Patents Represented by Law Firm Niro, Scavone, Haller & Niro, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 4980030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the treatment of paint sludge and for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from a paint spraybooth operation, thereby obtaining a recyclable material for use in new coating products. In such an operation, uncured paint resins mixed with volatile organic compounds are sprayed onto an article to be painted and at least a portion of the overspray is mixed with water to form a waste stream containing water, uncured paint resin, volatile organic compounds and inorganic substances. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the water and liquid volatile organic compounds from the waste stream; heating the resultant sludge to volatilize the residual water and liquid volatile organic compounds and to cure the uncured paint resin; collecting the residual solids stream, and removing all of the volatilized organic compounds from the resultant stream, thereby generating a volatile organic compound-free gas effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Haden Schweitzer
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Johnson, Andrew Slater
  • Patent number: 4968052
    Abstract: A wheel lift towing apparatus includes a crossbar with opposing end portions; two collars, one being mounted to each crossbar end portion; two wheel retainer locating struts, one being connected to each crossbar end portion via one of the collars; and two wheel retainers, one being mounted to a free end of each of the locating struts. The wheel retainers each have a central arm with first and second wheel engaging elements disposed at the opposing ends of the central arm. The wheel retainer support structure associated with each strut is configured to position each wheel retainer so that the retainers' respective first wheel engaging elements are located below a center axis of the wheels of the vehicle to be towed and so that the retainers' respective second wheel engaging elements are located above the center axis of the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventors: Bernard D. Alm, Leslie Bubik, Kenichi K. Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 4965556
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved combustion products smoke alarm that includes an electronic circuit which automatically tests the detector's operation repetitively at periodic intervals, or periodically sounds the detector's alarm to remind the occupant to manually test the detector's operation. In the preferred embodiment, this periodic testing or reminding occurs at weekly intervals. Thus, occupants living about such a smoke alarm, after experiencing this repetitive sounding of the detector's alarm for some time, will come to anticipate its sounding and notice its absence if the smoke alarm becomes inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Seatt Corporation
    Inventors: James Brodecki, William Tanguay, Dale Fiene
  • Patent number: 4959911
    Abstract: A novel portable garment drying device for quickly drying garments is comprised of an air circulating means assembled with a support frame, an air permeable sheet upon which a garment is placed for drying, and bottom covering. The device is easily assembled and disassembled for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventors: John Wolens, Nancy McGee
  • Patent number: 4953510
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved water heater and method of heating water retained in a storage tank having a flue passing through it. The apparatus and method directs hot gases flowing upwardly along the flue toward the flue's wall when heat transfer between those gases and the water is desired. The apparatus and method also directs the air or gases flowing upwardly within the flue away from the flue's wall when heat transfer is undesirable. The apparatus includes a plurality of moveable flow control fins secured at various locations along the length of a baffle by supported iwthin the flue. Each fin is secured to the baffle by a piece bi-metallic material whose shape changes in response to its temperature. When hot gases flow through the flue during a water heating mode, the bi-metallic pieces position the fins near the middle of the flue along the baffle's length and direct the flow of hot gases outwardly toward the flue's wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Marc W. Akkala, Kenneth R. Walther
  • Patent number: 4949725
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for display of biologically induced electrical activity is disclosed. The apparatus includes sensors for measuring EEG or MEG signals from a living body and using these signals to compute one or more dipoles representative of the measured electrical activity. Values of the electrical activity may also be computed for discrete locations in or on the body. The operator has the ability to input a variety of different computational specifications or criteria to facilitate dipole computation. The resulting computed data may be selectively displayed as a dipole within a three-dimensional representation of the body, as a movie-like series of dipoles, as a composite or tracing of dipoles or as various topographic maps. The operator also has the ability to change the display to provide different perspective views or to enlarge the displayed scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Bio-Logic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gil Raviv, Ivan Pal, Dean Koester, David Kripal, James N. Towle
  • Patent number: 4948095
    Abstract: A plastic spring loaded shut-off valve for drains in live wells of boats seals without the presence of fluid pressure. This effect is achieved by a biasing spring urging sealing flaps against the valve ports. The flaps are curved and have ribbed edges to accomplish such sealing and prevent jamming of the ports. The biasing spring is secured to a rotating member through slots while the flaps are secured to the member by buttons. The spring and flap are also secured by a bar across the flap, which has a bearing pad where it is contacted by the spring. The rotating member is rotatable on the underside of the valve top screwed to the valve body. Stops on the inside of the valve top limit its rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 4943037
    Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension inside a housing comprises parallel scissor arms and a support arm with a cam connected to suspension springs. The support arm, which carries the substantial majority of the seat load, has a height adjustment means and a cam with two arcuate surfaces that define an imaginary pivot point. The use of the cam with the imaginary pivot point permits a more compact structure. Various embodiments of the support arm with a cam end and devices using the support arm are also disclosed. A shock absorber attached to the outside of the scissor arms dampens the stroke of the suspension springs connected to the cam. The ratio of the shock stroke travel to the vertical movement of the seat remains generally linear and constant, thus producing a more comfortable ride. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism on the support arm that interlocks with the cam by a pivoting pawl and biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Cole T. Brodersen, Danny S. Foster
  • Patent number: 4930343
