Patents Represented by Law Firm Rhodes, Coats and Bennett
  • Patent number: 5947419
    Abstract: An aerial cargo container system for transporting cargo from an aircraft to the ground having a cargo box with a continuous side wall with six rectangular side panels, and rotor blades having stowed positions against alternating box side panels and deployed positions extending outwardly from the box in a generally horizontal plane. Each blade may include a lower panel and an upper panel that has two triangular sections behind the leading edge that forms an aerodynamic camber. The blades are hinged to a rotor hub secured across the top of the box. The upward deployment of the blades is limited by tethers extending from the blades down to a tether attach frame secured across the bottom of the box. The box and blades are preferably formed of corrugated paper or plastic material. The entire unit rotates with the load to create aerodynamic braking and lower cargo to the ground with a minimum of energy being translated to the cargo on impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: Charles M. Warren, Charles V. Warren
  • Patent number: 5924434
    Abstract: A crutch including an extendible, locking shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a handgrip positioned to the front of the crutch and joined to the upper end of the shaft by a connecting arm; and an underarm at a level below the level of the handgrip, whereby the user's hand is positioned above the level of the user's underarm when using the crutch, to thereby pull upward on the handgrip during forward movement, instead of a pressing downward on the handgrip and underarm support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Mobility Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayland H. Cato, III
  • Patent number: 5830550
    Abstract: A label product including a release liner having an upper surface and a booklet disposed on the upper surface of the release liner. The booklet includes an outer piece including a top panel and a bottom panel joined by an outer fold, an inner piece disposed between the top and bottom panels having a pair of interior panels joined by an inner fold, attaching means coupling the outer and inner pieces to one another at the outer and inner folds, and a tear line formed in the bottom panel adjacent the outer fold. A layer of adhesive is interposed between the bottom panel and the upper surface of the release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignees: Pharmagraphics (Midwest) L.L.C., Pharmagraphics (Southeast) L.L.C.
    Inventors: Carl W. Treleaven, Glenn A. Grosskopf, Keith R. Dovel
  • Patent number: 5655511
    Abstract: A restaurant sized convection oven has a single-sided blower wheel with forward curved fins. A pair of spaced parallel baffle plates are in front of the blower, each plate having a central hole or opening. A connecting duct extends a passageway for flue gas to pass into a space between the plates. The hole in the plate nearest the blower has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the hole in the plate nearest the baking cavity in order to create a suction in the connecting ducts for drawing in the flue gas. The ratio of flue gas to hot oven air is established primarily by the cross-sectional areas of the connecting duct and the two holes. One of the baffle plates has edge cut outs which eliminate the need for a blower scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: SouthBend-A. Middleby Company
    Inventors: Gajanan Madhav Prabhu, Mark J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5458946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retainer designed to fit on the end of a flexible tape of the extendable and retractable type that can be housed within a housing. The retainer in a preferred embodiment assumes a cap-like configuration and includes a back with a surrounding retainer ring. Formed in the back is a slit through which an L-shape end that extends from the remote end of the flexible tape can be projected therethrough such that when mounted on the tape the back of the retainer lies adjacent a turned-down catch that forms a part of the L-shaped end of the flexible tape. Thus, the retainer is adapted to receive, hold and retain the end of a member (such as a piece of shoe mold) to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Willie O. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5409416
    Abstract: A plurality of parallel adjacent grooves are formed in at least one surface of a sheet of glass. Each of the multiple grooves has a maximum width dimension of 7 millimeters and a minimum angle between the grooved wall and the plane of the glass surface of 12.degree.. The grooves are formed by affixing the sheet of glass to the conveyor of a grinding machine and subjecting the glass sheet to one or more grinding wheels in which the surface thereof has a plurality of parallel adjacent grooves formed therein of the mirror image of the grooves to be formed in the glass, wherein the grooves are simultaneously cut in a single path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Glass Unlimited
    Inventors: Keith L. Eichhorn, Lars Richter
  • Patent number: 5314234
    Abstract: A sectional sofa assembly including a dual seat reclining section attached to a sofa. The dual reclining section includes a pair of reclining seats that are positionable between an adjacent position where the reclining seats are positioned adjacent to one another and a separated position where an armrest module is connectable between the reclining seats. The modules of the sectional sofa assembly are detachably connected together in selected positions by male and female connector portions. The armrest module includes an armrest surface that forms a top-opening lid to a compartment. The armrest module further includes a tabletop and a bottom drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: England Corsair Upholstery Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. England
