Patents Represented by Attorney Robert C. Bracewell & Patterson Curfiss
  • Patent number: 5890246
    Abstract: A personal support device adapted for permitting a pregnant woman to lie on her stomach or abdomen even during the third trimester of pregnancy is formed of an inflatable mattress with an isolated section defined by a cylindrical wall. A portion of the outer membranae of the mattress extends into the isolated section to form a cavity for receiving and supporting the abdomen. Clearance holes in the cylindrical wall permit the isolated section to breathe, thereby permitting the cavity to expand and contract to maximize both the support and the comfort of the woman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Richard P. Davis
  • Patent number: 5836289
    Abstract: A porous element fuel vaporizer to be used in conjunction with internal combustion engines. The vaporizer, comprising a fuel injector in conjunction with a porous element, wherein during cold operations the porous element heats and vaporizes the fuel exiting the fuel injector. Since during cold operations an engine consumes more fuel to compensate for liquid fuel precipitating inside, an important feature of this combination involves eliminating precipitate during cold starts to reduce fuel consumption and decrease engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Robert H. Thring
  • Patent number: 5798458
    Abstract: An acoustic sensor system is provided for detecting failures or terrorist events in commercial aviation and is adapted for assisting in the detection and post event analysis of such events. The system is adapted for use in combination with a comprehensive multi-media safety and surveillance system, utilizing both visual and audio information as well as critical data to the flight crew, and to a ground tracking station, and recording the information and data generated during flight. A plurality of acoustic sensors are strategically and systematically placed about an airframe. The sensors are adapted for communicating with a monitor/recording system and may be hard wired or utilize wireless communications therewith. In the event of a catastrophic event, such as a bomb explosion, a gunshot or structural failure an acoustic event would be recorded for later analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Monroe
  • Patent number: 5768711
    Abstract: A glove with projections or tabs attached to the thumb and finger sheaths of the glove. The tabs can easily be grasped to provide an axial removal force along each finger sheath, thus enhancing removal of the glove from a wearer's hand. In one embodiment, each tab is an integrally formed triangular fin attached to the top portion of each glove finger at the distal-most end of the glove finger. The tabs permit the application of an axial force along each finger and have been found to be particularly effective in removing sports gloves that are provided with one-half and three-quarter finger sheaths that fit snugly around a wearer's fingers. In another embodiment, the tabs project beyond the ends of the finger sheaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Schiek Sports
    Inventor: Daniel E. Wissink