Patents Represented by Law Firm Oltman and Flynn
  • Patent number: 6643862
    Abstract: For use in a conventional shower, a body shower kit providing a pair of laterally spaced lower spray heads located down from the usual shower head and connected to the latter's water supply pipe extending out from the shower wall by a conduit assembly whose geometry avoids physical interference between the kit and the control valve or valves for the usual shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore M. Aitken
  • Patent number: 6634367
    Abstract: A finger tip enclosure apparatus for fitting over and sealingly enclosing a user finger tip and its fingernail includes an enclosure shell having a tubular shell side wall with a side wall proximal end and a side wall distal end, the side wall proximal end including a sealing structure protruding radially inward for making circumferential sealing contact with side surfaces of a human finger, the side wall distal end being sealingly joined to and closed by a distal end wall. The apparatus may retain a fingernail polish solvent in prolonged contact with the fingernail so that polish on the fingernail is dissolved or softened for removal while freeing the to move about and perform manual tasks, and alternatively may retain medication in prolonged contact with the finger tip and fingernail, and still alternatively may shield the finger tip and fingernail from contamination and abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Kathleen Hunter Abraham, Fred F. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6630939
    Abstract: A thin, flat, self-contained electronic display unit of substantially the same width and length as a standard letter-sized sheet of paper, with a flat display screen, an input port for receiving data from a selected computer, electronic circuitry for storing inputted data and making it available to the screen, and command buttons or keys enabling the user to select stored data for display on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Bryan K. Mills
  • Patent number: 6618873
    Abstract: A waste disposer assist tool for automatically feeding waste food contained within the housing of a standard kitchen electric food disposer and for spraying liquid soap. The tool includes a hollow handle and a piston which screw together through a central hole of a flexible plunger. The plunger is held between respective flanges ofthe handle and the piston with the piston slightly protruding from within the plunger. The tool is positioned over the opening of the sink above the garbage disposer with the piston fitted within and in a substantially air-tight seal with the interior of the housing of the disposer unit. The plunger fits in a substantially air-tight seal against the bottom interior of the sink. The slight vacuum created by the outflow of ground food waste and water by the garbage disposer blades below the piston causes the higher ambient pressure against the upper side of the plunger to force the piston downward against he waste food in an automatic feed fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Mulgrew, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6601499
    Abstract: An apparatus for flattening pieces of meat without piercing nor shredding the meat including a first roller set, each roller in the first roller set having non-sharpened outer edges; a second roller set, each roller in the second roller set having non-sharpened outer edges, the first roller set directly opposing and being spaced and fully separated from the second roller set, the first and second roller sets together having a product in-feed end into which meat pieces are drawn and having a product out-feed end at which flattened meat pieces are expelled from between the first and second roller sets; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the first roller set and the second roller set, where meat passing between the first and second roller sets is substantially flattened but not pierced nor shredded; and an in-feed conveyor belt assembly at the in-feed end including an in-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the in-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Phil Bifulco
  • Patent number: 6596074
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of phosphorescent pigments in cementious materials and allied applications, specifically in use for tile mortars and grouts, pool plasters, wall plasters, cementious roofing materials, cementious surface coatings, cement patches and self leveling compounds. The material will luminesce in the absence of an external source after irradiation with sunlight, visible, ultra-violet (UV) and/or infrared radiation without any degradation in the integrity of the cementious materials from their original applications. The cementious materials need to be capable of being applied by trowel, brush, or spray, forming a strong bond to the surface to which it has been applied. The phosphorescent material should be insoluble in water, compatible with cementious materials, remain fixed in the cementious material, effective at high pH, and produce a long lasting luminescence, for up to 8 to 12 hours, in the visible portion of the spectrum after exposure to a radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Southern Grouts and Mortars, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 6595046
    Abstract: A tire pressure gauge apparatus for securing to a vehicle tire valve stem mounted to a tire valve stem port in a vehicle tire includes an apparatus housing containing a received air chamber for placement in fluid communication with received air from within a vehicle tire and containing a biasing air chamber containing a fixed quantity of biasing air, the chambers being sealingly separated from each other by a pressure equilibration structure which includes a pressure indicator element, the pressure equilibration structure moving within the housing to alter the relative volumes of the two chambers and thus to equalize the pressures of the two chambers, and the pressure indicator element moving relative to the apparatus housing as the equilibration structure moves to equalize chamber pressures to display a tire pressure reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Lemberger, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6581401
    Abstract: A self-cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when the pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6578532
    Abstract: A fuel vaporization and mixing system is provided for producing a mixture of fuel vapor, atomized water and air for delivery into an internal combustion engine, the system being configured and positioned relative to the internal combustion engine to draw heat from the engine exhaust system to vaporize fuel for combining into the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Gerald W. Rowley
  • Patent number: 6579145
    Abstract: A toy for entertaining a user includes a composite structure configured to execute a play function, the composite structure including several removably interconnected structure elements, each said structure element having at least one propulsion mechanism including a spring-loaded, directionally selectable propulsion member connected to the structure element. The triggering object is optionally a play surface and the element shell optionally includes a representation of a human or animal face. The composite structure has at least two of the structure elements, each structure element having a propulsion mechanism so that several propulsion mechanisms are distributed over the outer extremities of the composite structure for depressing and tilting by the user in individually selected directions into engagement with the shoulder engaging structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: John G. Maxim
  • Patent number: 6575296
