Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Larry M. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6460746
    Abstract: A backpack that has straps which may be repositioned, removed and replaced is designed to reduce muscle strain when the bag is carried by improving the balance of the load. Re-positioning the straps can enable a person to re-position the load closer to the center of the body to reduce the leverage exerted by an unbalanced load. An additional feature is that removable straps can be interchanged or replaced inexpensively with other straps that have different colors, trademarks, advertisements, or other indicia of support or affiliation. An advantage of the methods and apparatus shown is that the cost of replacing straps is inexpensive compared to the cost of replacing a backpack. The lower cost may make it possible for a business to furnish straps bearing its indicia as promotional items at a cost that is comparable to the cost of baseball-type hats, calendars, and similar items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Fred M. B. Amram
  • Patent number: 6423348
    Abstract: What is shown is an animal blood anticoagulant compound useful in the meat packing industry generally, and in slaughterhouse operations, particularly. The anticoagulant is effective when diluted with water at higher dilution ratios than earlier anticoagulants. In some field trials, this anticoagulant was at least as effective as previously known commercial anticoagulants when diluted by an additional 30%. The present anticoagulant preparation concentrate is an aqueous mixture of soft water (55.0%-65.0/%, w/w); tetrasodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Na4EDTA) (0.5%-3.0%, w/w); sodium hexametaphosphate (17.0%-24.0%, w/w); citric acid (5.0%-9.0%, w/w); and sodium hydroxide (4.0%-7.0%, w/w) to obtain a balanced pH that provides optimal chelating and anticoagulant activity. Optimal anticoagulant performance has been found to occur in the range of between pH 6.6 and pH 7.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: James C. Mickus
  • Patent number: 6360876
    Abstract: A portable telescoping radial stacking conveyor for stacking bulk material such as aggregate, sand, coal, wood chips, grain, and similar materials has a fully extended length of 150 feet and a towing length of 80 feet or less. The unit may be converted from a highway transportable configuration to an operating configuration by one individual in approximately twenty minutes. Hydraulically operated radial drive wheels, elevating struts and stinger positioner can be manually controlled or controlled with a programmable logic controller (PLC) to position the discharge point at the desired location at the desired time. Segregation of stacked material according to particle size can be controlled by appropriately relocating the conveyor discharge point at frequent intervals so that the material is deposited in small piles that form layers of stockpiled material instead of the usual single large stockpile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Nohl, Bob L. Domnick, Rick D. Kellenberger, Paul Schmidgall
  • Patent number: 6163991
    Abstract: A display is described that can be formed from a single sheet of card stock or other planar material. The display can be used as a greeting card, a photograph frame, a desk decoration, an award, a seasonal ornament that can be hung from a hook or loop and for other purposes. Spaced-apart, superimposed image panels are hinged or folded to spacers. The panels have apertures that define pictorial elements in profile. The spaced-apart panels may be placed in alignment and view in elevation to reveal a scene having substantial dimensionality. A different scene can be revealed when the display is made of unprinted plain card stock. It is possible, however, to print or emboss the display or to make it using colored papers. It is a particular advantage that the display can be manufactured in a continuous machine process using conventional stock-handling equipment. Another important feature of the article is that it can be stored or shipped flat and expanded when viewing is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: SpringLeaf Concepts & Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Drapcho, Gregory M. Proulx
  • Patent number: 6122878
    Abstract: A seamless siding made of vinyl, aluminum, or other sheet material strip is made by scoring flat material and punching fastener slots at the edges of the strip. The material is bent at the score lines to form a profile such as clap board or other desired style of siding. Fasteners through the slots hold the material to the wall while allowing the material to expand and contract in response to changing temperatures. The exposed surface may be embossed or textured as desired. The material provides a seamless siding with little waste compared to conventional wood siding products. No specialized expensive machinery, tools, or equipment is needed to carry out installation of this new siding product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Pliley
  • Patent number: 5833043
    Abstract: A portable radial stacker having improved stability during radial travel and operation and improved highway transport characteristics is disclosed. Existing material handling conveyor components may be retrofitted to embody the invention. The invention enables operators to transport portable radial stackers over public highways in most states without the requirement of using an escort because the maximum overall width in the transport configuration is 11 feet--6 inches. In addition, the width extends to more than 22 feet when configured for stacking operation and radial travel which provides greater stability than previous conveyors. Hydraulic fold-down outriggers convert the system between the transport configuration and the stacking configuration in only a few minutes which affords a great savings in time and labor. Transport wheels are equipped with air brakes and the radial travel wheels can be fitted with hydraulically actuated direct drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Superior Equipment Division Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Schmidgall, Richard B. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5778578
