Patents Represented by Attorney Karen M. Gerken
  • Patent number: 4773115
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing obstructions from pipelines, such as sewers, comprises support means, motor means carried by the support means, cutter means adapted to be operated by the motor means, and means for locking the support means in a pipe, adjacent an obstruction whereby the apparatus may be locked in a predetermined position, and the motor means operated to drive the cutter means and remove the obstruction. The motor means may comprise an hydraulic motor. The cutter means may be a rotary saw. The means for locking the support means in position may comprise at least one hydraulic jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Systems Canada Limited
    Inventor: Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4759455
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure characterized by a closure member and a lid member which is mounted on the closure member for movement between closed and open positions. A peripheral edge of the lid member abuts an annular shoulder provided on the closure member in the closed position, the point of abutment being concealed by an annular ring provided on the closure member. In the closed position, thickened portions provided on the peripheral edge of the lid member engage in recesses formed in the annular shoulder. The lid member is adapted to be moved upwardly from the closed to an open position when a user applies with one hand a manual compressive force to a panel provided on the exterior skirt of the closure member. This manual force results in deformation of the panel inwardly into a slot formed clearly through an enlarged portion of the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Woodrow S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4756083
    Abstract: A combination slicing and storing device for food products in block form wherein the food product is caused to descend by gravity within a tubular member mounted on a base such that a portion of the food product projects through an opening in the base and is supported on a recessed food support provided on a slice holder plate. The slice holder plate is operatively associated with a trigger member mounted on the base, being adapted for sliding movement with respect to the base upon manual actuation of the trigger member by a user of the device. Actuation of the trigger member causes a cutting member on the slice holder plate to be drawn through the projecting portion of food so as to create a slice of food product of uniform thickness. The slice is allowed to fall away from the device and onto a serving dish or plate by virtue of the fact that the food support has moved out of position beneath the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Modesto C. Alonso
  • Patent number: 4756451
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure of the type having a cap and a spout mounted thereon for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The upper surface of the cap is provided with a pattern of ribs. The upper surface of the spout is provided with a plurality of ribs, each of which has a distinct energy plane. All but one of the energy planes fails to allow sufficient purchase on their respective ribs and fails to produce the proper force vector required in order to initiate rotation of the spout when a manual force is applied to the latter energy planes. Only one of the energy planes is adapted so as to allow sufficient purchase and to produce the proper force vector required in order to initiate rotation of the spout when a manual force is applied to said one plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Woodrow S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4748785
    Abstract: A resilient support member for reinforcing steel having first and second legs separated by an open cavity and being normally axially aligned in the inoperative position of the support member. The support member is adapted to assume an operative position by deforming the legs inwardly toward each other around a reinforcing steel bar such that one of said legs is perpendicular to the other and with the reinforcing bar being disposed within the cavity which, in the operative position, is substantially closed around the bar. The support member may be secured in this operative position with the outer ends of the legs abutting the inner surface of the walls of a concrete form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Charles F. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4723928
    Abstract: An outboard engine bracing system for utilization on a boat hull having a transom. The outboard engine bracing system comprises an outboard extension formed integral with the boat hull and being located above the actual transom of the hull and extending rearwardly beyond the transom. A plurality of brackets are interposed between the transom and the outboard extension, being formed integral with the transom and the outboard extension. The outboard engine bracing system is adapted to have mounted thereon a conventional outboard motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Donzi Marine
    Inventor: William D. Riley
  • Patent number: 4721627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for refining foodstuffs, and to plant for the implementation of such a process. The basic process is one in which foodstuff is fed into a depressurized environment and refined therein, whereupon the refined end-product, and any waste matter separated during the process, are both drawn off. Plant for the purpose substantially comprises an environment in which a vacuum is created and maintained, such as will house conventional types of machinery which refine the foodstuff, separate any waste matter, and collect the end-product which is then drawn off by a pump. Such a process and plant serve in particular for extracting juice and puree from fruit, vegetable, and market garden produce in general, as well as for reducing meat of all kinds to a paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Rossi & Catelli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Camillo Catelli
  • Patent number: 4718567
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure of the type comprising a cap base member and a cap lid member. The cap base member is provided with a dispensing opening, a slot, and a cap locking bead adapted to engage a container locking bead provided on the neck of a container. The container locking bead is provided with an interruption which is adapted to be brought into and out of alignment with the slot by manually rotating the cap base member with respect to the neck. The cap lid member is provided with a locking prong adapted to be received within the slot when the cap lid member assumes a closed position wherein it closes off the dispensing opening. The locking prong, when the cap lid member is in the closed position, is adapted to be engaged beneath the continuous portion of the container locking bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Donald La Vange
  • Patent number: 4712673
    Abstract: A combination food carrier and amusement device comprising first and second panels having a removable bag member and a book secured to the inner surfaces thereof. The first and second panels are provided with removable handle portions which enable the device to transport food items retained in a bag member. The bag member and the handle portions are disposable so that the device remains as a unique amusement device and book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Moore
  • Patent number: 4706769
    Abstract: There is disclosed a conversion unit for attachment to an all terrain vehicle to convert it into a track laying vehicle. A subframe is attached to the rear of the track laying vehicle, and two idler wheels are mounted on the subframe. Spring strut means extend downwardly from an upper portion of the vehicle to the subframe and bias the latter downwardly. The unit is quickly and easily attached to an all terrain vehicle and as easily removed. It is possible to improve the luggage carrying capacity of the all terrain vehicle and to improve its safety. No special tools are required for installation or dismounting of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventors: Guy Latourelle, Jean-Claude Gauthier
