Patents Represented by Attorney Roger M. Rickert

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  • Repulsion actuated potential energy driven valve mechanism
    Patent number: 4831973
    Abstract: A bistable electronically controlled transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions is disclosed including either a stressed spring or compresed air within a closed chamber in the transducer for causing the armature to move, and a permanent magnet latching arrangement for holding the armature in either one of the positions. An electromagnetic repulsion motor overpowers the effect of the permanent magnet latching arrangement releasing the armature to move from one to the other of the positions. The transducer finds particular utility as an actuator mechanism for moving internal combustion engine valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: William E. Richeson, Jr.
  • Fabrication of modular electrical wiring tracks
    Patent number: 4825540
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrical energy distribution system as a track having a multitude of parallel insulating strips and interspersed conductor bars with gaps between adjacent conductor bars to receive conductive blades of outlets or jumper cables for receiving power from the system as well as fixedly supporting a set of blades for power input to the system. During fabrication, the elongated insulating strips and conductor bars are passed through at least two spaced apart transverse multi-apertured separators so that the conductor bars define therebetween blade receiving gaps. As thus fabricated, the system is modular and may be assembled without the need of tools or specially trained electricians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Steven M. Kelly
  • Alternating current plasma display panel
    Patent number: 4827186
    Abstract: Improvements in alternating current plasma display panels are disclosed including an imperforate intermediate structure in such a panel which provides both the function of a separator between the front and back plates (layers or structures) of the panel and the function of cross talk reducing barriers between cells of the panel. The structure includes spacing bosses which extend from the barrier structure and engage the front transparent dielectric plate, and sidewall portions intermediate adjacent pairs of spacing bosses which are separated somewhat from the front dielectric plate to provide a gas and ion passing gap between adjacent cells. In one preferred form, the sidewalls blend into a generally flat bottom wall within each cell. The sidewalls and bottom wall have a smooth or specular surface and may be coated with a reflective material to enhance cell brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Knauer, Ronald D. Cleven
  • Automatic feed marking pellet gun
    Patent number: 4819609
    Abstract: A compressed gas powered marking gun for firing marking pellets and similar projectiles each of which is generally spherical and sufficiently fragile so as to break upon impact with a target is disclosed including a compressed gas source, a projectile supply magazine containing a plurality of projectiles, and means for sequentially aligning projectiles from the supply magazine with the gun barrel through which projectiles may be sequentially discharged. The firing mechanism includes a user actuable trigger for selectively supplying compressed gas from the source to expel a projectile through the barrel, and a selector mechanism movable between a first position where the trigger actuated supplying of gas is disabled, a second position where one actuation of the trigger supplies gas to expel a single projectile, and a third position where compressed gas is repeatedly periodically supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis J. Tippmann
  • Brake maintenance monitor
    Patent number: 4800991
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for ensuring periodic adjustment of vehicle braking systems to maintain brake mechanism motion within prescribed bounds are disclosed and include an arrangement for monitoring motion of a selected brake mechanism component each time the vehicle brakes are applied and triggering a visible indicator only when the application of the vehicle brakes results in movement of the monitored component beyond a predetermined distance. Once triggered, the indicator remains triggered or "on" until manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Miller
  • Safe and arm device for spinning munitions
    Patent number: 4796532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safe and arm mechanism for an exploding projectile to be fired from a rifled gun. The projectile first experiences axial and angular acceleration which moves a setback ball to initially arm the mechanism. A third projectile parameter, angular velocity, functions to lock the ball in the armed position. During projectile flight, a spin actuated escapement mechanism moves toward a fully armed position, but may be precluded from reaching that fully armed position by a command arm arrangement. The projectile is then fully armed when a command arm signal releases the arrangement and the escapement mechanism is allowed to complete its motion to the fully armed position. When the projectile strikes a target, it experiences axial deceleration which moves a contact ball partway to a detonating position. After the projectile passes through the target surface and into a void, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: George Webb
  • Electromagnetic valve actuator
    Patent number: 4794890
    Abstract: A bistable electromechanical transducer is disclosed having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, a permanent magnet latching arrangement for maintaining the armature in the respective positions, and an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to dislodge the armature from the position in which the armature was maintained and causing it to move to the other of the positions. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer takes the form of an electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine and has an engine valve with an elongated valve stem along with the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: William E. Richeson, Jr.
