Patents Represented by Law Firm Lowe, Kokjer, Kircher, Wharton & Bowman
  • Patent number: 4272966
    Abstract: Equipment for cooling a plurality of containers, each of said containers characterized by a refrigeration unit in association therewith, said equipment being responsive to the temperature of the environment where said units are located and comprising:duct means for collecting cooled air from said containers and returning it to said containers;blower means disposed in said duct means for recycling the collected air to said containers;auxiliary cooling means disposed in said duct means downstream from said blower means;temperature responsive means for sensing the temperature of the environment; andcircuit means coupled with said temperature responsive means for deactivating said refrigeration units in response to a predetermined temperature drop and activating said auxiliary cooling means and said blower means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Inventors: Eugene E. Niemann, Kelly E. Niemann
  • Patent number: 4269183
    Abstract: A method and device for use in breathing where the ambient temperature is uncomfortable is the subject of the present invention. An air intake conduit is enclosed by a sack and communicates with a face mask that covers the nose and mouth of the wearer. Both the intake conduit and the enclosing sack extend in a curvilinear path over the head of the wearer to take advantage of heat normally lost through the head. A head covering may be used to further increase the efficiency of the heat exchange between the head and the air passing through the sack and the intake conduit. One-way valves on the inlet and outlet openings assure segregation of inhaled and exhaled air. Exhaled air is passed into the sack where it is held in heat exchange relationship with the incoming air moving through the conduit as well as with body heat radiated by the wearer's head. An exit opening at the end of the sack distal from the point where exhaled air enters allows the exhaled air to eventually pass from the sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Patrick T. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4263887
    Abstract: A refractory lined firebox is encased in a low profile furnace shell of generally rectangular configuration. Mounted on top of the firebox within the furnace shell is a heat exchanger which provides alternating passageways at right angles to one another through which flue gas and air to be heated flow in heat exchange relationship. The heat exchanger and firebox are so related that the axes of the passageways are inclined from the horizontal and the flow through them is generally upward as well as lateral. The furnace includes special combustion air ducts for use in combustion of the solid fuel. The furnace is also equipped with a back-up liquid fuel burner and a control system which activates and operates the liquid fuel burner in response to total consumption or burn out of the solid fuel in the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Donald H. Dowdall
  • Patent number: 4261607
    Abstract: The subject tool is used in the installation and removal of accoustical panels from the support grid of a suspended ceiling. The tool includes a handle having a support structure adjustably secured to it. A plurality of needle-like projections are mounted to the support structure so as to protrude outward therefrom at a right angle therewith. In use, an accoustical panel is releasably secured to the support structure. Thereafter, the tool is raised and manipulated until the panel is in place within the support grid. The tool is then lowered causing the needle-like projections to slide out of contact with the accoustical panel thereby mounting the panel in place within the support grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Donald L. Zemites
    Inventor: Roger Pilcher
  • Patent number: 4261543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for forming concrete buildings. A concrete building is presented utilizing wall form sections which are coupled with a roof form section. The roof form section comprises an elongated dome shaped section with transversely extending side sections on either side thereof. The roof form section is held in place by a hoist which is mounted on a movable trailer. By utilizing the aforedescribed form section, a concrete building may be formed utilizing a monolithic pour wherein the walls are poured followed immediately by the roof. A pivotal trough system located on top of the roof form section allows concrete to be distributed all around the roof with minimal labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Gayle R. Scafe
  • Patent number: 4258667
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved animal dust bag for holding and dispensing powdered insecticide. The bag arrangement permits the bag to be hung from two spaced apart points when it is desired to avoid turning of the bag, or from a single overhead point when turning of the bag is of no concern. A flap extends upwardly from the top of the bag and presents an eyelet for receiving the two tie strings. When the two tie strings are threaded through the eyelet there is virtually no possibility of an animal sticking its head or a horn between the tie strings and pulling down the bag or damaging it. The eyelet also assures that the bag will be held relatively even, thus avoiding compaction of the powdered insecticide in one corner. A horizontal hanger bar extends across the top of the bag and presents two eyelets on either side so that when attachment at two spaced apart points is desired, the two eyelets of the hanger bar will avoid strain being placed on the bag material itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Ralston Purina Company
