Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert M. Downey
  • Patent number: 6227214
    Abstract: A system and method for containment and recovery of vapors in a general parts washer apparatus, wherein a solvent is delivered to a wash area for washing articles therein; the system including a unit supported in air flow communication with the wash area and having a fan for drawing solvent vapors in a flow of air from within the wash area and through the unit. Activated carbon filters within the unit separate moisture from the air flow to trap solvent within a separation chamber. During a distillation cycle, a vacuum activated valve assembly closes the separation chamber and a heater raises the temperature within the separation chamber, under negative pressure, causing liquid solvent in the chamber to vaporize. The solvent vapors are removed from the separation chamber and converted to pure liquid solvent in a condenser. The pure liquid solvent is thereafter directed to a clean solvent holding tank in the parts washer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Mansur Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre G. Mansur
  • Patent number: 6209576
    Abstract: An automatic fluid shut-off device for interrupting fluid flow through a fluid supply path in a fluid delivery system. The automatic fluid shut-off device includes: a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring fluid flow in a fluid supply path; a control panel housing, a central processing unit, and including a visual display panel, programming buttons, and indicator lights; and either a solenoid actuated fluid shut-off valve or relay that interrupts power to a fluid pump. The fluid flow sensor monitors fluid flow in the fluid supply path and outputs the fluid flow data to the central processing unit. The central processing unit compares the measured fluid flow value with the value preprogrammed for the particular operating conditions or for the particular active zone in a multi-zone fluid delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Dan Davis
  • Patent number: 6198046
    Abstract: A device includes a base plate attachable to an electric outlet and an insert fitted to the base plate and having one or more central openings for exposing the receptacles of the electric outlet. A pair of opposing door members hingedly attach to the base plate and are operable between an open position to allow insertion of a plug of an electrical cord into the receptacle, and a closed position to provide a protective shield surrounding an enclosed chamber and the one or more receptacles of the outlet. The opposing door members include flange portions extending partially along a peripheral edge for overlapping engagement with an inner surface adjacent the peripheral edge of the opposite door, preventing insertion of an object between the doors when the device is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: John Moodie
  • Patent number: 6190682
    Abstract: A composition for application to fingernails and toe nails includes a binder and a pigment, the binder including volatile and non-volatile components and the pigment being present in the composition in an amount of between 30% to 40% of the total volume of the non-volatile portion of the composition, creating a physical action upon drying of a layer of the composition applied to the nails, wherein a lack of cohesive strength between the pigment and binder results in formation of random cracks in the applied layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Dominick D. Razzano
  • Patent number: 6187041
    Abstract: An ocular replacement system provides a ball-shaped implant body having an outer spherical and porous surface that is receptive to ingrowth of ocular tissue and including an anterior portion positioned forwardly when the implant is fitted in the eye cavity to create a convex tissue surface area when covered by conjunctiva. A prosthesis includes an outer face and an opposite inner concave surface shaped to conform generally to the convex tissue surface area. When fitted in the front orbital space of the eye cavity, a magnetic attractive force between at least one magnet on the inner surface of the prosthesis and one or more magnetically attractive elements on the anterior portion of the implant couples the prosthesis to the implant so that the prosthesis follows movement of the implant to simulate natural eye movement within the eye cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Scott N. Garonzik
  • Patent number: 6182598
    Abstract: A stair assembly to enable easy boarding and deboarding of a watercraft includes one or more step members hingedly fixed within a cavity formed with the bow, side walls or transom of the watercraft to permit the step members to swing, in a rolling movement, from a compact stowed position to an extended, deployed position wherein the stair assembly extends outboard of the watercraft. The step members are specifically shaped and configured to conform with the bow, side walls and/or transom when in the stowed position to thereby fill the cavity and provide an integral, seaworthy structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Horacio E. Bozzo
  • Patent number: 6171073
    Abstract: A safety device for use in a fluid transfer and/or circulation system of the type which uses a pump to draw water from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to the pump intake. The safety device connects in-line with the fluid transfer/circulation system, between the open ends of the intake lines and the pump and includes a vacuum pressure sensor, an analyzer and controller, a relay, and a vacuum breaker. Each time the pump is activated, the device analyzes negative pressure levels throughout a start-up period to establish a normal operating pressure window for the particular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Paul C. McKain, David Rizzi, Mark Fritze