  • Piezoelectric fuse for projectile with safe and arm mechanism
    Patent number: 4793256
    Abstract: A piezoelectric fuse, and safe and arm mechanism for a small active projectile is dislcosed including a piezoelectric element mounted within the projectile near the leading end thereof with an impact deformable electrically conductive shell spaced from and at least partially surrounding the piezoelectric element and a resilient material substantially filling the space between the piezoelectric element and the shell. Electrical leads connected the detonator to the shell and to a rearward piezoelectric element contact so that upon projectile impact, the shell deforms compressing the piezoelectric element generating a volatge thereacross, and thereafter, the shell makes electrical connection with a piezoelectric element forward contact actuating the detonator. The safe and arm mechanism includes an interrupter located in a "safe" position between the detonator and a lead charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: George Webb
  • Fluorescent lamp brightness control
    Patent number: 4792729
    Abstract: A load side phase control circuit is used in conjunction with a conventional fluorescent light ballast (step-up autotransformer) and an isolation transformer to achieve fluorescent lamp brightness control. A resistor and capacitor connected in series shunt the phase control circuit to maintain low level illumination even when the phase control circuit is nonconducting and also provide a transient suppression when the phase control circuit switches to a conducting state. The circuit is especially suited to printed circuit board preassembly and subsequent connection to the lamp and ballast by a one step crimping operation. The resulting fluorescent lamp system--of the rapid start type--is well suited for use as a task light where the lamp is mounted relatively close to an underlying work area and receives power from a conventional outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Lyall Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Peters
  • Method of preparing a test strip for alcohol testing
    Patent number: 4786596
    Abstract: Ethyl alcohol test strip fabricating and use techniques for testing an individual's saliva to determine his sobriety are disclosed. The test strips employ an alcohol oxidase, Peroxidase and an hydrogen donor indicator such as Tetraalkylbenzidine in a carrier matrix supported on the strip with the alcohol oxidase functioning as a catalyst to convert any ethanol present along with ambient oxygen to acetaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. The peroxidase function as catalyst to induce a color change in the hydrogen donor and convert the hydrogen peroxide to water. The method of fabricating the test strip involves multiple steps of reagent application and hot air drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Chem-Elec., Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest C. Adams
  • Dart carrying case
    Patent number: 4773578
    Abstract: A carrying case for conventional throwing darts is disclosed in the form of a plastic box and mating plastic cover. The box or tray has a pair of tabs extending from one side for attaching the tray to a dart player's belt and a cover latching tab or boss on the opposite side. The lid or cover includes open slots passing around the belt tabs so that the tray may be worn with or without the cover being in place and includes an opening which cooperates with the latching boss to hold the cover in place. The tray is filled with a resilient material into which darts may be stuck and supported freeing the player's hands while waiting his turn to throw. The tray has a flat bottom and may rest upright on a horizontal surface as an alternative to being worn by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Richard A. Braun
  • Tire debeader
    Patent number: 4770077
    Abstract: A device for removing the beads from scrap tires is disclosed and includes a pair of chain-and-sprocket driven spindles which are relatively expandable to engage the inner periphery of a tire and drive the tire in a somewhat rotary manner past a pair of cutting knives which sever the beads from the rest of the tire. After severing, the spindles are retracted toward one another to allow removal of the remaining tire casing and the two severed beads, and the placement of another scrap tire over the spindles. In a preferred form, one spindle pivots about the axis of its own driving sprocket so that the tension in the chain entrained about that driving sprocket and the driven sprocket coaxial with that spindle remains constant. A unique tire casing support near the cutting knives is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Robert A. Garmater
  • Firearm safety
    Patent number: 4769936
