Patents Represented by Attorney Michael F. Petock
  • Patent number: 6893455
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a portion of the anatomy of a wearer comprises an elongated fabric with fastening means on its ends for adjustably connecting the ends together in the form of a closed loop to encircle tightly a portion of the anatomy of the wearer such as the head or wrist. A portion of elongated fabric is provided with a pocket with a flap for folding over an elongated cooling pack. A cooling pack is inserted in the pocket and retained in the pocket by the flap. The cooling pack is comprised of a plurality of elongated tubes, at least some of the tubes containing ammonium nitrate and a container for water. A burstable seal is provided between the container for the water and the tubes containing the ammonium nitrate. Pressure may be applied to burst the seals allowing the water to mix with the ammonium nitrate and cause an endothermic cooling reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Sharon R. Rafferty, Sheila R. Piernock
  • Patent number: 6878007
    Abstract: A power cord plug and jack retainer includes a first and second mating sections. The first and second sections are adapted to mate such that the first section is female and the second section is male. The sections are provided with rhombic shaped pins and slots which lock in place against resilient forces provided by resilient pads and resilient straps. The retainer is provided with conical end portions to prevent snagging but is provided with hooks on the jack side of the conical portion for hooking the retainer on a suitable support such as a belt, ladder, branch or any other suitable support. The second section with the hooks on the conical portion may be used to hang a cord of a power tool or any other item having a cord with an enlarged portion. Any tool may be hung by a rope by placing a knot in the rope and hanging it from the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Selden M. Decker
  • Patent number: 6860297
    Abstract: What is new in the art to which my invention pertains is that it allows for a repair or restoration of a pressure retaining item that has local material degradation to an acceptable state of condition for continued operation without the need to cut out the degraded section of material or breach the pressure boundary of a pressure retaining item. Common methods of repair include removal of degraded or affected material section and replacement with a new section of equivalent material by joining the new material to an existing item at a location of adequate thickness using full or complete penetration welds. This type of repair may be referred to in the industry as a “flush patch repair”. An additional type of repair where a section of material degradation may be localized is a “weld build-up repair’ wherein weld metal is deposited onto the existing area of affected material to return the material to its original thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Stephen Manzon
  • Patent number: 6857492
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity in a moving vehicle utilizes a low drag spirally shaped fin mounted longitudinally on a cylindrical component of a generator which receives air from a vent as the vehicle moves through air. The vent includes structure for bypassing at least a portion of the airflow through the vent as the vehicle moves faster through the air. The airflow causes the cylindrical member to rotate causing the generator to generate electricity. The rotating cylindrical member may be provided with magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Liskey, Eugene B. Liskey
  • Patent number: 6831880
    Abstract: A display face is created by cutting or slicing a bowling ball wherein a portion of a weight block or core center of the bowling ball is displayed. The weight block or core is different in different balls. Accordingly, a slice of the bowling ball with the weight block therein creates a novel or unique appearance on the display face. The unique display face may be provided with clock hands and indicia representing clock numerals mounted in front of the bowling ball slice. Alternatively, the bowling ball slice may be utilized as a plaque on which an award plate is mounted or on which indicia are engraved. The display face may not contain a portion of the weight block or center core where slices taken from the periphery of the bowling ball or taken from a bowling ball without a weight block or center core. Additionally, the bowling ball may be provided with a fragrance to create a scent, and this fragrance a scent may also be associated with the display face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6776466
    Abstract: A slidably adjustable cabinet shelf support utilizes a groove and a bracket mounted into the groove which is slidable along the groove and lockable in a desired position. The bracket may be comprised of a first and a second portion for transverse members. The transverse members are inserted into the groove and rotated. The two portions of the bracket are then mounted together by a screw or other fastener which is threadably mounted in one portion of the bracket and passed through the other. The threaded fastener may then be tightened against the back wall of the groove to lock the bracket in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Maax-KSD Corporation
    Inventor: William Harvie, III
  • Patent number: 6665943
    Abstract: A hedge trimmer is provided with a substantially circular housing and a substantially circular blade having a plurality of cutting elements thereon. The substantially circular blade is mounted within the substantially circular housing and adapted to rotate. A handle projects from the housing. A motor for rotating the circular blade is mounted in the handle. The substantially circular housing is provided with a plurality of digits between which hedge may be received wherein the cutting elements on the rotating circular blade may cut the hedge. The cutting elements on the circular blade may be substantially U-shaped elements equally spaced about the periphery of the substantially circular blade. A plurality of digits may be formed in a circular housing on each side of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventors: Bart P. Sloane, Thomas Carson Sloane
  • Patent number: 6652907
