Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mark Zovko
  • Patent number: 5011024
    Abstract: A rotary drum log sorter for sorting logs received from a log feeder adjacent to the log sorter. A circular rotating drum is mounted to a frame and has a set of circumferential pockets for receiving logs from the log feeder as the pocket rotates to a position adjacent to the log feeder. Gates are provided which are mounted to the frame and adjacent to the rotating drum. The gates can be in a closed position so that a log in a pocket of the drum is prevented from leaving the packet as the pocket rotates past the closed gate. The gates also can be in an open position which will allow a log to drop from the pocket. An operator using conventional controls linked to the gates can selectively permit a log to drop from a pocket into a given collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Inventor: Leroy R. Bunney
  • Patent number: 5003727
    Abstract: A strike plate support used in conjunction with a strike plate and a latch bolt or dead bolt. The strike plate for receiving the latch bolt or deadbolt is fastened to the strike plate support which has a portion that is fastened to the back surface of the door jamb. An improvement in door security strength is realized as the strike plate support will prevent breaking of the door jamb caused by sudden concentrated force exerted to the door by unwanted intruders. Optionally, the strike plate support in addition to being fixed to the door jamb can also be secured to the framing lumber for enhanced strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Edwin E. Watten
  • Patent number: 4966376
    Abstract: Device for detecting clearance in the wheel suspension of a vehicle, comprising a frame, two wheel support plates mounted on said frame for rotation and movable during operation substantially in a horizontal plane, and drive means for moving said wheel support plates in opposing directions relative to one another over limited distances. The wheel plates are each mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and for lengthwise movement transversely of an imaginary connecting line between the two plates and that the drive means can cause these turning and lengthwise movements to occur independently of one another and either separately or simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Halbe W. Scheper
  • Patent number: 4953324
    Abstract: A personnel door for sealing a room having a source of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation. The door when swung into a closed position can be energized to be partially disposed in an opening below floor level directly beneath the door. Sealing between the door and the door frame of the room can occur around the borders of the door including the part disposed in the opening below floor level. A step up into the room or use of a ramp to gain access to the room is thereby eliminated. In the preferred embodiment, the door is retained above the opening below floor level by springs and energized to move vertically downward into the opening against the force of the springs by an air cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Nova-Tech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl H. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 4953586
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the fully open and fully closed positions of a system having a valve and a rotary valve actuator for controlling the opening and closing of the valve. A sub base is provided which serves as an adaptor and is fixedly mounted to the valve bonnet of a standard quarter turn valve. The sub base has threaded fasteners which fit through open or raised portions of a convoluted ring fixed to the actuator housing. A cover plate above the ring has holes to receive the studs and nuts or other suitable means are used to fasten the cover plate, convoluted ring, and sub base. The raised portions of the convoluted ring have pusher screws which push against the threaded fasteners of the base flange. Rotation of the convoluted ring and the actuator relative to the sub base can occur by selectively rotating the pusher screws thereby resulting in fine adjustment of the fully open and fully closed positions of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventor: Paul P. Weyer
  • Patent number: 4949502
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with sharpened points or a spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunk sizes. Alternatively, a resilient stabilizing member integral with the legs and extending over the rim and into the container is provided which acts similarly to the springs of the first embodiment to hold the legs open prior to tree insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4948118
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a user in a pool of water for therapeutic or training purposes. An overhead unit having tracks which guide and support the wheels of a movable trolley is provided. A cable having one end attached to the trolley and one end connected to a support jacket worn by the user allows the user to be fully supported in the water. The user may move through the water along the line of the overhead rail. A brake is provided which can create a drag requiring an increase it the force needed to move the trolley along the rail thereby making the user work harder. The rail may be supported by attachment to a ceiling above the pool or supported by stanchions adjacent to the sides of the pool if portability of the apparatus is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Louis Miraglia
