Patents Represented by Attorney M. David Shapiro
  • Patent number: 4943185
    Abstract: A combination drainage and waterproofing system for subterranean walls includes panels which have drain passages on the side thereof adjacent the soil. The front surface of each panel screens against soil entering the passages and the opposite surface of each panel is waterproof and is disposed in waterproof engagement with the waterproof surfaces of adjacent panels. A variety of panel constructions are disclosed. Several modes for providing the screening surfaces and the waterproof surfaces are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventors: James P. McGuckin, Dean L. Bradfield, Raymond A. Foltz, H. James Heidt
  • Patent number: 4916941
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement for an automotive engine cooling testing system wherein a coolant reservoir is connected to the instrument module by means of two quick disconnect fittings; each such fitting is provided with an internally located shut-off valve that is actuated to close when a disconnection is made. The improvement provides a convenient way to bleed air out of the cooling system prior to commencement of a testing routine, therefore providing a more accurate test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen W. Briggs
  • Patent number: 4912862
    Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile backfilling machine wherein raw materials located adjacent an excavated trench are picked up, graded and delivered to the open trench in an order of size grading from finest to coarsest, thereby providing a fine material padding for a product which has been placed into the trench. The machine may also be used to place a warning ribbon into the trench at a point above the padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventors: William B. Bishop, Francis G. Davies
  • Patent number: 4867029
    Abstract: The invention comprises modification of a classical stringed instrument wherein an elevating block is used to make the string angle between the rearward portion of the strings with respect to the bridge of the instrument to be nearly the same as the angle between strings and bridge on the forward side of the bridge so that the bridge bisects the total included string angle. An associated modification of the position of the sound post from the classical position, which is to the rear of the right bridge foot, to a position just beneath the right bridge foot, is believed to enhance the efficiency of the sympathetic action of the back of the instrument with respect to the action of the belly of the instrument. The combination produces a much wider dynamic volume range and improved sensitivity and brillance with respect to that of an un-modified (classic) configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventors: Leslie J. Lorenzen, deceased, Lawrence E. Lorenzen, executor
  • Patent number: 4858799
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for attachment to a hand gun holster, the locking mechanism having a control of a locked position which prevents removal of the hand gun from its holster and a continuum of unlocked positions with progressively more force required to extract the hand gun out of its holster as the force is increased by the operator. A single rotary control allows for setting the mechanism to the fully locked position or to any of the continuum of restraining positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Duane E. Young
  • Patent number: 4850593
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improvement in a golf club head of the wood type wherein a sole trough is located so that its root is essentially parallel to the face of the club head and wherein the surface of the trough is flat to convex in planes essentially parallel to the face in a plane through the root of the sole trough and concave in a planes perpendicular to the club face. The purpose of the sole trough is to reduce the cross-section of the club head in cross-sectional planes taken essentially perpendicular to the face of the club head, such cross-sections having a concave surface configuration over the most of the longer dimension of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Alan F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4820991
    Abstract: An improved instrument for determining the distance to an open fault in a communications line, the instrument taking advantage of the predictable relationship between the current discharge rate in a reference capacitor and resistor and the current discharge rate in a faulty line whose capacitance is a function of the distance to the fault. Provisions are made to keep the meter readings within the usable scale of the meter of the invention by allowing the operator to select from among a range of driving signal frequencies to suit the distance to the fault. Calibration may be made by reference to an internal capacitor or by means of measuring a known length of open circuited line of the type to be tested. Provision is also made to provide for "tuning out" "dirty" short circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Progressive Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Clark
  • Patent number: 4802124
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage cell utilizing a single isolation device, preferably of the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling type for each non-volatile cell module and wherein an improved level shifting input/output circuit is incorporated into each such cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: George D. O'Brien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4787066
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage cell utilizing improved level shifting circuitry to charge and discharge at least a single isolation device, preferably of the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling type, wherein such level shifting input/output circuit is fully static providing for the elimination of any requirement for a gate booster capacitor and allows the high voltage source to replace any long term charge loss. The use of silicon area is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Horst Leuschner