    Inventors: Helen E. Eshnaur, Jack I. Shugart
  • Patent number: 4257262
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for cassette type tape recording and/or playback machines has a cassette shell for mounting on the machine in place of the regular tape cassette, the cassette shell having driven means such as spools displaceably mounted within the cassette shell and adapted to be engaged and displaced respectively by the forward and rewind spindles of the machine when either of such spindles is actuated. Indicator means indicate the torque applied to either of the driven means by virtue of an indicating pointer adapted to move over a scale from a central rest position to which the pointer is spring biased, flexible means such as leader tape interconnecting the pointer to both of the driven means. Preferably the spring biasing and pointer are integrally formed in a T-shape with a pivotal mounting at the junction of the T such that the arms bend resiliently upon displacement of the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: Peter R. Stanton
  • Patent number: 4254553
    Abstract: A parallel suspension reed type measuring device has its internal components maintained in a weightless condition by a bouyant fluid. A pair of vertical reeds and an amplification arm mechanically amplify the movement which is imparted to a measuring spindle in response to a quantity being measured. The measured quantity is magnified optically by a lens system and is projected onto a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventor: Andrew C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4253399
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method and device for reducing fuel consumption by a locomotive system comprised of a plurality of tandem diesel locomotives electrically interconnected so that one of the units is a lead unit and the remaining units are trailing units. In particular, the fuel saver arrangement of the present invention is capable of selectively placing one or more of the locomotives in the system in a "throttle one" power position without causing any significant reduction in the operating efficiency of the system's safety equipment. The locomotive is placed in the throttle one power position by means of switching relays that are operable to override the normal throttle control circuit of the locomotive. These relays respond to a fuel save signal that is generated in the control box located on the lead unit. The control box includes a fuel save switch operable to initiate and terminate the fuel save operation and a unit selector switch operable to select the locomotive to be reduced in power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Kansas City Southern Railway Company
    Inventor: Rudolph D. Spigarelli
  • Patent number: 4250670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of building construction wherein the structural support for the roof of the building is encased in a layer of rigid foam to provide structural support for the roof. The method also contemplates utilizing one or more channel shaped structural members and filling the channel with rigid foam for the purpose of increasing its strength. The method also contemplates providing multiple roof supports and placing a layer of rigid foam between the supports for further structural support. Manifestly, the foregoing method is accomplished through use of a novel form of structural support comprising a channel shaped structural member filled with rigid foam. Two channel members may be placed in face to face or back to back relationship and filled with rigid foam where additional structural support is required.The present invention also encompasses a novel roof structure wherein the aforedescribed structural supports are formed as an integral part of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Inventor: Larry Garner
  • Patent number: 4249477
    Abstract: A device for applying mastic material to the weld bead area of longitudinally welded pipe is the subject of this application. An extruder is mounted on a framework and receives mastic material in rope form from a bulk spool positioned above the extruder. The extruder incorporates heating elements to raise the temperature of the mastic. The extruder is provided with dual orifices for depositing a layer of the mastic material on either side of the weld bead of the pipe. A doctor blade is mounted to move along the pipe extending from the weld bead to a point on the pipe surface to smooth the mastic material which has been deposited. The doctor blade smooths the material evenly and causes it to form a bridge between the apex of the weld bead and a point on the pipe surface adjacent the base of the weld bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: H. C. Price Co.