  • Patent number: 4930616
    Abstract: A rotary log singulator for singulating logs received from an intake station to a downstream discharge station. The apparatus includes at least two longitudinally displaced rotating drums and at least one lifting and separating bar located adjacent to and upstream of the drums. The rotating drums have two perimeter portions defined by two chord stretches joined at an outwardly facing obtuse angle. Logs received by the drums are supported and rotationally transferred within the perimeter portions defined by the chord stretches. The lifting and separating bars are driven by a shaft connected to or synchronized with the shaft which drives the rotating drums and are displaced vertically up and down as the rotating drums rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Industrial Machine Development Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Verne L. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 4894949
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with sharpened points or a spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunck sizes.Alternatively, a resilient stabilizing member integral with the legs and extending over the rim and into the container is provided which acts similarly to the springs of the first embodiment to hold the legs open prior to tree insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4884988
    Abstract: A creative building playtoy for children which allows rapid interlocking and disconnecting. A plurality of panels is provided to form the basic building blocks. Each panel has edging strips which have a unique fastening cloth on their exterior surface. The fastener cloth is comprised of a base fabric with cloth hooks and loops interspersed thereon to allow rapid manual connecting and disconnecting of the edging strips of the panels so that various complex forms can be produced by the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Larry D. McMurray
  • Patent number: 4863701
    Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of ozone by electrostatic discharge. An array of glass tubes are provided each containing a conductive rod therein serving as a core. Adjacent tubes are parallel to each other and the conductive rod of each tube is connected to the secondary terminal of a high voltage transformer. The tubes containing the conductive rods serve as an electrode when the voltage transformer is activated thereby creating an electrostatic field. Oxygen molecules in the electrostatic field are transformed to form ozone molecules. The apparatus can be applied to deodorizing an enclosed space with the addition of a fan to feed oxygen past the tube array and distribute the ozone that is generated. The apparatus also has an odor emitting chamber to prevent excess ozone build up after operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Larry D. McMurray
  • Patent number: 4846757
    Abstract: A novelty item or toy for use by young children. The invention provides a predetermined amount of conventional kneaded rubber type cleaner and a rubber band. The rubber band and kneaded rubber are mixed together and appropriately kneaded to form a single mass. When the rubber band within the mass is first twisted and then allowed to unwind, the mass formed by the kneaded rubber and rubber band changes to surprising and curious shapes as the rubber band unwinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventor: Larry D. McMurray
  • Patent number: 4807552
    Abstract: A small boat bow thruster which includes a port and starboard discharge nozzle forwardly mounted through the hull of the boat above the water line. Water from an inlet port located below the water line of the boat is drawn by a pump through conduits to the discharge nozzles. The pump is a bi-directional positive displacement pump which can feed either the starboard or port discharge nozzle depending on the direction of pump rotor rotation. The pump is powered by an electric motor capable of running in a normal or reversed mode and which is controlled by an activation switch manually operated. Water is discharged through the port or starboard nozzle above the water line of the boat when the system is activated. The bow is thrust sidewise in the direction opposite of the nozzle discharge allowing slow and controlled maneuvering of the boat in tight spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: Larrie M. Fowler
  • Patent number: 4796382
    Abstract: A holder for Christmas trees which includes a container supported above ground level, legs to support the weight of the tree attached to the container, and holding members extending from the legs. The container is provided with a sharpened point or spike upon which the tree base rests, and can hold a reservoir of water. The legs are mounted to the container so that as the weight of the tree depresses the container, the legs spread on the floor and the holding members are forced to engage the tree trunk and hold it in place. Springs are provided at the point at which the legs are attached to the container so that the container may set above ground level at rest position with the holding members spread wide enough to accommodate various tree trunk sizes. Stabilizing pads are provided on the base of the legs at the contact with the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: William E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4783040