    Abstract: A method, kit and tool for decorative coloring of concrete utilizes the application of a releasable adhesive compound to a cementitious substrate to prevent coloring in particular areas. Various designs may be created by the releasable adhesive compound. Releasable adhesive compound may be applied from a caulk gun in the form of a releasable caulk using either freehand, a template to form dots to be connected together, or a stencil. Alternatively, the releasable adhesive compound may be in the form of a liquid which may be sprayed or brushed on to the surface. A coloring agent is applied and the releasable adhesive compound, particularly when it is in the form of a caulk, may be used to dam the coloring agent. A guide tool for making straight lines or particular designs uses a transparent guide surface mounted to a body which is raised by projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Leslie J. Stever
  • Patent number: 6620431
    Abstract: Film coatings for enteric and colonic release at selected pH are provided by selecting and/or formulating a shellac of a predetermined acid number. The method includes the selection of the acid number to provide the release at the specified pH and a method of providing a shellac of a predetermined acid number by blending of shellacs of different acid numbers. In general, films that release or dissolve at or above pH 7.4 are based on the selection of shellac with an acid number below 74. Films that release or dissolve above pH 7.0 are comprised of shellac selected with an acid number below 80. Films that release or dissolve at below pH 7.0 are comprised of shellac selected to have an acid number above 80. The film coating may be modified with a water soluble resin and/or a plasticizer. Preferably the shellac will comprise 50% or more of the resin system, and is formed out of water, not alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Signorino
  • Patent number: 6475067
    Abstract: A dry method of concrete floor or concrete surface restoration uses the process of grinding a concrete surface to be resurfaced while extracting and retaining dust during the grinding process. The grinding process is repeated each time using finer grinding grit until a preselected degree of smoothness of the concrete surface is achieved. A sealer is applied to the concrete surface which has been ground to the predetermined degree of smoothness. In a preferred embodiment, two coats of sealer are applied and the sealer is preferably a water-based, odorless, penetrating alkaline siliconate solution. The method of the present invention limits down time to aisles and main areas during the restoration process, as well as limiting the dust and odor during the process to provide a lustrous smooth surface on the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Budget Maintenance Concrete Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Jones, John J. Allen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6467744
    Abstract: A parts and power tool holder is provided for mounting to an automotive lift wherein the automotive lift may be raised and completely lowered without having to remove the parts and tool holder from the lift. It is comprised of a tray having a bottom surface and a substantially vertically extending sidewall which forms a tray for the automotive parts, small tools and the like. A mounting bracket is mounted to a back portion of the sidewall for mounting of the tray to a lift arm. A holster is provided for hand held power tools formed on the tray adjacent to at least one of the two side portions of the sidewall. The bracket positions the tray such that the tray including the sidewalls is no lower than a plane corresponding to the bottom of the lift whereby the lift may be raised and completely lowered without removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Adrian Calin
  • Patent number: 6394305
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding and lifting items of food for use in connection with cooking includes a network comprised of interconnected flexible heat resistant plastic members and handles formed on two opposite sides of the network, with each of the handles being comprised of a plurality of flexible heat resistant plastic members connected to the network. A portion of the handle members may be removed to adjust the length of the handle. In a presently preferred embodiment, the network is comprised of a plurality of concentric circles interconnected by radial members. The handles are preferably formed by extensions of the radial members with a plurality of looping members connected between them. The handles may preferably be adjusted by cutting the radial extension members to remove a preselected number of looping members to adjust the length of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Beverly Sydlosky, Kerry Himmelberger
  • Patent number: 6336232
    Abstract: A shower curtain useable with a shower stall that does not include a front sill or wall of the type that normally cooperates with a shower curtain or shower door to seal the front opening into the shower stall. The shower curtain includes a flexible sheet member 12 that is attachable in an upper region thereof to an upper supporting member adjacent the front opening into the shower stall to permit movement of the flexible sheet member 12 between an extended orientation closing the front opening and a collapsed orientation permitting access into the shower stall through the front opening. Elongate side regions or panels of the sheet member include fastening members for cooperating with fastening members on adjacent side walls of the shower stall to close the opposed sides of the front opening into the shower stall. Weights disposed transversely along the lower region of the sheet member being spaced upwardly from a lower bottom panel of the sheet member intended to engage the floor of the shower stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Ellis I. Toder
  • Patent number: 6270036
    Abstract: A rotating airfoil aircraft utilizing blown air from a centrifugal fan located at its center to produce lift by causing airflow to travel over the upper surface of the airfoil and outwardly and downwardly from the lower surface of the airfoil. The airflow over the upper surface produces lift by causing a reduced pressure in the blown air current and the downwardly directed air produces an upward lift. This lifting force is used in connection with other lift produced by various factors including the airfoil traveling laterally through ambient air and, particularly during takeoff and landing, by means of the downward exhaust of an engine such as a jet engine. The rapidly rotating airfoil aircraft provides an advantage of providing the leading edge an opportunity to cool during a major portion of each rotation, thereby reducing the effective degree of leading edge heating caused during lateral flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Charles S. Lowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6234353
