Patents Represented by Attorney Peter D. Keefe
  • Patent number: 6009976
    Abstract: A ladder rack system which allows a contractor to locate elongated articles alongside the contractor's ladder while the materials are easily accessible to the contractor at work level, yet the elongated articles are not subject to being carried off by wind. A support member is bucket-like, having a bottom wall and sideways at the rectilinear periphery of the bottom wall for captively receiving the end of elongated articles. A pair of mutually spaced apart rung hooks are connected with each of two opposing sidewalls of the support member for hookably interfacing simultaneously with two rungs of an extension ladder in a selectively removable manner at either side rail of the ladder. At least one rectilinear bracket member has a rung hook for hookably interfacing with a rung of a ladder at either side rail thereof. A boss bracket portion partially occludes an opening of the bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Michael A. Gorney, Guy T. Jones, Gilbert T. Jones
  • Patent number: 6003918
    Abstract: A flexible clothes hanger carrier which serves to allow someone to carry a number of clothes hangers comfortably even if these hangers are heavily weighted with clothes, and further allows a plurality of hangers to be simultaneously hung on a vehicular hook member. The flexible clothes hanger carrier is composed of an axially crumpled flaccidly flexible tube of plastic sheeting having mutually opposing first and second open ends. In a preferred method of production, the flaccidly flexible tube is provided from a plastic bag in which the closed end thereof has been cut away to thereby form a second open end opposite the bag mouth (which inherently supplies the first open end). The flaccidly flexible tube is then crumpled into a flexible loop which provides the flexible clothes hanger carrier. The hook portion of clothes hangers are interfaced with the flexible loop constituting the flexible clothes hanger carrier by being hooked thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Myron Hulyk
  • Patent number: 5984602
    Abstract: A reversible threaded fastener system which provides holding of a nut in a f ully conjoined state with respect to a bolt, yet the interrelationship therebetween is fully reversible and is accomplished without friction and without inelastic deformation. Included is a bolt having a threaded shank, a nut having a threaded bore for being threadably engaged on the threaded shank of the bolt, and a washer non-rotatably interfaced with the shank and provided with a plurality of radial washer waves. The washer is held in non-rotatable relation with respect to the bolt by the shank and the bore of the washer being mutually asymmetric. In a first preferred embodiment, the inner face of the nut is provided with a plurality of radial nut waves which correspond to the washer waves, and the washer is resiliently deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Park
  • Patent number: 5983739
    Abstract: An electrically actuated power door lock actuator which provides simplicity, long term reliability, minimal mechanical complexity and solves the problem of back driving when the door lock mechanism is manually actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: David A. Feder
  • Patent number: 5983555
    Abstract: A fishing hook remover having a selectively closed loop which protects the fish from trauma and retains the fishing line inside the loop, and further having set limits of optimum travel for its moving parts. The fishing hook remover has a plastic stator body and a plastic armature body which is mounted to the stator body in slidable in relation thereto. The stator body includes a hand rest at its near end and a flat fork at its distal end. The armature body includes a pair of finger holds at its near end, an open loop at its distal end, and a release button therebetween. The stator body includes an internal cavity into which is slidably interfaced the armature body, with the exceptions of the finger holds, the loop and the release button thereof. The armature body is resiliently biased relative to the stator body by a spring within the stator body in a direction toward the distal end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph W. Biel
  • Patent number: 5977050
    Abstract: A substantially homogeneous sprayable cleaning gel composition which is substantially free of suspended encapsulated particles exhibits extended dwell time when sprayed on to a surface as compared to a low viscosity spray cleaner. The extended dwell time and anti-static properties of the sprayable cleaning gel composition give rise to several benefits and advantages. The sprayable cleaning gel composition housed in a spray applicator is usable to clean surfaces at any angle. A preferred method of cleaning surfaces is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignees: Theodore P. Faris, Edward F. Topa, Peter D. Keefe
    Inventor: Theodore P. Faris
  • Patent number: 5964017
    Abstract: A retainer apparatus for attaching a seat cover to a foam cushion, wherein the retainer apparatus has a base component embedded in the foam cushion and an anchor component connected with the seat cover, wherein further the connection of the anchor component to the seat cover is facilitated by its being selectively reconfigured for that purpose. The base component has a plurality of engagement apertures formed therein. The anchor component includes a bifurcated pedestal and a plurality of rams upstanding therefrom. Each ram has a barbed head for being anchoringly engaged with a respective engagement aperture. Each of the heads has a living hinge at its tip which serves to enable the anchor component to be reconfigured between an open configuration, used when attaching the seat cover to the bifurcated pedestal, and a closed configuration, used when the rams are inserted into the engagement apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Clifford D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5960654