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in measuring fluid flow across a boundary is disclosed including a conduit, supply means for control fluid and two fluid flow sensors. The conduit is positioned to extend across the boundary so that its open ends are located on opposite sides of the boundary. The supply means introduces control fluid at an intermediate point so that control fluid flows through the conduit in opposite directions and discharges through both open ends. The fluid flow sensors are mounted so that each may sense variations in control fluid flow exiting at the ends of the conduit. These sensors generate output signals responsive to fluid flow across the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Haden, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4927568
    Abstract: A novel and unique apparatus is disclosed for use in aerating water held in a container, such as a livewell in a fishing boat. The aeration apparatus receives fresh water through a conventional water distribution system, aspirates ambient air into the water, and discharges the mixture of fresh water and aspirated air within the livewell at a location substantially below its water level. Air is aspirated into the fresh water by means of a housing mounted above the water level in the livewell. The housing includes a main passageway through which the fresh water passes and an aspirating port in the housing wall which puts the main passageway in communication with ambient atmosphere above the livewell. A discharge tube receives the mixture of fresh water and aspirated air from the housing and directs it to a plurality of discharge ports positioned substantially below the livewell water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 4926546
    Abstract: Disclosed an improved technique for configuring printed circuit board panels containing multiple printed circuit boards. In configuring these printed circuit board panels, the printed circuit board's electrically conductive patterns are symmetrically arranged about a center-line of the panel so that identical printed circuit board patterns are in the same location if the printed circuit board panel is rotated through a 180.degree. angle about the center-line of this symmetry. This symmetry in the printed circuit board panel reduces by one-half the costs of tooling required to fabricate the printed circuit board and also allows components to be placed on both surfaces of the printed circuit board with a single set-up of an automated assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Polczynski, Brian Krueger
  • Patent number: 4926100
    Abstract: A variable speed eddy current electric motor includes a zero-torque regulating circuit that senses and responds to the current flowing through an eddy current motor field coil. As the magnitude of the field coil's current is changed by the eddy current motor's speed control circuit, the operating method of the zero-torque regulating circuit supplies varying amounts of current to flow through the field coil in a direction opposite to that of the current applied thereto by the speed control circuit. Thus, when the eddy current motor's speed control circuit no longer causes any current to flow through the field coil, the current supplied to the field coil by the zero-torque regulating circuit produces a magnetic filed that removes all torque from the eddy current motor's output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Karl M. Hink, Joseph R. Pottebaum, Jerome J. Reichard, Bruce C. Wagner, Douglas B. Weber, Theodore O. Wiesendanger
  • Patent number: 4911443
    Abstract: A new game is disclosed, involving substantially the same rules as American football (e.g., NFL or NCAA) except that kicks or passes into the end zone may be deflected back onto the playing field as a playable ball by a rebounding assembly that surrounds the goalposts. Upon an attempted field goal, an errant kick will result in the ball hitting the rebounding assembly instead of passing between the vertical uprights of the goalpost. The reflected ball can be caught before it hits the ground by only players of the team defending the goal. Once caught, the defending team may advance the ball toward the opposite goal in accordance with the normal rules of American football. If the ball reflected off of the rebounding assembly hits the ground before it is caught by a player of the team defending the goal, the ball is free for players of either team to advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: James F. Foster
  • Patent number: 4907703
    Abstract: A desk storage system for efficiently organizing various office implements using modular components assembled in one of a plurality of configurations according to user preference. The desk storage system includes modular components attachable to one another by connectors mounted on the periphery of the modular components. The connectors enable lateral and, selectively, angular tilt adjustment of adjacent modular components. A strong, rigid shelf is also provided for supporting the modular components, while also allowing the lateral and angular tilt adjustment of the modular components. The system further includes stacked trays selectively adjustable relative to one another. The trays are stacked using stacking brackets readily engageable between paper trays, while providing a strong, rigid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Tenex Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Alger, Marlan H. Polhemus, Albert B. Cheris, Richard L. Gibson
  • Patent number: 4899911
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing an individual beverage serving are disclosed wherein a rupturable packet containing a flavoring constituent is ruptured by a mechanically actuated platen. Platen movement during the dispensing cycle is controlled by a specially configured cam and dependent upon predetermined volumes of flavoring constituent and gas within the packet. A nozzle assembly is employed for mixing the flavoring constituent with a base liquid and includes a deflector for insuring substantially uniform mixing and elimination of undesired foaming in the beverage. A specially configured rupturable packet is employed in which the side seals and the seal forming the packet spout are stronger than the peel seal of the packet, but weaker than the top closure seal. Another packet design employed with the apparatus has a spout which is angled to one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Multimix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Rohde, Joseph J. Pletka, Brian R. Hochstatter, Olaf Kivioja, Thomas Otto
  • Patent number: 4888214
    Abstract: Apparatus and method employed in applying a useful coating to fasteners is disclosed. Particularly, a resin material in powder form is preferably applied to a selected surface of the fastener to cover a desired length of the threads of the fastener. The apparatus includes a support for moving the fasteners deposited thereon to a position where the coating is applied, and a positioning device is provided to insure that the fastener is peripherally located for application of the coating. A cam mechanism associated with a plurality of tubes provides movement of the tubes for application of the resin material to the fasteners. The fasteners are subsequently removed from the support by fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Duffy, Anthony DiMaio, Eugene D. Sessa
  • Patent number: D308947
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Seatt Corporation
    Inventor: Todd R. Downing
  • Patent number: D309562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Lucasey Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Boscacci, Edward L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: D310980
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Vulcan Equipment Company
    Inventor: Leslie Bubik
  • Patent number: D314336
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Frank C. Madda