Patents Represented by Attorney Ken C. Decker
  • Patent number: 6568239
    Abstract: Shot peening coverage is confirmed by mounting a test strip having surface irregularities of graduated depth on a surface of a component undergoing peening for which peening coverage is to be confirmed. The component, with the test strip attached thereto, is exposed to the shot stream under production conditions. The strip, which is selected according to a procedure described herein such that some, but not all, of the surface irregularities are removed when proper peening coverage is attained, is then removed and examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Jack Champaigne
  • Patent number: 6502449
    Abstract: A holder for mounting a test strip for measuring the intensity of shot peening in internal cavities includes a receptacle receiving any of multiple inserts configured to form a segment of an internal cavity of a component to be peened. The test strip defines the remainder of the cavity. The shot stream to be measured is introduce into the cavity, after which the test strip is removed and measured in the conventional manner. Accordingly, the intensity of peening in internal cavities may be measured with relative accuracy. By providing multiple inserts, intensity of peening in cavities of varying sizes may be measured by simply changing the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Baiker AG
    Inventor: Erwin Baiker
  • Patent number: 6471064
    Abstract: The device of this invention is a combination key ring, pill box and light which includes a case containing a compartment for medicine and a compartment for a light and battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: John B. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6397978
    Abstract: A hand brake for a rail car which is adapted to be connected to the actuator which forms a part of the brake system of the car. A chain wheel about which the actuator chain is wrapped is rotated through a hydraulic cylinder causing the chain to actuate the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: John M. Jackson, Robert G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6382575
    Abstract: An instrument bracket, primarily for holding medical instrumentation, having a clip part which is mountable to a plate and a holder part. The plate may form a part of a sterilization tray or similar container. The clip part is of an inverted U-shaped configuration having spaced upwardly projecting legs. The clip part fits about the holder part which is flexible and shape retaining and which includes a recess to accommodate the instrumentation. The clip part compresses and retains the holder part and is secured to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Paragon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Frush, Thomas J. Bussell
  • Patent number: 6357566
    Abstract: A carry-on case having a base and a connected lid. A handle is pivotally carried by the lid and is shiftable between a lowered position overlying the lid and a raised position extending upwardly from the lid. The handle is extendable between a collapsed position in which the grip of the handle is next to the lid and an extended position in which the grip is substantially spaced from the lid. Wheels are carried by the base. The handle includes releasable lock pins which extend upwardly and downwardly from a cross brace forming a part of the handle and which serve to secure the handle in either of its extended or collapsed positions. When the handle is in its collapsed position, the upwardly extending lock pins are enclosed by the handle leaving the lower extending lock pins available to release the handle for its extendable movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Porter Case, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Pond
  • Patent number: 6354534
    Abstract: A recoiler/uncoiler for use in a line processing sheet material includes a segmented drum that is expandable from a contracted position to an expanded position. To enable the drum to accommodate coils of sheet material having different internal diameters, a sleeve consisting of sleeve segments which match the segments of the drum is installed on the drum and is expandable and contractible therewith. A cradle moved by a coil cart is transportable to a position circumscribing the sleeve. The cradle includes magnets which hold the sleeve in the expanded position after the sleeve is disengaged from the drum, to thereby permit removal of the sleeve. When the sleeve is reinstalled on the drum, the cradle transports the sleeve to its position circumscribing the drum, the drum is then expanded, and the sleeve is secured to the drum, whereupon the cradle is transported away from the drum and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Braner USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Matsunagana, Esteban Lopez
  • Patent number: 6289713
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a gage for measuring shot blast intensity having an indication mounted on a platform adjusts the calibration of the indicator to compensate for variations of positioning of the Almen test strip supports on the platform. After verifying that the test strip supports are within tolerance by use of “go-no go” gages, the indicator is mounted on the support and calibrated by using a notch calibration block to first set the zero datum of the indicator and then to make a calibration reading of the depth of the notch. If the reading is within specifications, the notched calibration block is removed, and a calibration block having a curved surface simulating the curvature of an Almen strip to be measured by the Almen gage and having a known maximum deflection is installed on the gage and the indicator used to measure the deflection. If the measured deflection is within tolerance limits of the known actual deflection, the indicator is recalibrated to read the actual deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Electronics Incorporated
    Inventor: Jack M. Champaigne
  • Patent number: 6250211