    Abstract: A view-changing display is made from one generally rectangular sheet of resilient planar material having a first side and a second side. At least one viewing window, graspable tab and slot through which the tab may slide are formed in the sheet, preferably by die cutting. The sheet is divided into a front panel, at least one sliding panel ending with a graspable tab, a biasing element preferably comprised of a resilient panel disposed between the front panel and each sliding panel, and an optional back panel preferably extending from the front panel opposite the biasing element. The second side of the sliding panel is folded to face the second side of the biasing element. The second side of the front panel is then folded to face the first side of the sliding panel and to mate the tab and slot. The second side of the optional back panel may be folded to face the first side of the biasing element. The display view is changed by pulling the tab which bows the biasing element and displaces the sliding panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Joseph E. Drapcho, Gregory M. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5699863
    Abstract: The invention discloses apparatus for grooming, leveling and conditioning athletic fields comprised of a leveling trowel having beveled ends. Soil is worked using elastomeric flails disposed into contact with the surface by a rigid weight bar pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the independently pivotable flails. The grooming apparatus may be mounted with a two or three-point hitch assembly or towed by a drawbar from any utility tractor or other landscape vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Applied Design Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: William L. Figura
  • Patent number: 5623110
    Abstract: A capo is disclosed that allows a musician to selectively engage any of the strings of a stringed musical instrument that has a neck and fingerboard. Multiple string contacting portions that can slide transversely to the neck of the musical instrument are provided. In addition, the pressure bar that applies pressure to the string contacting portions of the capo can slide transversely to the strings so that when fewer than all of the strings are to be engaged by the capo, it may be possible to remove the capo from the area in which the musician would desire to place the fingers in order to create the desired note. This capo is designed to allow the musician to straddle the capo with the fingers of the hand in order to play any note available on the instrument and to provide maximum flexibility in chord selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Steven G. Hoglund, Wayne A. Cox
  • Patent number: 5598673
    Abstract: Water damage to buildings which will use masonry cavity wall construction is prevented by placement of a masonry holding fluid conducting medium between the wythes of a masonry cavity wall during construction. The air space of a masonry cavity wall is substantially filled with fluid conducting medium such as a coarse polymer mesh which will hold masonry and prevent construction debris from entering the cavity air space while allowing air and water to flow with minimal resistance. Reliable drainage of moisture from the air space is assured because cavity wall drains or weeps will not become obstructed either during or after wall erection because the potential obstructions are excluded from the cavity air space by the fluid conducting medium. By assuring that the cavity wall air space and weeps do not become obstructed, potentially severe water damage is prevented. Mortar usage will be reduced and productivity increased by use of the mortar holding fluid conducting medium system disclosed by the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Mark R. Atkins
  • Patent number: 5515961
    Abstract: A portable radial stacker having improved stability during radial travel and operation and improved highway transport characteristics is disclosed. Existing material handling conveyor components may be retrofitted to embody the invention. The invention enables operators to transport portable radial stackers over public highways in most states without the requirement of using an escort because the maximum overall width in the transport configuration is 11 feet-6 inches. In addition, the width extends to more than 22 feet when configured for stacking operation and radial travel which provides greater stability than previous conveyors. Hydraulic fold-down outriggers convert the system between the transport configuration and the stacking configuration in only a few minutes which affords a great savings in time and labor. Transport wheels are equipped with air brakes and the radial travel wheels can be fitted with hydraulically actuated direct drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Murphy, Paul Schmidgall
  • Patent number: 5488349
    Abstract: A multiple range variable resistor and potentiometer suitable for use in the repair or manufacture of hearing aids and other miniature applications is disclosed. The user of the device can select the desired resistance range thereby allowing one component to be used in many different applications and reducing inventory requirements. It provides increased resistance to contamination of the internal components compared to conventional hearing aid volume controls and is not damaged by over-turning of the control knob in either direction. It can be manufactured for the same cost as conventional single range potentiometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Bruce L. Erickson, Allen H. Stull
  • Patent number: 5477927
    Abstract: A powered brushing system can be mounted on triplex mowers, front mowers, utility tractors and other motor vehicles for use in conjunction with the aeration and maintenance of golf courses, particularly tee areas and greens. The holes left by core or spike aerators used to condition turf must be filled with sand or other topdressing. Elongated rotary brushes extend radially in a horizontal plane from a vertical axis about which they rotate. Vertical bristles extend downward and touch the ground while rotating to stir the topdressing and sweep it to evenly fill aeration holes. The preferred embodiment is comprised of five rotary brushes having overlapping swept areas and synchronous rotation. The swirling motion of the bristles of the counter-rotating rotary brushes may also be used effectively to remove grain which has developed in turf. The brushing system can, in this manner, greatly improve the evenness with which mowing of fine turf areas is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Applied Design Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: William L. Figura
  • Patent number: 5376035
    Abstract: The invention discloses a highly visible marker buoy of the self-setting type the anchor line of which may be power wound to facilitate retrieval of the buoy after use; the marker buoy is equipped with spin indicators to prove that the anchor line is descending to the bottom of a body of water; fluorescent and phosphorescent materials are provided to increase both daytime and nighttime visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: John W. Forrest
  • Patent number: D399712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Larry Jason Villella