Patents Represented by Attorney Raymond F. Kramer
  • Patent number: 4183378
    Abstract: A light weight vacuum maintained structure, especially useful when cylindrical, includes a plurality of hollow wall members made of a thin, normally flexible material and internally pressurized so as to be form-retaining, preferably of keystone-like shape, which are positioned with respect to each other so as to form an external wall of such structure, exposed to atmospheric pressure, with a vacuum in the interior of the structure, the difference in pressure holding the wall members together to seal off the interior of the structure and prevent loss of vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Inventor: Bert J. Decker
  • Patent number: 4172774
    Abstract: A membrane assembly, useful as a membrane in electrodialytic and electrolytic cells, is made by holding together a plurality of thin layers of membrane material under pressure and with boundary layers of liquid covering their major surfaces. Such membrane assemblies allow the passage therethrough of ions when an electric potential difference is impressed across the membrane assembly but effectively bar the passage of water and gases. They also bar or limit ionic and salt mass transfer in the absence of such a potential difference (during non-use of the cell). They make excellent long lasting cell components, capable of being manufactured simply and economically from any of a variety of membrane materials to produce membranes of desired properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: Clearwater Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Moeglich
  • Patent number: 4156997
    Abstract: Light weight tension-compression equilibrium structures include structural units which contain a plurality of compression members in contact with each other in an interior portion of the unit and a plurality of tension members in contact with them and exerting balanced tensions on them to hold them in position with respect to each other, and to produce compressive forces in the compression members which are directed toward the point(s) of contact of the compression members in the interior of the unit, thereby strengthening the compression members and the structural units. The tension members are positioned apart such distances along the compression members less than lengths at which the compression members alone would buckle under applied compressive forces. The various structural units may be essentially planar, useful for forming walls or relatively thin supporting structures, or they may be made three-dimensional so as to be capable of serving as major load-bearing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventors: Bert J. Decker, deceased, Jean S. Decker, executrix
  • Patent number: 4156147
    Abstract: A neutron absorbing article, preferably in flat plate form and suitable for use in a storage rack for spent nuclear fuel, includes boron carbide particles, diluent particles and a solid, irreversibly cured phenolic polymer cured to a continuous matrix binding the boron carbide and diluent particles. The total content of boron carbide and diluent particles is a major proportion of the article and the content of cured phenolic polymer present is a minor proportion. By regulation of the ratio of boron carbide particles to diluent particles, normally within the range of 1:9 and 9:1 and preferably within the range of 1:5 to 5:1, the neutron absorbing activity of the product may be controlled, which facilitates the manufacture of articles of particular absorbing activities best suitable for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: The Carborundum Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Naum, Dean P. Owens, George I. Dooher
  • Patent number: 4154393
    Abstract: A mailbox for the reception and protection of mail comprises a mail receptacle or container with a door, an alarm system control switch, responsive to the opening and closing of the mailbox door to activate an alarm when the door is open, illuminating means to light an area near the mailbox and intercommunication means for identification of and conversation with a caller or person using the mailbox. The mentioned security features of the mailbox are components of a pre-wired unit and installation is thereby greatly simplified and facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Inventor: Arthur Darvishian
  • Patent number: 4148948
    Abstract: Water dispersible paints of improved leveling characteristics, suitable for use with water in the roller coating of metal articles, such as cans, and capable of being rapidly cured to a level, unribbed and unstreaked surface despite the presence of water, include as leveling agent in the paints a water insoluble N,N-dimethyl fatty acid amide, the fatty acid of which is of 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol J. Williams
  • Patent number: 4140222
    Abstract: A display holder, useful as a children's dental hygiene teaching aid and adapted to hold three or more different but related functional articles, such as toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste and dispensers for dental floss, includes a display surface having a scene depicted thereon such that parts of the scene relate to and are adapted to include the functional articles, when held in place therein, to participate in and complete the scene, and has means for holding the functional articles in place with respect to the display surface so that they participate in and complete the scene depicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Inventor: Vincent J. Francavilla
  • Patent number: 4123887