    Abstract: A barbecue mechanism according to the present invention includes a lower casing member enclosing the heating medium for the cooking process. A gear driven spit arm is located above the cooking area, and is movable from a rearward position over the cooking area outwardly by way of linkage arms, to a position proximate outer side of the lower casing member. In this manner, food to be cooked can be loaded on the spit arm for the cooking process. A multi-part cover is also included, which includes a fixed portion mounted to the lower casing member, and a pivotable portion which pivots relative to the fixed portion and defines an opening into which the spit arm rotates when it is in its fully forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nelgo Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy W. Gongwer
  • Patent number: 6135539
    Abstract: A towable recreational vehicle includes main living quarters having solid side and end walls with panels pivotably mounted on each of the end walls supported by removable light weight support rods engaging sockets on the end walls and on the vehicle frame. A flexible fabric enclosure is supported on a frame carried by the panels which includes a removable component which may be snapped out of a socket in the main living quarters and stored when the panels are folded to the closed position. A mattress includes portions supported on the panel and on a shelf within the unit, the portion on the shelf being flipped over to rest on the panel and secured in place before the panel is closed against the unit. Accordingly, auxiliary living space is provided by unfolding the panels from the main living quarters, but the panels may be easily closed when the unit is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: R-Vision
    Inventors: Dennis L. Bailey, William J. Devos
  • Patent number: 5439275
    Abstract: A signal generator for generating an electrical signal which varies in accordance with movement of an actuating member includes a plunger slidable mounted within a housing which carries a pair of permanent magnets for generating a magnetic field to be applied to a hall effect generator. As the plunger is moved relative to the hall effect generator, the magnets are also moved relative to the hall effect generator, thereby varying the magnetic field applied thereto. Accordingly, a variable output signal is generated as a function of the position of the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Santo A. Padula, Duane R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5435346
    Abstract: A device for treating and conditioning engine coolant for use with an internal combustion engine includes a housing having an inlet and outlet and a filtering media and container carrying coolant treatment material located within the housing. Coolant passes through the filter, and then is exposed to the tip of a rod which erodes away to permit treatment material to be discharged in the coolant. As the corrosiveness of the coolant decreases, erosion of the rod is discontinued, so that additional treatment material is no longer discharged into the coolant. Accordingly, the corrosiveness of the coolant is controlled to within relatively narrow limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: John Tregidgo, Francis J. Regina, Arthur T. Walsh, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Thirumalai G. Palanisamy, Gordon W. Jones, Gilbert C. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5415133
    Abstract: A room heating hot water boiler is disclosed in which a plurality of longitudinal rectangular hexahedral water tank groups and a plurality of lateral hexahedral water tanks are disposed in four steps above a combustion chamber in such a manner as to communicate with each other, and guide projections are formed so that an exhaustion gas discharge conduit should be provided in a zig-zag form. Consequently, the heat transfer area is increased, and convection occurs through small and large paths, so that the water of the boiler can be speedily heated, thereby improving the heat efficiency of the boiler. A lower water tank 3 and a recovering tank 3A are formed around a combustion chamber 2 of the boiler body 1. A motor pump 4 is connected between the two water tanks 3 and 3A, and a plurality of longitudinal water tank groups 3a and 3c and a plurality of lateral water tanks 3b and 3d are alternately stacked in four steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Kun W. Noh
  • Patent number: 5409262
    Abstract: A safety system is provided which allows a vehicle to collapse upon impact, thus absorbing energy. The vehicle includes a front frame and a rear frame, which are slidably engageable with one another. Upon impact, the front and rear frames translate, thus compressing the overall length of the vehicle. Energy reducing mechanisms connected to the front and rear frames, and the vehicle chassis, absorb the impact energy. A seat tilting mechanism is connected to the rear frame, which allows the passenger seat to tilt rearwardly upon impact. A bag below the bottom seat cushions is inflatable, and thus provides a barrier to impact. The vehicle drive shaft is collapsible and thus does not hinder the translation of the front and rear frames. A hood deflector is actuated upon impact, and deflects the hood upward, acting as an additional barrier against objects entering the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Ronald A. McLennan
  • Patent number: D440503
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: American Techology Components, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Gordon, Steven K. Haines
  • Patent number: D457957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam H. Sanford, Toby N. Farling, Robert A. Hodorek, Richard V. Williamson
  • Patent number: D458190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Coachcraft Mfg., LLC
    Inventor: James P. LeDonne
  • Patent number: D460832
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: American Technology Components, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Gordon
  • Patent number: D461713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Indiana Carton Company
    Inventor: James R. Foreman
  • Patent number: D463589
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: American Technology Components, Inc.
    Inventors: William Troyer, Todd W. Yeoman