    Abstract: A safety device for a revolver is disclosed which automatically interposes a hammer blocking member immediately adjacent the hammer to prevent the hammer being retracted or cocked each time the cylinder of the revolver is opened as for example, when loading the cylinder. Further deliberate action by the user independent of either the loading process or the firing process is required to unblock the hammer and ready the gun for firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Miller
  • Conveyor belt
    Patent number: 4741432
    Abstract: A wire processing system wherein lengths of insulated wire are sequentially presented to processing stations for insulation stripping and subsequent terminal crimping, is disclosed employing an improved wire gripping and transporting arrangement having a flexible conveyor belt with a plurality of wire keepers molded to and distributed about the belt, each keeper including a pair of upstanding resilient projections having a gap therebetween to receive and grip a section of wire, an input station where wire is pushed into the gap between projection pairs, and an output station including a picker to be positioned adjacent the projection pair between the wire and the belt with relative motion between the picker and the keeper ejecting the wire from the gap. The belt is entrained on a drive wheel having a plurality of generally flat peripheral surfaces, and on an idler wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Lyall Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Chester E. Dekko
  • Null processing receiver apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4734701
    Abstract: A null processing receiver apparatus that receives and combines together a number of modulated information signals in such a fashion that an interference or jamming signal superimposed on each received signal is substantially eliminated from the combined signal. The apparatus first demodulates each received signal to baseband, to produce a primary demodulated signal and one or more auxiliary demodulated signals. The apparatus then appropriately weights the one or more auxiliary signals and sums together the weighted signals with the primary signal to produce a sum signal in which the interference is substantially nulled out. The weighting is based on a cross-correlation of the sum signal with the baseband signals themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: Paul H. Grobert
  • Swine farrowing system
    Patent number: 4700661
    Abstract: A one sided creep area farrowing crate fabricated principally from flat material, sheet metal, plastic, wood, etc., has a molded sow pen entrance door with integral rump guard and a longitudinal sheet metal barrier separating the sow pen from the litter creep area while allowing nursing due to the elevation of the sheet metal barrier above the floor surface. Adjacent pairs of farrowing crates may be arranged back to back so as to share a common sow pen wall. With this arrangement a significant floor space reduction is achieved and the mother sow is forced to lie always on the same one side when nursing. Other floor plans may accomplish the same space saving features with this one side creep area, such as the single sow system described herein, or the linear row (side exit) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Inventor: John D. Lawson
  • Flexural disk resonant cavity transducer
    Patent number: 4700100
    Abstract: Omnidirectional sonic transducers suitable for underwater operation as either hydrophones (listening devices) or projectors (sonic sources) are disclosed. The transducing device has a hollow resonant cavity with at least one flexural disk mounted therein in acoustic communication with both the interior and exterior of the cavity. The cavity also has at least one aperture providing acoustic coupling between the cavity interior and exterior, and a pliant lining covering substantially the entire cavity inner surface except for flexural disk surfaces and the aperture to detune the natural cavity resonance by reducing the rigidity of the cavity inner surface, thereby improving the overall frequency response characteristics of the transducing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventors: John C. Congdon, Thomas A. Whitmore
  • Modular electrical wiring track arrangement
    Patent number: 4688869
    Abstract: An electrical energy distribution system is formed as a track having a multitude of parallel insulating strips and interspersed conductor bars with gaps between adjacent conductor bars to receive conductive blades of outlets or jumper cables for receiving power from the system as well as fixedly supporting a set of blades for power input to the system. As thus configured, the system is modular and may be assembled without the need of tools or specially trained electricians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Steven M. Kelly
  • Combined bellows pump and fluid dispensing container
    Patent number: D273939
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Inventor: Robert Bennett
  • Multi-picture display frame
    Patent number: D292651
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Kent E. Stratton
  • Bed rail pad
    Patent number: D299393
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventor: Donald E. Sands