Patents Represented by Attorney Robert E. Ross
  • Patent number: 4880147
    Abstract: An air blast generator is provided in the form of a pressure accumulator with a spring-loaded bellows. Air pressure expands the bellows, compressing the spring to store energy. When a valve is opened the spring aids in expulsion of the air such that a high pressure discharge of air is provided for a larger duration than would be possible without the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 4790054
    Abstract: The method of manufacture of a multi-stage venturi ejector and body segments thereof which comprises forming an elongated extrusion having an ejector body cross-sectional shape with laterally extending mounting projections and axially extending internal air passages, cutting said extrusion transversely to form ejector body portions of predetermined length, enlarging said passages to a desired size and shape, forming venturi chambers at the front end of one set of air passages and providing check valve means at the other set of air passages, and assembling said body segments end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: William O. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4772013
    Abstract: A rowing exercise machine of the type in which a wheel with air paddles is rotated by an operator by pulling on a pull bar attached to a chain which extends around gears on the wheel axle, while sitting on a seat which rolls back and forth on a support beam. To return the chain after a rearward simulated rowing stroke, a rope is attached at each end to the outer end of the pull bar, and extends rearwardly around suitably positioned pulleys to connect with the end of the chain opposite the end which is attached to the pull bar. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the rope is passed through an eye at the end of the chain so that it can pass freely therethrough, allowing adjustment of the angle of the pull bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Elliot S. Tarlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4698988
    Abstract: A key for a lock of the plunger operated type in which an elongated housing has an internal axially movable plunger which releases locking elements when moved toward the open end of the housing, said key having a body with elongated fingers extending forwardly from the housing and an elongated mandrel disposed between the fingers. A finger depth limiter or spacer is disposed at the rear end of the fingers and protrudes forwardly from the foremost face of the key housing for abutting a portion of the lock to limit the distance the fingers can extend into the lock. In one embodiment of the invention an axially adjustable cap is mounted on the forward end of the housing to allow adjustment of the amount the spacer projects from the housing.In one embodiment of the invention internal structure is provided that allows the fingers to shift forwardly a predetermined distance if the forward end of the housing is removed by grinding in an effort to modify the key for use in locks with which it is not intended for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: James A. Swisher
  • Patent number: 4640538
    Abstract: A security seal of the type which utilizes a stranded cable as a shackle. A seal body is provided with a pair of spaced apertures for receiving the end portions of a length of cable. A first cable end may be freely insertable into a shackle aperture, or may be staked therein so as to be non-removable, and the second cable end may be freely inserted into the second aperture, forming a cable loop at one end of the body forming a shackle. The second aperture leads to a cable channel which has a locking wheel and side walls retaining the wheel which cooperate to allow the cable to be inserted from said one end but lock the cable against retrograde movement after insertion.To prevent the release of the cable by twisting the cable to cause the cable to back out of the opening by reason of the thread-like effect of the cable strands, the wheel is provided with recesses around the peripheral surface which simulate a thread having the same pitch as that of the individual filaments of the cable strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Trans-Guard Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence N. Brammall
  • Patent number: 4624640
    Abstract: A method and article for providing identification means, comprising taking an impression of teeth with a wax wafer of special configuration such that the wafer receives an impression which gives the size and shape of each tooth from the occusal surface to the gum line, and also provides information on tooth position and jaw relationship, to provide maximum information for identification. The wafer with the impression is then stored for use in case of need, preferably in a container which is sealed so that tampering with the contents can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: David A. Tesini
  • Patent number: 4622753
    Abstract: A repair kit for an electric meter socket, which includes a set of jaw contacts mounted on a support plate, with means for mounting said plate in a desired spaced relation to the back of the meter box so that the blade contacts of the meter will be inserted into the jaw contacts for a suitable depth when assembled, and a template for temporarily mounting into the meter aperture in the meter box cover, said template having a series of guide holes for receiving a punch for marking the position for plate mounting holes in the back of the meter box, and means for orienting said template so that said holes will be in a position such as to allow the meter to be in a desired orientation after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Ekstrom Industries
    Inventors: David W. Jones, Albert K. Langdon, Allen V. Pruehs, Darrell A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4600220
    Abstract: A seal for a gas meter coupling nut comprising a ring-shaped housing formed of two separate but identical halves made of relatively brittle molded plastic and having integrally molded fastening means for snapping together the two halves into locking non-removable engagement. The two halves are shaped and dimensioned to be freely, laterally movable a small but appreciable amount relative to each other when locked so that tapping said housing will produce a rattle-like sound thereby indicating that the seal has not been broken open and the halves glued back together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventor: Frank J. Agnelli
  • Patent number: 4588218
    Abstract: A seal of the type having a housing with internal resilient fingers for receiving a shouldered stud in locking engagement. The housing is generally cylindrical with a closed end and an open end. In one embodiment of the invention a separate member carrying the resilient fingers is secured into the open end of the housing. In another embodiment of the invention a cylindrical metallic member having an open end and a closed end is retained in the housing behind the member carrying the resilient fingers so that access to the fingers to release the stud cannot be had by cutting off the end of the plastic housing, and the fingers cannot be manipulated by the insertion of a needle or other sharp instrument through the exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Guiler, Peter Farbaniec
