Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Litman, Kraai & Brown L.L.C.
  • Patent number: 5984368
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a preprinted chart, or, in the case of software, a programmed screen display, on which is displayed front and back silhouettes of a patient. Alongside the silhouettes are provided a number of series of icons which illustrate various patient conditions, such as burn, cut, bruise, etc. with at least some of the icon series being color coded to indicate pain intensity. The icons can be moved to the silhouettes. In an alternative version, the chart can be folded in half with the bottom half inserted into a transparent plastic sleeve and the top half folded over the bottom half to provide confidentiality. Other chart embodiments include a small, portable patient dietary guideline chart, a tactile pain communicator with touch coded pain intensity indicators and a group therapy emotional pain communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Quality Medical Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Cain
  • Patent number: 5979329
    Abstract: A launcher for launching aerial firework shells into the air includes a base and an upright tubular member. The tubular member is constructed of a plastic that resists damage from the explosive force of the fireworks and allows substantial reuse of the launcher for multiple shells. The tubular member is seated in an indentation in the base that snugly receives the sides of the tubular member. The tubular member is preferably secured to the base by stainless steel staples to allow for use of the launcher in a damp environment and over multiple years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: WINCO Fireworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Collar
  • Patent number: 5980740
    Abstract: A filtration system for storm drain collection boxes includes a helical coil frame, open at both ends, which coil frame is attached at an exit end to a vertical exit side wall of the collection box with the exit end aligned with a collection box outlet opening. The opposite, inlet end of the coil frame is suspended from a ceiling of the collection box, and a filter fabric "sock", which is also open at both ends, is positioned surrounding the coil frame. The inlet end of the coil frame is positioned at a level below the ceiling of the collection box. The filter sock normally filters out silt, sediment and solid materials from storm water run-off before the water enters the storm drainage system but the open inlet end of the coil frame and sock acts as an overflow during flooding conditions to permit storm water to bypass the filtration provided by the filter sock while still filtering out solid materials via a wide mesh screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Civitas Erosion Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harms, Paul W. Stiles, George E. Preuss
  • Patent number: 5980523
    Abstract: An improved system of transverse connectors for fixing the relative alignment of spinal rods in an osteosynthesis apparatus which can accommodate variations in the divergence and skew of the spinal rods and arch along a connector. In one embodiment of the invention a rotating hooked connector includes a shaft which is rotatably and slidably securable within a shaft receiving bore in a base hooked connector. Hooked ends of the connectors are secured to the spinal rods. Once a desired alignment of the rotating hooked connector is established relative to the base hooked connector to accommodate the orientation of the spinal rods, the alignment of the two connectors is fixed utilizing a set screw threadingly advanced into engagement with the shaft through a threaded bore in the base hooked connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Roger Jackson
  • Patent number: 5980928
    Abstract: A method to reduce the likelihood of conjunctivitis in farm animals, especially cattle, includes the step of injecting an implant containing an antibiotic effective against the microbes associated with conjunctivitis subcutaneously into the animal in close proximity to the eye. Preferably the implant includes a matrix to allow time release of the antibiotic and the implant is placed in the animal near the first part of July. Also preferably the antibiotic is tetracycline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Paul B. Terry
  • Patent number: 5980181
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a wraparound cover to a pad includes a loading station, a creasing station having a pair of knife edges and an anvil for applying a pair of parallel creases in the cover, a gluing station for applying a bead of glue to an under side of the pad and a folding station for folding an overlap portion of the cover about the rear and underside of the pad so as to engage the glue bead. The folding station includes a holddown mechanism and an articulated hand that folds the cover overlap portion at each crease about the rear edges of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Brackett, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Franks
  • Patent number: 5978088
    Abstract: An improved lens for highlighting dents and including a narrow reference strip which is luminescent or of intensified light. A preferred embodiment of the lens having at least one light colored translucent strip adjacent at least one dark colored opaque strip and a narrow reference strip which is luminescent or of intensified light and which extends across at least a portion of the dark colored opaque strip. The characteristics of the reflected light from the luminescent or intensified light reference strip makes the reference strip stand out more than a reference strip which is not luminescent or of intensified light thereby facilitating the detection of dents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: George Ventura
  • Patent number: 5967947
    Abstract: An isometric wrist exercise device which is useful for strengthening the wrist and for treating or alleviating symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome device includes a wrist brace which adjustably encircles a user's wrist. The brace is attached to a swivel plate via a plurality of straps which extend forward from the wrist brace. The swivel plate is attached to an elongate strap with a wedge plate on its opposite end. The wedge plate can secure the elongate strap in a stationary position such that the user can place his wrist in therapeutic traction by pulling his arm against the stationary strap while selectively swiveling his wrist to find the optimum position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: James T. Glover
  • Patent number: 5967198
    Abstract: A tire inflation apparatus and method involves first evacuating a seated pneumatic tire via a vacuum pump and then inflating the tire with a purified, dried gas under pressure, such as pressurized nitrogen, without allowing any ambient air to reenter the evacuated tire. The apparatus includes a three way valve which attaches to the source of compressed dry gas, to the tire valve, and to the vacuum pump with a micron vacuum gauge provided for monitoring the state of vacuum within the evacuated tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Beverly J. Smalley
    Inventor: William R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 5967403
