Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael I Kroll
  • Patent number: 7458558
    Abstract: Method and apparatus 10 for releasing pressure that may have built up behind a plug 18 in a controlled manner. Environmental and safety regulations mandate that all bleeder valves in a gas and liquid hydrocarbon and chemical service require metal plugs 18 to be installed downstream of the valve to ensure a positive shut off. Removal of these plugs 18 can create a hazardous condition if there is not a good seat on the bleeder valve. Pressure can build up behind the plug 18 and as the bull plug is removed, an uncontrolled pressure release can occur. The apparatus 10 is a safety device, serving as a plug 18 and also providing a method for releasing the pressure that may have built up behind the plug in a controlled manner. The device 10 comprises a carbon steel plug 18 fabricated with a vent hole 20 for controlled pressure release and a carbon steel modified hex bolt 22 having a tapered seat 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Patricia Toth
  • Patent number: 7455348
    Abstract: A cab top carrier/deflector device for fifth wheel tow vehicles that is removably installed on the cab of such a tow vehicle and includes a plurality of selectively adjustable deflector elements to redirect the air stream as it travels over the cab of the tow vehicle to drag created from said air stream flowing against the lead portion of the trailer. The present invention further includes a cargo storage chamber within the interior of the housing that is accessible by access doors disposed on the sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Donald J Grover
  • Patent number: 7451962
    Abstract: A turnbuckle having pivoting releasable anchors on opposing ends that when attached to different articles provides for moving one or both of the attached article toward or away from the other. The turnbuckle anchors comprise a plate incorporating housing for releasably receiving a turnbuckle eyelet and a blade extending from the base having a substantially triangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Keith Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7451875
    Abstract: A container storage system includes a plurality of containers, wherein each container is of a different size. Each container includes a base and wall extending up from and perpendicular to the base forming a pool therein. A first lip extends around a periphery of the wall outside the pool on a side opposite the base. A second lip extends around a periphery of the wall outside the pool on a side adjacent the base. The container further includes a lid having a shape and size that corresponds with a shape and size of the base. The lid has a retaining channel that extends around a periphery thereof for releasably receiving one of the first and second lips for releasably securing the lid to at least one of an open end of said container and the base of said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Karen Norris
  • Patent number: 7449995
    Abstract: An indicator device used in a vehicle to inform the user when or how many miles are left until said vehicle requires an oil change. Comprising the present invention is an interface having a trip reset button to be installed to a vehicle's dashboard having a display to indicate the amount of miles remaining for the effective life left in the oil, and a second colored indicator that lights up one default color (typically green) while the oil is good, and then also flashes a different color (typically red) when the oil has reached it's expiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Eula Clanton-Holloway
  • Patent number: 7448095
    Abstract: A tub having a water holding tank or jacket and a plurality of apertures in the tub so that water from the water jacket can be quickly transferred to the tub and controls within the system to provide means for the user to define water temperature, volume and rate of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Itshak T Agaeliaho
  • Patent number: 7438148
    Abstract: A controllable vehicle system and method of using a vehicle capable of being manual and remote control. The system includes a vehicle and a remote control unit. The vehicle includes a compartment for receiving a rider and at least one wheel. Manual controls are provided for controlling operation of the at least one wheel upon receipt of a control signal from the rider. A control override switch disables the manual controls. The vehicle also includes a receiver and a vehicle transmitter which generates and transmits a distance signal. The remote control device includes a device for generating control signals based upon command signals received from a user. A remote transmitter is provided for transmitting the control signals to the vehicle transmitter for controlling the control override and control operation of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Dominick Crea
  • Patent number: 7434348
    Abstract: A fishing pole strike alert device having an anchor pivotally connected to a rod holder with spring tensioned members positioned between the anchor and the rod holder. The tensioning members vary the angular displacement of the rod holder and anchor, which is used in an electrical alarm circuit with alarm contacts actuatable through the angular displacement between the anchor and rod holder with one of the contacts user selectively positionable to vary the pressure required to actuate the alarm circuit. The electrical circuit uses a self-contained DC power source, preferably a battery. The present invention also provides a fishing strike pole alert device wherein the anchor is a stake decreasing diametrically to a point whereby the anchor can be inserted into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Welch
  • Patent number: 7431231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shredder for comminuting or shredding organic material to use as organic fertilizer. The shredder has a material-receiving receptacle that is removably attached to a housing. The receptacle has shredding blades disposed on the interior thereof. The housing contains the motor that drives blades to shred the material in the receptacle. A pair of wheels and a pair of stanchions (i.e. legs) support the housing of the shredder. The receptacle may employ a discharge cute to allow the user to remove the shredded material from the receptacle without removing the receptacle from the housing or turning the receptacle upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Tong Myong Saiki
  • Patent number: 7426899