    Inventors: Howard W. Christie, Walter D. Hodge
  • Patent number: 4249231
    Abstract: The device is adaptable for any panel of non-opaque material, whether it concerns advertisement, information panel, signboards, signposts or signalling posts or the like. The panel 1 is associated with at least one source of lighting 3 which faces one of the edges 2 of the panel. The panel carries an engraving 7 having a surface which reflects light and divides the incident beam into a series of pencils of light associated with various elements of the engraving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Jean Claude Decaux Paris Publicite Abribus
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Decaux
  • Patent number: 4247008
    Abstract: The present invention deals with a microprocessor implemented method and system suitable for use in a mail sorting machine to sort the envelopes into common groups, assign each group a particular sort bin and generate a coded bin designation signal. The envelopes to be sorted are run through the machine in two passes. During the first pass, the system causes each of the envelopes to be deposited in a designated sort bin in accordance with a sort table which was programmed into the microprocessor prior to the first pass. The microprocessor also compiles a list of the zip codes of each envelope moving through the machine and maintains a count of the number of envelopes having each zip code. Once the first pass is completed, the microprocessor assembles the compiled zip codes into common groups and assigns each group a bin location. The microprocessor then assembles the bin locations into a sort table and outputs a list of loading instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Stephens Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 4246918
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method and apparatus for assisting in the operation of air control dampers. An air deflector is positioned downstream from a rotatable damper in an air conduit. The deflector is positioned to direct air moving over one side of the damper against the damper during opening to assist in the opening movement and thereby reduce the amount of weight which would otherwise be required. The same deflector is positioned so that upon closing of the damper air will be deflected against the opposite side of the damper blade to augment the torque forces tending to close the damper while also reducing the pressure drop from one side of the damper to the other. In another embodiment of the invention a sail blade is provided upstream from the control damper to assist in closing the damper at low flow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Tempmaster Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond H. Dean
  • Patent number: 4246081
    Abstract: A method of removing sulfur oxides of H.sub.2 S from high temperature gas mixtures (150.degree.-1000.degree. C.) is the subject of the present invention. An electrochemical cell is employed. The cell is provided with inert electrodes and an electrolyte which will provide anions compatible with the sulfur containing anions formed at the anode. The electrolyte is also selected to provide inert stable cations at the temperatures encountered. The gas mixture is passed by the cathode where the sulfur gases are converted to SO.sub.4.sup.= or, in the case of H.sub.2 S, to S.sup.=. The anions migrate to the anode where they are converted to a stable gaseous form at much greater concentration levels (>10X). Current flow may be effected by utilizing an external source of electrical energy or by passing a reducing gas such as hydrogen past the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Inventor: Jack Winnick
  • Patent number: 4244740
    Abstract: A pipe coating composition is the subject of the present invention. A bituminous base coating comprising binder, aggregate and fiber utilizes cement stack dust as a filler in place of conventional lime dust or cement. The cement stack dust filler is utilized in quantities up to 25% less than the quantity of lime dust previously required for lime dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: H. C. Price Co.
    Inventor: Robert J. Harris
  • Patent number: 4243521
    Abstract: Wastewater is directed into an aerobic treatment tank which is divided by a partition into an aeration chamber and a settling chamber. The waste material is aerated in the aeration chamber and then directed into the settling chamber. Any solids in the settling chamber settle out and are pumped back into the aeration chamber through a sludge return conduit wherein the returning sludge is saturated with air. The treated liquid is discharged to a drainage area in a colorless, odorless form. The pipes which direct the liquid through the tank are oriented to impede the passage of solids through the system, thereby keeping the solid wastes in the aeration chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Environmental Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Clark M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4243305
    Abstract: This invention discloses a bow and hinge mounting assembly for pivotally securing a bow to an eyeglasses frame having a upper frame portion and a lower frame portion. In one embodiment of this invention, a single mounting screw is used to secure the upper portion of the eyeglasses frame to the lower portion of the frame and to pivotally mount the bow to the eyeglasses frame. The lower portion of the eyeglasses frame has a lower mounting plate that protrudes outward therefrom. A mounting pin rigidly secured to the lower mounting plate is arranged to pivotally engage a hole in the mounting portion of the bow. The bow is kept in place on the mounting pin by means of a upper retaining plate. This plate protrudes outward from the upper portion of the eyeglasses frame and is arranged to contact the top of the mounting pin to thereby retain the bow in place upon the mounting pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Eugene E. Elder
  • Patent number: PP4616
    Abstract: A new variety of pear tree primarily distinguished by bearing extremely large fruit of globular-to-ovate form, weighing over two pounds in normal years and having a distinctive taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Henry Field Seed and Nursery Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Turnbull, Daniel K. Hybskmann
  • Patent number: D259358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: William H. Jones