Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Richard V. Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 4917253
    Abstract: A closure system for a container having a closure body with a hingedly connected closure lid. The closure body has an end wall and a cylindrical skirt with internal threads for screwing the closure system onto the container. The closure lid has at least one integrally molded projection extending from its cylindrical skirt. The projection engages the closure body end wall when it is desired to dispense material from the container. This projection is rigid enough to prevent the closure lid from interfering with the dispensing of the materials from the container yet is resilient enough to fold under the closure lid when the closure system is in the closed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert V. Dutt
  • Patent number: 4915638
    Abstract: A box-like cover is hinged to a base plate to form a protective enclosure for electrical outlets. An integral cantilevered locking tab is formed by a spaced pair of slots extending inward from the edge of the cover through which cords plugged into the outlet pass. A hook member on the end of the cantilevered locking tab engages a ledge formed by a slot in the base plate to secure the cover in the closed position. The cantilevered locking tab provides a flexible latch which is easily operated by the informed, but is not obvious to a child. The cover may be opaque or transparent for use with a night light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Anthony Domian
  • Patent number: 4891522
    Abstract: Multi-element high energy particle detector modules comprise a planar heavy metal carrier of tungsten alloy with planar detector units uniformly distributed over one planar surface. The detector units are secured to the heavy metal carrier by electrically conductive adhesive so that the carrier serves as a common ground. The other surface of each planar detector unit is electrically connected to a feedthrough electrical terminal extending through the carrier for front or rear readout. The feedthrough electrical terminals comprise sockets at one face of the carrier and mating pins porjecting from the other face, so that any number of modules may be plugged together to create a stack of modules of any desired number of radiation lengths. The detector units each comprise four, preferably rectangular, p-i-n diode chips arranged around the associated feedthrough terminal to form a square detector unit providing at least 90% detector element coverage of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Microtronics Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl D. Coon, John P. Elliott
  • Patent number: 4874990
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a transformer having notch gaps extending partially across the flux path of the transformer core and having a total gap volume which stores sufficient magnetic energy to substantially eliminate inductive voltage spikes in a clipped sinusoidal waveform applied to the primary of the transformer. As used in a low voltage lighting system in which the intensity of a filament lamp is regulated by a dimmer control which selectively clips the voltage applied to the transformer primary winding by an ac source, the invention substantially eliminates filament ringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: QSE Sales & Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Dobnick
  • Patent number: 4873555
    Abstract: A fast, real time method and apparatus for long wavelength infrared photodetection employs a quantum well from which stored electrons are ejected by photoemission and replaced by electrons which tunnel through a barrier bounding one side of the quantum well. The photodetector comprises a semiconductor device having a quantum well layer separated from an emitter layer on one side by a first barrier layer and from a collector layer on the other side by a second barrier layer. The first barrier is higher than the second which in turn is higher than the Fermi level in the quantum well layer. Photons excite electrons in the quantum well to an excited state from which they flow over the second barrier to the collector layer. Electrons tunnel from the emitter through the first barrier to the quantum well at the rate at which they are depleted by photoemission so that the detector is suitable for use with high pulse rate digital communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Darryl D. Coon, Runkiri P. Karunasiri, Hui C. Liu
  • Patent number: 4856665
    Abstract: A tamper evident closure has frangible bridges detachably connecting a tamper indicating band to the skirt of a cap, and hook-like locking tabs for securing the tamper indicating band to a transfer bead on a container, circumferentially displaced from one another and all aligned with a radially extending annular gap between the tamper indicating band and the cap, such that the closure can be integrally molded from thermoplastic material in a straight draw mold without slides, inserts or post molding operations. The frangible bridges extend along, as well as across, the annular gap and are flexible so that the tamper indicating band can be extended axially relative to the cap to accommodate for variations in dimensions and tolerances in containers to which the closure is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Dutt, Duane H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4844272
    Abstract: A closure system includes a container and a closure comprising a cap having a cylindrical skirt with internal threads, an annular tamper band having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the skirt forming an annular gap therebetween, and flexible bridges joining the tamper band to the free end of the cap skirt. The bridges have angularly spaced end segments extending radially outward and radially inwardly from the skirt and tamper band respectively, and an intermediate segment extending arcuately around the gap between the end segments. The closure is integrally molded with the bridges and tamper band extending radially outward in a common plane transverse to the central axis of the cap. The bridges flex to allow axial extension of the tamper band for bonding to a shoulder or transfer bead on the container. Unscrewing of the cap fractures the bridges, preferably at a section of reduced cross-section provided by notches at the intersection of the bridges with the cap skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert V. Dutt