  • Patent number: 6158086
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first hinge leaf for attachment to a door, a second hinge leaf hingedly coupled to the first hinge leaf, and a mounting plate for adjustably positioning and attaching the second hinge leaf to a cabinet frame, casing, door jamb, or the like. The mounting plate includes an elongate slot for receipt of a mounting screw therethrough, permitting movement of the mounting plate relative to the cabinet frame and mounting screw until the screw is tightened against the mounting plate. A window opening in the second hinge leaf exposes the elongate slot and mounting screw when the second hinge leaf is attached to the mounting plate, thereby permitting adjustable positioning of the door on the cabinet frame or other mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen De Souza
  • Patent number: 6153147
    Abstract: The device includes a housing having a main body including an analysis chamber with at least one chemical reagent composition contained therein and a vessel portion for receiving and capturing a fluid specimen taken from a beverage. The device is structured to transfer the captured fluid specimen from the vessel portion to the analysis chamber wherein the chemical reagent composition, when exposed to the fluid specimen, performs a visible presumptive color assay to determine whether undesirable substances, such as fulnitrazepam, sodium gamma hydroxybutyric acid or caffeine, are contained in the beverage. One or more windows are provided on the housing for viewing the results of the visible presumptive color assay. The fluid specimen and one or more chemical reagent compositions remain contained within the analysis chamber to prevent contamination of the beverage as well as tampering with the captured fluid specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: James J. Craig
  • Patent number: 6135253
    Abstract: A suitcase is provided with a compressive liner encapsulating an air tight packing chamber and having a sealable opening to allow placement and removal of clothing and other articles within the packing chamber. In a relaxed state, the volume of the packing chamber is substantially greater than the volume of the suitcase interior, thereby enlarging the available packing space. When the liner is filled and sealed closed, air is withdrawn from the packing chamber by a motorized vacuum pump, causing the liner to collapse and compress the contents, thereby reducing the volume of the packing chamber to a size which fits within the closed suitcase. A one-way valve holds the vacuum within the chamber, maintaining the liner in the collapsed state until the opening is unsealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: Ira B. Weissman, Helaine R. Weissman
  • Patent number: 6135902
    Abstract: A grip for a polo mallet is integrally formed of a composite, shock absorbing material and includes a longitudinal bore extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a knob formed on the proximal end zone. One or more chambers are provided for receipt of weight elements within the grip in order to selectively balance the polo mallet in accordance with a player's specifications. In one embodiment, a spring clip removably attaches a hand strap to the grip, adjacent the knob. In another embodiment, the hand strap includes a closed loop portion and a free extension fitted through a strap holder on one side of the grip and releasably attachable to the loop to adjustably tighten the hand strap about the player's hand. The head of the mallet may be wrapped with a layer of ballistic material to increase its hardness. A method of balancing the polo mallet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Juan Nunez
  • Patent number: 6135934
    Abstract: A lap roller apparatus that enables a single individual to simultaneously seal the system and roll the lap of a protective membrane includes an elongated handle with one distal end having a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on a transverse axle, wherein at least one of the rollers is able to rise and drop, perpendicular to the axis of rotation, to a greater extent than the other rollers as the rollers travel along the lap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Victor Couch
  • Patent number: 6115865
    Abstract: A device for cleaning the heads of golf clubs includes a wash housing containing one or more motor driven brushes and a reservoir for containing a wash solution. Access ports are provided through a front wall of the wash housing to permit passage of the head of a wood, iron or putter therethrough so that the golf club head is positioned within the wash solution in the reservoir and in contact with the brushes. A control housing includes a currency receiving device, a control unit, and a change dispenser. Upon depositing a predetermined value of currency in the currency receiving device, the control unit activates an indicator light and a motor which moves the brushes within the wash housing throughout a timed wash cycle, thereby cleaning the golf club heads. At the expiration of the wash cycle, a timer alerts the control unit which deactivates the motor, thereby completing operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Joel Fado
  • Patent number: D442421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg
  • Patent number: D430990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg
  • Patent number: D430991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg
  • Patent number: D431155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg
  • Patent number: D431263
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Albert Greenhouse
  • Patent number: D432862
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg
  • Patent number: D433874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Brandon Cragg