Patents Represented by Attorney Norvell E. Von Behren
  • Patent number: 5564264
    Abstract: A transfer device designed to reposition and to move heavy filled bulk containers and bags ninety degrees from their original position without lifting the heavy filled bulk container or bag. The transfer device is designed with a moveable upper frame structure that contains a plurality of spaced apart groups of rollers providing a pair of elongated openings. The transfer device also has an inner fixed frame that contains a pair of transfer conveyors, in the preferred embodiment, exposed in the pair of elongated openings whenever the moveable upper frame structure drops downwardly. This permits the pair of transfer conveyors to transfer the container weight from the rollers and to carry the weight of the filled bulk container previously resting on the plurality of rollers. The pair of transfer conveyors then move the filled bulk container from the transfer device in a direction ninety degrees from the original direction that the container was traveling on the rollers of the upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Charles E. DeCrane
  • Patent number: 5494189
    Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of bulk material, contained in a bulk material container, out through a flexible pouring spout on the bulk material container, so that the flexible pouring spout may be tied shut and later un-tied for re-use of the bulk material container. The metering device is positioned below the bulk material container which is to be emptied, upstream from the plant process operation which is to receive the bulk material from the container. A metering gate discharger, contained within the metering device, provides accurate batching from the bulk material container as well as the ability to completely empty the bulk material container at one time without metering the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Charles E. De Crane
  • Patent number: 5363559
    Abstract: A telescope inner tube locking device and method for positively locking the telescope inner tube in it's previously aligned position. The locking is accomplished by using a biased locking screw which operates to apply a force against the inner tube of the telescope while the windage and elevation adjustment screws on the telescope are moved. Thereafter, the biased locking screw locks the inner tube against the windage and elevation adjustment screws. In a modification of the preferred embodiment, the inner tube of the telescope may also be locked by using a locking screw constructed similarly to the elevation or windage screws in combination with a separate spring bias. The separate spring bias will apply a force against the windage and elevation screws of the telescope and the locking screw will lock the inner tube in place. The tube may also be locked by a third locking screw without using a bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Burris Company
    Inventor: John P. McCarty
  • Patent number: 5354166
    Abstract: A new and novel transfer device of the type used to move heavy filled bulk containers from a location outside of the transfer device to a position within the transfer device and above a base footprint of the transfer device where the filled bulk container can then be evacuated. The transfer device is constructed so that the frame is not perpendicular to the surface or substrate on which it is positioned. A heavy filled bulk container located outside the frame work of the transfer device can then be lifted by the transfer device without creating overturning and uplifting moments on the transfer device. When the filled bulk container is then moved to a position inside the framework and above the base foot print, the base footprint operates to maintain load stability on the frame of the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Charles E. De Crane
  • Patent number: 5333829
    Abstract: A new and novel holder or support device unit for use in shops, stores and in the field, the holder being the type that may be used to display and/or rest various items such as rifles, pistols, still cameras, video cameras and the like. The new and novel holder is semi-rigidly formed in a single component from a foam which provides a microcellular inner core and a tough integral leather-like exterior surface providing enough inertia absorption, impact resistance and resiliency that the device can be easily and safely used to support a firearm, while discharging the firearm, as well as effectively and safely supporting other items. Items may be placed and held on the holder in a desired position and for a specific purpose such as customer display, cleaning, maintenance, disassembly, and/or field steadying of the item. Also disclosed is a novel method of producing the unique holders described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Millett Industries
    Inventors: Dennis L. Bell, Ray C. Millett
  • Patent number: 5279132
    Abstract: A holding device for use with body adornments such as necklaces, bracelets, anklets, waist chains and the like so that the body adornment may be held in place on a wearer's body to prevent the body adornment from becoming displaced thereby maintaining proper orientation of the body adornment on the wearer's body. The holding device further allows the wearer to easily and readily adjust the effective length of the body adornment. The holding device utilizes removably replaceable adhesive that affixes the body adornment to a wearer's skin or clothing, the adhesive being of the type suitable for energetic activity as well as humid conditions. Also disclosed is a method for attaching a body adornment to the wearer's body or clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Penny E. Swaim
  • Patent number: 5234473
    Abstract: A heating platen transfer device and method for use with a battery heat seal machine of the type that is used for sealing a top cover to a battery container. The mobile platen transfer device is used with the machine to quickly and safely remove an outgoing platen and replace it with an incoming platen when changing battery sizes and types on the battery assembly line. There is also disclosed herein a novel method for sealing a battery top cover to a battery container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Daniell Battery Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Piper, Dennis E. Magee, Thomas E. Ferris
  • Patent number: 5197994
    Abstract: A heat sealed butt joint for plastic parts such as a battery formed by at least a two step force application. The adjacent portions of the butt joint of the battery cover and case are preheated to a near liquid state causing rollover on the sides of the joint. The first step force application is of a lighter amount and is held for a predetermined time which causes the heated rollover on the sides of the battery to solidify. The second step force is of a heavier amount and is held for a predetermined time which causes the molten polymers of the heated portions of the battery cover and case to mix and bond together while the solidified rollover from the first step acts as a dam to prevent further rollover during the second step. The formed sealed battery has improved bursting strength and the process can be used for joining various other butting plastic parts to improve the tensile strength of the bond between the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Daniell Battery Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Brocksmith
  • Patent number: 5179868
