Patents Represented by Attorney Michael L. Diaz
  • Patent number: 6826454
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for analyzing a motor of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The diagnostic apparatus includes a portable control unit which is detachably coupled to the HVAC system. The control unit can monitor, generate and simulate all control functions associated with the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Louis E. Sulfstede
  • Patent number: 6807273
    Abstract: A method for bypassing the common control and switch matrix of a class 5 digital switch, comprising providing a means to convert the signals and protocols used with the line/trunk frames associated with the class 5 digital switch to those used by the remote end of a DLC; providing network interfaces for one or more digital transmission facilities that make up the remote end of a DLC; and providing a means to couple the line/trunk frames with the switching system interface. A switching system interface comprising one or more network interfaces for terminating digital transmission facilities; one or more interfaces for coupling to line/trunk frames of a digital switch; a time-slot assignment means for connecting time slots of the digital transmission facilities to those of the line/trunk frames; and a call processing means for coordinating call setup and teardown between the DLC local terminal and the line/trunk frames, and for managing the time-slot assignment means to complete calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: David Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 6760995
    Abstract: An electronic fishing device and control system. The fishing device includes an electro-mechanically actuated dive plane and rudder for steering the device in azimuth and depth by remote control or by preprogrammed instructions. In an autonomous mode, a device memory is preprogrammed with control instructions, and the device executes the instructions when placed in the water. In a remote control mode, the device is controlled by a remote control box located on a boat or shore. Preprogrammed instructions or user inputs may be utilized to steer the device. The control box may be interfaced with a fish finder to automatically generate commands to steer the device to fish detected by the fish finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Clare Mueller
  • Patent number: 6758519
    Abstract: A seat for use by a person bathing includes a horizontal surface supported by four legs. Each leg is connected to another leg to form a support assembly. Each support assembly is affixed to the underside of the horizontal surface. The seat also includes two guide rails which support a basket mounted on the underside of the horizontal surface. The basket may be slid out from either the front or rear of the horizontal surface. The guide rails are also used to reinforce the seat. In addition, the basket may be affixed to an edge of the horizontal surface to allow access by the user of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Harvey
  • Patent number: 6755491
    Abstract: A hardened Operator Interface Terminal (OIT) in an environmentally harsh area interfaces with computer components such as a control computer and a computer monitor in a controlled environment that is separated from the harsh environment by a wall or door. A sealed front panel mounts on the front side of the wall or door, and is exposed to the harsh environment while the computer components mount on shelves that are located on the back side of the wall or door. One of the shelves holds the monitor and is adjustable to align the monitor with a touch screen panel that is sealed in a window in the front panel. The shelves provide easy access to the computer components for service. A pivoting keyboard tray on the front panel holds a keyboard and mouse, and is fully sealed. The OIT is easily disassembled and packaged into a compact size for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Billy W. McElheney
  • Patent number: 6751818
    Abstract: An Airway Management Apparatus (AMA) and method for easing the breathing and aiding the alignment of the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes of the airway of an obese individual in the supine position. The AMA includes an upper-body support, and a head and neck support having a partially concave and partially convex surface coupled to the upper-body support. The AMA eases breathing by raising the individual's upper body at an angle, causing the individual's abdominal mass to fall away from the diaphragm. The AMA provides a support for the individual's neck to be extended, and for the head to be rotated backwards, to aid in the alignment of the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes of the individual's airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Craig Troop
  • Patent number: 6745435
    Abstract: A removable, reusable one-piece device for masking a door hinge to prevent paint from getting on the hinge while the door and/or door frame are being painted. The device includes an interior section having two sheets which are sized and shaped to cover the hinge plates of the door hinge. The two sheets are connected by a flexible sheet which covers an interior portion of a barrel of the hinge. On an exterior section of the device is a covering strip for covering an exterior portion of the barrel. The covering strip may include magnetic adhesive strips allowing attachment of the exterior section to the exterior portion of the barrel. The exterior section is connected to the interior section of the device, thus allowing a top portion of the hinge to be covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Tracy D. Bowers
  • Patent number: 6732615
    Abstract: A multiple-size nut driver comprising a socket portion and a handle connected to the socket portion for rotating the socket portion. The socket portion includes a plurality of concentric hexagonal sockets slidably mounted along a longitudinal axis of the driver. Each of the sockets slide between a forward operative position and a rearward retracted position. The handle includes a socket selector mounted behind the plurality of concentric hexagonal sockets. The socket selector holds a selected socket in the forward operative position while allowing unselected sockets to retract to the rearward retracted position. The selected socket is then placed over a nut, and turns the nut when the socket portion is rotated by the handle. Alternatively, the driver automatically selects the proper socket for a given nut by allowing sockets smaller than the nut to be retracted by the nut while the proper size socket and larger remain extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Edward Layaou
  • Patent number: 6732676
    Abstract: An integrated pet storage crate and grooming table. The integrated table includes a structure having a pet storage area covered by an openable gate, an equipment storage area for storing equipment, a horizontal surface resting on a top portion of the pet storage area and the equipment storage area, and a grooming surface rotatably connected to the horizontal surface. The grooming surface, which may be optionally covered with a material, covers the equipment storage area in a vertical orientation and is rotated upwardly to a horizontal orientation against the horizontal surface to provide an area for grooming a pet. The structure also includes a plurality of wheels mounted on a bottom surface of the structure allowing mobility of the structure. In addition, a telescopic ramp is mounted under the bottom surface of the structure to facilitate movement of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6718577
