Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph S. Branscomb
  • Patent number: 4241741
    Abstract: A traditional bong is provided having an upright barrel divided by a partition into a lower, dry chamber into which the pipe stem enters, and an upper aqueous chamber which is made spill-proof by virtue of a stand pipe extending up from the lower chamber through the baffle, this stand pipe being covered by an elongated cap which bobbles up and down in the liquid-filled upper chamber as the device is used and seals against an opening and an overlying baffle when the bong is inverted to prevent spillage. An additional novel effect is produced by the bobbling of the diverter cap which covers the stand pipe, which tends to mix the inhaled smoke with the water as it bobbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventors: Rick H. Cabados, Robert E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4233647
    Abstract: A versatile camera and lighting apparatus is provided wherein a pair of high intensity lights such as flash or strobe units are directed somewhat away from the area to be photographed and onto a diffusion/reflector screen which reflects diffused light onto the subject or area to be photographed, thereby eliminating sharp shadows and providing a more accurate picture. Multiple adjustment features are provided in the vertical ceiling mount as well as the lateral light source and screen support arms, and in the camera support bracket itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Inventor: Axel B. Andersen
  • Patent number: 4229870
    Abstract: A freeze plug installation tool adapted to be driven by a pneumatic driver is provided, preferably in kit form having a driver section which chucks into a pneumatic driver, one or several extensions shafts connectable to the driving section, and several freeze plug carrying heads which carry freeze plugs at various angles, so that by utilizing the kit in its various permutations numerous different combinations are provided which accomodate varying freeze plug installation situations involving hard to reach installation points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Ernest L. Tate
  • Patent number: 4220189
    Abstract: A complete window shade and sealing system is provided as a separate unit having peel-off adhesive permitting all portions of the system to be press-fitted onto an existing window frame, creating a completely sealed cover for the window when the shade is in its down position, preventing the entry of air, dust, radio-active fall-out, etc., and greatly reducing energy-sapping heat transfers occurring through the window by creating an air pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Inventor: Fidencio G. Marquez
  • Patent number: 4204334
    Abstract: A precision level, plumb and angle indicating device responsive to static gravity which has a hollow square frame provided with substantially equal parallel planar surfaces arranged with permanent magnet blocks embedded within each corner for abutting against a horizontal or vertical plane of an object, particularly a machine tool, for determining and/or orienting angles of inclination, as well as establishing level or plumb references to as close a tolerance as one sixtieth of an angular degree(minute). A circular plate or disk and a disk ring with indicia or graduations and corresponding numerals, adjustably disposed within an annular frame selectively rotatable about an opening at the front of said hollow square frame, cooperates with indicating pointers operatively affixed on shafts centrally located within the aforementioned circular plate or disk with degree graduations, and said disk ring displays minute graduations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Inventor: Luis B. Dela Cruz
  • Patent number: 4197604
    Abstract: A pillow or cushion is provided having an outer fabric sheath stuffed with resilient wadding such that the pillow is extended in an outstretched position in its first mode, therebeing hands with finger-like projections at the outer ends of the pillow which can interlock to form a closed loop in the second mode of the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Marianne Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4145125
    Abstract: Eyeglass lenses ordinarily of the plastic, or hard resin, type which are tinted by means of a deep penetrating dye which becomes part of the molecular structure of the lens, are masked prior to being dipped into the dye solution to produce along a margin displaced from the optical center of the lens indicia such as the name of the wearer, or some other figure or symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Inventor: Hani Chika
  • Patent number: 4145152
    Abstract: The invention is a disposable, easily-removable masking cap for pavement-mounted highway reflectors to permit the taring or other re-surfacing of the roadway while protecting the reflectors so that they need not be graded off prior to resurfacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Inventor: Bobby L. Waugh
  • Patent number: 4135753
    Abstract: The invention comprises a retrieving instrument featuring a snap-lock handle connected to one end of a Bowden wire type cable, the other end of which has a gripping head with jaws operated by the core cable to grip an object, the handle being such that once it is closed and the jaws gripped around an object, they automatically lock into the gripping mode until released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Inventor: Adam Acosta
  • Patent number: 4133347