    Abstract: A spare tire carrier lock including a split body collectively formed of at least two body sections, wherein the exterior shape of the split body is complementary to the shape of a predetermined socket of a hoist shaft of a hoist assembly for a spare tire carrier so as to be drivably received into the socket. The body sections are resiliently conjoined to form the split body via at least one, preferably two, resilient members. The split body has a first end at which a tapered seat is formed. A body shaft runs from the seat to a second end of the split body. A tapered armature is shaped to be seatably received by the seat and is provided with a threaded bore for being aligned with the body shaft. A head is located at the second end of the split body having a diameter which prevents its being received into the socket. A head shaft is provided in the head for being aligned with the body shaft, wherein opposite the split body, the head shaft is enlarged to form a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Charles G. Stanalajczo
  • Patent number: 5954410
    Abstract: A storage unit for articles which is interfaced with a suspended ceiling, wherein the articles are stored above the suspended ceiling, yet readily accessible whenever they are needed. The suspended ceiling storage unit includes an outer frame which is dimensioned to rest upon the support lips of the runners of a rectilinear opening of the suspended ceiling, and an inner frame which is pivotably connected with the outer frame and is nestable therewith in a common plane. The inner frame has a lower flange for supporting a ceiling panel, and further has connected thereto a storage member for holding articles. The preferred storage member is a peg board and its interfaced pegs. In operation, a user places the storage unit into a selected rectilinear opening of a suspended ceiling, whereupon the outer frame rests upon the support lips of the adjoining runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Larry L. Noellert
  • Patent number: 5950250
    Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve in the form of a pop-up stopper, pop-up seat and pivot ball assembly at the low point of the bowl; a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a passageway for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain; and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality liquid drainage of the bowl has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Calvin T. Geeham
  • Patent number: 5950648
    Abstract: An application brush cleaning apparatus which prevents the handle of an application brush from contacting a bristle cleaning solution. Provided are an elongated container, a hollow pier situatable within the container and a resilient support washer having a brush seat characterized by a center hole and a plurality of radial slits communicating therewith. The container is preferably composed of clear glass. The pier is any structure which defines a rest and a central hollow, as for example a coil spring or an apertured pedestal. The pier is placed into the container and then the container is filled with a bristle cleaning solution to no more than the level of the rest of the pier. The handle is thrust into the brush seat of the support washer until the ferrule is frictionally held thereat. The washer and application brush combination is placed into the container, bristles first, wherein the bristles pass into the central hollow of the pier and into the bristle cleaning solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: Renee' M. Skrocki, Rose M. Kerekes, Michael A. Kerekes
  • Patent number: 5947056
    Abstract: A carriable pet food and water service which provides sealed containers for food and water, integral dishes and easy carrying during a walk with the pet. The carriable pet feeding service includes a hinged casing which opens into two half-sections. Each half-section is provided with an interior receptacle. Removably received in each receptacle is a reciprocably shaped container, one respectively for holding pourable dry or semi-dry food and the other respectively for holding water. At least one carrying strap is connected with the exterior surface of the casing so that the pet owner can easily carry the casing and its interiorly disposed food and water containers when the casing is closed. It is further preferred that the strap be serviceable as a leash, and still further preferred to include a second strap for carrying of the casing when the other strap is being used as a leash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: John A. Zarski
  • Patent number: 5946747
    Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve in the form of a pop-up stopper, pop-up seat and pivot ball assembly at the low point of the bowl; a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a passageway for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain; and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality liquid drainage of the bowl has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Calvin T. Geeham
  • Patent number: 5940934