  • Patent number: 5301551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wick for a wet bulb, wherein the bulb is elongated with a free end and a supported end. An absorbent fabric has a portion configured as a folded over sleeve to at least partially closely surround the bulb. The sleeve has two ends, one of which is open and the other of which is closed to permit the open end of the sleeve to be slipped over the free end of the bulb and passed to the supported end until the closed end of the sleeve approaches the free end of the bulb. A plastic film lining inside the sleeve is resistant to corrosive materials to protect the bulb from corrosive materials and has a lower coefficient of friction than the fabric to ease installation over the bulb. A tail contacts a water supply to pick up water and transport it to the sleeve to wet the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Guido diVincenzo
  • Patent number: 5277652
    Abstract: A spray booth having a work area for an operator. A first fan assembly located in the back wall of the booth produces an exhaust air stream. Filter means are located between the first fan assembly and the work area. A second fan assembly supplies a make-up air stream and a laminar diffuser is connected to the second fan assembly and positioned above the operator to provide a downwardly directed air piston in the work area surrounding the operator In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust fan has a capacity of between about 340 and 400 CFM per foot width of the spray booth. In the preferred embodiment, the make-up air fan has a capacity of between about 230 and 300 CFM per foot width of the spray booth. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the make-up air fan has a capacity of between about 2/3 and 3/4 the capacity of the first fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: James G. Minor
  • Patent number: 5277139
    Abstract: A sewing apparatus and method for receiving tubular knit fabric from a pre-knitted roll and making the fabric into foot covers. The fabric is first passed through an unique spreader which is mounted at the end of a pivotal boom adjacent a sewing machine. A gripping head advances to the spreader and grips the portion of the fabric held by the spreader. The gripping head than withdraws a predetermined length of fabric from the pre-knitted roll through the spreader. An air jet blows the free end of the length of tubular knit fabric into a vacuum take-off tube connected to a gathering box. The pivotal boom then swings toward the sewing machine. As the pivotal boom completes it swing, the tubular knit fabric is fed to the sewing machine which simultaneously sews the end immediately adjacent the spreader, cuts the free end from the pre-knitted roll, and gathers the finished product in the take-off tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Larry W. Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 5275449
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining flanged, abutting duct ends or for reinforcing ducts comprises an elongated coupling member including a V-shaped portion made up of two slanting walls approaching an apex and having lower portions spaced apart a given distance. It also includes inwardly turned edges on the slanting walls spaced from the apex, extensions of the slanting walls diverging from one another as the slanting walls approach the apex extending from the slanting walls a distance about equal to the given distance, and a joining portion extending from the extensions doubling back over the apex. The extensions and the joining portions have substantial parallel segments with a curved connection between the parallel segments. The edges, slanting walls, extensions and joining portion being integrally formed of sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Industrial Air, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Reese Hunter
  • Patent number: 5271643
    Abstract: A system for organization, inventory control, and reordering of hardware items or the like. The system includes a rack to organize cartoned hardware items for easy access. End panels attached to each side of the rack displays the complete line of hardware available. Each carton includes a label attached to the carton's face. The label includes one portion that displays indica representing the particular item, e.g. a drawing of the hardware type, a description of the contents, and quantity. Each label also has a detachable perforated portion which may be peeled off from the carton and has a reusable pressure-sensitive backing. Order forms related to the labels of each hardware carton are also provided. Thus, when a carton is low, the user simply removes the perforated portion of the label from the face of the carton and affixes it to the order form to complete the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Hafele America Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hafele
  • Patent number: 5271853
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing liquid flow rates includes a chamber having peripheral walls, one of the walls having an aperture therein. A conduit connected to the chamber at the aperture forms a path from the conduit into the chamber. A 3/32" (0.24 cm) thick rubber sheet mounted to the apertured wall has a circular orifice therein aligned with but smaller than the aperture in the wall. A stainless steel plate affixed to an upper portion of the wall also has a hole aligned with the orifice and the aperture and serves to clamp the flexible membrane to the wall. Liquid passing from the conduit to the chamber has its flow rate reduced by passing through the orifice in the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane can be bowed inward of the chamber under increased upstream pressures to form an interior conical portion to direct any entrained solids from the conduit into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Batten
  • Patent number: 5265782
    Abstract: The present invention entails a military medical vest having a pair of front panels, a pair of side panels and a back panel. Secured to the back panel is a series of elongated transversely extending IV bag holder compartments. Disposed above the IV bag holder compartments is a series of field dressing compartments. Also located on the back panel and positioned above the field dressing compartments is a plurality of individual chest tube holders. Secured to the side and front panels of the vest are a series of compartments for holding various supplies and paraphernalia typically used by a military medic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Daniel T. McNamara
