Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Julian C. Renfro, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6192623
    Abstract: A plant feeder for supplying nutrition to a plant over a prolonged period of time by the use of slow release fertilizer pellets that require substantially constant moisture for continual release of nutrients, which plant is growing in soil in a container in which container a demarcation line may exist between soil that is acceptably moist to the fertilizer pellets, and soil that is unacceptably dry, which line of demarcation may move up or down the container as a result of the ever-changing amount of water present therein. The present novel feeder comprises a generally cylindrical casing having an apertured upper end, and a somewhat pointed lower end to simplify insertion among the roots of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Darroll W. Higginbotham
  • Patent number: 6189257
    Abstract: A fishhook adapted to be used in a clustered arrangement, with each hook of the cluster mounted for pivotal movement so as to be able to minify the chance of entanglement with weeds or trash. The novel fishhook array made possible in accordance with this invention also enables a highly advantageous weathervaning characteristics of each individually attached hook/lure entity, such that each is maintained in a natural horizontal attitude. Each hook has an upper shank portion extending at an angle downwardly from the eye of the hook, with the upper shank portion forming a forwardly curved shoulder portion with the integral lure-receiving lower shank portion. This curved forward shoulder portion forms an acute angle, such that the lower shank portion is able to reside in a generally horizontal position when the hook is suspended from the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6182662
    Abstract: A support device for rapid attachment to a structural component of a bed, stretcher, gurney or the like, for supporting a device on behalf of a patient. This device comprises first and second clamping jaws operatively associated with an elongate rod, with each of the jaws having at least one active surface. A manually operable component is utilized for bringing about movement along the elongate rod of one of the jaws relative to the other jaw, with the manually operable component enabling the active surfaces of the first and second jaws to converge in a generally aligned manner. The active surfaces of the jaws are placable on either side of a structural component of a bed, stretcher, gurney or the like, with continued operation of the manually operable component causing the active jaw surfaces to bear closely against and thereafter tightly grasp the structural component and thus form a sturdy mounting for the elongate rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chad J. McGhee
  • Patent number: 6173975
    Abstract: A mounting plate (20, 120) for a linear skate upon which a plurality of wheel supporting brackets (22, 24, 26 and 28) are affixed in an equally spaced, generally aligned relationship. A wheel-receiving axle (32, 34, 36 and 38) is secured in each bracket, with each axle intended to receive thereon a closely fitting skate wheel (12, 14, 16 and 18). Each axle has a novel, expansion-producing arrangement (52, 62) enabling the outer end of the axle to be enlarged so as to tightly engage the non-rotatable inner portion (80) of a respective skate wheel. Each wheel is thus retained on its respective axle in a fully operational manner, without fear of the wheel coming off the end of the axle. The mounting plate has raised shoulders (84 and 86; 126 and 128) along each long side, serving not only to prevent undesired bending or twisting, but also serving to prevent the several wheel-supporting brackets from twisting out of a desired relationship to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Ernest E. Brandner
  • Patent number: 6170190
    Abstract: An artificial fishing lure of resilient, flexible material created in an initially curved configuration, which lure, when attached to a line and pulled through the water, essentially duplicates the swimming motion of an eel, snake, or lizard. This novel lure has a body portion and a flexible, elongate, relatively thin dorsal fin integral with the body portion and extending longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the body portion. One embodiment of my novel lure has a body portion of alternating large and relatively small sections, with each of the relatively small sections having major and minor dimensions, and with the major dimension of each of the relatively small sections being perpendicular to the plane of the relatively thin fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Scott R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6116740
    Abstract: A window for utilization in the receiving of intelligence from a modulated beam of collimated light, with the window being configured to restrict the field of view of the optical system used therewith, and employing the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Such a window may be used to reject the entry of unwanted radiation, such as noise, and comprises first and second generally triangularly shaped wedges of optical material. The entry face of the first wedge is generally perpendicular to a base plane, and its rear face is disposed at an acute angle to the entry face. The entry face of the second wedge is disposed at the same angle to the base plane as the rear face of the first wedge, and the two wedges are separated by a small air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin
    Inventors: Max Amon, Clifford J. Luty
  • Patent number: 6112417
    Abstract: A hand operated trimmer for trimming an edge of vinyl, carpet or the like being installed on a floor so that the cut edge of the floor covering will lie closely against an adjacent wall. The trimmer comprises an elongate base member and an integral cutting blade. The base member has a generally triangularly shaped cross section, with two of the elongate external surfaces of the base member meeting at a right angle, and the elongate external surface opposite the right angle being a concave surface. The cutting blade is mounted closely adjacent the concave surface and in a substantially perpendicular relationship thereto. Pressure applying rollers are spaced a slight distance from the concave surface so as to define a vinyl-receiving entry location for a vinyl sheet to pass in a longitudinal direction along the concave surface, with the pressure applying rollers serving to keep the vinyl sheet in close contact with the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Michael L. Hyer, Raymond E. Hyer
  • Patent number: 6089493
    Abstract: A mobile wire wrapping machine adapted for wrapping wire under tension around a stationary, generally circular object of large size during substantially continuous travel of the machine around such object. This machine contains a supply of wire utilized in conjunction with a wire tensioning assembly through which the wire passes, with the wire tensioning assembly serving to create a substantial amount of tension in the wire as it passes therethrough, to thereafter be wrapped around the large object. My novel machine utilizes a tension indicating device, which advantageously involves a weight mounted for motion in a direction such that its position is influenced by gravity. The position of the movably mounted weight serves as a reflection of the amount of tension in the wire, and movement of the weight during operation of the machine, provides a conspicuous indication, on a substantially continuous basis, of any changes in tension in the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Richard G. Moore