    Abstract: A separable hinge composed of two hinge components, each having a leaf and at least one tubular knuckle. The knuckles are interleaved when the two hinge components are assembled. The leaves provide an attachment structure. A first hinge component has at least one first knuckle having a sub-assembly composed of pair of spring-loaded balls resident in a first bore thereof. The ends of the first bore are configured to abuttingly interact with the balls so as to allow the balls to protrude only partly from the first bore even as spring biasing tends to cause the balls to exit the tube. A second hinge component has at least two second knuckles, one located at each end of a first knuckle. The ends of the second knuckles that face a first knuckle are provided with a second bore having a predetermined cross-section which accepts an exactly predetermined portion of the protruding portions of the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Glen P. Turner
  • Patent number: 5941404
    Abstract: A threaded tabbed cap for being threadably interfaced with a container, particularly a plastic beverage container, wherein the tabs admit unidirectional assistance to a user in the direction of unthreading. A top wall is integrally formed with annular sidewall. At the interior side of the annular sidewall, threads are provided which have a predetermined structure to threadably engage the threads adjacent the opening of a predetermined container. A pair of tabs are integral with the exterior side of the annular sidewall and are located at opposing sides thereof. The tabs are of an asymmetric shape so as to provide aid to unthreading it from the container but not offer aid to threading it onto the container. In this regard, each tab has a forward face projecting radially from the exterior side of the annular sidewall and a rearward face tangential with an interface of the annular sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Denise A. Consiglio
    Inventor: Jamie J. Charrette
  • Patent number: 5930845
    Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve in the form of a pop-up stopper, pop-up seat and pivot ball assembly at the low point of the bowl; a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a passageway for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain; and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality liquid drainage of the bowl has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Calvin T. Geeham
  • Patent number: 5918552
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus featuring a rotary cam mechanism for providing movement of a platform along a vertical axis and an adjustment mechanism for providing movement of a mounting surface of the platform along a horizontal axis located in a horizontal plane oriented perpendicular to the vertical axis. A bifurcated platform, having upper and lower platforms, is mounted in vertically movable relation to a base, and a rotary cam mechanism is interfaced between the base and the platform for providing selective vertical movement of the platform in relation to the base responsive to selective rotation of a rotary cam. The rotary cam is rotatably connected to the base and includes a pair of opposing inclined cam slots formed therein. A pair of cam pins are connected to the lower platform in mutually opposing relation so as to be each respectively located in a respective cam slot. A threaded vertical adjustment bolt is rotatably connected to the base, in axially immovable relation with respect thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Kovacs
  • Patent number: 5890620
    Abstract: A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet valve in communication therewith, and an outlet passage with an outlet valve in communication therewith, each of the valves including a resiliently flexible diaphragm member. In a preferred embodiment, each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage centrally abuts the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 5873136
    Abstract: A two flush modality toilet composed of a bowl, a tank connected with the bowl wherein the tank is connected to a water supply, a conventional flush modality for flushing solid waste from the bowl, and a urinal flush modality for flushing liquid only waste from the bowl, wherein the urinal flush modality includes: a bowl valve in the form of a pop-up stopper, pop-up seat and pivot ball assembly at the low point of the bowl; a bowl valve control for selecting between open and closed states of the bowl valve, a passageway for directing liquid waste from the bowl into the sanitary drain; and an auxiliary flush control for supplying a limited quantity of flush water from the tank into the bowl to provide restoration of the trap water in the bowl after a urinal flush modality liquid drainage of the bowl has occurred. A foot pedal selectively operates the bowl valve, wherein when in an open state all the liquid in the bowl is drained. Upon release of the foot pedal, the bowl valve is returned to the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Calvin T. Geeham
  • Patent number: 5873651
    Abstract: A miniature light base is directly connected to a connector therefor. A first preferred form of miniature light base according to the present invention utilizes a male or female connection member to directly connect to a correspondingly reciprocal male or female connection member of a connector. A second preferred form of miniature light base according to the present invention utilizes an adhesion agent to directly attach a connector to the base. The miniature light base is otherwise characterized by the generally conventional aspects of a socket for receiving a lamp member and electrical contacts within the socket for electrically contacting the electrode wires of the lamp member. The connector is any article which serves to connect the base supportively to a support structure, such as for example a window, eaves or a gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Richard D. Hofer, Ronald A. Hofer, Jr.