  • Patent number: 4823995
    Abstract: A one piece, resilient, integrally molded container cap consisting of a rotor member, fixed member and a frangible connecting tab. The rotor member has a closed portion and an opening portion, and the fixed member has a closed portion and a sifting and pouring opening. As manufactured, the rotor member is attached to the fixed member by a frangible connecting tab. When desired to attach the container cap to a container, the rotor member is pivoted along the frangible connecting tab to be axially displaced from the fixed member. The rotor member is then pushed down on the fixed member, the members engaging each other by complementary locking surfaces. This action insures that the closed portions of the rotor and fixed members are aligned to prevent the contents of the container from undesired escape and also effects a tight, secure fit of the rotor member to the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4809223
    Abstract: A state analog memory device for storing approximations of analog signals for prolonged periods of time converts the analog signal in an n-ary digitizer to the one of a plurality of a discrete levels which is the next greater in magnitude than the applied signal. This digitized signal is then serially stored in an analog storage element comprising connected master and slave sample and hold circuits by a two stage control signal. Periodically, at intervals shorter in duration than the time in which the stored signals would droop to the next lower n level, the stored signal is refreshed by feeding the signal stored in the slave sample and hold circuit back to the digitizer which boosts it back up to the one level which is reentered in the master/slave sample and hold circuits. A state analog dynamic RAM utilizes an array of the analog store elements and a plurality of n-ary digitizers for simultaneously refreshing rows of the storage elements at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventor: Paul B. Brown
  • Patent number: 4776562
    Abstract: A gas cylinder valve for high pressure gas cylinders includes a pneumatic actuator with tandem pistons which are operated by normal industry "house" pneumatic pressures to overcome the large closing bias force generated by a set of disc springs so that the valve opening spring can lift the valve stem from its seat. A floating pressure plate which seats against an annular internal shoulder in the actuator housing prevents pneumatic pressure applied to the upper piston from acting on the back of the lower piston. Pneumatic pressure from a common source is applied to both pistons through an axial hole in a piston rod integral with one piston and bearing against the other piston. The actuator is easily assembled by merely inserting the lower piston, the pressure plate, the upper piston and the disc springs into the open end of a cup-shaped housing, and securing them in place with a preload on the springs by screwing on a housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Stanley G. Flagg & Co.
    Inventors: William S. Kalaskie, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4773887
    Abstract: A rescue device for small boats includes a rescue basket of open lattice work having a bottom wall with a high side wall inboard and a raised edge outboard. Rollers mounted to the side wall engage guide rails extending downward along the hull of the boat. A winch and cable system raise the basket from a submerged position in which the victim can be easily maneuvered into the basket utilizing the buoyancy of the water, and a raised position in which upward travel of the rollers is limited by detents in the guide rails. Continued operation of the winch causes the basket to pivot around the rollers bringing side wall into a horizontal position generally level with the top edge of the boat. The victim is rolled onto the side wall where aid may be administered during transport to the land or the victim can be easily brought completely into the boat. In this pivoted position, the bottom wall of the basket is substantially vertical so that the victim can not roll overboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Eugene T. Steffanus
  • Patent number: 4724646
    Abstract: An assembly for securing roof panels at selectable pitch angles includes an extruded ridge bar having a horizontal ledge and a horizontally extending arcuate flange which form a horizontal slot in which the roof panels are supported at the desired pitch. Horizontally extending end portions of the arcuate flange are removable to set the angle of the slot for the desired pitch. Roof support bars extending along the side edges of the roof panels are connected to the ridge bar at the selected pitch by hinge assemblies having their pivot axes coincident with the center of curvature of the arcuate flange. A header supporting the panels at the eave comprises two extruded channel members pivotally connecting one flange of each channel member. A bifurcated arcuate end portion of the other flange on one channel member straddles the arcuate end portion of the other flange on the other channel member as the channel members are rotated to set the selected roof pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Sun Room Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo J. Meyers
  • Patent number: 4723549
