Patents Represented by Law Firm Rockey, Rifkin and Ryther
  • Coin fill and delivery system for gaming machines
    Patent number: 5386903
    Abstract: The gaming machine consists of a cabinet supporting a game display and pay out trough. Located to one side of the game display is a dollar bill validator and stacker supported on a pivoting door such that when the door is opened the bill validator is pivoted out of the game cabinet to access a large coin receptacle. To resupply coins, the game operator simply opens the door and pours the coins into the top of the machine. Located below the receptacle is a coin hopper and escalator assembly for delivering coins from the hopper to the pay out trough. The coin hopper and escalator are mounted to one another and are supported on a sled removably supported on an inclined ramp. To service the coin escalator or hopper, the operator opens a door on the game cabinet and the sled supporting the coin hopper and escalator is rolled off of the ramp and out of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Rothschild, Gregory J. Tastad, Herbert H. Hausmann, Bradley T. Burke
  • Player controlled dump ramp for a pinball game
    Patent number: 5383663
    Abstract: The play feature consists of a first surface and second surface for supporting a rolling ball therebetween. The surfaces are made movable relative to one another such that in a first position they support a ball therebetween and in a second position they are spaced far enough apart to allow a ball to fall therebetween. The surfaces are movable relative to one another by a solenoid or other similar driver where the solenoid is controlled by a player operated button. As a ball rides along the first and second surfaces, the player operates the solenoid to move the first and second surfaces apart allowing the ball to fall between the surfaces at a desired location. A plurality of targets, ramps or the like can be provided below the surfaces as target objectives for the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Python V. Anghelo, Raymond J. Czajka
  • Continuous process for producing adducted EPM or EPDM oil solution
    Patent number: 5384371
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for producing an adducted derivatized EPM or EPDM oil solution in which a grafted ethylene polymer is adducted with an antioxidant diamine for formation of an adduct during holding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: DSM Copolymer, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony L. Caines, Michael L. Junker
  • Portable time metering device
    Patent number: 5382780
    Abstract: A portable time metering device particularly adaptable as an in-car parking meter for parking in a plurality of zones comprises a plurality of bank registers, each bank register having stored therein information representing a monetary value and each of the plurality of zones corresponding to one bank register. The device selectively determines whether a sufficient monetary value is stored in a corresponding bank register of a selected zone to allow parking in the zone. The device further determines a total amount of time parked in a selected zone if parking is allowed. The total amount of time is then used to deduct an amount from the monetary value of the corresponding bank. The device also includes a communication component for transmitting and receiving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Ralph H. Carmen
  • Shaft seal assembly
    Patent number: 5378000
    Abstract: The improved shaft seal assembly is disclosed in having the sealing device lodged simultaneously in a female recess in the rotor and stator. The mating relationship of a solid deformable annular seal in opposed recesses in the stator and the rotor results in the rotor and stator being locked together thus preventing axial movement between the rotor and stator. The novel seal assembly will be a positive seal during operation and also will prevent leakage when at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Inpro Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Orlowski
  • Magnetic ball flipper for a rolling ball game
    Patent number: 5375829
    Abstract: The player controlled play feature consists of an area on or associated with the playfield which is partially confined by a plurality of bumpers. At least one target is provided in this area and an entrance is provided such that a pinball can enter the area defined by the bumpers. Located in the defined area and supported below the surface thereof are a plurality of electromagnets energized by activation of player controlled buttons mounted on the game's cabinet. The game player can selectively activate the electromagnets to redirect the pinball and propel it toward the provided targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, Lawrence DeMar, Ted Estes
  • LNG delivery system
    Patent number: 5373702
    Abstract: Two LNG storage tanks receive LNG from a fill station. The two storage tanks are connected to an overflow tank into which the LNG flows during pressurization of the system. The overflow tank is connected to the use device, i.e. the vehicle's engine, through a heat exchanger to provide high pressure natural gas thereto. The fill station initially delivers LNG to the two storage tanks until the tanks are substantially filled with LNG whereupon the fill station automatically stops delivery of LNG and begins to deliver natural gas vapor to the storage tanks until the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined maximum that is equal to or greater than the pressure required by the use device. During the pressurization of the system some of the LNG in the two storage tanks is forced into the overflow tank by the incoming natural gas vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: George Kalet, Keith Gustafson
  • Gaseous detection system
    Patent number: 5369977