    Abstract: A device for the lowering and raising of a flag having a tubular hollow body used to house and protect the flag while lowered and having a crank assembly with a plurality of line leads for to make raising and lowering of a flag by its flag line an easier task. Additionally the present invention is composed of a plurality of sections that may be attached to any existing flagpole via clamps or other fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Heva
  • Patent number: 7415932
    Abstract: A foldable support structure serving as a work surface having apertures that may differ diametrically for support of containerized articles, such as beverages. The foldable support structure has three hinged planar sections with the center section having the aforementioned apertures and the left and right sections incorporating means for fixedly engaging each other. Mating straps extend substantially from a hinged joint and from a section base whereby said foldable support can be suspended from a structure, such as a motor vehicle seat. Tongue and slots positioned on opposing section ends provide means for selectively varying the pitch of the work surface. The device can be used as a free standing table for bed or beach having selectively engageable locking mechanisms positioned on the four corners of the center section and normally in a disengaged position so that the left and right sections are free to move to a user selective engagement between tab and slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Van Huynh Ngo
  • Patent number: 7416250
    Abstract: A pliable seat cover having an elastic strap positioned along the hem of the seat cover to maintain the selective positioning thereof. The cover is comprised of a flexible sheet fabricated of a chemically resistive material having waterproof and soil proof capabilities for protecting the seat top and sides. The seat cover is designed to protect the seat during application of detergents and cleaners and keep the seat dry during inclement weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Richard DiFilippo
  • Patent number: 7413456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical socket for a standard light bulb. The socket is configured to allow the bulb to be pushed into and pulled from the socket. The sockets are provided with spring members where the spring members have ridges thereon to engage the threaded end of the light bulb. The spring members are unevenly spaced about the circumference of the socket and the spring members are provided with an upper end that can move vertically away from the bottom of the socket. When a bulb is pushed into the socket, the force of the bulb on ridges on the spring members cause the spring members to elongate and allow the bulb to slide into the socket. When the bulb is pulled from the socket the spring members elongate allowing the bulb to slide from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Frank DiFusco
  • Patent number: 7413381
    Abstract: A system to improve water distribution within a septic system drain field and in turn maximizing the efficiency of the water drainage while reducing maintenance and repair costs through the employment of a plurality of substantially parallel leeching lines in communication with a septic tank that feeds effluence thereto through a first header pipe and having a second header pipe on the opposing ends to maintain the functionality of the leeching line in the event of a clog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Dominic J Bracone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7409773
    Abstract: A device for facilitating the correct measurement and placement of tiles having a transparent top plate for viewing indicia markings on bottom sliding plate, also having a channel for the setting of a rule that is angularly and spatially adjustable from the thin metal abutment edge through the loosening and tightening of a wing nut and washer attached to the ruler through said channel. Additionally the rule of the present invention is equipped with a stop which ends 1ΒΌ? from its side edges for the utilization of the present invention as a guide for correct placement of tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Constantine Michael Gioia, Valeska Nunziata Gioia
  • Patent number: 7406769
    Abstract: A portable rechargeable apparatus for cutting a pipe with a collar having a throughbore for receiving pipe therein with a blade positioned within the throughbore for cutting the pipe. A gear teeth exteriorly positioned on the housing whereby a drive mechanism having an electric motor driving a gear and spaced apart arms for receiving the collar can rotatively drive the collar for cutting the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Toussaint
  • Patent number: 7395805
    Abstract: A rotary engine having a rotor housing with a bisected, offset elliptical interior wall and a rotor member disposed therein. Four rotor vanes reciprocate radially from within said rotor wherein the opposing vanes perform the same function simultaneously as they pass through the cycle. The rotor vanes are forced out of the rotor by a pressurized oxygen/fuel mixture entering behind the vanes through the ports of the ported side plate. The rotation of the rotor urges the vanes back into the rotor due to the narrowing elliptical walls of the housing thereby forcing the oxygen/fuel mixture through the transfer ports and one-way check valve and into the combustion chamber where it is compressed and ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Seth MacMurray
  • Patent number: 7393116
    Abstract: A system for plant illumination that may be installed in or made as part of a planting pot. The system employs a string of illuminable fixtures each having an illumination source. The fixtures may be operated on low voltage that steps down through a transformer and may employ an ambient light sensor. The system may incorporate light globes that protect the illumination sources and may incorporate a transparent color to provide colored light. Light shields may be employed to direct the light from each illumination source. A splashguard may be employed and placed between the illumination source and its respective socket to prevent water from entering the socket. The container may be formed with two walls to protect the wiring being disposed there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Steve Donald Holmes
  • Patent number: D576935
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Bobby Kerr
  • Patent number: D580329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Bobby Kerr