    Abstract: A blanket providing enhanced ventilation to a person lying underneath the blanket. The blanket includes a sheet of material having a plurality of spaced apertures. Each aperture includes an opening allowing the passage of air through the blanket. The blanket may also include a reinforcing section embedded within a perimeter of the sheet of material. The reinforcing section may be a tube containing trapped air. In addition, the blanket may include supports connected to a collar section. The supports allow the blanket to be raised a specified distance above the person lying under the blanket. When the person releases the blanket, the blanket returns to its original position, lying over the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hongbiao Li
  • Patent number: 6718578
    Abstract: A blanket providing enhanced ventilation and preventing a person from inadvertently removing the blanket from the person's body. The blanket includes a sheet of material having a reinforcing section embedded within a perimeter of the sheet of material. The reinforcing section may be a tube containing trapped air. In addition, the blanket may include supports connected to a collar section. The supports allow the blanket to be raised a specified distance above the person lying under the blanket. When the person releases the blanket, the blanket returns to its original position, lying over the person. The blanket may also includes several apertures allowing air to pass through the blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hongbiao Li
  • Patent number: 6702373
    Abstract: A system having a plurality of platforms for positioning control devices near an occupant of a chair. The system includes a first and second support shaft affixed to each side of a chair. A first side platform is affixed to the first support shaft. A second side platform is affixed to the second support shaft. A front platform is positioned in front of the chair. The front platform may be rotated away from the front of the chair by a pivot system which assists in moving the front platform. The system may also include two accessory platforms mounted adjacent each side platform. All the platforms may be adjustably positioned for the occupant of the chair. Computer and gaming control devices may be placed on top of the platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis D. Rossko
  • Patent number: 6676078
    Abstract: A method and system for alerting a cockpit crew of terrorist activity in a cabin of an aircraft. The system includes a plurality of fobs worn by flight attendants. The system also includes an antenna sending unit (ASU) located within the cabin and a cockpit display unit (CDU) located in the cockpit of the aircraft. When a terrorist situation is detected by a flight attendant, the flight attendant sends an alerting signal to the cockpit by sending a coded signal via the ASU to the CDU. The CDU provides an indicator to the cockpit crew. The CDU may also optionally send a transponder code and an ACARS message to ground-based units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: i-Tex Design Systems
    Inventors: Joseph L. Cordina, Anthony B. Couzelis
  • Patent number: 6618949
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting sighting pins in an archery sight for multiple target distances after the uppermost pin has been adjusted for a target distance such as 20 yards. An archery target is utilized with a horizontal reference indicator. Vertical offset distances from the reference indicator are determined for various target distances and arrow velocities, indicating where an arrow destined for the reference indicator on an imaginary target at a longer range such as 30 yards would strike the target at 20 yards. A vertical offset impact point is marked on the target at the offset distance from the reference indicator. A second pin corresponding to 30 yards is adjusted to visually overlie the reference indicator when the first pin is aimed at the offset impact point. By determining and marking offset distances corresponding to multiple target distances, multiple sighting pins can be adjusted in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shawn D. Keener
  • Patent number: 6564497
    Abstract: A fishing lure creating irregular fish-attracting signals to attract fish to the fishing lure. The fishing lure includes circuitry located within an interior chamber of the fishing lure. The circuitry includes a timer for periodically sending electrical signals to a relay having a magnetic coil. The coil converts the electric signals into signals attractive to fish, such as sound or light signals. The coil receives voltage at a gradually decreasing rate which allows the fishing lure to create irregular signals to the fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Jackson & Jackson Electronic All Star Lures, Inc.
    Inventor: Freddie E. Jackson, II
  • Patent number: 6457193
    Abstract: A baby blanket preventing a baby from removing the blanket from the body of the baby. The baby blanket includes a sheet of material having a reinforcing section embedded within a lower portion of a perimeter of the sheet of material. The reinforcing section tapers to an upper portion of the sheet of material to accommodate the shoulders of the baby. The baby blanket also includes a vertically raised section which is located above the neck of the baby. The baby is placed underneath the blanket. The baby is unable to move the blanket away from his body or to move the blanket onto his head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Hongbiao Li
  • Patent number: 6450864
    Abstract: An end mill grinder have two independently adjustable grinding wheels. The end mill grinder includes two grinding wheels which are located next to each other. Each grinding wheel is rotated by a motor. The grinding wheels are positioned in a manner which allows the first grinding wheel to grind primary clearances of the end mill, while the second grinding wheel grinds secondary clearances of the end mill. The end mill is guided toward the grinding wheels by a finger guide attached to a carriage which supports and retains the end mill. The end mill grinder allows the grinding of primary and secondary clearances in one step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Raphael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6443434
    Abstract: A dispenser for scents used to attract deer and other animals includes a housing with an intake on one end and an exhaust on the other. Inside the housing is a timing circuit which controls a cyclic heater element. The heater element is positioned to transfer heat to a bottle of liquid scent. As the scent is warmed, its evaporation increases so that the vaporized scent escapes from the bottle. A low-voltage fan pulls air into the container through the inlet and blows it out the exhaust vent, carrying with it the scent vapor. A timing circuit causes the heater and fan to cycle on and off at predetermined intervals, and the timing circuit may be controlled by a wireless remote control unit. Power to the heater and fan is supplied by a rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Jimmy D. Prather
  • Patent number: 6305124
    Abstract: A removable window guard for preventing small children and animals from exiting a window. The window guard includes a barrier having a plurality of vertical members intersecting a plurality of horizontal members. On each side of the barrier is a plurality of axial extensions. Each axial extension has a knob. A plurality of brackets are affixed to the side of a window frame. Each bracket retains a knob within the bracket'interior, thereby securing the barrier to the window frame. The barrier may be easily removed from the bracket by an adult located on either side of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tammy L. Pennington