Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Kline
  • Patent number: 5666941
    Abstract: A side table for a barbecue grill, comprising: a table member and means for rotatably supporting the table member on a vertical leg of the barbecue grill such that the table member is rotatable in horizontal plane about the vertical leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer B. Teufel, Michael Giebel, Steven Speck, Michael Franks
  • Patent number: 5621989
    Abstract: A steam valve seal for a steam iron comprising: a hollow cylindrical base disposed within an opening defined by a steam chest cover plate of the iron, the base receiving a steam valve of the iron; an annular middle portion disposed between the base and an outer annular wall having a downwardly extending annular shoulder; the annular shoulder disposed in an annular channel defined by the steam chest cover plate; and an annular groove defined by and disposed between the annular middle portion and the outer annular wall, the annular groove receiving an annular clip disposed within the iron which holds the seal against the steam chest cover plate. Shrinkage of the steam valve seal causes the cylindrical base to tighten against the steam valve and causes the annular middle portion and annular shoulder to tighten against the steam chest cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hensel, Richard L. Hoare
  • Patent number: 5619812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heel rest for an iron. More specifically, the heel rest of the present invention, comprises a recess to improve the stability of an iron in its upright position on a soft surface, such as a padded ironing board or carpet. As the iron is placed in the upright position, the weight of the iron presses down upon the soft surface and causes the soft surface located directly under the recess to rise and fill in to the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hensel, Richard L. Hoare
  • Patent number: 5610373
    Abstract: An improved scale, including bathroom-type scales, is provided by employing markings on the dial for calibrating the scale using photosensor equipment. The adjusting nut of the scale and the calibration stud of the scale are both accessible for automated mechanical calibration after assembly of the scale. As a result, an iterative calibration procedure is employed by machine as opposed to traditional manual methods. Photosensors read the dial and send a signal to mechanical driver or wrench mechanisms for automated calibration. The improved scale and calibration method reduces labor and production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventors: Delbert B. Graves, Michael L. Pyle, Victor Rossol, Paul R. Buhr
  • Patent number: 5607627
    Abstract: A humidifier comprising a bucket housing, a fan for producing a flow of air between an inlet port and an outlet port defined by the humidifier, a motor having a shaft disposed within the humidifier, and an impeller assembly coupled to the shaft of the motor, the impeller assembly comprising a hollow stem extending into the bucket housing and having longitudinal ribs disposed within the stem, and a disk disposed on an upper end of the stem, the disk defining an inner annular shoulder, an outer annular shoulder, a circumferential edge and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures disposed between the inner and outer annular shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventors: James E. Berkeley, John A. McMillan
  • Patent number: 5605273
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery
    Inventors: Steven W. Hamblin, David A. Witt, Thomas J. Sierocuk, Kirk M. Nicola, Matthew R. Otten, Craig B. Berky
  • Patent number: 5598671
    Abstract: This invention relates to exterior building wall systems utilizing multiple wall panels forming horizontal and vertical wall joints. Each individual wall panel consists of an essentially flat exterior facing member and four perimeter members structurally connected to the facing member. The design of the perimeter members and the combination of differential pressure seals and pressure equalized seals enable the system to prevent water from infiltrating into the building. In addition, this invention is easily disassembled and saves much time and expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Raymond M. L. Ting
  • Patent number: 5596851
    Abstract: A system is provided, wherein the watertight performance of exterior wall perimeters is addressed such as the perimeters of a window, a door, or a curtain wall system. The perimeter sealant lines are classified into P.E. Seal bordering no differential air pressure and D.P. Seal bordering a differential air pressure. Long lasting watertight performance is accomplished by using P.E. Seal in the area of the water path and D.P. Seal away from the water path. The design is accomplished by using combinations of an inner transition member, an exterior perimeter member, pressure equalization holes, and pressure equalized wall cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Raymond M. L. Ting
  • Patent number: 5597306
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separable attachment of an epithesis to a bone. Osseointegrated fixtures with internal threads are implanted into the bone with said fixtures being accessible from the outside. Removable screws, each with a head protruding outwards, are inserted into the fixture to enable an epithesis, manufactured from soft elastic material, to be fixed upon the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Sieglinde Horlitz
    Inventors: Sieglinde Horlitz, Andy Ovist
  • Patent number: 5587101
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a gas injection nozzle which is used for pouring liquid metal and which is prevented from being blocked in the course of continuous casting. According to the present invention, a gas injection nozzle for pouring liquid metal is provided, wherein(a) the nozzle consists of a porous refractory,(b) the circumference of the nozzle is surrounded by an iron shell which has a gas injection pipe, a band-like space (referred to as a gas pool hereinafter) which extends along the circumference of the nozzle perpendicular to an axis of the nozzle between the porous refractory and the iron shell, and(c) the gas pool is formed as a wavy, band-like space along at least one portion of the circumference of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Tokyo Yogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Hattanda, Mitsukazu Ogiso, Yasuta Koike, Kazuhiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 5580067
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery
    Inventors: Steven W. Hamblin, David A. Witt, Thomas J. Sierocuk, Kirk M. Nicola, Matthew R. Otten, Craig B. Berky
  • Patent number: D374922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Devin L. Moore
  • Patent number: D376234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hensel, Richard L. Hoare
  • Patent number: D376551
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. O'Neil
  • Patent number: D376639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Devin L. Moore
  • Patent number: D377212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Devin L. Moore
  • Patent number: D377578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Barthelemy, Sonja Schiefer
  • Patent number: D377765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. O'Neil
  • Patent number: D379899
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Barthelemy, Sonja Schiefer
  • Patent number: D383854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Marcus L. Ruscitto