    Abstract: A waste evacuation attachment for a recreational vehicle comprises a rigid cylindrical housing readily mountable to the existing fittings of a sewage discharge outlet of the recreational vehicle, there being a telescoping hose contained within the housing and having a fitting on the extendable end to adapt the hose to waste receiving receptacles, the assembly eliminating the difficulties inherent in conventional recreational vehicles which require the attachment and removal of a separate hose unit whenever the vehicle hooks up at an overnight site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Albert Mercer
  • Patent number: 4133537
    Abstract: An artistically arranged three dimensional chess set has eight vertically spaced stages, the uppermost and lowermost stage comprising a single square with the stages including progressively increasing numbers of squares toward the center to a total of 64 squares and the upper and lower groups of three stages each defining a totality of sixteen squares. The stages are maintained in spaced relation by a stand which is preferably comprised of a plurality of disengageable members so that the set may be disassembled and arranged in a relatively small container for marketing and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Max G. Chappell
  • Patent number: 4133113
    Abstract: The invention comprises a linear proportioning device and method of using same to quickly and accurately calculate the shim thickness necessary to bring the shaft axis of a motor parallel to that of a pump to be driven, and then vertically adjust the axis of the motor until it is co-axial with that of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Harry E. Rider
  • Patent number: 4129911
    Abstract: A surfboard is constructed to have a soft deck by forming a lower body of a rigid foam material covered with a fiberglass resin coating and forming a deck insert of resilient foam material secured to the deck of the lower body and covered by a flexible impervious covering. The method of making the surfboard includes the shaping and covering of the lower body, the shaping and application to the upper deck of a resilient foam material and the covering of the foam material with a flexible impervious cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Inventors: Michael D. McDonald, Stanley A. Pleskunas
  • Patent number: 4128982
    Abstract: A means and method of wall construction utilizes plastic diamond mesh and permanently inset float strips imbedded in the setting bed for the ceramic tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Daniel E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4117860
    Abstract: The invention is a flow delay valve to be used in conjunction with fire fighting and attaches to the fire hydrant so that as the fire truck proceeds to unroll hose on the way to the fire site the hose is filled slowly due to the action of the delay valve, permitting the fire truck to proceed unhindered by full hose pressure but without requiring the stationing of a fireman at the hydrant to turn the hydrant on after the fire truck has arrived at the site as the valve fully opens automatically upon the hose becoming filled to permit unobstructed water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Jack M. Carlin
  • Patent number: 4114653
    Abstract: A rupturable disc shaped capsule replaceably installed in a fire hose coupling, the capsule having a small central bore therethrough to permit the initial limited flow of water, there being one or more regions of the downstream end wall of the capsule which are rupturable by water pressure when the hose fills by virtue of air pockets disposed within the capsule causing the wall to collapse from external pressure there being water-erodible support structure within the capsule which disintegrates upon the rupturing of the capsule wall and entry of water causing the entire capsule assembly to be destroyed and finally blown out the end of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Jack M. Carlin
  • Patent number: 4112967
    Abstract: A valve cover for a pipeline is provided in a flexible multi-layered construction shaped to conform to valves having a stubpipe-type valve stem housing, and having a tough waterproof outer layer of Herculite or the like with one of the inner layers being insulation, the cover being easily removable by virtue of releasable fasteners to permit access to the valve for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Ronald Withem
  • Patent number: 4113299
    Abstract: The invention comprises magnus tubes mounted adjacent to or imbedded in the orthogonal edges of a vehicle such as a semi-trailer, these tubes preferably being interengaged, for concomitant rotation and having a motive force such as a motor to simultaneously drive the tubes to expedite laminar flow of air around the edges of the wall in question as the vehicle moves, it being preferred that the motive force be reversible to invest the magnus tube with an additional braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventors: David W. Johnson, Gary C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4110845
    Abstract: The invention constitutes rain chapes which are provided separately for each leg and substantially protect the lower legs and feet from the rain to which they are otherwise exposed due to the incomplete length of a raincoat. The chapes are preferably fabricated of the extremely light-weight synthetic materials which are currently used in raincoat design and permit easy carrying in a folded condition in a purse or pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Inventor: Marge Chellis
  • Patent number: D256607
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Jack M. Carlin