  • Patent number: 7832382
    Abstract: A strap-like support includes means for removably affixing chemical heating elements to one side of the support and means for removably securing the ends of the support whereby the support can be removably attached to the fuel filter of a diesel engine. Alternatively, the strap-like support component is configured to wrap around a fuel line, fuel pipe, or other conduit. Alternatively, the heating device is devised of a sheet-like support component having means for removably affixing one or more chemical heating elements to one side of the support component and means for removably securing the edges of the support component to a surface whereby the component can be removably attached to the oil pan or fuel tank of an engine or with a self-contained, individual meal product of conventional manufacture. The heating device is temporarily attached to the meal product container to heat the food contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Mark D. Poje
  • Patent number: 7819340
    Abstract: A spray nozzle (10) has a nozzle body (20) with an inlet (24) and an outlet (26). The inlet (24) is attachable to a hose (2). The outlet (26) is configured to receive a chemically-containing cartridge (70). A forwardly-disposed trigger (30) is finger-actuated and operates the valve (52) of a first valve assembly (50) to control water flow through the nozzle (10). An inlet conduit (56) connects the first valve assembly (50) to a second valve assembly (60). The second valve assembly (60) is thumb-actuated by a toggle (40) to pass water through the nozzle (10) as clean water supplied to the nozzle (10) via the hose (2) or through the nozzle (10) as chemical-added water that is created by a venturi-induced assembly (80) contained within the cartridge (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7685966
    Abstract: A lidded pet food dish uses wireless technology to independently and selectively open one of a plurality of lidded food compartments for access by a pet. The dish discriminates between pets by means of a tag worn by each pet to allow or prevent access to a given food compartment. Electronic circuitry for this functionality is operable by any wireless technology and provides for manual system override by the pet owner as well as remote control capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Heidi L. Goehring
  • Patent number: 7683235
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly includes a housing having a face and an aperture that allows adhesive bandage carrier to pass through it. The adhesive bandage carrier comprises a longitudinally-extending carrier strip having a plurality of longitudinally-disposed adhesive bandages removably secured to an underlying carrier strip. The bandages are located at pre-determined and equally-spaced intervals along the strip. At the same intervals, the strip includes a plurality of apertures. A first edge of the bandage overlays a portion of an aperture such that the first edge can be easily grasped when the bandage is dispensed. The dispenser assembly also includes a number of rotational elements that serve as either “feed” mechanisms for delivering a roll of adhesive bandage carrier from within the container or “take-up” mechanisms for accumulating protective material that overlays the bandage carrier. Different embodiments of the assembly afford mechanical and electrical actuation of the dispensing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: John W. Wendorf
  • Patent number: 7661438
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 7661683
    Abstract: An apparatus for draining and transporting large diameter hoses includes a frame that is movable by virtue of a pair of wheels. The center of gravity of the frame, and of the frame and a coiled hose situated on it, is located directly above the wheels. The frame includes a front toe for facilitating the rolling of a coiled segment of hose up and onto the frame. The frame includes horizontally disposed rollers that facilitate removal of the coil from the frame. The frame also includes a guide bar to assist in maintaining the coil in an upright position during transport. An attachment is removably secured to the frame to allow a portion of the hose to drape over an attachment roller to extract water from the hose and to allow a power-driven winding rod to wind the hose into a coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Roll N Rack LLC
    Inventor: Javier Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7658079
    Abstract: The present invention related to cooling systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for cooling one or more parts of a building and or processes comprising a compressor, a condenser having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of condenser cooling fans, a receiver, a liquid refrigerant pump, an expansion device, an evaporator, the evaporator being surrounded by a chiller barrel having a cooled water return and a chilled water supply line, and refrigerant line means interconnecting the compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator in series, in a closed loop for circulating refrigerant therethrough; means for switching the cooling system between free cooling and mechanical cooling and means for actively floating the head pressure in both mechanical and free cooling modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: Peter F. Bailey, Walter C. Joncas, Gregory W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7654549
    Abstract: An improved semi-recumbent bicycle seat includes a frame having a main seat support tube and a steering mechanism including a front tire support fork. Front and rear wheels are mounted on the front tire support fork and on the frame. A bicycle seat is mounted above and forwards of the rear wheel, the bicycle seat including a bicycle seat frame, a seat base and a seat cushion. A seat back is adjustably mounted on the bicycle seat frame for adjustment of the height and spacing of the seat back relative to the seat base, and the seat cushion includes a generally flat planar front face and a forwardly tilted top surface which is tilted from horizontal between two and thirty degrees (2° and 30°). The bicycle seat frame is adjustably mounted on the main seat support tube free of any other support connection to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Day 6 Bicycles, LLC
    Inventor: Kelly Hutson
  • Patent number: 7647893
    Abstract: A corrugated cardboard assembly having a plurality of adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard arranged in a layered fashion to form a corrugated block. The adjacent sheets are not attached to one another using any adhesive. Instead, the block formed by the layered, adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard is enveloped by a wrap-around carton that maintains the adjacent positioning of the sheets. The sheets, individually and collectively, include at least one opposing straight, narrow cut, opening, aperture, or “slit,” that is defined within them. The wrap-around carton includes interlocking portions of the carton in combination with a longitudinally extending slot that is formed by the slits that are defined within each of the adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard. In this fashion, the block formed by the adjacent sheets is maintained without the use of extra glue or adhesive to maintain the structural integrity of the block of adjacent sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Great Lakes Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Kraus
  • Patent number: D637914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Schoeneck Containers, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Schoeneck, Ernie G. Macke