  • Patent number: 6006467
    Abstract: A fishhook mounted for pivotal movement so as to be able to avoid entanglement with weeds or trash, this novel hook having an eye where a fishline may be attached and an upper shank portion extending at an angle downwardly from the eye. The hook also has a lower lure-receiving shank portion integral with the upper shank portion, with the upper and lower shank portions meeting in a curved shoulder portion forming an acute angle. This construction enables the lower shank portion to reside in a generally horizontal position when a lure has been inserted upon the lower shank portion with the head of the lure residing close to the curved shoulder portion and the hook is suspended from the eye. The end of the lower shank portion remote from the shoulder portion is provided with an upturned portion terminating in a point having a barb thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Donald E. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5975542
    Abstract: A wheel-supporting hanger for utilization on the frame of a roller skate, this hanger having an upper mounting portion as well as front and back portions. A central cavity is defined in the front portion of the hanger, in which an axle-receiving member is operatively mounted in a cantilever manner. A wheel-supporting axle protrudes outwardly in a cantilever manner from the axle-receiving member, with a screw utilized on the outer end of the axle for retaining a skate wheel in an operative manner on the axle. A structural member is located in an upper part of the cavity, defining a substantially flat undersurface in a relatively closely spaced relationship to the axle-receiving member. The cantileverly mounted axle-receiving member, because of the mounting of the axle therein, is permitted to flex upwardly as well as to move laterally to a controlled extent should the wheel mounted on the axle encounter an obstacle or obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: V-Line Skate, Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Mark V. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 5947437
    Abstract: A mounting corner usable with several other like mounting corners for the mounting of photographs, posters, drawings and the like on a mounting surface, this mounting corner being constructed from relatively thick, rigid material, and having substantially flat, triangularly-shaped front and rear surfaces. Two edge portions of the front and rear triangularly-shaped surfaces meet at a right angle, whereas the hypotenuse edge of each mounting corner is slotted to receive the respective corner of a photograph, poster, drawing or the like. Securing means selected from a variety of different types is utilized upon the rear surface of each mounting corner, thus enabling our mounting corner to be attached to a mounting surface of ferric metal, as well as upon surfaces such as wood, felt-board, cork, ceramic and the like, depending upon the particular securing means utilized in a given instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph L. Tate, Helen B. Tate
  • Patent number: 5934504
    Abstract: A device utilized in conjunction with an automatic nail gun for dispensing preformed tabs from a roll to a location adjacent where nailing is to take place, this device comprising a housing having an upper portion, front and back portions, and a lower member. The lower member is adapted to be brought into close proximity with a surface upon which nailing is to take place. The housing also has components for removably securing the housing in an operative relationship adjacent the automatic nail gun. An inner chamber is defined in a mid portion of the housing, in which chamber a roll of preformed tabs is contained, with an opening being provided through which the end of the roll of tabs is to move under the portion of the adjacent nail gun at which nailing is to take place. An actuating lever is rotatably mounted on the housing and is operably connected with a tab advancement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: David W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5899511
    Abstract: An elongate ball-retrieving device adapted for being connected in an end-to-end relationship with the handle end of a golf club, such that the golf club, when moved into a substantially aligned relationship with the elongate device, can advantageously serve to increase the effective length of the ball-retrieving device. One end of the elongate device is equipped with a cup usable for retrieving a golf ball lodged in a relatively inaccessible location, with the end of the elongate device opposite the cup having an upwardly-opening handle-receiving chamber bounded by a closely spaced pair of inwardly biased, handle-contacting fingers. These fingers are of resilient construction, with the spacing between the pair of fingers being less than the width of the handle to be received therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Regis C. Dinatale
  • Patent number: 5884490
    Abstract: A support arrangement for supporting a flexible, water-containing mold of intricate configuration in a tank having supporting sides and containing a chilled liquid, such that an item of crystal clear ice can be created in the flexible mold. The flexible mold has an upper, support portion and a lower, principal portion, and also has interior surfaces possessing a distinctive degree of roughness. The support arrangement involves elongate support means for operatively engaging the upper portion of the mold, with the elongate support means being of a length sufficient to span between the supporting sides of the tank such that the mold can be supported with a selected extent of the principal portion of the mold immersed below the surface of the chilled liquid. Circulation of the water in the mold is brought about so that the interior sides of the mold will be swept, thus preventing the formation of cloudy ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: William L. Whidden
  • Patent number: 5881396
    Abstract: A toilet cleaner controller device for use in a toilet having a tank equipped with a fill device functioning after a flush to refill the tank with water to a selected level, with this toilet cleaner controller device having therein a reservoir adapted to receive a cleansing chemical able to be dissolved in water. The reservoir has an inlet connection enabling it to be connected to receive water from the water-supplying pipe of the fill device of the toilet tank during the procedure in which the toilet tank is being refilled after a flush. In this way a concentrated cleansing solution will be maintained in the reservoir. A valve is operably installed in the controller device, connected to receive concentrated solution from the reservoir. The valve has an outlet port, with the valve enabling the flow of concentrated solution from the outlet port to the toilet to be readily controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Moises Ramos Rivera
  • Patent number: D408435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Randy Rice Gettings
  • Patent number: D409648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Randy Rice Gettings
  • Patent number: D415785
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Randy Rice Gettings
  • Patent number: D432175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: John B. Finkay
  • Patent number: D433727
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Classic Fishing Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Louie W. Gibbs