    Abstract: A remailable envelope is formed from a single paper blank. The paper blank is first cut to yield a cut blank with an upper portion shaped as an originating legal sized envelope blank with a first back panel and a first front panel with a pair of side flaps and a seal flap attached thereto. The cut blank also includes a lower portion shaped as a return letter sized envelope blank with a second back panel and a second front panel with a seal flap attached to the second front panel. The first back panel and the second back panel are attached to each other. To form the envelope, the lower portion is first folded over the upper portion and the attached first and second back panels are simultaneously folded over and attached to the respective first and second front panels. This has the effect of placing the return envelope inside of the originating envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Tension Envelope Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Kranz
  • Patent number: 5965608
    Abstract: Synthetic derivatives or intermediates of xylomollin are identified which can be used as insect feeding deterrents. The identified derivatives or intermediates exhibiting antifeeding activity include glutaraldehyde and carbocyclic or heterocyclic dialdehydes wherein the aldehyde groups are positioned on adjacent carbons of the carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings. The active compounds also include the hemiacetal hemiacetal equivalents, the acetal hemiacetal equivalents and the vinyl ether equivalents of the dialdehydes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Rockhurst University
    Inventor: Don E. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 5961184
    Abstract: A frame-type chair includes a frame having a base subframe and a back subframe. A seat is mounted on the base by sockets formed in the seat which receive frame ends in heat-stake and telescopic relationships. A back is mounted on the back subframe and includes sockets which receive back subframe ends in heat-stake relationships. The chair can be provided with a pair of arms or with a tablet arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fixtures Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Nicola Balderi, Paul W. Horner, Roger A. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5959770
    Abstract: A penta mirror diagonal and zoom lens assembly for refracting or catadioptric astronomical telescopes includes a specially adapted zoom lens with a key extending outward from an objective lens and an adaptor designed for insertion and retention in a viewing end of an astronomical or catadioptric telescope. The adaptor includes a keyway which mates with the key on the zoom lens, thus allowing the zoom lens to be used only with the adaptor. The zoom lens itself is specially designed for use with astronomical or catadioptric telescopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bushnell Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Perkins, Hiroshi Yoda
  • Patent number: 5954382
    Abstract: A trimpiece for a pickup truck tailgate includes a base for mounting on an upper/outer edge of the tailgate and a lip projecting upwardly from the base. The base and the lip form a shoulder located above the base and behind the lip with the tailgate in its closed position. The lip is adapted to interlock with a rear flange of a tonneau cover mounted on the pickup truck bed. With the tonneau cover and the tailgate in their closed positions, the tonneau cover rear flange is received in the shoulder and interlocks with the trimpiece lip for securing the tailgate in its closed position. The tonneau cover and the tailgate in their closed positions thus provide a secure enclosure for the pickup truck bed and its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Astro Cap Manufacturing West, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Combs
  • Patent number: 5954321
    Abstract: A rotating jewelry clamp includes a base and a rotatable housing supported thereby such that the housing can be freely rotated relative to the base. The housing threadably receives a clamp assembly with a hollow outer sleeve and a reciprocable piston extending therein. The outer sleeve terminates in an overhanging stationary jaw and the piston includes a movable jaw which mates with the stationary jaw to form a clamp. A lower portion of the piston engages a coil spring within the rotatable housing to urge the piston upward toward the stationary jaw so that jewelry pieces are clamped into position between the movable jaw and the stationary jaw via tension caused by spring action. Insertion and removal of jewelry pieces is accomplished by grasping an insulated handle protruding from the piston and urging the piston downward within the outer sleeve against the spring action, thus separating the movable jaw and stationary jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Vincent A. Spero
  • Patent number: 5950699
    Abstract: A land clearing apparatus comprises a brush saw which is removably attachable to a brush rake which is in turn removably attachable to a vehicle such as a front end loader or a bulldozer. The brush saw comprises a wedge shaped blade with a clamping assembly mounted on a rear end thereof and extending thereabove. The clamping assembly includes opposed clamping members adapted to engage portions of the brush rake from opposite directions for removably securing the brush saw to the brush rake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph E. Dove
  • Patent number: 5941885
    Abstract: Tools for use in installing osteosynthesis apparatus utilizing a set screw having a break off head, a lower threaded portion and a cylindrical bore extending at least partially through the set screw head. Several of the tools comprise socket type tools having a handle, a stem and a head with a socket formed therein. A projection extends axially into the socket from an inner end of the socket and includes an outwardly biasing element thereon. The projection is sized for insertion into at least a portion of the bore extending into the set screw head, when the set screw head is positioned in the socket. The outwardly biasing element biases against an internal wall of the head which defines the upper section of the cylindrical bore, in order to grip the head. In another tool of the set the tip of the stem is threaded and sized for threaded insertion into the set screw receiving bore of an osteosynthesis implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Roger P. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5942525
    Abstract: A method for treating animals to rid the animal's body of ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks comprising applying a spot treatment of a composition to the exterior surface of the animal's body containing a growth regulating effective amount of pyriproxyfen or derivatives thereof and an insecticide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Ecto Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Pennington, James V. Grissom, Joseph E. Dyer
  • Patent number: 5937742
    Abstract: A waffle baker includes a stationary stand which mounts a clam shell style baker assembly such that the baker assembly can be freely rotated relative to the stand. The baker assembly includes an upper and a lower shell, within each of which is mounted a stainless steel bowl which acts as a heat reflecting shield to reflect heat toward a respective light weight, quick heating griddle. A series of tabs are positioned on and extend upward from each of the reflective bowls with the tabs on each bowl supporting a respective heating cal rod in position above the floor of that bowl. The lower shell reflecting bowl includes a central opening which is surrounded by an upstanding perimeter wall to receive a bi-metal temperature sensing switch and isolate it from the cal rods and from heat reflected by the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Heartland Food Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Steeb, Charles H. Nickloy, III
  • Patent number: D414130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Trend Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay B. Rutler