  • Patent number: 4586570
    Abstract: A combination seal and locking pin for a fire extinguisher handle or other device in which two members must be retained in fixed relation to each other, in which the seal portion comprises a housing, a shackle to be received in the housing in locking relation and a pull ring for breaking the seal. The locking pin is detachably mounted onto the seal in a relationship such that pulling on the pull ring pulls the pin out of engagement with the handle and breaks the seal. The pull pin may be removed from the broken seal and assembled onto a new seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventor: Allan W. Swift
  • Patent number: 4568926
    Abstract: A smoke detector utilizing a pulsing light source, a photo-voltaic cell, and an amplifier, in which the total current output on each light pulse is a function of the smoke concentration. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amplifier output current resulting from each light pulse is converted into an output signal which has a duration which is a function of smoke concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: William J. Malinowski
  • Patent number: 4543807
    Abstract: A plunger operated lock in which the lock operating plunger is mounted in a plunger housing inside the lock housing and is axially movable therein. The plunger housing is spring biased to the locking position, and the plunger is spring biased to a medial position in relation to the plunger housing. To allow the plunger to move to the un-locking position, the plunger housing must be moved toward the unlocking position far enough to substantially fully compress its biasing spring, and the plunger must be moved axially in the plunger housing toward the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventor: James A. Swisher
  • Patent number: 4544190
    Abstract: A seal for a pipe coupling such as is used to connect a gas meter to a gas supply line. The seal is made in two portions having integral fastening means for locking the two portions around the nut of a coupling. The fastening means include a pair of flexible legs on one portion of the seal to be engaged with a tongue on the other portion of the seal. The tongue is provided with an aperture which provides a vertical latch surface and two horizontal latch surfaces extending outwardly from the ends of the vertical latch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventors: Allan W. Swift, Sarah B. S. Rivara
  • Patent number: 4531388
    Abstract: A combination padlock of the type in which code wheels are mounted on a shaft in the housing and a bushing is associated with each code wheel, the padlock combination being changed by relative rotation between the code wheels and the bushings, in which the shaft is axially fixed in relation to the housing, and the bushings are movable axially on the shaft to release the code wheels to enable the combination to be changed, the bushings being moved by manipulation of the shackle when the shackle is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventor: Jose I. P. Garro
  • Patent number: 4506921
    Abstract: A security seal of the type in which a stud and socket are hinged together for movement into locking engagement, in which means is provided for imparting a disengaging force to the stud and socket when they are moved toward engagement, so that if the stud and socket do not become securely locked together, they will spring apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventor: Allan W. Swift
  • Patent number: 4506619
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a wing sail on a vessel, comprising a rotatable frame at the base of the mast and hydraulic cylinders connected between the frame and the ship's structure to cause rotation of the frame in either direction through a limited angle, and a brake is provided on the frame for transmitting rotation of the frame to the mast when the frame is rotating in a direction that it is desired for the mast to rotate, and a brake is provided for preventing rotation of the mast when the frame rotates in the opposite direction, whereby the mast may be rotated through a desired angle by oscillatory movement of the rotatable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Lloyd Bergeson
    Inventors: Alexander P. Bates, Philip E. Harcourt
  • Patent number: 4506415
    Abstract: A combination security seal and identification tag holder for assembly onto the neck of a mail bag or the like, in which a shackle locking mechanism is provided with a housing having a locking plug which is inaccessible when the seal is assembled onto the bag, and is prevented by the gathered neck of the bag from moving out of the locking position. The assembly includes an integral tag receiving member positioned to protrude from the bag into a visible position when the seal is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventor: Allan W. Swift
  • Patent number: 4499841
    Abstract: A sail support and control system designed for use as sail assist propulsion on a cargo vessel.The system provides complete powered control of the amount of exposed sail, the angle of the sail in relation to the vessel, and clew outhaul and downhaul tension so that no manual handling of rigging is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Lloyd Bergeson
    Inventor: John G. Lord
  • Patent number: 4500124
    Abstract: A seal of the padlock type comprising a plastic body having a pair of spaced apertures for receiving straight ends of a wire shackle. A metal fastener is assembled in the housing, said fastener having flexible tongues for so engaging the shackle ends that they can be easily pushed into the housing but cannot thereafter be retracted. In one embodiment of the invention the body is formed of upper and lower body portions which retain the fastener therebetween. The fastener and the upper body portion have weakened portions which fracture when excessive tension is applied to the shackle.In another embodiment of the invention the fastener has transverse score lines and the upper portion of the body has corresponding weakened portions, so that excessive tension applied to either shackle leg will cause fracture of the fastener and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventor: Allan W. Swift
  • Patent number: 4492100
    Abstract: A key for a lock of the plunger operated type in which an elongated housing has an internal axially movable plunger which releases locking elements when moved toward the open end of the housing, said key having a body with elongated fingers forwardly from the housing and an elongated mandrel disposed between the fingers. A spacer is disposed at the rear end of the fingers and protrudes forwardly from the foremost face of the key housing for abutting a portion of the lock to limit the distance the fingers can extend into the lock. The housing has a head portion which is axially adjustable in relation to the spacer to vary the amount the spacer projects forwardly from the housing.In one embodiment of the invention internal structure is provided that allows the fingers to shift forwardly a predetermined distance if the forward end of the housing is removed by grinding in an effort to modify the key for use in locks with which it is not intended for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Inventor: James A. Swisher