    Abstract: A catheter for dilating occluded or stenotic blood vessels includes a collapsible filter device disposed between a dilating balloon and the distal end of the catheter. The collapsible filter device comprises a plurality of resilient ribs secured to the catheter at or adjacent the distal end thereof and extending generally axially toward the dilating balloon. Inflation of a filter balloon extends the ribs outward against the vessel wall to stretch filter material secured to the ribs across the vessel to form a cup shaped trap for fragments of a stenosis loosened by the dilating balloon. Upon deflation of the filter balloon, the resilient ribs retract against the catheter to retain the trapped fragments during withdrawal of the catheter. In the preferred embodiment, the ends of the ribs projecting generally toward the dilating balloon are secured to a ring which slides along the catheter. In use, the filter is extended and then the dilating balloon is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventors: Mark H. Wholey, Mark L. Nagurka, Robert S. Katz
  • Patent number: 4706929
    Abstract: A gas cylinder valve with an inner valve stem biased toward a valve open position by a helical compression spring is pneumatically operated by an actuator having a piston biased by a stack of disc springs against an outer valve stem, separated from the inner valve stem by a diaphragm gas seal, to urge the inner valve stem to a valve closed position. While the force exerted on the inner valve stem by the disc springs exceeds that applied by the helical spring so that the valve is normally biased closed, pneumatic pressure applied to the piston moves the piston away from the outer valve member so that the helical spring moves the inner valve stem to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Stanley G. Flagg & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Kalaskie, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4280749
    Abstract: An electrical contact for a coaxial cable (3) includes a tubular shell (17, 35) forming an outer contact element (19, 37) and an inner socket (13) or pin (31) type contact element having a pair of laterally spaced resilient fingers (49, 63) housed in a tubular insulator (15, 33). As the tubular insulator (15, 33) is inserted into the tubular shell (17, 35), wedge blocks (85, 107) extending laterally through slots (95, 113) in the walls of the insulator, compress the resilient fingers of the contact element against the center conductor of the cable. The cable shielding (7) is splayed back over a resilient sleeve (115) at one end of a bushing (21) which slides onto the end of the cable. This sleeve is split longitudinally and is resilient such that it may be compressed radially to insert it into the tubular shell (17, 35) where it expands to press the splayed back cable shielding into contact with the tubular shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Valentine J. Hemmer
  • Patent number: 4272149
    Abstract: One piece socket (1) or pin type (37) electrical contacts are stamped from a sheet of resilient, electrically conductive material and rolled into a tubular body (3) having a center section (11, 39) of enlarged diameter which functions as a C spring and is radially compressed to insert or remove the contact from either the front or rear of a bore (33, 41) in a connector (31, 45). An annular groove (17, 47) in the center section (11, 39) engages a retention ring (35, 49) in the bore (33, 41) to lock the contact (1, 37) in place and the center section (11, 39) bears against the wall of the bore (33, 41) to stabilize the connection. The resilient fingers (19) forming the socket type contact (1) taper inward and then flare outward to form a funnel (21) which guides the pin (53) of a mating pin type contact (37) into a narrow neck (55) in the socket where it is wiped clean and firmly gripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Gallusser, Valentine J. Hemmer, Gary C. Toombs
  • Patent number: 4269152
    Abstract: A breakerless distributor for an internal combustion engine ignition system in which a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (73, 75, 77, 79) equal to the number of engine cylinders are connected in series for simultaneous energization by the timing pulses. A phototransistor (83, 85, 87, 89) arranged in spaced, confronting relationship to each LED is connected to a silicon controlled rectifier (95) which triggers the energizing circuit (7, 9, 11, 13) for an individual spark plug (103) each time the phototransistor is turned on by emissions from its associated LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Howard E. Van Siclen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4266841
    Abstract: A terminal for mating the end of a high voltage cable with a standard receptacle comprises a flanged bushing extending along the cable and a ceramic sleeve which slides over the bushing and abuts the flange. A ferrule slidable on the cable and over the ceramic sleeve retains a single helical compression spring which bears against the bushing and ceramic sleeve to apply a preselected spring force to an electrical contact retained in the end of the ceramic sleeve. A resilient annular grommet slidably engages the exterior surface of the ceramic sleeve through an internal annular bead on the grommet and is axially compressed between the ferrule and a mating part on the receptacle to effect an altitude seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Cy E. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 4262987
    Abstract: An electrical contact 47 includes a tubular liner 1 stamped and rolled from a sheet of an electrically conductive material with an annular connector retention recess 13 provided in the external surface thereof between a mating end and a wire receiving end. One or more sleeves 21, 27 are telescoped over the liner 1 with at least one sleeve deformed in place into the annular recess 13. One of the sleeves 21 can be axially aligned preparatory to deforming it into the recess by an internal projection 25 which engages an annular groove 19 on the liner 1. A second sleeve can be axially aligned by lancing it to the liner 1 and by prick-punching the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Gallusser, Donald L. Pfendler, Herbert K. Uhlig, David L. Frear, Valentine J. Hemmer, Gary C. Toombs
  • Patent number: D294582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Gerald Showman