  • Patent number: 5254140
    Abstract: The present invention entails a plant transfer system basically comprising a vacuum chamber that is operative to induce young potted plants to a receiving area or receptacle such as a pot or cavity within a plant tray. In the embodiment disclosed herein the plant transfer system has the capability of transferring a set of multi-plants simultaneously, and then to shift a supply tray to a subsequent position and then to transfer a second set of multi-plants. In addition, the plant transfer system of the present invention is specifically designed and adapted such that it can be utilized internally within a greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Barney K. Huang
  • Patent number: 5252838
    Abstract: Apparatus assures correct alignment of a plurality of cylindrical, patterned textile printing screens arrayed horizontally, parallel with one another in a sequence of screens on heads which are rotated by a drive. Optical encoders associated with the drive mechanism for each screen indicate the orientations of the heads as they rotate, and reflective markers are located on the screens with an edge in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the screens and in a predetermined relationship to the pattern to be printed by the screen. An overhead laser source scans the screens aimed at a rotating mirror aligned to reflect light from the laser source to scan the reflective markers on the screens to a light sensor. A computer receives signals from the orientation sensors and the light sensor, and a counter counts at a rate on the order of 10 megahertz and recognizes a reflective marker when light is detected by the light detector for a threshold number of pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Innovative Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley W. Timblin
  • Patent number: 5247952
    Abstract: A stripped bobbin treatment apparatus for inspecting, cleaning and packing bobbins which have been stripped of residual yarn includes a conveyor, an inspection station. a cleaning station and a packing station. The conveyor is in the form of a plurality of endless belts trained around sheaves which permit the bobbins to travel in non-linear paths on the conveyor. Bobbins which are not completely stripped may be redirected to a stripper for additional stripping, and bobbins which are damaged may be discarded. The cleaning station is traversed by the conveyor and includes a housing and nozzles therein for spraying water to clean the bobbins. These include nozzles mounted for pivoting reciprocation in a plane perpendicular to the path, nozzles mounted for pivoting reciprocation in a horizontal plane parallel to the path and nozzles located below the path mounted for rotation about a vertical axis to spray water upwardly through the bobbins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: John H. Ferguson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5242032
    Abstract: A mobile oil change cart for a sewing machine or the like. The cart has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper surface defines a work surface for supporting the sewing machine. The upper work surface includes a rubber mat on which the machine can be placed and which prevents the machine from sliding about. Adjacent to the rubber mat is a recessed sink for containing fluids which may be spilled from the sewing machine during maintenance. A rack across the surface of the sink supports the sewing machine while draining the oil from the machine. Wheels mounted to the lower surface of the cart permit it to be easily moved from one work station to another. Underneath the work surface is a tank compartment for receiving and storing both fresh and waste oil. In addition, the tank compartment also includes pump means for both delivering fresh oil to the sewing machine and retrieving waste oil from the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Prestwood, Jill B. Crews, Thomas E. Loyd, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5240125
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying goods packaged in glass containers on a shelf along the "glass aisle" of a grocery store is disclosed. Included is a bracket having two outwardly extending flanges positionable in a card channel on the front of a store shelf, outwardly extending mounts and a fascia mounted thereto, the fascia including a surface adapted to receive a label appropriate for the goods displayed, a stop to prevent containers from being pushed off the shelf, and opposed holes. Elongated rails extend rearward of the bracket and include outwardly extending forward terminations to permit the rails to be pinched together for alignment with and insertion into the holes in the bracket to join the bracket and rails, facilitating selective detachment of the rails from the bracket, an inner, lower pair of rails on which the containers may be supported, a first outer, upper pair for engaging the sides of the containers, and a second upper pair of rails to restrain tipping of the glass containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Decision Point Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Kunz
  • Patent number: 5236051
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for automatically taking up plastic sheeting and drip tape onto cylindrical drums. In the preferred embodiment, the device is designed to be mounted onto the back of a tractor or the like by means of a three point hitch. The device includes a frame having a first take-up means for receiving the plastic sheeting, a drive means connected to a first cylindrical drum and powered by the tractor, and a by-pass valve located between the drive means and the tractor for controlling the speed of the first take-up means. The first take-up means includes a spiral roller for preventing the plastic sheeting from bunching up. The present invention also includes a second take-up means for receiving the drip tape onto a second cylindrical drum. The second take-up means is preferably powered off of the first drive means. A control means is located between the second take-up means and the drive means for controlling the speed at which the drip tape roll is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignees: Alan G. Sawyer, Ralph L. Roberson
    Inventors: Alan G. Sawyer, Ralph L. Roberson