    Abstract: Building columns of generally squared C shape are strengthened by rigidification with a novel bridge member so that inward deflections of the flanges of the C are prevented by insertion of the bridge. The bridge includes a transverse intermediate portion which fits between the ends of the channel flanges to prevent inward deflections thereof, a pair of inclined crossing leg portions and a pair of opposing foot portions, each joined to a leg portion and adapted to fit in the interiors of opposed corners of the channel between the flanges thereof and the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Inventor: Roger N. Weinar
  • Patent number: 4123667
    Abstract: A wave energy generator produces electric power from wave motion by means of a distortable underwater section thereof which has a plurality of flexible compartments containing liquid and gas and equipped with flexible internal one-way flow walls separating the compartments, so that in response to wave motion the internal liquid flows in one direction through the compartments and through a fluid flow-powered motor-generator combination. The underwater distortable flexible structure described is the lower portion of a body which also has an upper portion above water so that the combination thereof is useful as a breakwater or dock, when anchored, or as a barge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Bert J. Decker
  • Patent number: 4123376
    Abstract: A bleaching composition, effective to remove stains on fabrics and safe for dyed fabrics, includes a water soluble peroxymonosulfate bleach, a water soluble inorganic bromide which promotes the bleaching activity of the peroxymonosulfate and an N-hydrogen compound of a certain type, such as para-toluene sulfonamide or 5,5-dimethylhydantoin, which inhibits destruction of dyes and overbleaching of dyed materials while stains to be bleached by the composition are effectively removed. Also within the invention are bleaching detergent compositions which also contain a normally solid, water soluble synthetic organic detergent, such as an anionic detergent which is a sodium linear higher alkylbenzene sulfonate or a nonionic detergent which is a fatty alcohol polyethylene oxide condensate, or a mixture thereof, and which may also include a builder salt. Methods of bleaching and simultaneously washing and bleaching with such compositions or their components are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Frederick W. Gray
  • Patent number: 4122356
    Abstract: Radiant heat is converted to electricity by a heat pipe - turbogenerator combination. Specifically, a heat pipe having heat-sorbing wicking or other material in an evaporation section thereof from which the heat pipe liquid in contact with or adjacent said wicking may evaporate, has such wicking heated by radiant heat, as by solar heat, vaporizing the liquid to a gas, which passes through a turbogenerator to a condensation section wherein it is condensed to the liquid, which is returned to the evaporation section. The heat pipe - turbogenerator assembly is suitably externally insulated, as by a vacuum shield, to prevent heat losses and heat is recovered from the condenser portion of the heat pipe and returned to the evaporator portion.In an application of the generic invention it is employed in a building, such as a house, where it is utilized on wall and roof portions thereof and serves as at least a partial supporting structure for these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Inventor: Bert J. Decker
  • Patent number: 4117644
    Abstract: Mechanically fastened appended tabs invisibly secure common edge-abutting wallboard panels to common wood or metal framing members. The fastener appendants are spaced apart tabs extending from the back of and exposed beyond the vertical edges of the wallboard panels so as to be conveniently screw fastened. When screw fastened to common wall framing members, the appended tabs secure the wallboard panels slightly off the framing member front surface to permit offset appendant tabs of abutting wallboard panels to slide between the fastened wallboard panels and the framing members and be engaged by the fastened wallboard panels in a tongue and groove relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Inventor: Roger Neil Weinar
  • Patent number: 4115970
    Abstract: An intersection cap for covering the ends of a plurality of pieces of grid celing trim mounted on grid ceiling supports where such supports intersect, usually at right angles, includes a base member, usually cruciform in shape, but sometimes readily convertible to T-shape, for covering the horizontal surfaces of the trim and of any exposed support, wall members extending upwardly from the base member, for covering the sides of the trim and of any exposed support and opposed retainers located at tapered portions of the walls at the ends thereof and beyond the base member which readily, yet firmly, snap fasten onto the trim. Also described is the injection molding of such intersection caps in which the mold parts are moved together in simple linear relative motion to obviate the employment of complex mold part motions to form suitable retainers integral with the walls of the intersection cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Ceiling Resurfacing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Neil Weinar
  • Patent number: 4106116
    Abstract: An apparatus of the shot mill type includes a substantially vertical vessel, preferably cylindrical, containing shot for use as a dispersing media (also useful for deagglomerating and size-reducing material being dispersed), a bottom inlet for a mixture of particulate material to be dispersed and liquid vehicle for it, and a top outlet, a substantially vertical and axially rotatable agitator and a stationary screen in the vessel at the top thereof through which the dispersed material passes and through which the dispersing media does not pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Inventor: Malcolm H. MacKay
