Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kenton R. Mullins
  • Patent number: 5735626
    Abstract: A thrusting rail-joint assembly for joining and rapidly separating two host structures is disclosed. Each of the two host structures may include a fairing structure, and is connected to a latching member, which may include a rail segment. An outer latching member, having a first joining end and a first latching end, is secured to the first host structure at the first joining end. The outer latching member includes a number of latching arms at the first latching end. The latching arms extend from the outer latching member in a direction from the first joining end to the first latching end. An inner latching member has a second joining end and a second latching end. The inner latching member is secured to the second host structure at the second joining end, and has a number of recesses at the second latching end. The recesses are adapted to receive the latching arms when the outer latching member is latched onto the inner latching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
    Inventors: Mohsen A. Khatiblou, Hal D. Pope, James M. Schutt
  • Patent number: 5730607
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a perimeter wall having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion. An inner surface of the upper portion of the perimeter wall forms a receiving aperture, and an outer surface of the lower portion of the perimeter wall forms a protrusion. Electrical contacts are located on the inner surface of the upper portion of the perimeter wall, and are also located on the outer surface of the lower portion of the perimeter wall. Each electrical contact runs from the outer surface of the lower portion, to the inner surface of the upper portion, and then to a connection point on the printed circuit board. A flange contacts and surrounds the intermediate portion of the perimeter wall. The electrical contacts from the inner surface of the upper portion pass through apertures in the flange before being connected to the connection points on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
    Inventor: Mark A. Darty
  • Patent number: 5731056
    Abstract: A securing system includes a primary structure and a first strip of hook and loop fasteners adapted to be secured thereon. A secondary structure includes a plurality of apertures disposed therein. The plurality of apertures fit over the first strip of hook and loop fasteners when the secondary structure is placed onto the primary structure. A second strip of hook and loop fasteners is adapted for fitting over the plurality of apertures of the secondary structure and for contacting portions of the first strip of hook and loop fasteners through the plurality of apertures. The contacting of the first and second strips of hook and loop fasteners secures the primary structure to the secondary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company
    Inventor: George H. Butler, III
  • Patent number: 5715831
    Abstract: The present air tubes include a resistive element which is located in the hollow space of the tubular portion. This resistive element is adapted for providing a linear resistance-versus-pressure response is sized and adapted to cause a pressure difference or differential as air flows in the hollow space across this element. The resistive element includes a planar member having a first face and a second face, and a circular parameter connecting the first face to the second face. An aperture is formed in a center of the planar member for connecting the first face to the second face. A plurality of slots in the planar member extend radially from the aperture, thereby forming a plurality of hinged windows in the planar member. Each of the slots includes a central end and a distal end. The resistive element further includes a plurality of hinge slots. Each hinge slot is connected to a distal end of a slot, and extends generally perpendicularly to an axis of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Desert Moon Development Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5632487
    Abstract: The method of playing a card game using a card deck of 360 cards which consists of 10 modified conventional decks. Each modified conventional deck has all seven, eight, nine, and ten cards removed therefrom. Thus, each modified conventional deck comprises only 36 cards. The card game is played according to either a red winning scheme wherein only the cards in the red suit are counted and totalled or a black winning scheme wherein only the cards in the black suit are counted and totalled. The banker may arbitrarily choose either winning scheme, the chosen winning scheme being, commom to all the players and banker After the winning scheme is determined, the first round of three cards is dealt face down to all players (betting players and banker). After all players have received their three cards, the players total the value of the cards in their hands that only belong to the chosen suit winning scheme. The cards belonging to the suit not chosen are not counted and are not totalled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Son H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5628514
    Abstract: The method of playing a card game using a card deck of 360 cards which consists of 15 modified conventional decks. Each modified conventional deck has all seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, and king cards removed therefrom. Thus, each modified conventional deck comprises only 24 cards. The card game is played according to either a high winning scheme wherein the best hand is a point total of twelve and the worst hand is a point total of two, or a low winning scheme wherein the best hand is a point total of two and the worst hand is a point total of twelve. The banker may arbitrarily choose either winning scheme, the chosen winning scheme being common to all the players and banker. After the winning scheme is determined, the first round of two cards is dealt face down to all players (betting players and banker). The players add the values of the cards in their hands. Eleven is subtracted whenever a hand total is greater than twelve. The players then determine whether an additional card is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventors: Son H. Nguyen, Hai Q. Huynh
  • Patent number: 5560613
    Abstract: The method of playing a card game according to the present invention is operated among a plurality of players and a house dealer. The method uses a deck of 36 cards. The 36-card deck is obtained from a conventional 52-card deck with an additional two jokers, and all jack, queen, and king cards removed. Additionally, the three of hearts, three of spades, six of hearts, six of spades, nine of hearts, and nine of spades cards are removed. According to the method of the present invention, each player places a wager, and the house dealer deals four cards for each of the players. All of the sets of four cards are placed on the table in a row, and the house dealer assigns the position of banker to one of the players. The banker then picks one of the eight hands, and rolls a set of dice to determine which of the remaining players should receive that hand of four cards. The remaining hands are assigned to the remaining players in an orderly fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Son H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5540444
    Abstract: The method of playing a card game according to the present invention is operated among a plurality of players and a house dealer. The method uses a deck of 32 cards. The 32-card deck is obtained from a conventional 52-card deck with an additional two jokers, and all jack, queen, and king cards removed. Additionally, the six of hearts, six of spades, jack of hearts, jack of spades, ace of hearts, and ace of spades cards are removed. According to the method of the present invention, each player places a wager, and the house dealer deals four cards for each of the players. All of the sets of four cards are placed on the table, in a row, and the house dealer assigns the position of banker to one of the players. The banker then picks one of the eight hands, and roll a set of dice to determine which of the remaining players should receive that hand of four cards. The remaining hands are assigned to the remaining players in an orderly fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Son H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5526900
    Abstract: The fluid catcher can be detachably secured to the underside of an automobile, using springs. Wire can also be used to securely hold the fluid catcher beneath the automobile when excessive weight is placed into the fluid catcher and the springs give way. For example, when a large amount of snow or water is introduced into the fluid catcher, the wires prevent the fluid catcher from dragging on the road surface. The fluid catcher includes raised front and rear walls to prevent introduction of road debris into the fluid catcher. Additionally, two sides of the fluid catcher may be bent by a user to allow the fluid catcher to snugly and securely conform to the underside of the automobile, or all four sides of the fluid catcher may be bent to conceal sharp edges. A nonflammable absorbent pad rests at the bottom of the fluid catcher for absorbing oil or other fluids, and a screen rests at an intermediate height between the nonflammable absorbent pad and the top of the fluid catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Randolph T. Mason