    Abstract: A non-metallic strut support system using a fiberglass channel and composite thermoplastic bands to support piping or ducting used in corrosive environments. The structural strut has a pair of longitudinal flanges which project inwardly. Complimental composite thermoplastic support bands are provided which have a natural curvature for supporting a pipe or duct when the bands are engaged. The bands have flanges on their top portion which engage the flanges of the structural strut when the top portion of the bands are placed within the channel of the strut. The top portion of the bands provides easy insertion and removal of the bands from the strut channel manually, either by inserting and turning to fit in the lock position, or in close clearance areas the head can be compressed to provide snap-in placement into the strut. The bands are adjusted by a bolt in a housing on the end of one band and matching slots on the end of the other band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Aickin Development Corporation
    Inventors: Verne L. Lindberg, Paul A. Stockinger
  • Patent number: 4758008
    Abstract: In a folding trailer (1) comprising at least a bottom (2), two wheels (17) connected to the bottom by a wheel suspension, and a towing bar (7) for coupling the trailer to a tractive vehicle. The bottom comprises a central section (3) at the height of the wheels (17), a front and rear sections (5,4) each of which can be moved relatively to the central section (3) between a working position in which they lie in one plane with the central section and a folded position in which they lie parallel to each other and transversely to the central section. The wheel suspension (42) is shaped in such a way that the wheels (17) can be accomodated within the space defined in the folded state by the central section and the front and rear bottom sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Albertus Moddejonge
  • Patent number: 4757998
    Abstract: A safety device for use in bench pressing includes at least one bar overlying a bench in a generally longitudinal direction. The bar, or preferably pair of bars, is located near the center line of the bench and is preferably pivotally moveable downward to an operable position in which it overlies the bench. Hooks for retaining a weight upon supporting uprights while the device is pivoted up from its operable position and locks for locking the device in the weight-retaining position may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Michael G. Landin
  • Patent number: 4746765
    Abstract: A door seal for a room shielded against electromagnetic radiation in which the door leaf is mounted on a door frame and will move between open and closed positions. The door seal is formed of coplanar layered flexible metal sheets. A layer of coplanar seal sheets is attached to the door leaf and arranged end to end around the periphery of the door leaf. A subsequent layer or layers or coplanar sheets are also attached to the door and so arranged over the adjacent layer to cover its seams. The layered sheets on the door leaf are pressed into full contact with the door frame by a conventional seal such as a tubular bladder. Alternatively, the layers of co-planar sheets may be attached to the door frame and sealed against the door leaf. The layered sheets are flame sprayed to protect against corrosion and assure a highly conductive surface between layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Inventor: Orville B. Mallott
  • Patent number: 4730476
    Abstract: A portable cutter/crimper that can cut or crimp stranded cable for bundling logs. A pneumatic air bag is used to close the jaws of a pair of crimping arms which contain matching arcuate cut out portions for the cable connector to be crimped. Prior to operation, the crimping jaws are held open by a spring. The crimping arms also have cutting edges adjacent to the crimping jaws for cutting wire. A frame and handle are provided which have a trigger to initiate expansion of the air bag during operation. The force of the expanding air bag is transmitted to the crimping arms by two connecting arms rotably connected to the crimping arms. The assembly is partially housed in an aluminum housing, and is relatively light weight for easier field use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Rasmussen Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Verne L. Lindberg, Dan H. Martin
  • Patent number: 4695019
    Abstract: A non-metallic strut support system using a fiberglass channel and composite thermoplastic bands to support piping or ducting used in corrosive environments. The structural strut has a pair of longitudinal flanges which project inwardly. Complimental composite thermoplastic support bands are provided which have a natural curvature for supporting a pipe or duct when the bands are engaged. The bands have flanges on their top portion which engage the flanges of the structural strut when the top portion of the bands are placed within the channel of the strut. The top portion of the bands provides easy insertion and removal of the bands from the strut channel manually, either by inserting and turning to fit in the lock position, or in close clearance areas the head can be compressed to provide snap-in placement into the strut. The bands are adjusted by a bolt in a housing on the end of one band and matching slots on the end of the other band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Aickin Development Corporation
    Inventors: Verne L. Lindberg, Paul A. Stockinger