  • Patent number: 4100621
    Abstract: An artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis is a light weight substantially breast-shaped pad having hook type fastening means at a plurality of locations about the periphery of the pad, which are fastenable to mating pile attachment means on the inside of the bosom area of a nightgown and are readily removable therefrom, when desired. More particularly, the artificial breast is of substantially triangular outline shape, when viewed from the front thereof, with hook tape fastening means at each corner and extending away from the triangle and with pile attachment means, ready for fastening to a nightgown, removably held to the hook tape fastening means. Specific pad structures are also described, as are nightgowns with pile attachment means and artificial breasts of this invention attached thereto, and a method of removably attaching the described artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis to the inside of a nightgown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Marion Carol Ettipio
  • Patent number: 4087296
    Abstract: An apparatus for in situ preparing and applying foam to a surface, such as a roof, and at the same time applying a membrane onto the surface of the foam, produces a foam-membrane sandwich having an upper surface of controlled smoothness and thickness or pitch, which sandwich is firmly held to the treated surface. The apparatus is normally self-propelled and may be automatically controlled so as to be advanced across the surface to be coated with membrane-covered rigid polymeric foam, preferably of polyurethane foam, as the curing pre-foam and covering membrane are applied. In preferred embodiments of the invention the membrane is a roofing felt or fiberglass web, mat, treated paper or cloth fed from the apparatus from a roll thereon, producing with the roof or other surface to be coated, a form into which a curing pre-foam is deposited as the apparatus is advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas Hooker
  • Patent number: 4074480
    Abstract: A double-glazed window is readily made by installing onto an existing window a spacing frame containing a desiccant and joining a matching pane of glass to the spacer around the periphery thereof, thereby making an air tight seal about the air between the glass panes, with the desiccant in the spacing frame or in a portion thereof being communicable with the air between the panes so as to remove moisture from it to prevent undesirable condensation. The described double-glazed windows are readily installed by the homeowner, using a kit of materials for construction of the spacing frame and installation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Inventor: Henry W. G. Burton
  • Patent number: 4070931
    Abstract: A lug wrench for removing automobile wheel lug nuts from wheel lugs includes a socket or means for holding a socket which fits such nuts, turning means, fastened to or integral with said socket or socket holding means and connectable lever means, the turning means including a cylindrical rod portion extending in a direction opposite to that of the wheel lug and offset from it and acting as a fulcrum, and a bearing portion, against which the lever can bear to turn the socket, and the lever having a collar at an end thereof and a handle portion at an opposite end, the collar being adapted to fit about the fulcrum rod of the turning means and the lever being adapted to bear against the bearing portion of the turning means to turn the socket with balanced forces thereon when a force is applied to the handle of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Inventor: Nicholas Florko, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4055930
    Abstract: A decorative trim strip and a suspended ceiling construction employing the trim strip with structural T- and L-beams having laterally extending portions or portion, wherein such trim strip is a resilient longitudinal "J" channel section having a lengthwise opening communicating with the interior thereof through which a laterally extending portion of a structural beam can be inserted internally to engage and maintain the decorative trim strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Ceiling Resurfacing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Neil Weinar, John Anthony Eder
  • Patent number: 4047833
    Abstract: A horizontal windmill includes a vertical tubular internal baffle member, a plurality of vanes responsive to the wind, mounted and positioned so that they revolve horizontally when the wind blows, partially rotating to resist the force of the wind in some positions during such revolution and being feathered with respect to it in other positions, and a vertical baffle located outside the path of rotation of the vanes, for increasing the wind speed as the wind is directed against the wind-resisting vanes. To secure the benefits of low cost of the structure for supporting such a windmill it is mounted on a building, with the vertical tubular member surrounding the building and being transparent to allow entry of light. In preferred embodiments of the invention various portions of the windmill are of light weight plastic material, such as the vanes and external baffles, and thin light weight tension members are employed to strengthen compression members and hold them in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Inventor: Bert J. Decker