Patents Represented by Attorney Martin P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4625898
    Abstract: An integrally molded, unitary, plastic dispensing closure comprising a body, a lid, and a "living" hinge that joins the lid to the body. Cams and cooperating wall surfaces in the vicinity of the hinge provide forces that temporarily deform the hinge, within its plastic limits, and facilitate the movement of the lid to either an opened, or a closed, position. In one embodiment, recesses are formed at the rear of the closure body to accommodate the cams when the closure is in its closed position. In another embodiment, recesses are formed in the skirt of the lid to accept upwardly extending posts, and a cavity is defined in the upper surface of the closure body to accept cams, or lugs, depending below the lid. An efficient, aesthetically pleasing, low profile dispensing closure is achieved in each instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Hazard
  • Patent number: 4625487
    Abstract: A body support for immobile persons comprising a series of parallel, elongate resilient cushions, with adjacent cushions tilted in opposite directions to vary the areas of support provided to a person thereon to prevent development of bed sores and other related problems. The tilting cushions, in moving in alternate directions, in addition to shifting lift from one cushion edge to the other, reciprocatively approach and move away from their neighbours in a movement which provides a massaging effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Francis John Boundy
    Inventor: Richard S. Blakeway
  • Patent number: 4624464
    Abstract: There is disclosed a game (10) comprised of a base (16) with a central hub (24), a playing board (28) which is removeably mounted on the base over the central hub and is held thereto so that it will not rotate with respect to the base. A transparent turntable (38) having a plurality of pockets (40) contained therein is rotatably mounted on the base by means of cooperating bearing means (44, 46) formed in the lower surface of the turntable and the upper surface of the central hub. The playing board includes a playing surface (29) with a number of spaces (34) printed thereon. The number of spaces on the playing surface and the pockets formed within the turntable are identical whereby in the starting position, the pockets, and the spaces will be aligned. During play, playing pieces (12) are placed in the pockets over spaces on the playing surface for movement over the playing surface. The turntable may be rotated during play to transport the playing pieces over different spaces on the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George F. Propsom
  • Patent number: 4622494
    Abstract: An auxiliary signalling and warning device for utilization on vehicles which make wide turns comprising a main body section that is at least partially reflectorized and a light lens member that is adapted to be secured to the main body section so as to form an enclosure. The light lens member is provided with a written message indicating that the vehicle negotiates wide turns. Light bulb retaining means is provided in the main body section for receiving and retaining light bulbs. Electrical connections from the light bulbs are adapted to interact with the existing vehicle directional turn signal lights. The enclosure is adapted for mounting to the rear of the vehicle so as to provide a highly visible flashing warning to following traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Robert M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4619451
    Abstract: Four pairs of paper drive rollers are provided which may be individually adjusted so that proper balancing of the bite pressures result. The same springs employed for this purpose are also utilized to maintain the mechanism locked and to provide rapid and easy opening of the mechanism to widely separate the rollers for the purpose of cleaning and preventing the rollers from being flattened due to continued application of bite pressure when the machine is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Itek Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 4616891
    Abstract: The storage cabinet comprises a plurality of superposed storage compartments pivoting about horizontal axes to pass from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa.Each compartment is in the shape of a trough with a bottom part constituted by a portion of cylinder and two lateral end walls.Each trough is provided at its rear part with a tongue piece which extends inwardly substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall of the trough and ensures, in the trough closed position, a continuity with the bottom wall of the lower adjacent trough, so that in the closed position, each trough is entirely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Eric Jantzen
  • Patent number: 4615119
    Abstract: A blade for a vibratory cutter having a plurality of serrated teeth. A plurality of first teeth provided on one side of the center line of the blade are angled in one direction, and a plurality of second teeth provided on the second side of the center line are equally angled to the first set of teeth in the opposite direction. When used in conjunction with a vibratory tool, the blade will sever material in two directions parallel to the surface endeavored to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: JHJ Enterprises
    Inventors: David S. Johnson, Everett L. Haas
  • Patent number: 4611412
    Abstract: A shoe containing a plurality of pairs of ribs provided between the mid-sole and the outer sole. All of the ribs are provided with at least one bowed or convex surface running the length of the rib. When weight is placed upon the sole, each of the ribs initially begins to deflect until adjacent ribs abut one another at which point the ribs begin to compress. Additionally, an elastic bridging element is provided between each of the ribs provided in a single pair of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Eli Cohen
  • Patent number: 4602422
    Abstract: A flash compression process for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells wherein a powder of photovoltaic material is compressed under high pressure between upper and lower compression members and is simultaneously melted in place by means of an electric discharge supplied through the compression members. The photovoltaic material is subjected to a controlled solidification process by which impurities are confined to one side of the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell may be formed directly on a substrate and may be surface doped during the formation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Inventor: Khanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 4598068