    Abstract: An apparatus for compressing flowable materials out of a tube includes a base member provided with a substantially flat surface and a rising flange at a first end. A compressing member is pivotally mounted to the base member in proximity to the first end and is provided with a compressing flat and curved surface. The compressing member is pivotally mounted to the base member such that a constant spacing is maintained between the curved surface and the base member for a portion of the rotation of the compressing member. This constant spacing is substantially equal to the thickness of the compressed layers of the tube. A hole may be formed in the flat surface of the base member near a second end of the base member to receive the outlet of the tube being compressed so that substantially all of the flowable material contained within the tube may be forced through the outlet of the tube. Friction enhancing structure may be provided on the curved surface of the compressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Homer E. Light
  • Patent number: 6228319
    Abstract: A portable dross pressing apparatus utilizes a frame which may be made portable by wheels, by forklift tubes or the like. A press head is mounted to an upper portion of the portable frame and a drive means is used to force a skim pot upwardly into juxtaposition with the press head wherein dross within the skim pot may be compressed between the skim pot and the press head. The pot and/or head may contain ribs which may or may not mate. The pressing components may be made of cast steel or of a refractory material, such as ceramic. A pot of refractory material would be constructed over a metal shell for reinforcement. Preferably, the skim pot and sow mold are mounted within a traveling frame which is movably mounted to the portable frame. The skim pot may be provided with an automatic dumping mechanism and the sow mold may be mounted on a slide drawer mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the skim pot is provided with means for preheating which may either be a gas burner or electrical resistance heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Altek International, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Roth, Peter G. Schirk
  • Patent number: 6096260
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for cooling the head of a dross press used in the recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross utilizes a controlled flow of cooling fluid (preferably water) through a cooling coil mounted in particulate matter having a high absorbtivity for heat, preferably sand and most preferably chromite sand. A temperature sensor is mounted within the particulate material or sand, and is used to control the flow of water through the coil in the cooling head. When a temperature above a predetermined value is sensed, water flow through the cooling coil is caused to increase. When the sensed temperature is below a second predetermined value, the controlled water flow through the cooling coil is caused to decrease. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the amount of time that the dross press head is in contact with the dross to be pressed as a function of the temperature of the dross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Altek International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter G. Schirk
  • Patent number: 6065258
    Abstract: A work space partition system having graphic artwork on fabric material covering the partitions is formed by panels having a frame, mounting a fabric material over a surface formed by said frame with the fabric material bearing on its exposed surface at least a portion of a graphic or scene. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic or scene on the fabric may be computer generated either utilizing a computer controlled loom for weaving, or a computer controlled knitting machine for generating the scene in the fabric. Alternatively, the computer controlled process may be utilized to form the scene by printing. The scene may be any graphic, scene or a natural scene, such as a beach scene, a mountain scene, a wilderness scene, a race track, a picture of other workers or leaders or any other suitable and pleasing scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Carol McClatchy
  • Patent number: 6045178
    Abstract: An outdoorsman's support or chair is comprised of a substantially filled flexible container provided with shoulder straps for easy transport. The flexible container is filled with pellets and is preferably waterproof. It is adaptable to conform to the shape of a person providing comfortable support and insulation from the environment. The flexible container may be provided with a plurality of other straps which may be utilized for attaching other objects or gear to it during transport and for mounting the chair to various other structures, such as the trunk and limbs of trees. The chair is comprised of a spherical structure at one end and an elongated portion at a second end. The elongated portion at the second end may be folded over and juxtaposed to the spherical structure and secured by a folding strap for ease in transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Istari, Inc.
    Inventor: Richmond Marlin Miller
  • Patent number: 6024175
    Abstract: A sprinkler head adapter for use in a fire protection sprinkler system and a fire protection sprinkler system enable fire retardant fluid flow from the fire protection sprinkler system only when a sprinkler head is inserted into the sprinkler head adapter. When the sprinkler head is removed or unscrewed from the sprinkler head adapter, a valve contained within the sprinkler head adapter automatically closes. In a preferred embodiment, the valve comprises a valve sealing member connected to a sprinkler head sensing member and a biasing member for biasing the valve sealing member to a closed position. The sprinkler head sensing member holds the valve sealing member in the open condition when the sprinkler head is sensed by the sprinkler head sensing member to be in the adapter. The biasing member may be a coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Fred D. Moore, Jr., Robert L. Conneen, Charles M. Kruger, Jr.