Patents Represented by Law Firm Rogers, Bereskin & Parr
  • Method and apparatus for determining the profile of a subterranean passage
    Patent number: 4930595
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely determining the profile of an inaccessible subterranean passage for example in a mine. An instrument pod is moved through the passage in steps. At each step, a rangefinder scans the wall of the passage and provides to a remote monitor, range measurements from which a profile can be determined. The pod also carries clinometers for determining the orientation of the pod during each profile measurement. The pod also carries a television camera and lights so that the wall of the passage can be visually inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Falconbridge Limited
    Inventors: Alan G. Hayward, Lauri C. Gregg, Aurele L. Dutrisac, Jack J. Joliat
  • Longitudinal steering linkage for truck with interaxle yokes
    Patent number: 4926756
    Abstract: This invention applies the linkage connected between the interaxle yokes of a truck and a railroad vehicle car body so as to create radially steered alignment of wheelsets on circular curves without reference to the truck frame. Forces exchanged between the wheelsets and the car body are essentially longitudinal and no significant lateral forces are created on the truck frame or car body from the steering action. The steering linkage utilizes the longitudinal component of relative motion of a point on the car body with reference to the vehicle truck to cause relative pivotal movement of the interaxle yokes thereby guiding the wheelsets to a radial alignment. Radial alignment is achieved by suitable proportioning of the links of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: UTDC Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Smith, Peter E. Timan
  • Portable pitcher's mound
    Patent number: 4925186
    Abstract: A pitcher's mound on, which a pitcher in the sport of Baseball stands while pitching the ball, is collapsible, and is made up of several wedge-shaped segments which are connected to a central hub in an easily releasable manner. The segments and the central hub are quite rigid yet are of a size and weight which makes them reasonably portable. The surface of the pitcher's mound can be such as to absorb impact when struck by a ball and to provide good footing for the pitcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: James William Stevenson
    Inventors: James W. Stevenson, Paul T. Arato
  • Transmission apparatus
    Patent number: 4920826
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus has an epicyclic gear unit and a torque converter. One element of the epicyclic gear unit is connected to one element of the torque converter, and another element of the epicyclic gear is connected to another element of the torque converter. The third element of the epicyclic gear unit is connected to a first shaft. A second shaft is connected to one other element of the transmission apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, a variable ratio is provided between the two shafts, with the torque converter regulating this ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Leonard A. Theriault
  • Ball with swingable internal weight
    Patent number: 4915669
    Abstract: A ball having an outer chamber and a first center of volume contains an inner chamber which is substantially smaller than the outer chamber. The inner chamber has a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion extending between the body portion and the outer skin of the outer chamber. The neck portion is the only connection between the inner and outer chambers and comprises a flexible tube for permitting the inner chamber to swing back and forth within the outer chamber about the connection. The inner chamber contains a selected amount of a medium much denser than air and when the ball is in use the ball has eccentric and unpredictable flight characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Pressers International Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon K. Russell
  • Lift truck fork
    Patent number: 4911607
    Abstract: In vehicles for material handling commonly known as lift trucks, it is known to have forks for lifting and supporting the material being handled. In this invention, the curved portion of the fork, known as the "heel" is modified to reduce the stresses which arise in this area when the fork is loaded. The modifications include thickening of the heel during forming by approximately 5% toward the blade and approximately 2.5% toward the shank, enlarging the inside radius of the heel by machining and providing a clearance cavity in the top surface of the region where the blade meets the heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Kenhar Products Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan E. Green
  • Regenerative bed heat exchanger
    Patent number: 4909307
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has two regenerative beds and two valves connected to the beds for controlling the flow through them. Each valve has two ports connected to the beds and two other ports. The valves are mechanically linked and actuated together. The valves serve to alternate two gas flows between the two beds, to effect heat and moisture transfer between the gas flows. Each valve has two valve members mounted on a common valve shaft controlling the connections between its ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Canadian Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Ferdinand K. Besik
  • Electromagnetic apparatus for positioning objects located behind a conductive wall
    Patent number: 4909980
    Abstract: Apparatus for repositioning garter springs around the pressure tubes of Candu-type nuclear reactors. A primary coil having a high permeability core is inserted into the pressure tube. The coil is energized by an alternating current of a frequency and amplitude sufficient to produce a primary alternating electromagnetic field that penetrates the wall and induces an eddy current in the garter spring. A secondary alternating electromagnetic field is also produced and is reactive with the primary field to produce a travelling electromagnetic field of sufficient intensity and of such direction that the resultant of the electromagnetic forces acting on the garter spring causes the spring to move along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Ontario Hydro
    Inventor: Matija Cenanovic
  • Process for electroplating metals
    Patent number: 4906340