  • Patent number: 4656968
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the distribution of fish food wherein pumpable foodstuff enters a rotor chamber and is conducted by rotary wheels to a pressure area and then to an outlet where the foodstuff is cut into pieces having a partially flattened out shape for distribution to the feeding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Anders Losen
  • Patent number: 4653151
    Abstract: The machine comprises, inside a frame, a tray, a driving cylinder, a stripping plate, and a comb. According to the invention, the frame supports a geared motor unit permanently coupled to a driving pinion which is accessible at least by its upper front part for engagement with a driven pinion secured to the cylinder and which is mounted idle on one of the two side-plates rigidly braced to constitute the frame, each side-plate defining, on the one hand, a groove with a blind end for mounting the comb and, on the other hand, a U-shaped housing, open at the top and on the side, to receive a bearing provided on an end trunnion of the cylinder, the stripping plate having, opposite the housings of the two side-plates, two projecting stop pins which, when instant fastening means secure said plate to the frame, ensure positioning of the plate, locking of the cylinder bearings, meshing of the driven pinion with the driving pinion and engagement of the teeth of the comb in the grooves of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Louis J. Berdou
  • Patent number: 4651372
    Abstract: A plastics comb comprising a center wall and cell walls with normal height at both sides of the center wall is made-up of seveal parts. An injection-moulded center wall and injection moulded cell walls, which are produced separately are connected with each other. The diameter of the cell chamber at the bottom of the cell is larger than that of the cell opening. For breeding queens corresponding combs are provided with a center wall and with cell walls at one side thereof, which are removable from the center wall. The individual cells have cell bottoms, which are entirely or partly exchangeable, for example, as a locking element separate from the cell bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Matthias Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4644726
    Abstract: A steel placement assembly comprising a plurality of steel placement lock members which mate to form circular cavities for supporting and retaining steel reinforcing bars along their transverse length and intermediate their ends in a concrete structural member. Mated pairs of vertically and horizontally oriented steel placement lock members cooperate with vertically and horizontally oriented adjacent mated pairs and with spacer members to form structural members of diverse size. The steel placement lock members are provided with extensions which positively maintain the reinforcing steel a sufficient distance inside the face of the concrete. Steel end lock members provided over the ends of the reinforcing bars prevent lateral movement of the bars toward the concrete face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Charles F. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4625898
    Abstract: An integrally molded, unitary, plastic dispensing closure comprising a body, a lid, and a "living" hinge that joins the lid to the body. Cams and cooperating wall surfaces in the vicinity of the hinge provide forces that temporarily deform the hinge, within its plastic limits, and facilitate the movement of the lid to either an opened, or a closed, position. In one embodiment, recesses are formed at the rear of the closure body to accommodate the cams when the closure is in its closed position. In another embodiment, recesses are formed in the skirt of the lid to accept upwardly extending posts, and a cavity is defined in the upper surface of the closure body to accept cams, or lugs, depending below the lid. An efficient, aesthetically pleasing, low profile dispensing closure is achieved in each instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Hazard
  • Patent number: 4625487
    Abstract: A body support for immobile persons comprising a series of parallel, elongate resilient cushions, with adjacent cushions tilted in opposite directions to vary the areas of support provided to a person thereon to prevent development of bed sores and other related problems. The tilting cushions, in moving in alternate directions, in addition to shifting lift from one cushion edge to the other, reciprocatively approach and move away from their neighbours in a movement which provides a massaging effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Francis John Boundy
    Inventor: Richard S. Blakeway
  • Patent number: 4622494
    Abstract: An auxiliary signalling and warning device for utilization on vehicles which make wide turns comprising a main body section that is at least partially reflectorized and a light lens member that is adapted to be secured to the main body section so as to form an enclosure. The light lens member is provided with a written message indicating that the vehicle negotiates wide turns. Light bulb retaining means is provided in the main body section for receiving and retaining light bulbs. Electrical connections from the light bulbs are adapted to interact with the existing vehicle directional turn signal lights. The enclosure is adapted for mounting to the rear of the vehicle so as to provide a highly visible flashing warning to following traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Robert M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4616891
    Abstract: The storage cabinet comprises a plurality of superposed storage compartments pivoting about horizontal axes to pass from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa.Each compartment is in the shape of a trough with a bottom part constituted by a portion of cylinder and two lateral end walls.Each trough is provided at its rear part with a tongue piece which extends inwardly substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall of the trough and ensures, in the trough closed position, a continuity with the bottom wall of the lower adjacent trough, so that in the closed position, each trough is entirely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Eric Jantzen
  • Patent number: 4602422
    Abstract: A flash compression process for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells wherein a powder of photovoltaic material is compressed under high pressure between upper and lower compression members and is simultaneously melted in place by means of an electric discharge supplied through the compression members. The photovoltaic material is subjected to a controlled solidification process by which impurities are confined to one side of the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell may be formed directly on a substrate and may be surface doped during the formation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Inventor: Khanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 4591125
    Abstract: A picture hanging device comprising a male member adapted to be rigidly secured to the back of a picture frame or other like object and a female member adapted to be rigidly secured to a wall or other vertical support surface. The male member includes an upper fastening flange and a resilient lower tongue normally lying in the same vertical plane. The fastening flange is provided with a fixed or movable spacing portion which protrudes beyond the fastening flange and the tongue. The female member comprises an upper guiding portion and a lower slot. The guiding portion guides the tongue into the slot and contacts the spacing portion when the tongue is fully inserted within the slot. A portion of the tongue remains exposed above the slot when fully inserted therein such that the exposed portion is deflected outwardly so as to urge the lower edge of the frame toward the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Lucien J. Bellehumeur