    Abstract: A gaseous detection system for detecting the existence of a certain gas and further detecting a certain level or percentage of that certain gas within a prescribed environment. An example is the use of the gas detection system in a motor vehicle or elsewhere to determine when the driver of the motor vehicle may be driving under the influence of alcohol, and alternatively, for providing signals that may be used for evidentiary purposes of the alcohol content in the breath of the driver. The system includes a sensor unit for sensing ethanol in the atmospheric contents of the test person's breath and utilizing fresh air and a reference gas to determine the amount, if any, of blood-alcohol content of a person for evidentiary or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Lundahl Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Rhodes, Ernie Vandenwijngaert
  • Contained quench system for controlled cooling of continuous web
    Patent number: 5363902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously cooling a moving web while simultaneously removing the cooling fluid from the web in which a stream of quenching fluid is applied transversely across the web to cool it and a fluid containment gas is positioned on either side of the quenching fluid to direct a containment fluid toward the quenching fluid and establish a continuous containment fluid curtain stream to prevent passage of the quenching fluid beyond the point of which the containment fluid is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Donald C. Kush
  • Printhead for ink jet printers
    Patent number: 5363124
    Abstract: The printhead of an ink jet printer includes an electrically conductive plastic chassis and charging electrode. The plastic chassis can be constructed of plastic resins such as polyester, nylon, acetal, and polyphenylene sulphide imbedded with electrically conductive fibers such as carbon and stainless steel. The fibers can be coated with nickel to improve the shielding characteristics of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Videojet Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: George Arway
  • Ball diverter for raised ramp
    Patent number: 5358240
    Abstract: The ball diverter of the invention consists of a pivoting cage located above an elevated track. The cage, when in its lowered position, will intercept a ball rolling on the track. The cage can then be pivoted to remove the ball from the track and deposit it on a surface disposed beneath the track. When the cage is in the raised position, the ball is allowed to traverse the track uninterrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lawlor, John Krutsch
  • DC level generator
    Patent number: 5359237
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequentially refreshing each of an array of sample and hold output circuits in a DC level generator. Each sample and hold circuit makes a selected DC voltage available. For each of the sample and hold output circuits in turn, the voltage which it is desired to store in that circuit is generated. The generated voltage is compared with the voltage stored by that one sample and hold output circuit to produce a voltage difference signal and an error correction storage and hold circuit is charged to a voltage proportional to the voltage difference signal. Charge proportional to the voltage stored in the error correction storage and hold circuit is then transferred to the selected one sample and hold output circuit to reduce the difference between the compared voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Genrad Limited
    Inventor: Richard Pye
  • Ball storage device for pinball games
    Patent number: 5358242
    Abstract: A planetary ball storage device for a pinball game according to the present invention consists of a horizontally disposed rotating wheel having a plurality of pinball receiving pockets arrayed on the periphery of the wheel. The game player, using the flippers, can direct a ball into an empty pocket when a pocket is in a ball receiving position after a predetermined game objective has been met. Balls are returned to the playfield by the utilization of a magnetic lifter arm controlled by the game microprocessor. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor and its position is detected by an optical switch assembly. A second optical switch assembly generates a signal to energize the magnetic lifter arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Trudeau, Ernie Pizzarro
  • Ball trough for pinball games
    Patent number: 5358243
    Abstract: The ball trough is of a unitary construction such that it is mounted directly to the underside of the playfield as a single piece. The ball trough consists of a generally U-shaped channel that is mounted to the underside of the playfield and extends between the drain hole and the shooter lane. The bottom surface of the channel is inclined relative to the horizontal such that a ball entering at the drain hole will roll under the force of gravity toward the shooter lane. When activated, the solenoid plunger will kick the ball located adjacent the shooter lane up through an aperture in the playfield and into the shooter lane. A series of optical switches are mounted on the channel and arranged such that each switch will detect the presence or absence of the ball in the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eddy, Carl Biagi
  • Pinball game cabinet
    Patent number: D352738
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Python V. Anghelo, Raymond J. Czajka
  • Combined bagel holder and slicer
    Patent number: D354203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent A. Naccarato
  • Entertainment center
    Patent number: D354638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventors: John M. Todd, James A. Grieve
  • Tea kettle
    Patent number: D355324
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Lebowitz
  • Tea kettle
    Patent number: D355325
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Lebowitz
  • Tea kettle
    Patent number: D355326
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Lebowitz