    Abstract: An improved motor vehicle transmission locking device for use with automatic transmissions and manual transmissions. The improved locking device utilizes a solenoid which is used to lock into a notch formed on an existing transmission parking shaft to lock the transmission in the parked position. The solenoid is mounted inside of the transmission case and may be activated by an encoder/decoder circuit and may also be activated by a simple switch or lock switch hidden out of sight on the motor vehicle.A modified form of the invention replaces the existing transmission parking shaft with a split shaft and positions the solenoid between the two pieces of the split shaft. This modification then accomplishes the enabling and disabling of the transmission when activated by either the encoder/decoder circuit or by other switching circuits positioned on, and hidden from a thief that may try to steal the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: Roland Thibeault
  • Patent number: 5165455
    Abstract: A method for quickly and safely hanging a bulk unfilled bag having a plurality of bag loops on the latches of a bag filling machine with traversing latch mechanisms. The rear latch mechanisms are movable forwardly towards the front fixed latches to permit the operator of the machine to easily and safely hang the bag loops on the latches. Thereafter the rear traversing latches are moved to the rear of the machine to open the bag thus allowing it to be filled and later released from the latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Charles E. De Crane
  • Patent number: 5164211
    Abstract: An expandable bone plastic cap for meat such as beef, pork, lamb, poultry and the like. The cap is formed with at least one or more separate sheets of material in the approximate shape of portions of the meat and is designed to cushion exposed bone portions from piercing the oute vacuum sealed bag surrounding the meat. The cap is formed in one embodiment in two separate juxtaposed shapes tacked together with holes or slits cut through both shapes. As the outer bag has air removed, during the vacuum sealing, it collapes on the bone plastic cap which in turn collapses on the meat. The separate prefromed shapes collapse independently and slide upon each other with the inner shape forming the primary cushion and the outer shape forming a backup cushion. Bridging of concave areas by the bone cap is eliminated reducing growth of bacteria in these areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Robert E. Comer
  • Patent number: 5152806
    Abstract: A battery heat seal machine and method for sealing a top cover to a battery container. The machine has a one-piece heating platen with thermal expansion features which eliminate stress on the platen bearings that support the platen. A new type of top cover holder and pickup device is also employed in the machine to positively grasp the top cover around the center line of the cover and to lift it up and return it as desired. The pickup device design may be used with small automotive batteries and with large commercial batteries. A mobile platen transfer device is used with the machine to quickly and safely remove an outgoing platen and replace it with an incoming platen when changing battery sizes and types on the battery assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Daniell Battery Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Piper, Dennis E. Magee, Thomas E. Ferris
  • Patent number: 5095579
    Abstract: A cleaning center for use in a home, motor vehicle or the like. The cleaning center is constructed with one or more outer caddy units which may be locked together and covered and locked with a lid. The caddy units are designed to store cleaning supplies and to prevent access to the supplies by small children. Each caddy unit has an internal cleaning device positioned in the center thereof with the home caddy having a vacuum cleaner unit and the auto caddy having a pail. The caddies as well as the internal cleaning devices are interchangeable and can be used separately and in various combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Brian E. Becker
  • Patent number: 5094436
    Abstract: A machine vise for use in clamping and holding a work product having parallel and non-parallel sides. The vise is constructed with a pair of pivotal movable jaws positioned between two fixed outer jaws in the preferred embodiment. A pair of movable wedges are positioned between the movable jaws and move the jaws towards the fixed jaws. Both the movable jaws as well as the wedge blocks are mounted to pivot independently of each other. A spring bias is positioned between the movable jaws to bias the jaw action.The vise may be constructed in a single wedge configuration and may be mounted with other similar vise configurations to provide a multiple vise configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Philip Stephan, III
  • Patent number: 5078194
    Abstract: An improved mounting case for use with a shade unit mounted on a solid surface such as an automotive vehicle or a window of a house or the like. The case is designed to allow the shade unit to be mounted on both curved solid surfaces and on straight non-curved solid surfaces. The case has features which permit it to be pivoted in relation to the retractable shade unit to compensate for the curve in the solid surface. The case may also have features which permit it to be released from the solid surface so that the shade unit may be used elsewhere as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Arthur J. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5039533
    Abstract: A bone plastic cap for meat such as beef, pork, lamb, poultry and the like. The cap is formed with at least one or more separate sheets of material in the approximate shape of portions of the meat and is designed to cushion exposed bone portions from piercing the outer vacuum sealed bag surrounding the meat. The cap is formed in one embodiment in two separate juxtaposed shapes tacked together with holes or slits cut through both shapes. As the outer bag has air removed, during the vacuum sealing, it collapses on the bone plastic cap which in turn collapses on the meat. The separate preformed shapes collapse independently and slide upon each other with the inner shape forming the primary cushion and the outer shape forming a backup cushion. Bridging of concaved areas by the bone cap is eliminated reducing growth of bacteria in these areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Robert E. Comer
  • Patent number: 5036893
    Abstract: A bag filling machine with traversing latch mechanisms. The rear latch mechanisms are movable forwardly towards the front fixed latches to permit the operator of the machine to easily and safely hang the bag loops on the four latches. Thereafter the rear traversing latches are moved to the rear of the machine to open the bag thus allowing it to be filled and later released from the bag latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Charles E. DeCrane
  • Patent number: RE33804
    Abstract: An automatic retractable shade unit for an automotive vehicle. The unit uses a pleated shade section with a solar reflective coating on at least the outside facing portion of the shade. A thin mounting case is used to removably mount the case in close proximity to nonparallel side posts of the automotive vehicle. A spring bias in combination with retractable cord means allows the shade to be opened and closed against the bias of the spring. The removable fastener mountings used with the invention permit the entire unit to be removed from the front windshield of the vehicle and to be repositioned on another window in the vehicle as desired. The pleated shade section may be closed over the windshield to allow the bottom of the shade to expand more than the top because of the nonparallel sides. The novel construction and positioning of the applicant's shade unit provides a device that has the advantage of quickness and ease of use over prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Arthur J. Phillips
  • Patent number: D346253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Charles E. DeCrane
  • Patent number: D352233
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Eldon E. Le Gay