    Abstract: The present invention relates, by way of new industrial products, to the benzylphenyl osides of the formula ##STR1## in which: X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4 and X.sub.5, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group substituted by one or more halogen atoms (in particular a CF.sub.3 group), an OH group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group substituted by one or more halogen atoms, a nitro group, a group NR'R" (in which R' and R", which are identical or different, each represent the hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group or an acetyl group), a methylthio group, a methylsulfinyl group or a mesyl group, andR represents an ose radical chosen from the group comprising(a) the .alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Societe de Recheres Industrielles
    Inventors: Soth Samreth, Francois Bellamy, Jean-Bernard Chazan
  • Patent number: 4591125
    Abstract: A picture hanging device comprising a male member adapted to be rigidly secured to the back of a picture frame or other like object and a female member adapted to be rigidly secured to a wall or other vertical support surface. The male member includes an upper fastening flange and a resilient lower tongue normally lying in the same vertical plane. The fastening flange is provided with a fixed or movable spacing portion which protrudes beyond the fastening flange and the tongue. The female member comprises an upper guiding portion and a lower slot. The guiding portion guides the tongue into the slot and contacts the spacing portion when the tongue is fully inserted within the slot. A portion of the tongue remains exposed above the slot when fully inserted therein such that the exposed portion is deflected outwardly so as to urge the lower edge of the frame toward the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Lucien J. Bellehumeur
  • Patent number: 4589861
    Abstract: A non-deformable metallic pulley is coated with a urethane layer having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches. A drive belt, coupled to a recording head, is positioned over the urethane layer of the pulley, which in turn is driven by a stepping motor. The drive pulley is non-deformable, to eliminate backlash and yet has a very high coefficient of friction, about double that of steel, which is maintained consistent throughout the operation of the drive system, regardless of exposure to paper dust, dirt, oil and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Itek Graphix Corp.
    Inventor: Dennis W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 4581833
    Abstract: A laterally offset shovel assembly for the boom of a backhoe, or similar excavating machine, enables the backhoe to dig foundations or trenches in previously inaccessible locations. The assembly comprises a tubular member with a bucket securing to one end thereof and a pair of straps secured adjacent to the other end thereof. The conventional bucket is removed and the straps are bolted or otherwise secured to the free ends of the linkages extending along opposite lateral faces of the boom. The power cylinder on the boom transmits power through the linkages to the straps. The straps, in turn, pivot to oscillate the tubular member and the bucket secured thereon to perform digging operations in tight quarters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Louie Zeravica
  • Patent number: 4580687
    Abstract: A plastic dispenser cap has a closure, integrally attached thereto by a continuous hinge, for blocking holes formed in the cap. When shut, the lower surface of the closure is flush with the upper surface of the cap, resulting in an article of minimal height. When assembled to standard bottles, a stackable assembly results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Duane H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4579024
    Abstract: A control system for power tongs comprises two tongs torque limiters, one of which limits tongs torque to a very low (hand-tight) level; the other limits torque at full makeup to, for example, 2000 ft. lb. The hand-tight torque limiter is manually or automatically disabled after the hand-tight level is reached. The system enables the operator to verify that the threads are properly engaged before applying full torque to the connection. The tongs have a very high reduction ratio, so that torque rises very slowly and can be more accurately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: William E. Coyle, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4577046
    Abstract: Deamination of aromatic primary amines by diazotization and hydrogen replacement of the diazo group is accelerated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Yields of at least about 85% are typical, with reaction times of usually about one hour or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: University of New Mexico
    Inventors: Mark D. Hylarides, Fred A. Mettler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4572589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide bushing used to maintain alignment of a rotary shaft and in particular to a guide bushing for use as a mining deck bushing. When drilling blast holes in surface mining operations, it is conventional to pass the drill pipe through a deck bushing located on the floor or deck of the blast hole drill. During drilling operations the drill pipe has a tendency to run off laterally, and vibrate vertically. The purpose of the deck bushing is to keep the drill pipe as straight as possible, and prevent wear of the more costly deck. The present invention provides a guide bushing for use as a deck bushing and is equipped with a rotatable inner sleeve which is supported by angular journal bearing surfaces and ball bearings located in elongate annular grooves, which allow the guide bushing to maintain alignment of the drill pipe without premature failure of the ball bearings, grooves or other bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Western Rock Bit Company Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth M. White
  • Patent number: 4572360
    Abstract: The herb package described is made of a synthetic foil having therein plural perforations for allowing fluids, but not solids, to exit and/or enter the package. The perforations are formed by needling, created inward or outward deformation of the foil at each puncture point, whereby each perforation tends to act as a one-way valve in a direction corresponding to the direction of needle penetration. Some of the perforations are formed by inward needling, some by outward needling, so that pressure cycling pumps water through the package contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Helga Lischka, geb. Woitzik
  • Patent number: D285318
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George F. Propsom
  • Patent number: D286697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Alpo L. Marttinen