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for retaining file folders and drawing sheets, including a file folder retaining tray portion having a tray portion forward end and a tray portion rearward end; and a coiled drawing sheet retaining portion joined to the tray portion, the drawing sheet retaining portion including several drawing retaining tubes and tube support means. The coiled drawing sheet retaining portion preferably is joined to and rises from the tray portion rearward end. The tray portion and the drawing sheet retaining portion preferably include two parallel and laterally spaced apart side panels which are substantially L-shaped and have side panel lower ends, and side panel forward ends and side panel rearward ends, the side panels defining tray portion and sheet retaining portion side walls; a bottom wall interconnecting the side panel lower ends; a forward wall interconnecting the side panel forward ends; and a rearward wall interconnecting the side panel reward ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore J. Zacker
  • Patent number: 6560916
    Abstract: A fishing hook apparatus includes a resilient shaft including a shank segment which is substantially rectilinear and having a shank segment proximal end and a shank segment distal end and including a hook segment which is substantially rectilinear and having a hook segment connected end joined to the shank segment proximal end, the hook segment being extendable from the shank segment at an acute angle relative to the shank segment generally back toward the shank segment proximal end and outwardly from the shank segment and terminating in a hook point; a line engaging structure including at least one shaft loop formed in the shank segment proximal end by doubling a terminal length of the shaft back along the shank segment proximal end toward the shank segment distal end and then angling away from the shank segment to freely receive a strand of fishing line between the adjacent portions of the shank segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: John G. Maxim
  • Patent number: 6557791
    Abstract: A plant waste disposal system is further includes a wood chipper apparatus having plant waste fragmenting elements and having a plant waste receiving hopper; an elongate push member having a member first end for gripping by hand and having a member second end of at least twice the width of the member first end for abutting and pushing plant waste into the plant waste receiving hopper. The elongate push member preferably is formed of tool material which is biodegradable. The elongate member preferably is constructed to fracture when subjected to tensile force in excess of five pounds, for preventing the elongate member from pulling a worker hand into the plant waste fragmenting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Mulgrew, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6554012
    Abstract: A container apparatus for use in combination with an umbrella having an umbrella mast and umbrella canopy includes a food container having a container top wall, a container side wall and a container bottom wall together defining a container interior, with an umbrella mast passing port, a mast engaging structure, and a container interior access door; so that the umbrella mast of may be inserted into the mast passing port and advanced into the interior of the container and engaged by the mast engaging structure, thereby holding the umbrella mast upright relative to the container and so that the container stabilizes the umbrella, which can be opened over the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel F. Patarra
  • Patent number: 6554517
    Abstract: A multicolor marker with a plurality of marking nibs that individually receive ink of different colors or shades. The nibs have marking surfaces that are elongated in one direction and can be selectively aligned end-to-end to produce a continuous line whose color changes from one nib to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Cynthia G. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 6551159
    Abstract: A vehicle evacuation system for aiding the escape of a person trapped in a motor vehicle having a vehicle seat, a vehicle seat belt and vehicle windows, which has entered a body of water, includes a cutting tool for cutting through a vehicle seat belt; a glass breaking tool for breaking a glass vehicle window for escape; a combined compressed breathable air tank and mouthpiece; an inflatable buoy bag and compressed gas cartridge for lifting the person to the water surface; a distress and position indicating signal generating mechanism for sending an alarm signal to a receiving station, the alarm signal being trackable by a tracking device; and an element unification structure for holding elements of the system together in a readily accessible configuration prior to and during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: Lou L. Spinelli, Lou Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6546666
    Abstract: A jig-type fishing lure has a weighted lure body holding a gravity-operated switch that controls the energization of an LED for illuminating fiber optic strands extending from the tail end of the lure body in proximity to a fishhook. A heat shrunk tube in the lure body holds the LED and the adjacent ends of the fiber optic strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Benjamin I. Schultz, Leslie A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6536221
    Abstract: In combination with a residential air conditioning system and a water fixture with a water recirculation loop, such as a swimming pool, a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger having a tank with water inlet and outlet connections to said water recirculation loop, and a condenser coil with refrigerant inlet and outlets for connection respectively to the compressor and the condenser of the air conditioning system. Whenever the air conditioning system comes on, a control circuit turns on the pump independent of the usual timer and connects the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger inlet to the compressor of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Norbert L. James
  • Patent number: 6526598
    Abstract: A venting toilet having a conventional ceramic bowl and flushing tank arrangement includes a water powered odor exhaust system which withdraws gases from the toilet bowl. A suction blower powered by a water motor through which the refill water to the toilet tank flows following flushing is arranged to draw odorous gases from the toilet bowl through a pair of intake manifolds built into the top of the bowl below the seat. The odorous gasses are delivered to the sewer system downstream of the water trap. An energy storage device containing a clock spring wound by the water motor, and a gear box are connected between the water motor and the suction blower, allow operating of the suction blower to draw odors from the toilet bowl even when the toilet has finished refilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Robert V. Black
  • Patent number: 6520750
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus for delivering water upwardly from a holding area and over a holding area bank includes an apparatus base; a water drawing pipe having a pipe intake end and a pipe discharge end and being mounted to the apparatus base and extendable from the apparatus base; an impeller rotatably mounted within the drawing pipe discharge end; a hydraulic motor drivably connected to the impeller at the drawing pipe discharge end; a hydraulic pump having a pump intake side and a pump output side; a flexible hydraulic supply hose connected to the pump output side and extending along the drawing pipe to the hydraulic motor; a flexible hydraulic return hose extending from the hydraulic motor along the drawing pipe to the pump intake side; a segmented hose track having a longitudinal track passageway through which the supply and return hoses extend and having a minimum bend radius great enough to prevent the supply and return hoses from kinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: James David Eller, Dana J. Eller, Darren J. Eller