Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Patula & Associates P.C.
  • Patent number: 6299588
    Abstract: A quick release orthopedic limb brace having an upright assembly and a clip member. The clip member is quickly and selectively inserted and removed from a clip housing on the upright assembly, at the convenience of a user. When the clip is locked in the clip housing, the resulting joint connection effectively prevents relative movement between the clip and the upright assembly to prevent injury or harm to a user. In an alternate embodiment, the upright remains pivotal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Richard A. Fratrick
  • Patent number: 6296029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a planer machine includes centering sectional shoe assembly positioned in close proximity to opposed cutting heads, between the cutting heads and a centering feed assembly. The shoe assembly includes a plurality of individually movable pressure shoe sets, comprising an upper shoe and a lower shoe. Each shoe set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the shoe set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each shoe set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower shoe of a shoe set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing shoe would automatically move the same amount. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Timesavers, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Grivna
  • Patent number: 6283413
    Abstract: A rotary flying device comprising an airfoil having an axis of rotation means for rotation thereabout, a stabilizer disk mounted on said airfoil, a bearing assembly means attached to said axis of rotation means, and a bridle means attached to said bearing assembly means for receiving a support line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bukur
  • Patent number: 6282831
    Abstract: A quick set fishing rig and fish hook for live bait is disclosed. The hook includes a main portion, at least one hook portion, and a shank for releasably anchoring the hook into the body of the live bait. The shank extends substantially straight out from the main body portion of the hook and preferably has at least one stabilizing fin provided thereon. The shank is inserted under the skin of the live bait, thus anchoring the hook portions on the live bait. The stabilizing fins of the shank prevent the hook from rotating about the shank axis while in use, and assists the hook to quickly release from the bait when a fisherman or woman sets the hook. The hook is preferably used in connection with a rig providing for the adjustability of the length between a front single hook of the rig and the hook of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Jim Hugunin, Jim Plunkett
  • Patent number: 6279759
    Abstract: A medication recordkeeping device comprised of a label or sheet with a plurality of characters identifying at least one subject upon which a friably removable mask covering obscures each of the characters. The label or sheet is adapted to be fixedly applied to a medication containing vessel wherein each time an individual unit of medication is consumed, the friable removable mask is removed from a character in order that the underlying subject will be exposed so that a visual record will be kept of the medication consumed. The characters may be dates, numerals or dosage amounts corresponding to a patient's needs or the particular requirements of the medication. The label or sheet preferably also includes an area for recording important information such as a patient's name or medical history. A bar code may be provided for recording relevant information. Further, the label or sheet can be inserted into a housing apparatus which attaches a medicine container thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Ruth Weisbach
  • Patent number: 6264021
    Abstract: An apparatus for high speed packing of envelopes is disclosed. The apparatus includes an envelope flap opening assembly which facilitates the opening of each envelope by a finger of an opening element as the envelope passes through packing apparatus. Each envelope may then be conveyed into a first staging assembly where the envelope is stopped, allowing a freely rotating conveyor to force the envelope into contact with an ejection conveyor to direct the envelope from the first staging assembly. The envelope is then transported to the packing assembly by an intermediate conveyor having a plurality of distinctly and selectively driven conveyors to allow staging of the envelopes along the intermediate conveyor. A quick and efficient envelope packing assembly then packs the envelopes and ejects the envelope to an exiting conveyor which seals each packed envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kevin Button, James Bigger, Douglas McLean, John Corradini
  • Patent number: 6240710
    Abstract: A stage and thread assembly is disclosed for use in a high speed envelope packing apparatus. The assembly receives from the side, a single envelope with flap open. The assembly precisely aligns and positions the envelope in a pre-stage area via a plurality of entry ramps, continuously running belts, and back stops, correcting any misalignment. Once positioned in the pre-stage area, the apparatus stages the envelope in a position above the thread roller of the high speed packing apparatus so that the envelope can be threaded on the packing plate for insertion of material into the envelope. The staging of the envelope is achieved via a plurality of rollers including, d-rollers, flipper rollers, and stage rollers. The envelope is staged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of entry of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignees: Bell & Howell Mail, Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kevin Button, Douglas McLean, John Corradini
  • Patent number: 6231049
    Abstract: A composite gasket comprising a metal flange having graphite sealing surfaces overlaid thereon, has load stabilizing ribs formed in the metal flange in the parallel sides not having bolt holes therein. The ribs provide a more even load distribution in the graphite sealing surfaces such that a more efficient and longer lasting seal is provided, particularly in mis-designed or misapplied applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Master Packing & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 6217274
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a continuous flow transfer system designed to transfer the contents of a mail tray into a cartridge for subsequent processing and then, after processing, to transfer the contents of the cartridge back into a mail tray without disrupting the facing or orientation of each piece of mail. The continuous flow transfer system comprises both a cartridge loader and a cartridge unloader, both of which have a tray section, a transfer conveyor and a cartridge section. The tray section, or infeed section, of the cartridge loader is designed to deliver filled mail trays to the transfer section of the loader. At the transfer section, the contents of each mail tray are deposited into an intermediate container that is affixed to the transfer section. The transfer section then delivers the contents of the intermediate container into empty cartridges being fed onto the cartridge section, or discharge section, of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Postal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduard Svyatsky, David Schwaba, Anatoly Estis, Walter Conard, James Carl McClain, Stephen R. Archer, Fred Hegland
  • Patent number: 6196637
    Abstract: A system for locking a hubcap to a wheel comprising a wheel, said wheel having a plurality of bolts extending outwardly therefrom, a hubcap cover having a plurality of holes adapted to fit over said bolts, and a plurality of nutcovers to fasten over said bolts and lock said hubcap to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: American Chrome Chicago Company
    Inventors: Cathy Hou, John Zois
  • Patent number: 6176483
    Abstract: A separator and sequencing apparatus comprising a first selective document transport means for selective movement of documents and a second selective document transport means for selective movement of documents positioned adjacent to the first selective document transport means, the first and second selective document transport means configured to move at least one of a pair of documents located in said separator and sequencing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventor: Leonid Malevanchik
  • Patent number: 6098688
    Abstract: The invention is a device for trimming excess material from adjacent surfaces of a workpiece, consisting of a horizontal planar surface for supporting a workpiece, with the horizontal planar surface having front and back ends. Attached to the horizontal planar surface is a vertical support, having a tracing assembly support disposed thereon. Supported by the tracing assembly is a cutter for cutting the excess material applied to a edge of a workpiece, the cutter supported and guided by the tracing assembly as the workpiece is moved from the front end toward the back end of the horizontal planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Brian Darovic
  • Patent number: D449648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Better Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirsten L. Andler