    Abstract: A process for electroplating metals in an electroplating cell in which the anode current efficiency of the cell is greater than the cathode current efficiency. Buildup of excess metal in the cell is counteracted by circulating the plating solution through an electrowinning cell and plating out the excess metal onto cathodes in the electrowinning cell. The amount of current flowing through the electrowinning cell is controlled so that the amount of the said current which results in the deposition of metal is at least substantially equal to the amount of current flowing through the electroplating cell which results in the evolution of hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Eco-Tec Limited
    Inventor: Craig J. Brown
  • Method for rolling sod with grass side out
    Patent number: 4903778
    Abstract: A sod harvester in which sod is cut, conveyed upwardly, and then travels downwardly over a floppy conveyor and falls into a roll forming enclosure formed by a bottom conveyor and a vertical conveyor. The floppy conveyor swings downwardly at the start of roll forming, to reduce the free fall of the sod, and swings upwardly as the roll grows. When the roll is formed, the bottom conveyor is unlatched and tilts downwardly to discharge the roll, at the same time pulling into cocked position a core tube injector arm. When the roll discharges, the bottom conveyor snaps upwardly, releasing the core tube injector arm which injects a fresh core tube into the roll forming enclosure. The sod is rolled with its grass side outwardly to facilitate laying and to protect the grass roots. A tray on a cart at the end of the harvester receives the discharge roll and can convey it to either side of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Brouwer Turf Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Henry Zwambag
  • Toaster
    Patent number: 4901631
    Abstract: A toaster for heating both a frankfurter and a frankfurter bun is disclosed. The toaster has a frankfurter heating chamber having associated first heating elements for heating at least two opposed surfaces of a frankfurter placed in said frankfurter heating chamber and at least one bun heating chamber having an associated second heating element for heating at least one surface of a bun placed in said bun heating chamber. The toaster includes an elevator having a first portion for supporting the frankfurter in the frankfurter heating chamber and a second portion for supporting the bun in the bun heating chamber. A connecting means connects the first portion to said second portion and permits a limited amount of play between said first and second portion. In one embodiment the connecting means includes a generally upside down U-shaped link bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Gordon K. Russell
    Inventors: Gordon K. Russell, Donald Taylor, Clement Ching, Kam-Chuen Chan
  • Process utilizing pyrolyzation and gasification for the synergistic co-processing of a combined feedstock of coal and heavy oil to produce a synthetic crude oil
    Patent number: 4900429
    Abstract: An energy integrated process for the production of a synthetic crude oil product from heavier oils and coal in which coal is pyrolyzed and a combined feedstock of coal, coal volatiles and a heavy oil product is co-processed to produce a synergistic yield of light crude oil compatible with the refining capabilities of existing conventional refineries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Reginald D. Richardson
  • Stamp with replaceable die plate attached to support member by an elastomerically extensible connection
    Patent number: 4896604
    Abstract: A stamp is described which includes a die plate constructed in a number of clipped-together die plate sections, a rectangular die plate mounting member with a rigidly affixed handle, and elastomerically extensible retainers which releasably engage opposing side edges of the die plate and which normally draw the die plate into secure engagement with the mounting member. The die plate can be removed for replacement with another die plate, or for addition or substitution of die plate sections which conveniently alter the message otherwise printed by the die plate. The elastomeric extensibility of the retainers permits expansion of the die plate (or replacement with a larger die plate) without necessitating use of a larger or different mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Walter Urbanowicz
  • Tubular membrane module with fluid shear protection
    Patent number: 4897191
    Abstract: A tubular membrane module for use in ultrafiltration or microfiltration has a bundle of membrane tubes that extend between inlet and return headers. The inlet header is fixed to one end of a tubular housing having a permeate outlet while the return header is free to float longitudinally of the housing to accomodate dimensional changes in the tubes with respect to the housing. The tubes are sealed at their ends in sockets in respective potting collars but are mechanically secured and sealed to the headers. The sockets are undercut to protect the membranes from stripping due to fluid shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Zenon Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Langerak, Paul B. Koehler, Fernando A. Tonelli, Radu Apostolache
  • Louver gasket
    Patent number: 4892322
    Abstract: A gasket for use on ventilation louvers of buildings. The gasket fits snugly over the sidewall of the ventilation louver and has a circumferential radially inwardly facing concave side surface terminating in a narrow lip which presses against the louver sidewall. The gasket also has a circumferential concave rear surface which presses against siding or the like which abuts against the louver sidewall, to provide some degree of seal. The concave surfaces also help maintain the gasket's orientation. The gasket position can be manually adjusted on the louver sidewall to suit different siding thicknesses, or the gasket can be removed and discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Inventors: Coleman L. Koza, Lawrence J. Koza
  • Fermentation vessel
    Patent number: D305601
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Brewmaster Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: C. Bruce Hewson
  • Show case
    Patent number: D306669
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Martin Otema
  • Air vehicle
    Patent number: D307131
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Hystar Aerospace Development Corporation
    Inventor: Dale C. Kramer
  • Column for a trophy
    Patent number: D307566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Tromar Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond H. Pierce
  • Air vehicle
    Patent number: D307884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Hystar Aerospace Development Corporation
    Inventor: George Ninkovich