  • Patent number: 4781401
    Abstract: The invention comprises an economical, adjustable duct section which allows an installer to mount and connect a curved end thereof to an opening in an air duct bend and to adjust the other end to a desired predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal. The invention makes it more feasible to install a second air handler on an outlet duct bend of a first air handler for augmenting an output of the first air handler on the roof of a building or the like. It provides an easily made water and weather tight seal between the assembled units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Reynalda Clack
    Inventor: Donald W. Sharp
  • Patent number: 4777990
    Abstract: A filling nozzle which is releasably secured to a container through which liquid can be dispensed from the container into another receptacle when the nozzle is directed downwardly in a liquid dispensing position. The nozzle contains a butterfly valve for automatically shutting off the flow of liquid from the container to the receptacle when the receptacle is substantially filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Richard L. Grant
  • Patent number: 4755750
    Abstract: The invention comprises a system of alignment key patterns, within the scribe lines of a semiconductor chip, which allow more accurate placement of wafer probes, and more accurate location of fuses for the purposes of blowing selected ones of those fuses by means of laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: SGS Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Horst Leuschner
  • Patent number: 4741417
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for more efficiently bleeding a hydraulic system of air comprising a method of reversing normal flow of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system, externally recirculating hydraulic fluid from a reservoir at the one end of the system to a cylinder at another end of the system, and watching the system reservoir for bubbles evidencing the escaping gas, and a pump apparatus for efficiently implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Judith S. Caramanna
    Inventor: George Caramanna
  • Patent number: 4736641
    Abstract: An improved straight line motion gate mechanism which translates gate position to an open/closed position without any perceptible vertical motion and without any moving contact with either the ground or the use of a track. The gate may assume a wide range of widths and the mechanism may be self locking in the closed and open positions. A very small vertical motion of the mechanism provides for minimal input energy requirements and is relatively insensitive to gate weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: John Edward Jennings
    Inventor: James B. Reid
  • Patent number: 4727915
    Abstract: A filling nozzle which is releasably secured to a container through which liquid can be dispensed from the container into another receptacle when the nozzle is directed downwardly in a liquid dispensing position. The nozzle contains a butterfly valve for automatically shutting off the flow of liquid from the container to the receptacle when the receptacle is substantially filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Richard L. Grant
  • Patent number: 4723799
    Abstract: The invention comprises a two, three or four short pin engagement system for engaging a wafer carrier for transporting semiconductor wafers by means of a three axis robotic transportation system for the purpose of processing semiconductor wafers in a factory. The multiple pin assembly allows a large reduction in travel distance with respect to prior art long rod engagement supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Wollmann Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Wollmann, Donald A. Wessel
  • Patent number: 4724471
    Abstract: An improved input network for MOS semiconductor devices intended to increase the device resistance to electrostatic discharge in the input circuit. A series of features comprising round and concentric round contacts and buried contacts, a layer of polycrystalline silicon disposed between the metal input contact and the N+ diffusion layer and enlarged metal contact areas are employed to reduce the tendency toward breakdown by reducing hot spots in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: SGS Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Horst Leuschner
  • Patent number: 4720129
    Abstract: The invention comprises a combination security plate for attachment to a door edge over or in conjunction with a latch set, the security plate providing protection against incursion of a credit card or other light burglary tool directed to the latch or to destruction of the latch area of the door or door stop. The combinational aspect of the design of the invention acts to protect both sides of a door so can thus be utilized on an outwardly or inwardly opening door. The security plate of the invention may be also be attached to either a left or right opening door without modification and in combination with the use on inward and outward opening applications. In those applications where only one side of the door needs protection, the plate may be easily broken into two parts so that each part may be used, respectively, on an inward and an outward opening door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Donald J. Bouchard
  • Patent number: 4717845
    Abstract: A TTL compatible CMOS input circuit comprising a series of current mirror circuits arranged so that the input transistor is used to discharge the capacitive load and one of a pair of transistors in one of the current mirror circuits provides charging current for the load. Only one of the charging and discharging transistor switches in "on" at any one time, thus reducing circuit power consumption and reducing required device sizes. The input switching level is also independent of the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: SGS Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Dunn
  • Patent number: D297715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Progressive Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P. Lalley